This is the place to go if you’re a monster truck fan!! The kids thanked us the second we got in the car to leave. Every employee was extremely kind. We all got amazing food (burgers, shrimp, nachos, fries, shakes). Worth every penny!

Great experience! There's a store with all kinds of monster truck collectible toys and clothing. The museum is $10 per person, and 3 and under are free. There's also a kids area with $5 rides with a small petting zoo. We didn't go to the diner or ride the big monster truck, but had a great time while there.

Super Awesome! We had a blast learning about grave digger and the evolution of monster trucks! They even have monster truck rides on site. The gift shop has pricing you would expect from a place like this but still reasonable.

This was freaking awesome! I didn’t grow up enjoying monster trucks, but raising a son has made me love them. I loved hearing the story behind Grave Digger. The activities were so fun, too. I can’t believe we got to ride in a monster truck! Don’t forget cash!

I went by Home of the grave digger they have a museum there that they also have diggers dungeon they also have like they had a little kids ride it was a fun spot. I live just a short bit away in Virginia Beach and grew up cheering for grave digger and all of the spawn I think they have son of a digger heck of a digger it's me all the truck parts there are in the massive size of them is just so impressive

If you know anything about monster trucks you know that you have to stop to see! There is a small museum, gift shop area to get all your Digger stuff at. You can get food at the diner. You can even go on a monster truck ride. There’s plenty of parking for all kinds of vehicles. Great place to stop and see!

Excellent, it was 20 years since I've been back until today, they have really expanded the operation. The old race shop attached to the gift shop is now a small museum. Two more huge race shops built out back and a ride truck track and restaurant directly next door. The ride truck doesn't operate every day after Labor Day nor does the restaurant. It's still a must see stop for after Labor Day vacationers !! You may never have another chance !

My family has been visiting H2OBX since it opened in June 2017, and it’s been a tradition we look forward to every summer (except the one we missed during COVID!). Our season passes make it easy to enjoy H2OBX multiple times throughout the summer. This park is the perfect mix of thrills and relaxation, from the heart pounding water slides to the obstacle courses that always make us laugh as we watch our kids (and other brave souls) take them on, all the way to enjoying the ocean breeze and the slower pace of the lazy river. The landscaping here is also beautiful, and it always reminds me of my mother-in-law who joined us at the park in the early years before she passed away. She always loved the flowers and shrubs, they make us think of her. It’s such a special memory we get to carry with us every time we visit. One of the best parts of H2OBX is how safe and family-friendly it feels. I never worry about letting the kids explore a bit on their own. The food and beverage options are plentiful, and the giant umbrellas with comfy lounge chairs make it easy to spend the entire day from open to close without ever wanting to leave. H2OBX is more than just a waterpark for us, it’s where we’ve made years of family memories, and we plan to hopefully keep coming back for many more. Tips: 1. Bring or wear “water shoes” or shoes you can slide off at the bottom of the attractions because the concrete gets hot. 2. Read the policies and rules before coming to the park. The majority of the 1 star reviews I’ve read on here are due to people not reading and following the parks clearly stated policies. 3. Buy the refillable souvenir cups! Such a cost saving option. 4. Arrive early so you can snag a great spot under one of the provided umbrellas. 5. The park has lots of tasty options for lunch, snacks, beverages and dinner. If you’re on a budget, pack a cooler for a picnic lunch in the parking lot.

Amazing waterpark! Clean facilities, lots to do, family friendly, tons of shady spots to sit, short lines for slides! Kids (and adults) had a great time!! Highly recommend going when they open, it definitely started to get busier as the day went on!! And bring water shoes/flip flops, the concrete can get slightly unwalkable in the heat!

The waterpark was an excellent adventure. It was my first time going. My family had a great time we’re from Virginia Beach and we used go to Ocean breeze but I think I have a new waterpark to go to now regardless it’s an hour and eight minutes away from me, but I enjoyed the drive. The park was clean. The employees were friendly. The food was great. The rise were excellent. Did not have to wait too long in line and a price was cheaper than Ocean breeze I suggest go check it out. You’ll have an excellent time.

We had a wonderful time at this waterpark! It was very clean, well-maintained, and perfect for a family weekend getaway. My family and I truly enjoyed every moment — from the fun attractions to the relaxing areas, everything was excellent. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great and enjoyable experience. It was one of the best family outings we’ve had!

Great park and there is a lot to do. The only thing is not cool is they will let you bring a water bottle in but it must be empty. The only filling stations was like a water fountain like at schools. That is not cool! The food and drinks were ok about the avg price like an amusement park. I would recommend it when there is nothing else to do.

Great waterpark on the way to OBX! Smaller than Ocean Breeze and Water Country, but we enjoyed the flow rider that those parks don’t have, great locations of lockers and a couple of the slides were a lot of fun. The taco truck was great and the ladies working were so nice! We went on a Sunday that was high of 80 and felt like it never got super busy. Waits were short on everything the entire day.

Plenty of Free Parking. Easy entrance to park with online tickets. You just get your bag inspected and show them the barcodes. We rented a Cabana (pricey but in the extreme heat today those fans were amazing). Staff is super friendly and helpful. We were able to decorate for a birthday in our cabana. Hardly any lines for all the attractions. Highly recommend either water shoes or flip flops because there is not much shade and that concrete is hot enough to cook an egg. The lazy river is fantastic. Park was very clean. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Definitely recommend a visit. Short drive from Virginia Beach. Well worth it!!

This is a must stop if in the area and looking for something to do, and it's free! I was killing time in town and wandered upon it. They had a wide range of exhibits of local history. Thought it was quite well done. Was able to take my time and check it all out. Lots was pretty interesting and very informative. Some of the wood carvings and making were amazing. They even had a current surfing exhibit going on. They had a duck decoys through the years, which was neat. There is also a little gift store. Lady working the front desk was super nice and helpful.

Excellent little museum with an immersive exhibition of local history. It has free admission and a waterfront park across the street. The big glass windows make for a nice backdrop and the outdoor ballroom area is well lit with good acoustics. Makes for a good wedding venue up to 200 guests.

Interesting NC state museum focused on the Albemarle region, including history and links to modern life. Really well done exhibits. Free admission, with donation boxes.

My husband and I really enjoyed visiting the Museum of the Albemarle. The best thing about the museum are the people that work there. We had multiple museum employees greet us and share information and wisdom with us. We liked how the information was shared. You can scan a QR code to open a webpage that takes you on a tour thru the museum. It shares much of the same material you can read and some anecdotes and info not on the displays. This museum is free to visit.

The Museum of the Albemarle, a hidden gem in Elizabeth City that goes above and beyond what one might anticipate for a town of its size, is tucked away along the shoreline. The size and caliber of the displays immediately establish that this is not a little local collection but rather a well designed area that reflects the richness and complexity of the history of northeastern North Carolina. Despite my short time today, I was amazed by the depth of the exhibits, which cover centuries of local history, from colonial colonization and Indigenous cultures to maritime heritage and contemporary municipal development. The museum's layout is expansive, with high ceilings and spacious galleries that invite deeper exploration. It's the kind of place where you could easily spend several hours and still feel like there's more to uncover.

This museum was well worth the long drive and visit. It took us about 3 hours to see everything and there was a section that was closed off. In addition to the regular sections of the museum they had special exhibit on the contributions of women and one called High on the Hog which was about the history of slaughtering and processing pigs. It was really interesting. Aside from those there was a section on the history of Native Americans as well as the history of the area. The museum is fully accessible and has benches throughout. I was able to easily navigate it with my scooter. One thing that was disappointing was the first floor bathroom. There was a handicap sign on the outside but no handicap stall inside. Then when I looked a little further I found a door that said “nursing room”, when I looked inside there was a handicap toilet set up. It was strange. The staff here are really nice and helpful. The gift shop was really nice, I spent way too much in there. I was also able to buy gifts from the local area. Take the time to enjoy this gem of a museum!

Visited the Northeastern North Carolina Surfing Exhibit today at MOA. Admission is Free. The exhibit was awesome! There is a wall outside the exhibit where visitors can bring a sticker from their favorite surf shop, attach the sticker to the wall and get a photo on a surfboard in front of the wall. Inside the exhibit we saw so many local surf boards shaped from locally owned surf shops and shapers on Hatteras Island and Nags Head areas. Displays of vintage boards and accomplishments of local surfers are also included in the exhibit. There is so much history of NE North Carolina at MOA. We enjoyed the rest of our time visiting the history exhibits. Great time for friends and family!

Great place to visit! We focused on free to low cost activities, but there is something for everyone & every budget. We started at the Edenton State Historic Site Visitor Center (108 N Broad St). The staff were friendly, knowledgeable & welcoming. We were charmed by the “mini-manager” (a sweet, young lady helping her mom that day). We browsed the museum, gift shop, got a map and headed out. Free parking is available at the visitor center and downtown. The easily walkable downtown has maintained its historic charm with plenty of places to explore.1) The self-guided walking tour has several plaques highlighting the revolutionary history and reveals a unique story of the town’s emblem- the teapot- and the brave ladies who dared defy a king! 2) The Colonial Park at Edenton Bay is perfect for picnics, has a large playground, and brings you to 3) the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse. Walking the deck wrapping around the lighthouse, there is a panoramic view of the bay that doesn’t disappoint and the breeze is refreshing. There is a $2.50 charge to go inside and to the top of the light. Just across the street is 4) The Penelope Barker House which is perfectly preserved from that time period with handcrafted furniture, a museum, and many books about the town. Check out the quilt on the second floor- it’s amazingly detailed & informative. We strolled a couple blocks into town to the 5) Cupola House Gardens, they are vast and filled with variety. Take note of the murals as you walk downtown & there are plenty of shops and eateries. We stopped at 6) Huckleberry Ice Cream Parlor and enjoyed a cooling treat as we continued walking towards 7) the “Edenton Teapot” marker on Colonial street. We walked towards the waters’ edge fanned by cool breezes and checked out the cannons on the shoreline; a testimony to the naval battles and importance of this area where the river meets the ocean. We circled back to the park by the bay and headed out. Will definitely be back. There is so much to do, trolley rides, boat rides, guided tours, town festivals and events- it’s definitely worth checking out!

Our tour guide Charles was nothing short of knowledgeable, very kind and very accommodating for our Women's Ministry group. He answered all of our questions and gave factual information which was mind blowing! This is a must if you're visiting Edenton!

Small, quaint town. Was the first capital of NC until the capital was moved to New Bern. People are friendly. Historical Sites and homes. Eating out in the downtown area is a little pricey. Friendly people, although we saw a very few protesters wanting to take down a statue of course. (Eye roll). Otherwise worth a quick day trip.

Charles was our tour guide. He was amazing. We asked many questions and he took his time to answer everything. Definitely went above and beyond, one of the best tour guides we have had. Great job Charles, we will be back sir. We also had a tour with Lucas who again went above and beyond with the tour of the lighthouse. Finally we met Bailey with NC Historic Sites who answered questions about the area and offered some sites to see in Edenton, We have been on many NC historic sites to visit but this has to be one of our favorites along with Somerset Place. Great job NC Historic Site team. A+

Very nice place to take a History trip. We had a tour guide. We made ropes and dolls.It was $3.50 per person. Veiwed the inside of a historic home, court house, and a lighthouse. We picniced at the park near the lighthouse and water. Just have to go back to visit the cute little downtown shops. And there was a boat you could go out on for a fee.$18 per person. Would like to do that! The tour guide did a wonderful job! It was worth it! Great one day trip. ☺👍💒

Wonderful and beautiful little historical town from Revolutionary Era. Lots of historical sites to see and shops and restaurants.

Small town with a huge amount of history! Friendly folks and great places to eat. Make sure you take the trolley tour on your visit!?

Great piece of history. Well done exhibit and the people are super friendly.

Friendly & informative folks! The house is beautiful & well kept and the location stunning!

This old house is packed with old historical items. One can easily see this house is very old and very creaky. I really enjoyed sitting in the rocking chairs overlooking the water front. If you like to fish bring your fishing poles! There are great places to bank fish at the Penelope Barker House.

Welcome center indeed! 😍 Our family of seven felt so warmly welcomed here and we enjoyed learning about the history of the home before taking a self-guided tour through the downstairs and upstairs rooms. Great view of the water from the second story balcony! In the gift shop, be sure to purchase the walking tour guide of Edenton (green cover) and you'll learn so much as you walk through town.

Museum was as expected. Docents were very helpful. There is a lot of history on this town which they try to preserve and cling to. There's a lone cypress tree still standing next to the museum's dock that if you stand still, you could feel the tradesmen and slaves that passed through here. I tried not to look at it too often. If you're a sensitive, you'll know what I mean.

I enjoyed happening along this place. We stopped in Edenton to see the historic waterfront and found this treasure. I had no idea who Penelope Barker was. I had never heard about her tea party resolution. I found the museum very informative. It was neat how you can see the inside of the walls. (the ceiling is sagging in there because of the missing wall pieces). There are period correct dresses and slippers worn by the people that lived in this home. There are lots of local books for sale. A neat one that caught my eye was a book about all of the historical houses in Edenton, and their individual history. The museum is free to visit. We will definitely be back to explore this town more

Great place to visit! Beautiful views and lots of history. Staff very friendly and helpful. We could have spent all day in Edenton and learning the history of the town.

Fun little stop in a cute little town. The museum is nice but a bit dated. The big draw is the dig pit. They bring in loads of dirt from the local phosphate mine which is full of fun little items like fossils, shark teeth, and coral skeleton fragments. My 4 and 2 year old loved digging (to be honest, I did too!). Bring your own screen and a shovel for even more fun!

I've been to the NC Fossil Festival in Aurora for the last two years and I plan to be back this year too. I've always been a huge fan of fossils and have loved the opportunity that the Festival gives me to add to my personal fossil collection. It's always fun meeting new people at the Festival and exploring all it has to offer. The museum is cool, especially if you like shark's teeth. It's always fun to dig in the pits, especially if a new sediment pile has recently been delivered. I haven't found anything too crazy, but I have found shells, fossilized coral chunks, and a couple shark's teeth. If you are a fossil lover, I would definitely recommend this little museum in this little town in North Carolina. It's worth the drive out there! Also, there is a silent auction during the fossil festival. Got a lot of extraordinary pieces in my collection from that.

There is absolutely nothing bad that I could say about this place. First off it is free to the public and they appreciate donations which is quite kind. Museum wise it is small but there is a lot to see within it. They have definitely gone above and beyond to make this an enjoyable experience. Outside they have three separate fossil finding pits. Completely free and they offer you free baggies for your finds. Keep this place in business, make a donation, and make some amazing memories!

A fun place to go and spend the day and admission is completely free, you just check in at the museum store. I learned about the Aurora Fossil Museum from a Facebook fossil group I follow and decided to give it a try as a stop on the way to the beach. Now I've been there at least 10 times so far and will definitely be going back. My sister and I have gone to the Fossil Festival they host three times and even competed in the sponsored Fossil 5K twice. The dig pits are well maintained and spacious. The museum has a lot of neat fossils on display. The gift shop always has something new, and it has clean restrooms. And the workers are always very friendly and willing to answer questions or assist in any way.

Such a fantastic museum with people who are knowledgeable about what you brought in from the dig pit to be identified. Both buildings are very awesome. I took my grandson and we had such a great time. Not too impressed with the dig pits though as there are a lot of big rocks That have to be moved out of the way before you can get to the smaller soil and bits to be screened.

A very interesting place, driven by wonderful people. Highly recommend to anyone who is fascinated by marine paleontology and especially shark tooth hunting. You will no doubt be able to find something for your collection here! A perfect place for children.

This was a super fun excursion! The fossil pit was great and our group found lots of fossil shells, bones, and shark teeth with very little digging. The museum is fantastic with rooms that explain the mining and fossil layer. Highly recommend and will be back soon!

This campground had the perfect beach meets forest feel. The campground itself is small and quaint. There's a hiking trail and a bath house. The cabins are adorable. If you travel down a trail or drive over you'll access the beach area. The entire park just has a feel. We will definitely be going back. I think the only thing I would say it was missing was a playground for the kids. My son doesn't need a playground to stay busy, but it would be nice to have one. Our dogs enjoyed the trails too.

This is an amazing state park in Eastern NC!! Accessing the park is very easy, especially for ECU students looking to be a bit more outdoorsy. I went late last January during a snowy, cold period and had a blast. Even in the snow, it was clear that trails and boardwalks were well maintained and clear of trash. The unique environment of the park makes the visit all the more fun! I would highly recommend.

Beautiful state park, out in the middle of nowhere. Really unique scenery, lots of spanish moss in places as well. Not crowded whatsoever, free to enter and plenty of parking. Worth the drive!

This is a great hidden gem! The RV sites are very nicely spaced and a great size. The camp host was very friendly and informative about the area. The common area restrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a while at a State Park.

What a GORGEOUS place! It was PUT there as far as primitive camping goes. Not too bad with bugs surprisingly. Peaceful and quiet. Saw 3 deer and had an amazing time. The litle beach is quite nice too! Check it out!

I solo camped here for over a week in early August with my German shepherd. I stayed in the RV campground, which has 30/50 amp service, sewer, and water. There is also a separate tent campground. I LOVED this park. I hiked on all of its trails during my stay. The park is gorgeous, with well-kept, sandy trails and lots of raised boardwalk trails with ethereal Spanish moss gracing all of it. It must have rained every single day I was there -- once, torrentially -- and you would never know it on the trails the next day; a testament to great water mitigation. The trails also had fantastic options to fetch my dog in the water (Ivey Gut was my favorite trail). The trails were very quiet and I hardly saw another hiker. I saw park staff on all my hikes, however, maintaining trails and removing garbage. The whole area underwent a controlled burn (I'm not sure when, even though there was a placard about it). There were great interpretative displays on almost all of the trails to help hikers learn about the history, flora and fauna of the park. This is a very well-loved, well-cared for park. All of the camps are very well spaced (tent sites too) and unlike other reviewers, I loved that the RV campground was in an overgrown field, because the bird watching was amazing. I heard bluebirds, ospreys, and indigo buntings the entire time, with a bob white on two nights! The tent campground is shady, close to the water, and also has well spread out sites. *I used the boat launch for my kayak one day, but that's a ten minute drive, and I do wish there were better options for getting cartop boats in the water directly from the campground.

Amazing location! Saw dolphins our first morning there. Walk right over to a little beach and kayak dock right around the corner.

As a former MBA student at East Carolina University, I feel compelled to share my experience to warn others considering this institution. My tuition waiver was submitted on December 6, 2024, yet due to ECU’s failure to process it by the December 17 payment deadline, I was forced to pay $840 out of pocket to avoid being dropped from my classes. This financial strain was entirely avoidable had ECU handled their responsibilities competently. What followed was a month of administrative chaos: The Cashier’s Office gave vague assurances but failed to act in a timely manner. Senior leadership, including Dr. Lee Grubb, Senior Associate Dean of the College of Business, completely ignored my emails seeking assistance. Even after escalating to the Chancellor’s Office, I received only a last-minute apology and yet another delay in my refund, which is still not resolved. This isn’t just one person’s oversight—this is a systemic issue with ECU’s administration. Their inability to process basic requests, communicate effectively, or prioritize students’ financial well-being is appalling. If you’re considering ECU for graduate studies, think long and hard about whether you can afford to waste your time and money on an institution that treats students like afterthoughts. I’ve withdrawn from their MBA program and will be pursuing opportunities elsewhere—at schools that actually value their students.

ECU is probably the only thing interesting about Greenville to be honest. If you’re a partygoer, you just came to the biggest party school in NC. Just kidding, those frats are a small, insignificant, second-class portion of the student population. Things get wild on Halloween, though, and that’s not an exaggeration.

We had such a great tour of ECU! Was not expecting a large university experience on the eastern edge of the state, but coming from out of state, there it is! Our tour guide was well-informed and sung the praises of the school. We really enjoyed the energy of the student body, observing the hustle and bustle between classes and seeing how a big school can feel navigable at the same time. Loved Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and the athletic facilities for the students were unreal! We even learned that the Maritime Studies program is working on the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's true-to-life ship - apropos that the Pirates are working on a pirate ship! We felt like ECU is competitive, but not impossible to get into, and that the out-of-state cost was much more reasonable than many schools of the same size and type (Division I). This is my daughter's first choice now, and while we have other schools to see, her hope is to become a Pirate!

I got to see my sister graduate! Great experience for all involved. 🎓

If you go to _faithboi_ socials, you will see how they react to SA it will change your opinions about going to this University. Especially if you are a women

I visited Joyner Library. A great place to study and quietness

As an online student at East Carolina University, my experience has been frustrating from the start. Communication has consistently been poor, and there is a noticeable lack of accountability when issues arise. Despite balancing work, parenting, and full-time studies, I’ve received little support in resolving mistakes or addressing concerns. Unfortunately, I won’t be continuing beyond my second semester here.

Traveled down to Morehead, NC (first visit to this area) from the mountains to celebrate my birthday. On 5/17/24, we visited Tryon Palace, on advise from some friends who were originally from New Bern. Unfortunately, most everything was not open, including the gardens. We were able to visit the Gift Store, and walk down to the water's edge. We are hoping to come back another time. New Bern is a great town full of friendly people. Enjoyed our visit there very much!!

It was beautiful nand our tour guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We learned so much while there from each person we encountered. Beautiful place! Beautiful area w so much history!

Fans of history will enjoy this museum and the Tyron Palace tour. The tour of the interior was about an hour long. I enjoyed our excellent guide “the Englishman” who was both knowledgeable and comedic. The grounds are well kept and I enjoyed walking the gardens on a sunny but chilly December day. Not sure that I would recommend this for very young children, but historically curious kids who are entertained by learning would likely enjoy this visit. The gift shop has a nice selection of interesting trinkets and books. The indoor museum galleries offer interesting facts and perspectives on the natural and human history of the area. I spent about 3 hours here, including the 1 hr palace tour, as an individual. I would visit again to read the galleries in further detail.

It is a very interesting place to visit, you learn some interesting facts about New Bern and the people involved in the Tyron palace,but not disabled friendly which is understandable because it's a very old building

Great tour and many great events heald on the Palace ground, such as, The North Carolina symphony playing on the back lawn, the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July, continental soldiers, explaining history on the front lawn of the palace and many more things.

Wonderful tour. Have to buy tickets at museum before going to the palace. The ladies that do a wonderful job, really know historical details and always friendly and helpful. Loved how they draw the kids into the experience.

Wonderful tour of the palace. Great history about Tyrol palace.

Really great place to visit while your on vacation. They have a beautiful trail that has overlooks that go out into the marsh a little play ground for the kids to enjoy bald eagles, turtles, and snake exhibits. Inside they have beautiful tanks with fish, jellys, seahorses and more. It exceeded our expectations and would definitely go back.

This is an amazing little spot. We were visiting from out of town and decided to burn a few hours at the aquarium. We did not buy tickets in advance and walked right in, but I can see how you would want to do that during busier seasons. It is so clean, well taken care of and the staff are fantastic. We had so much fun with our 11 and 8 year olds. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions! We decided to do the $20 behind the scenes tour and feeding frenzy and it was worth every penny!! Our tour guide was amazing, so kind and patient with our kiddos and engaged them so well. We got to “meet” 5 sea turtles that were rehabilitated and were getting returned to the sea later in the afternoon! We loved hearing their stories and the mission of this program. Would definitely go again and spend more time. What a great local aquarium!!

Beautiful! The nature trails, the recreated habitats, the marsh boardwalk…everything about this place is just beautiful! And the staff was completely lovely! Friendly, knowledgeable, & interesting in their delivery. The building & parking lot are well maintained, the restrooms are clean. Admission is reasonable, the gift shop expensive & largely mass-produced. I went on a rainy Monday morning in the “off season” for the area & it was decently crowded, but easily maneuverable. There is plenty of room between exhibits. I also purchased my ticket in advance which made entry faster & probably does help a lot during busy times. Just over an hour was spent inside & just under an hour was spent outside. And they have plenty of programs throughout the day (feedings, animal encounters, divers in the shark tank, etc). The older gentleman at the otter enclosure was especially kind & friendly.

The NC aquariums are all great, and each one has its own character. This one has a nice trail onsite and faces a salt marsh, so the location is beautiful and easily accessible from Morehead City. The shark tank at the end is fun, and the staff onsite are knowledgable and friendly. There's also touch tanks and lots of NC-native fish to see. For the price it's hard to beat.

Took our kids here while at Atlantic Beach for a family vacation! They had a blast and said it was their favorite part of the trip! It is smaller than the aquarium at Fort Fisher, so we got through it pretty quickly. But the live diving demonstration and the exhibits were really cool!

Had the most wonderful time here with my family today! We especially appreciated the ladies at the touch tank and Callie B. at the shell stand. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about marine life. Almost talked to her for about an hour lol. I definitely left knowing and caring more about the ocean! Thanks guys!

Very Enjoyable~Quite a bit to look at and reasonable prices. Love the photos & photo package. Love the turtles 🐢 and Owls 🦉 ~Love the Butterflies out back when exiting. Very much enjoyed my time~💖

Very nice place, it was my first time here and I enjoyed it. I bought a tumbler and homemade dog treats. They had a baby calf that you can go visit and pet. There was a playground area, very kid friendly.

Tried this place for the first time and it was excellent. The service was friendly, the ice cream (and waffle cone) were delicious. The portions were generous and the facility was lovely. We would definitely visit again if in the area.

Took a long bike ride today and it was a little over 2 hours to get here. Heard a lot of things about this place and heard it was some damn good ice cream. Boy was I disappointed. I got a scoop of the key lime pie ice cream and a scoop of the blueberry cheesecake. That KLP was ALL frost bitten. While it was edible, it tasted awful. The blueberry cheesecake was a bit better, but it still was not great. This was a super disappointing visit. Key Lime Pie - 2/10 Blueberry Cheesecake - 5/10

Ice cream was fantastic. There were about 20 flavors. Prices were reasonable. The tour was definitely worth it. They gave an overview of thr farm and let you pet some young cows. All while riding in a large wagon

We really enjoyed our tour and learned a lot from our guide. The ice cream is delicious and it's even better knowing the cows are treated so well. Highlight-- we got to pet the babies! Definitely recommend.

Finally, we found the natural half gal cream here! Plus the store has a nice welcoming atmosphere to visitors👏🏻 kids also enjoyed their Sally Dairy Day Camp!

My son has a diary allergy.. I hate they only have one flavor for him… He be so sad but that’s all they have.. Wish they had more non diary ideas

I'm from here and prefer this over fighting traffic going to the beach. Always friendly staff and they have a golf cart to help you across the island. I walked across yesterday with my hiking pack, food, water, tent and wasn't bad. My only regret is I could only camp 1 night because tonight is booked 5-17-25

It was a hot but very nice weekend paddle and camp on Bear Island last weekend. Staff at the visitor center were very knowledgeable and helpful (and the AC felt great). The kayak dock and launch was perfect...very easy to get in and out of the water with a loaded vessel. Not a fan of the kayak carts but overall, they worked okay. Stayed at site 14, was easy to find and land. Had good shade in the afternoon and an easy spot to walk into the water to cool off. Easy paddle around the corner to the beach access and very welcomed shower. Low tide access to the beach landing requires a few walks over the shallow areas. Thank you for this clean and wonderful gem of a beach experience. Will be back when it cools a little.

This beach is for those who don’t need the amenities of the tourist traps. It’s a great place for the contemplative personally or a family that doesn’t care for the crowds. It is definitely an adventure to get to Bear Island to include the ferry ride and a hike, but this place revives the soul!

Great place to RV camp with full hookup, or non-electric waterfront sites or tent camping, and cabins, all on the new mainland camping area. They also have primitive camping sites available on Bear Island which are accessible only via ferry or personal watercraft.

This is a very nice state park. It’s in 2 sections for camping. You have Bear Island primitive campsites that you have to ferry over to or paddle in. I think there are some local boat services available to take you and your stuff over for a fee also. If you camp on Bear Island there is a restroom and showers and water available in the public beach access area. This could be pretty far from some campsites. The mainland campground is pretty small but fairly new. There are maybe 20 sites. There are tent and RV sites available with full hookup ups. They also have a handful of cute cabins for rent. We stayed at site 35 the last tent site on the water and it was beautiful. The sites are large and level and gravel including a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole. There is a huge bath house in the middle with 3 toilets and 3 showers and a sink area. There is also a family bathroom with its own toilet and shower. The bath house also has a sink for cleaning dishes and a bike rack which we appreciated having bikes. The bath house is nice but the cleaning could be a little better. Cob webs and spiders in the corners and surfaces just needing to be wiped down. It would also have been great to have a washer/dryer here BUT there isn’t one. A beach campground equals needing to do some laundry with a weekly stay 😕. Also the campground sells wood bundles for $10 but no ice available! I wish they sold ice instead of wood. It’s hot and people visiting especially in summer would rather have ice over a fire. Think of the people taking the ferry over to Bear Island with a cooler. Atleast sell ice at the visitors center where the ferry departs. We had to ride our bikes 2 miles into Swansboro for ice after 2 days. The visitors center is very nice and large. Staff was friendly. If you want to take the ferry over to Bear Island or the beach you must buy your passes here in person no pre purchasing. Tickets are $10 each but if you purchased a NC State yearly pass it includes 4 free ferry tickets per day per visit! Just show them your pass and you get free ferry tickets!! Loved that! The ferry runs at different times and is closed certain times of the year. I will take a picture of that information. Ferry is nice and quick. Only takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the island. Once you get off the ferry it is a 1/2 mile walk out to the beach. Be warned there is zero shade over there so if you need it take something. There is also a golf cart to take you out to the beach if you don’t mind dropping them a “donation “. We were told no cell service on Bear Island but we have Verizon and had 2 bars 5G. There is a concession stand on the beach but it’s cash only because there is no cell service 🤷🏼‍♀️ Did you read the previous sentence?! Also there is not a bike rack at the visitors center which sucked. We had to ride our bikes over to catch the ferry and ended up locking them up to a bat house post. Please buy a bike rack for the visitors center! All in all this is a great place but if I want to do the beach I’m choosing Edisto Island SP, Hunting Island or Myrtle Beach SP so I don’t have to deal with the ferry and the 1/2 mile walk afterwards to the actual beach. Also the mainland campground is a mile from the visitors center where you take the ferry so you’ll need have a vehicle to drive there or bikes. It’s just not real convenient for beach camping in my opinion.

The Nature/visitor center of Hammocks beach state park has great educational materials, souvenirs, docks for launching the kayaks and paddle boards or catching the ferry to Bear Island. The bathrooms and facility are well maintained. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There is ample parking.

Just visited Bear Island via ferry from Hammocks Beach State Park, and it was amazing! 🌴🚣‍♀️ The island's unspoiled maritime forest and wide beach are stunning. Getting there is easy: head to Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro, NC, stop by the visitors center to book your ferry, and you're all set! Just a heads up: plan ahead for the tides, especially if you're bringing gear. 😅 But the scenery and peace are totally worth it. Can't wait to come back!

Great brews here at Mother Earth, Kinston. The inside vibes a whole lot different that how it appears from the outside. I dig it. I sat up at the bar and had a great conversation with the beertender about all the drama that had unfolded between this Mother Earth and the one that carries the same name in San Diego, California. I had to pick up a shirt to wear whenever I am in San Diego to cause confusion to the locals. Stay weird!

Really nice place. Had a few of the Endless River Kolsch style and Park Day Pilsner - both great choices. Great Friday night band made for a fun evening. No problem parking right out front on the street. Also, didn’t catch the bartenders name, but she did an amazing job!

If you don't drink but your friends do, this is the bar for you!!! The bar stools are so comfortable you will be able to wait for them for hours!!!! Seriously if you are a little bit larger than average you will be comfortable sitting in this brewery. I hear the beer is pretty good too.

Wonderful range of brews, and a friendly atmosphere. They’re always ready to let you sample a new brew. I’ve found the bartenders knowledgeable and gladly receive your opinion on a brew. The only down-side are the acoustics of the brick and concrete block walls and the industrial ceiling. The room can get quite loud when moderately full and the space could definitely benefit from some cloth baffles hanging from the ceiling and brick wall. While that might degrade the industrial feel of the place it would create a more intimate atmosphere and make the experience more enjoyable.

Very clean brewery, first time in and trying MEB, so opted for their flight special. Open space, plenty of indoor seating, comfortable outdoor seating area with a few games. I didn’t catch the bartender’s name, but she was very nice and friendly. Parking lot was available, and there was street parking open. Favorite was the Oogie Boogie. 🍺

Super cool space with a great selection of beer. This isn’t a brewery you go to and don’t find something you like. Loved the vintage modern styling and the artwork. Bartender was very helpful. The LEED gold certification is pretty awesome as well. Would highly recommend and go back!

Great brewery with lots of space and good beers. Strawberry fields forever was a different and tasty ipa. Dog and people friendly with a cool vibe. We stayed at the motor lodge down the street and it very walkable. They are doing great things to revamp Kinston.

I came here for the Beirut Memorial, but it was under the construction. I was very impressed with the Corpsman Memorial. If you get a chance to go here, you won’t be disappointed.

What a nice tribute to our Veterans and service men and women from 9/11. I wish we would have had time to visit during the evening hours. I can only imagine how pretty everything must look with the uplighting. The Vietnam wall is replica is quite impressive and I really enjoyed reading about "The Other Wall" as I never knew any of this history behind The Other Wall. For such a small town, this memorial is very well done!

It was really motivating to see the history of montford point and a little about ww2

Beautifully done park. Wide sidewalk throughout. Also lighting along walkway so should be well lit at night. There is a 9/11 memorial, Vietnam memorial, Beirut memorial and Montford memorial. All are well done. The park is very peaceful and offers the perfect place to remember and honor those who have paid the highest price for our freedoms. The Vietnam memorial is exceptionally beautiful with names appearing on glass panels that surround the fountain in the center.

I was visiting my son while he was off for the weekend. My husband and I got a hotel near there and we went to look at it during the day and then at night it's beautiful it's a great memorial it's not something you would take young children to it's historical got great history. It has a great African-American tribute and history of that beautiful statues and displays and they're going to make it bigger with kind of a museum it's would be interesting then we took our son there and took some pictures because he's a Marine and they have a great EGA there in the water is beautiful.

Peaceful little walk around. Thank you veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

A really well designed and deserved memorial. I hope and can return when the museum is complete. This place makes you appreciate and grateful for the men and women who help protect our country and way of life. Thank you too all members of the armed forces!!!!!!

Been going here for over 30 years. Still the best beach vacation around.

Wonderful community!! Low key beach island, great for relaxing and enjoying uncrowned beaches!

Very nice place to vacation. It Excellent restaurants on and off the island. We have been vacationing for several years. I'm sorry to say, Investors are taking the beauty out by over building. So Sad......

Have been coming to Topsail Island for many years. It has grown a lot. Some of that is good but other times I wish it would have stayed smaller and more charming but it is my favorite beach. The beach itself is the best anywhere. The people are friendly and the restaurants offer the best seafood around. Love this place.

Can still drive and Park on the beach at the North end. Family loves it. Get there early as business picks up as the day goes on.

This is the nicest, most beautiful beach I have ever been to. It is family-friendly, accessible, and fun! There are turtle sightings daily, little fish, and nice little shops downtown.

Weather was windy…waves were plentiful…sun was hot…we had a good time. Grandkids loved the boogie boards, sand castles, catching the sand fleas, shells, walking on the shoreline- fun and very relaxing.

We had the best experience! Karen our guide was so informative and knowledgeable and really helped us learn more about all the work they do! My oldest is obsessed with all things turtles so he was so excited to visit here!!! Thank you for all your hard work keeping these turtles safe and helping all the ones who need it!

The experience of a lifetime! It was amazing to see the sea turtles and learn about all the important work the volunteers do to keep the oceans safe for wildlife. The staff were well educated and eager to answer any questions. They do such important work. The best part was seeing the sea turtles and getting to learn facts about each of them, like their favorite snacks. They are so cute, and it was fun learning about the various types of sea turtles that they rescue. Would definitely recommend this experience if in the area!

An hour guided tour with a knowledgable guide. Plenty of time to ask questions. Great learning experience for kids of ALL ages! Reservations required. Adorable items in gift shop. They do great work here. Very worthy addition to any beach vacation. Downside: must be able to stand for the entire hour.

We’ve been coming to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital for years, and it’s truly one of my favorite places to visit. The work they do is incredible, and you can feel the passion and dedication from the staff and volunteers the moment you walk in. This time, we brought our 1-year-old for his first visit, and he had such a great time too—lots to see and enjoy even for little ones! The tour is always inspiring, educational, and heartwarming. It’s a must-visit if you’re in the Topsail area. We love supporting this amazing mission and seeing the turtles heal and thrive!

This was a highlight during our trip, booking tickets in advance is a must. We were a group of 11 and were able to get tickets the day before online. We loved learning about the different type of turtles and how we can help! Highly recommend for all ages!

This was so much fun!!! All staff, minus the guy at the door, were all super friendly, knowledgeable, and seem very dedicated to their conversation efforts!! We took our 5 year old daughter and she loved it. There were also other families with small children and they seemed to really enjoy it also. I would highly recommend giving this place a visit!!!!

What an experience. If you are in the area and must stop and check. Tour takes about 45 minutes. And they are truly doing it for the right reason. Great to see what they do. Answered all the questions and staff were super knowledgeable and friendly

Airlie Gardens was an incredible experience, and we highly recommend it! The butterfly exhibit was the highlight for us—it was really cool to be surrounded by so many beautiful butterflies. A couple of the people in our party were wearing blue shirts, which apparently attract them, so they kept landing on their backs and shoulders. The walking paths are well-maintained and allowed us to really enjoy all the gardens. We also found the turtles in the pond quite charming and friendly. It was a fantastic experience.

Beautiful gardens at a very reasonable price. Take your time and stroll around taking in the beautiful sights and sounds that this gardens has to offer. The live oaks are truly magnificent with the Spanish moss flowing from their branches. There are very colorful flower groupings that give inspiration for home gardeners. They have many benches to sit and reflect as well tiered step gazebo that leads right down to the water where multiple turtles come to great visitors. The day that we visited, we saw the most beautiful birds fly in near the tiered steps and land on a branch a little ways away. The best we could tell, they looked pink but we had no idea what they were or if our eyes were playing tricks on us in the bright lighting. I took multiple pictures on my cell phone from different angles and zoomed in several times not knowing if I was actually capturing anything. When we got home I was looking through the photos and discovered that they were in fact pink and was able to see their flat wide bill well enough to identify them as Roseate Spoonbill. I have never seen these birds before and was astonished that we had been lucky enough to witness 3 of these beautiful creatures swooping in and landing on a branch! Just beautiful. There are many things to see and discover at Airlie Gardens that it is worth spending several hours walking, picnicking, and discovering the natural beauty of this part of North Carolina, so don't miss it!

Airlie Gardens is hands down one of my favorite places in Wilmington. It’s perfect for a family day, a romantic picnic, a solo stroll, or even a photo shoot—there’s something magical about it in every season, but spring (March–April) is especially breathtaking when everything is in bloom. There are tucked-away spots for quiet moments, statues, stone pillars, water features, a butterfly house, local sculptures, and a cobblestone maze that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. It’s even a popular wedding venue, and it’s easy to see why. We bought the season membership (about $75 for a family of five), which was well worth it compared to paying per visit. It’s also kid-friendly, has a cute gift shop, clean bathrooms, and plenty of parking. Whether you’re visiting, local, or looking for the perfect spot to propose—don’t skip this place. Airlie is rich with beauty, history, and memories just waiting to be made. ✅ Best in spring ✅ Romantic, kid-friendly, and peaceful ✅ Ideal for photos, picnics, and proposals 🎯 Tip: Grab the season pass if you plan to come more than once

Absolutely beautiful! Live oaks, winding paths along the water, turtles, butterfly house sculptures art work along the walk. They also have a free gulf cart shuttle that makes various stops around the gardens for those not physically able to walk the distances between the various gardens. I take my out of town guests and they love the experience.

We love Airlie Gardens! It’s beautiful, serene, and always well kept, with so much to see and explore. We often bring a blanket for picnics by the water — the kids love running around and discovering new spots. It’s also absolutely magical during Christmas time. We’ve had a membership for a while now and plan to keep it for years to come!

I'm amazed by the natural beauty of magnificent, Grand oaks trees, draped in Spanish moss, on the banks of creeks in the gardens. I was there to Officiate a wedding (and, what a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony!), and I cannot wait to come back and meander the many winding paths with my camera.

It’s very beautiful. It’s got so much to see. The fountain is what I was here for. The whole farden feels very fairytale-like. Considering the hot and humid weather in Wilmington, you’d like to bring more water because the place is quite large. Their is this “mystery grave” from 18th century which adds some special vibe to the garden. Bird lovers will love this place and it’s very easy to get cool photographs. Note that the gate at the exit opens inward, so make sure your car is not too close to the gate upon leaving.

A great event space with an unbeatable view of the bridge and the river. We had an amazing party and enjoyed the sunlight. The food was also great!

Was recently a vendor for a wedding held at Little Drum and it was such a smooth and enjoyable experience. From coordinating with Jodi and Lindsey, to interacting with the staff, including Brittany and Justin, they were all so kind, professional, helpful and organized. Shout out to Kasey who helped me load all of my equipment in, even though he absolutely had no obligation to. I would highly recommend this venue based on the AMAZING food alone, but with it, you get a charming setting, picturesque views and a well seasoned crew with captains who know what they are doing. Would highly recommend and hope to have the opportunity to work with them again!

I cannot express enough gratitude to Little Drum Landing for saving my wedding. After planning for two years, I was devastated when our original venue in Asheville fell through due to Hurricane Helene. Little Drum Landing stepped in and made our special day even more magical than we could have imagined. Nestled in the heart of downtown Wilmington, this charming venue offered the perfect blend of rustic elegance and modern convenience. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our every need, ensuring that our day was flawless. The beautiful setting, combined with their exceptional service, made our wedding unforgettable. If you're looking for a venue that truly cares about making your big day perfect, look no further than Little Drum Landing.

Great wedding venue! Had the pleasure of designing, delivering, and serving Kelsey & Reggie Best’s wedding cake there 4/26/2025. Great food and wonderful staff. ~ Louise Grier “Classic Cakes by Louise”

Great wedding venue for a small wedding! We photographed Jay & Katrina's wedding here and it was awesome. You are right on the water in the heart of downtown Wilmington. The sunset is beautiful!

Was there for a wedding and it was beautiful! The weather couldn’t been better and the view was awesome 👏🏽. Would recommend to visit or for an occasion.

Best event space in Wilmington!! Amazing waterfront view and food!

Visiting the Battleship North Carolina was such a memorable experience! It’s truly impressive to see this historic World War II warship up close, and it gives you a real sense of the scale and strength of naval history. Walking around the grounds is free, which makes it easy to admire the ship from the outside and snap some great photos. If you’d like to explore onboard, there is an admission fee—but from what I’ve heard, it’s absolutely worth it. Since we were short on time, we didn’t get to go inside, but even just seeing the exterior was fascinating. For those planning a full tour, I’d recommend setting aside at least two hours to really experience the ship, its exhibits, and the details of life at sea. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a unique stop in Wilmington, this is definitely worth a visit! ⚓️

Spent about an hour here with my family of four. Make sure your kids use the restroom before going in: we had to cut our visit short because the toilets were down and we had to use the portapotties outside. I would recommend doing the lower decks first then the upper decks. Really cool living museum. Just wish we could have stayed longer. It's better suited to order kids, although our 4 yo did great.

What an incredible experience!! I highly recommend coming here! It was a cloudy overcast Tuesday and the ship didn’t have too many people touring. We chose to do the self paced tour on our own. There are plenty of signs to read about every part of the ship. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours. There were fans blowing in areas inside the ship which made it nice when we started feeling hot.

The battleship is a fabulous museum. Fascinating to see how the whole place functioned. Very well marked walk through tour. Lots of ladders and steep steps. Amazing In depth showcase of the targeting computer used onboard. The guns are unbelievable my huge.

You can feel chills of respect ,and you can feel the souls of these brave sailors who endure the battles !! Still embedded on the USS NC , highly recommend the experience , not suitable for small children thats for sure , the Confine spaces and the small access to the rooms might be tricky , I’ve work before on ships , a war ship ! My utmost respect for the people who Do or did . Definitely visit this part of the American History in the Flesh makes you appreciate the value of freedom , but don’t get comfy people you might get call soon to the battle of war ! You never know !! The gift shop was little bit pricey ! Adapting little bit high tech to the shop would be better , the only problem they only work on donations no government funding , like I always say local economies are the best ! And thanks to the tour guides that donate Their time during The Weeknd !!! Thanks. Guys what an honor !!

Such a stunning example of American military might from WWII!! It had been almost 30 years since my last visit and I thoroughly enjoyed spending several hours going all over the ship!! All the volunteers were so helpful in answering questions and they had a really nice gift shop too. Weather was quite nice so we walked the boardwalk around the ship too. Well worth going and seeing this Great battleship!

This is a great reminder of the boldness, courage, and sacrifice of our service members. This is a great tour of an amazing piece of our country's history. The cost is nominal and the access is pretty amazing. It certainly gives you a glimpse into life on a battleship. The only thing I wish the memorial could have was more videos or interactive experiences to help visualize aspects of the ship and life. Otherwise, it is worth the visit.

This place is highly gate-kept meaning the people who go here do not tell everyone how awesome this place is. It’s basically a much smaller and much safer version of Myrtle Beach. It’s like going back in time… Nowhere near as large as Myrtle but certainly more family friendly. Clean. No one begging for money. No strong marijuana smell wafting throughout every street you go to. I did not see a lot of seafood restaurants…But plenty of local shops and restaurants and cafes. This boardwalk has a fair amount of carnival style rides and attractions for your family or for anyone for that matter. It’s vibrant but peaceful. There are huge swings along the boardwalk you can sit in and enjoy the ocean breeze. There is live music in the Spring and Summer which are an added bonus. You must try the donut shop Britts Donuts but beware they only take cash. I did not bring cash and there is an ATM nearby but I only had Apple Pay on me. The woman in front of me in line gave me enough cash to buy donuts for my family. The people here are so sweet.

Not over-crowded, fun & clean. Take cash if you plan to the fair on the boardwalk. There is a $3 fee evety time you use your card at games or concessions. Parking fees are over at 8pm so no need to worry about adding $$ to a meter. The employees at the arcade were EXTREMELY kind, smiled and patient with people. I have to say, I'm EXTREMELY impressed.

We walked around 2 different nights. Fun little place to walk around with your family during the week. Friday night way to many people for me. Young teens running around bumping into everyone. If you wait until 8pm parking is FREE, during the summer. Any other time is $5 an hour minimum 2 hours.

It was a nice laid-back atmosphere. The rides were beginning to crank up. We found a nice barbecue restaurant that had some really good food. The mac and cheese was smoked, unbelievable. The brisket was chopped but very tasty. The ribs were actually pretty good too and very tender. It was pricey but there was too much food to eat so we both had to take some home.

Regarding this location, I am hesitant to disclose its details. It is, in my estimation, the most aesthetically pleasing destination I have encountered along the Eastern Seaboard. The town offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere, with welcoming locals and a variety of excellent dining establishments. Wilmington is conveniently accessible, approximately a thirty-minute drive, providing access to shopping, entertainment, and culinary options. Furthermore, Southport is easily reached via ferry, an excursion that is highly recommended. Having frequented Carolina Beach for several years, we have ceased considering destinations further north for our beach vacations. Please maintain discretion, as this information is intended for our exclusive knowledge.

So much fun. Great beach to hang out and enjoy, day or night.

Fantastic family fun! Bring plenty of money for rides and games, and paying cash will save you on the cost of ride wristbands. Also, they put on a fireworks show every Thursday night, 9 pm I think. The beach is just a short walk from the carnival, which goes all summer. 4 stars for expense only. Ride wristbands are $30 each, individual tickets are more.

Love everything about the pier. Who doesn't come out to walk the pier and not have a great time. Everything you need inside at the pier from ice cream, bait, drinks, ice, clothing, game room if you need a break. Super nice people inside to help you. Hats off to them!

Kure Beach is a great place to visit. We were here in April and the water color is emerald blue and there was plenty of parking on the road. We enjoyed some shell collecting and walking around the pier.

Very nice pier! Also has seating, an area to clean/wash fish, a small covered sitting area, and a store that sells everything you need attached. Steps away are restaurants. So buy a whole or half day pass you will have a good time.

This was our first time to Kurr Beach Pier. It was a nice evening with many people fishing and others just walking and watching. The seagulls were fun to watch! If you're in the area it is worth a stop and free admission!

A must visit for Kure Beach. See the arcade and the gift shop. Check out all the photos of the fish caught over the years. Very nostalgic for a long time visitor. Take the family.

Very beautiful and serene. We also visited the aquarium while we were there. We really had a great time.

Great view and the underneath is a good spot to hide on a hot day. Often a pelican menaces the bridge - quirky.

We had a fantastic day at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher with my two-year-old son! He was absolutely mesmerized by the fish and had a blast at the touch tanks, getting up close with sharks and all sorts of marine life. The variety of fish and sea creatures was impressive. My personal highlight was watching the playful otters! The play area for kids was a great addition, and the food was good too. One suggestion for improvement would be to keep the washrooms a bit cleaner. Overall, it's a great spot for families – we'd definitely recommend it!

Great place to visit with kids if you're in Carolina Beach or Kure Beach. A bit of a drive if you're in Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach. Family of four will run $60 w/o discounts. Good for 1-3 hrs of entertainment, depending on the programs and how fast you walk through the exhibit. We visited in October on a weekday. Concessions were closed so I'd recommend eating before if you're going mid week -- there's nowhere to eat that's convenient. Otter exhibit was also closed. You'll get some of that when you're not coming in the summer. Our kids liked the playground and the large fish tanks. My 4 yo wanted to move quickly, so me mindful of your littles.

Purchased a ticket ahead of time as instructed. Was set to arrive between times that were available. Thinking they would be reasonable as the one up in Pine Knolls is. However was instructed to wait 15 minutes after a 2 hour car ride. Annoyingly would not let you in except at your appointed time. They were “Gracious”enough to let us in 15 minutes early as they did everyone else with the same entry time. I would have booked a different time had I know they would let us in if we had an hour earlier or even half hour earlier ticket. They were letting people in late some had hour earlier tickets and others were still within their time. Would go to Pine knolls instead, they are more reasonable, or just book for the time before you arrive and come in “late”. (this was on a week day) They have otters and other interesting fish and animals. Having Otters saved them from a completely terrible review, as I had read that some of the otter had been transported to another facility. There was a small play area near some food vendor at the end of the inside part of the aquarium. Again Pine knolls aquarium is better, larger playground, and longer outdoor trails. The food vendor is a fairly quick with a bit of a selection and food is not too pricey.

We enjoyed our visit to the Ft. Fisher Aquarium. It is much smaller than we anticipated, and even with a three year old who wanted to double back to see things a second or third time, it only took us about 45 minutes. Only because of its small size, it is hard to navigate with a stroller (especially the larger ones that hold infant seats), but the layout is still really nice. The staff is friendly. The animals appear to be well cared for. There are some really beautiful creatures to be seen. Admission is inexpensive. Overall, it’s a worthwhile experience, just don’t anticipate it will take up your whole day!

It was a fun experience with my child! It didn't exactly have all the bells and whistles but it did have giant tanks with sharks, seahorses, otters, and so many cool animals! The staff and volunteers were extremely friendly and helpful in providing information. You should check this out at least once! Also would be an excellent date spot because you can walk the nature path after or sit at picnic table outside and talk about your experience.

Unfortunately, I've been to some really good aquariums in my life (ie Baltimore, Atlanta, etc) and that isn't really fair to aquariums like this one.... who just don't measure up. They honestly only have two exhibits of any real excitement, the otters which you see right when you walk into the Aquarium and the main tank of sharks, turtle, eel, grouper and other fish. Oh, and one more tank with the jellyfish. And the exhibit with the alligator is cool. Fine, fine, four exhibits are worth the walk. Can four exhibits make it worth the cost of a ticket? Just barely.

It is a lovely establishment with many different area's of interest. The staff were super nice and took the time to inform us of the certain exhibits. It would be great for families or even for a date.

Our family spent a week in Oak Island, and visiting the Oak Island Lighthouse ended up being one of the best parts of our trip. We booked our time slot ahead of time, which I’d definitely recommend since it made things super easy when we got there. The staff and volunteers were all so kind and welcoming, and you can tell they really love sharing the lighthouse and its history. The climb up wasn’t bad at all as long as you take it slow, and the view from the top was just amazing—you can see the ocean, the marshes, and the island stretched out all around you. It honestly felt like such a special experience, and the fact that the tour is free makes it even better. The whole thing felt really well run and personal, not just like a typical tourist stop. If you’re in Oak Island, I’d highly recommend checking it out. It’s fun, it’s unique, and it’s something our whole family will remember from this trip.

The tour was great. The group that does the tour is a great bunch of folks. Big thank you for doing this one of a kind experience. This is a very scary experience due to how you get up there. You need to be in good shape and have strong nerves. As a parent. I wouldn’t take my kids there unless they are 15 or more. I think their age limit is 9.

Got to climb to the top of Oak Island Lighthouse! This Lighthouse was the last built in N.C. and so it was built as an automated light. There are no keepers quarters but there is an amazing educational boardwalk across the street from the Lighthouse that gives amazing views of the light and of the Cape Fear estuary. The view from atop the Lighthouse was phenomenal and you can see Old Baldy Lighthouse as well. The climb is not your traditional spiral staircase. There is a series of 7 ladderstairs and platforms. Not recommended to those not able to climb a ladder. To climb to the top you need to email the Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse. This is a local volunteer group that coordinates tours. You can not climb without a reservation through this organization. Email early to be sure to grab a spot for the climb. The reservation is free but donations are highly suggested for the upkeep of the lighthouse!

So glad we took this tour! Breathtaking views. It does not have a spiral staircase. It’s ship ladders. Lots of history here. Great tour.

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers for today narrated tour. We learned a lot and enjoyed the unique climb to the top.

While it dosnt look like a traditional coastal lighthouse it still was a nice stop to see unfortunately we weren't able to partake in the climbing didn't realize you had to book online so if you want to climb make sure to go to there website

It won't take 5 minutes to view if you don't have a trip to the top. No trails to walk or things to see other than the lighthouse from the bottom itself. Be sure to check out the boardwalk across the street.

We had a lovely time tasting wines on the patio. Great service and friendly people were all around.

Love this winery. Off the beaten path it's very relaxing and we love the wine. We all had a great time. Everyone wants to go back!!!

Charming local winery. We tried a red and a white flight. Enjoyed trying new wines and although I usually prefer Cabernets I enjoyed the Bella Rosa Dry Rose & Seyval Blanc and purchased a bottle of each. I was hoping that there would be a nicer selection of cheese/charcuterie but the selection was all grab and go processed meats & cheeses (ala Hilshire Farms style) rather than freshly cut finer cheeses & meats. The decor was interesting with multiple rooms to sit and browse art and local artist wares.

I had a lovely trip to this winery today. I have visited multiple wineries in Napa , VA, and PA. Admittedly, I know grapes don’t grow well in this area: so, I was very skeptical. I can say the wine was much better than expected. I really liked the Merlot and Cabernet. They bring grapes from outside the state and know how to make wine! The staff was friendly and environment was pleasant. Would recommend a visit!

Made an unplanned stop here on our way home from Myrtle Beach. This is a very nice winery with plenty of room to stretch out and relax. We sat outside and enjoyed a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers to break up our trip. We met some nice folks who frequent this winery and they have us a lot of information about it and the area. We really enjoyed our visit and hope to go back soon.

On 10/12/25, my husband and I got married at Silver Coast. Maryann and her team of extremely kind, professional, and fun bartenders made the day of our event a breeze and as stress free as possible. Despite the rain we experienced, the inside of the former barrel room ended up being a perfect spot for ceremony and reception. The upstairs space for the bridal suite was just enough room for the bridal party to get ready comfortably. We were able to party, spend time with our closest friends and family, and celebrate us all while drinking great wine! I will always recommend Silver Coast Winery more to anyone traveling to OIB.

This winery was nothing short of amazing! I found them through Harvest Hosts and am so glad I did. Great selection of European-style wines. A warm welcome and very helpful with selecting a bottle. A food truck with shrimp tacos to die for. A peaceful night's sleep in my campervan. And DOG FRIENDLY to boot! What more could you ask for?

The only place to gamble in SC is a 30 minute drive from Myrtle Beach. Plenty of machines and inexpensive drinks & food. The upper deck is for non-gamblers, smokers, and a place to hang out, drink & relax. It is as advertised, a 5hr cruise. The part not mentioned is it takes 1hr to get to international waters before you can gamble and 45+min once out of international waters on the return. Men must wear a sleeved shirt/tee shirt which is also not mentioned until you are boarding. BONUS: They gave me a free tee shirt to wear that I could keep. Several regulars asked where I got the souvenir tee and said they'll try the sleeveless shirt trick next visit.

Wonderful afternoon on this 194fr boat with full casino, subs & wraps, bars with alcoholic & non alcoholic beverages. Super clean. Bartender Tom was awesome & deck hand Jesse was so friendly & helpful. Bonus, we got to see schools of Dolphins 🐬 twice. Highly recommend

Was a fun and awesome time. Crew was very nice. Met some very nice people as well. Got to see a beautiful sunset and the people we met also took a good pic of hubby and I

Loved it. We had fun out on the deck getting some rays, Gambled and won a little. Hungry? Get a sandwich, pizza or snack..thirty? Wine, champagne, beer or water... everything is reasonably priced!!! Will definitely do it again.

Great time on the boat, went twice this week while I was visiting the area. Will definitely be back. Good variety of slots and table games. All the dealers and staff were fun and friendly. Decent food on board. The staff does a great job keeping the boat clean. One word of advice, if you get sea sick you should wait for a calm day. People do get sick, but that isn't the Big M's fault.

It was my first time checking out a riverboat casino. The boat ride was a little rough the evening I decided to visit. I didn't know there was no gambling until we were 3 miles out from Shore which means from 7-10 pm which is long enough. We left at 6, returned around 11. Very clean, staff was friendly, interesting experience for my first time. It was reasonably priced, received free slot play and with any casino...you win some; you lose some. Kudos to those providing rides from the parking lot and boat for those unable to do a lot of walking.

I really enjoyed my time here! Staff is very nice and they had a good selection of slots :) only downside is it takes nearly an hour for the machines to turn on, besides that it’s a nice casino boat :)

Wow! Great place to see the gators and others up close. Great presentations and feeding. Place is clean and well maintained. Although some of the wood walkways and fencing is looking weathered. I guess it adds to the ambiance! Park personnel are kind and patient. Gift store is stocked with cool stuff. By the by gators are everywhere in case you were wondering. Additionally there is a nature walk above the swamps and water. Additional buildings w/ lizards, frogs and of course snakes. Other animals and birds as well. Go, enjoy, and have fun.

Coming to this place was a highlight of my trip to Myrtle Beach! This is a great family friendly place to visit for all animal lovers. They house all sorts of animals and provide great resources for learning about them. There are live shows that make the experience all the more immersive. I have never gotten to see an alligator up close or even in person so coming to Alligator Adventure makes for a unique encounter for those visiting from northern regions like me or really anyone who loves and support animal conservation.

I have been by this place probably a thousand times in my life. We decided to head down from NC to check it out. Wow! This adventure was fantastic, from the native animals to exotic birds, this place has its act together. We were impressed with how the area looked and maintained. All the reptiles and animals looked well cared for and safe. All of the staff we encountered were very friendly and helpful. They have animals/reptiles from all over the world...and if you want to see gators and crocs up close??? This is your kind of place.

They must have literally thousands of alligators here separated to some degree by age groups. Nice, clean, fully accessible facility just north of Barefoot Landing. Very nice gift shop. Food choices at snack bar very limited. You gotta go here at least once.

I went with my kids. My kids absolutely loved this place. We went to 3 shows while we were there. We just loved walking around looking at all of the animals! I noticed all the animal enclosures were clean. They had fresh water, clean enclosures, and most had some type of food/snack available. Our highlight would have been Utan the 20ft or 21ft crocodile. The kids just could not get over how big his head is and how round he was as well. An educational experience we all enjoyed!

Alligator Adventure was such a fun and educational experience! There’s so much more than just alligators—we saw snakes, turtles, exotic birds, lamas, hyenas, and even a rare albino alligator. The live shows were a highlight; the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. The park is clean, well laid out, and easy to navigate. There are plenty of shady spots, which is great on a hot day. We especially loved seeing the giant alligators and crocodiles up close—some of them are absolutely massive!

This was a very interesting place to visit. They had lizards alligators snakes birds turtles laughing hyena line and much more, frogs. It was a very friendly place and we enjoyed every minute of it. If you are ever in this area I highly recommend that you go to this place it's a must, and your kids will love it as well.

My kids really enjoyed the splash pad... Please don't ever remove this feature! I really liked the food court! The Tanger outlets in mebane, where we live, obviously doesn't have that option. We also appreciate that this location has more stores than that of the Mebane, NC location and the other Myrtle Beach location (that we visited yesterday)

Great outlets. Food court has good options. Most of the stores have consistently great deals. It stays busy, but it's not typically too crazy. There is also a lot of coverings between the stores, so a good option for a rainy day. Kids love tossing coins into the fountain. Bathrooms are cleaned fairly often, and there is a family bathroom as well.

It's great. Lots of stores and discounts. It's a great time to start your holiday shopping. I found lots of things. I like that the food court is separated and on the inside. There is fashion, jewelry, toys, and so much more from every major store. I even got to take pictures of Bumblebee from the Transformer movie. I'll be back.

Space Battle at Tanger Outlet is an exhilarating experience! The immersive atmosphere, combined with cutting-edge technology, makes every moment thrilling. The staff is friendly and helpful, ensuring everyone has a blast. The variety of targets caters to all ages, making it perfect for families or friends. I highly recommend visiting for a unique and exciting adventure!

This place was great. Had really good deals. I spent a lot of money with my family. Had a really good time. Lots of good stores and everything is close. I've been to outlets were i litterally had to drive around to shop. Found everything i needed and wanted. A must stop if you love to shop. Also every store i went to had military discount.

We had a fantastic time at the outlet mall. Spending time (and money) here was how we kicked off my Son's birthday. There were so many great shops like Merrill, Oakley, Ulta, and Old Navy.

Really like the setup of this outlet. Large variety of stores to check out and choose just about whatever you like. My wife was able to find some places that she was a fan of. Real easy to drive in and out of as well.