Love this beach. It is wide open, clean, and easily accessible. Very few people any time we went. The folks at guest center are always super friendly and helpful. Be careful crossing the highway. If you like looooonng walks on an uncrowded beach, this is the place for you.

Our family when here while visiting OBX. Was right after the hurricane, so most waters were closed, but we had a blast! GHOST CRAB hunting was exactly as exciting as we thought it would be!! We were the ONLY ones there for ghost crabs haha. Had the entire area to ourselves! It’s says “day access” but as long as ur not IN the water, police leave u be. Also, we saw a Sea Turtle site roped off…which was on my bucket list. Was too dark to get a pic unfortunately but I have my memories! Very important that u read the signs, going in and those put up ON the beach!! They’re there for safety. I would HIGHLY recommend Pea Island for ghost crabs haha hunting at night & for daytime swimming . Beach is maybe 200 ft walking distance from the parking lot…through the sand. No surprises in there thankfully haha. 10/10, would definitely recommend this location ! And yes, that’s me screaming in the video, where my kids and husband chased some crabs over to me to scare me when I wasn’t paying attention lol

Beautiful seaside wildlife refuge to watch a variety of birds. If you are lucky you can see pelicans along with terns and other seabirds. There is a pond full with turtles including snapping turtles. But the trails are bushy and don't forget to use bug spray. The people in the visitor center are really nice. However, the bathroom was kinda dark. If you are visiting in the weekends you might have to roam around for parking. The parking lot was not that big, and people who visit the nearby beach always park there.

Pea Island is a beautiful wildlife refuge!! This island offers gorgeous views and plenty of nature sight-seeing opportunities!! Across the street from the visitor center, at the beach, you can see an old shipwreck.

North pond trail is awesome. Bring your binoculars or scopes to watch birds. We saw few big fishes jump out of water. Weather was nice. At the end of the trail there is an observation deck with some old viewing scopes. We saw a deer, bunch of turtles and various birds. Parking is very limited so we had to wait a bit to find a spot. There are restrooms there. Visitor’s center also has some binoculars and scopes you can use to view the area.

Beautiful and if you get on the beach you may have it all to yourself!

Absolutely love this place, very secluded from population!! Lots of seashells/ocean pepples to choose from for the avid collector!

We visited just for some views on our last full day of vacation. It was 2 dollars per person just to sight see, which is good obviously. It was very nice! Beautiful and calm, even lined with fishermen and birds 🤣

Great Experience! Except for getting wet out at end of the pier from waves hitting the pier. Very good views! Read about the piers history. There is a small aquarium and retail shop. Had a good time. Cost to explore pier $2 per person.

One of the best pier and I would definitely visit again. Restrooms and outdoor shower areas, even fishing pier has accessible restrooms and nearby restaurants. On a sunny day we were able to sit under pier as well which was great. Pier parking right near to beach and if its full, parking available nearby location as well.

Nice pier. Was popular for fishing. Nice walk to the end. Saw a guy catch a huge fish which drew quite a crowd. Cost $2 to walk on. More to fish. Aquarium was small but a nice touch. Shop was good also. The beach either side was exceptional.

What a fascinating store. This might be my favorite store I’ve ever been too. It is definitely the best store in the Outer Banks. They make things out of recycled materials like driftwood and sea glass. I will definitely be coming back here next year. Also there is something for everyone’s budget starting with a $5 sea glass hair clip. Make sure you check out the outside area also.

Labor Day, took the 1hr 45 minute road trip from Norfolk VA to OBX Jeannette’s Pier, unplanned…well worth the trip. Adult son loves to fish and excited about a new location, enjoyed casting into the deep ocean off the pier. Mom and I hung out on the beach: NO crowds, CLEAN and peaceful. Enjoyed the mini-aquarium and gift shop.

Beautiful new Pier Nice gift shop A couple of large, gorgeous fish tanks with local fish. Beautiful beach surrounding the pier Nice parking lot beautiful bathrooms

We were on the beach 4 different days during our week vacation in the OBX. We drove our Jeep down, for the permit and had a blast. Being able to see the famous Corolla Wild horses was the highlight of our trip. There are just over 100 horses left but we saw several foals which h is great to see. Don’t be stupid by taking a vehicle that doesn’t have a transfer case with real 4x4 capabilities. We saw many people needing to get towed at a cost of $300+! Yes there are many capable vehicles just know your and your vehicles limits. There were many dolphins off the cost that we got to see as well. The beach stretches 23 miles all the way to the VA border. The further you drive the less crowded. There are also houses to the west you can drive through. There is nothing paved, it is all sand. Well worth the trip. We will be making this an annual vacation for us.

Must have a four wheel drive to visit this beach and must air down your tires before driving onto the beach. No roads, no gas stations, no stores. But all this is what is attractive about Currituck Beach. (Carova) Not as populated. We've visited in both prime and off season. Off season is definitely a bit slower on the northern beaches. Schools are back in. And if that's not enough of a draw, add in wild horses!

We had an amazing trip to see the wild horses.

Had loads of fun driving on the beach and exploring streets in the town searching for wild horses.

Such a beautiful beach went on the 4×4 beach and got stuck because we missed the sign to air down your tires before getting on the beach. We did get to see a wild horse on the way down the beach. Also should of checked the weather there was a nasty storm rolling in while we were on the beach but it was so pretty.

Amazing beach on north end of Corolla.

The beach was beautiful and clean. We went early in the morning hours when there was no one out and also came at sunset on several occasions during our week stay. The beach never became too crowded and everyone seemed respectful of each other as to not be blaring music or acting inappropriately because of intoxication. The water was a bit colder than I would’ve expected being it was mid-August but it sure felt good after being baked by the sun. We will return when the next opportunity presents itself.

A very nice little lighthouse. It was very peaceful. Unfortunately you had to buy tickets in advance to climb to the top. It looks like you previously were able to walk in on the first floor however now you can't due to some people going up to the top without tickets. We checked out the marsh boardwalk which was cool!! The views are very pretty. Some people lost hats over the side lol.

Visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse during our way home from vacation in OBX. Since Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was closed for renovations, visiting Bodie Lighthouse let me fulfill my wish to climb to the top of a historic OBX lighthouse. The intricate ironwork and craftsmanship of the circular staircase was amazing. And yes, my calf muscles felt it at the halfway point but getting to the top was well worth it. The view is spectacular! Tip: it's easy to buy lighthouse climb tickets while visiting —there is a scan code at the front entrance to the lighthouse. The times are usually 11am (every 20 mins with groups of 8 people at a time) till 5pm, at least during weekdays. Tickets purchased at recreation.gov [Note, we visited a week after Labor Day, it may be more crowded during high season. You should still check the recreation website, it has a wealth of OBX info]

Stopped with the girls to check out Bodie lighthouse on a recent girls trip. Was shocked by how beautiful and picturesque the actual lighthouse and the grounds were. We didn't get a chance to the top of the lighthouse as you need to purchase tickets in advance, but that is an option if you plan accordingly. The employees on grounds were extremely informative, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were on our way out but one of the rangers was just about to give a presentation on the lighthouse and its history. Definitely a cool little sightseeing spot for visitors and locals alike.

Really nice light house that is beautifully maintained. We got there and realized that you need to get the passes on the internet prior to arriving because there is a wait. They only send up small groups every ten minutes or so. The grounds and area around the lighthouse is beautiful. Also beware of the weather conditions because they might not allow you up or outside at the top.

Overall a pleasant visit. What a great surprise, there was a 0.4 mile scenic walk too. Great view, informative guidelines on local plants and animals. Has a bathroom and that made it extra nice.

Wonderful experience. The grounds and lighthouse were great to view and well maintained. My one disappointment was that the beautiful 2 story house was not being utilized. We arrived and walked up the cement sidewalks (not damaging the dry and stressed grass from summer) only to discover doors locked and the bldg not assessable. We read the info board on the porch and proceeded around to the lighthouse itself. With budget cuts and costs I understand but a gift shop in a metal “prefab office box” was very disappointing, again I wish the beautiful original house could be better utilized. Overall it was a nice facility and we enjoyed the views.

The park rangers are the best of the best! So sweet and knowledgeable, I highly recommend this lighthouse if you’re nearby. Do the tour, the view is stunning from the top!

Pleasantly surprised by this location! Went on a cloudy day so it wasn’t hot, super windy and VERY cool. Like walking on the moon! The views are incredible, so much space, and not a too far walk. Loved it! The visitor center is also super nice and informative and they had free stickers :) AND DOG FRIENDLY

This is a really cool place. I have a few tips after being here. Bring some kinda shoes that are throw aways. Crocs and sandals are useless in sand. The sand is not smooth like the beach it’s more gritty and sharp in places. Absolutely beautiful views from on top. We flew kites from on top and what a blast it was. Definitely can see why the Wright Brothers got flight near by. It’s a lot of walking here and it’s on soft sand so it really slows you down.

The tallest sand dunes in Eastern US are a beautiful sight to see. Been coming to Jockey's Ridge since I've been grade school and it nice to see that this site is being well maintained. These dunes are not an easy feat but well worth the uphill climb. Definitely a place to visit for nature lovers, very serene. Great free adventure for solo, couple, or family trips!

I am working my way through the 42 state parks in Nc and we went to Jockeys Ridge yesterday and the evening before. The best time to go is about 30 minutes before the sun sets. It has amazing views with a 360 degree view of Nags Head. The trail is all sand so as recommended I walked barefoot. It says it takes about 30 mins to 1 hour to get to the very top…I think it took us about 25. We went back yesterday morning to find out how to find the buried castle. We parked at the kite shop and crossed the crosswalk and the castle (which is no longer buried) was just a few yards from the road. Pretty neat and worth the stop!

This is a really fun and unique thing to do in the area. Theres a board walk through trees from the visitor center to the dunes. It isn’t a far walk up the dunes. It’s beautiful to see the ocean on one side and the sound on the other at the top of the dunes. It’s quite windy at the top, I saw many kites. I went in October and it was a perfect temperature and I was able to walk barefoot on the dunes.

Such a massive sand dune! The climb to the top wasn't bad. If you're able to do it, I would definitely try! There is an observation deck, where you can see part of the dune. This is a great option for those with mobility issues. I also would not be bringing a stroller. We brought a boogie board and a saucer sled to try and sled down but we didn't have any luck with those.

Looking to climb dunes. Taking 3 steps for every 1 step gained. Then thus will be the place for you. Once you reach the top you can enjoy the view, fly a kite, or watch others enjoy the area. Sand can be hot depending on the season so morning/evening is best in the summer.

Amazing history of the Life Saving Station history. It had to take alot of moxie to get in a wooden boat and save those people. Very informative and displays were great.

This was a wonderful place to visit while vacationing on Hatteras Island. We drove 30 miles to visit, and it was worth it! There's so much history preserved and presented in a wonderful way. There is an entry fee. It's a self-guided tour starting with a video and a brochure full of facts about the different sections of the museum.

Looks very promising. Unfortunately, they're not open on weekends. We walked around a bit and took some pictures. I looked up the history and the story's behind it, and it sounds like a good reason to come back.

This lifesaving station is a MUST stop! Spend 1-3 hours there depending on how deep you want to go. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and the exhibits are good. This place documents the important history of the lifesaving service along the Atlantic coast, which eventually became the US Coast Guard. the kids will entire the view from the top of the building!

We landed up here on a whim, and ended up in a field trip with an group of 4th graders. Not only was the tour super educational and entertaining, but it felt good to feel like I was on a field trip again. Lol. This place is definitely worth checking out. I'm just bummed that I didn't pick up one of the local books!

This place is beautiful and full of historical significance. We we're lucky enough to catch a drill reinactment and it was so neat! They are on Thursdays at 2pm definitely something to check out. The artifact and old life saving gear are fascinating, as well. The view from the tower is like none other. This site is $8 well spent.

So cool. I wish I could have seen the drills they run on the beach, but I wasn't able to come back the following day. Learn about the USLSS (Life Saving Service) and the Revenue Cutter Service, predecessor to the US Coast Gaurd.

This is a really nice area! If you have younger kids this might be a little boring for them. As someone who has always enjoyed aviation I thought it was awesome. You have to take time to get through the museum before going outside to understand what everything is. There is a nice gift shop here as well.

A must see attraction when in the area! Great for children! There's definitely a lot of walking and some climbing but you can still enjoy the memorial without the walking and climbing! The visitor's center has lots of information and things to see! The ranger program was fun and informative!

If you are into history and Aviation you will love this place. Adonis the guide that gave the presentation was amazing! He should be on stage in NYC or CLE! Standing and walking the flight line that the Wright Brothers used was a touching feeling. And the climb to the top of the National Memorial was exhilarating! Don't forget to get you passport stamped!

Awesome experience, fun and historical to see the monument, sculpture and barn. Due to the Government Shutdown the museum, tour and general parking is all closed off but you can still walk around the property and see the monument and stuff. I walked around while listening to a podcast and felt like I was getting pretty much the whole experience. Use the First Flight airport parking lot and walk in. The airport has no gate.

It was a nice experience to see where the wright brothers experimented with flight and to see the flight landing markers. They made it farther than I thought they made it for the first few flights. Theres a recreation statue of the flight and the other people that were present for it. The uphill walk up to the wright brothers monument was worth it. Plus the walk back down was soooo much easier than going up. One of the signs says the wright brothers carried each piece up the hill manually. Even after each flight.

Awesome memorial to the Wright Brothers and the first flight. Great little gift shop with good quality clothing made in U.S. you can bring your dog along for the walk up the sand dune to the outside memorial, too! Good clean facilities

Your vehicle can get in with your NPS pass or pay $10 pp. This place is very cool, so much history behind the 1st flight. It’s like walking on hallow ground - the hill where they tested the plane without engine, the field where they made the 4 successful flights. Instead of walking from the visitor center to the hill, you can drive & park at the base of the hill. It’s a long walk. There’s an outdoor area with the bronze statues too. Must visit place when in the OBX area.

My friend and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon here taking in the beautiful nature along the boardwalk and stopping along the way to visit very nice shops and also enjoyed some homemade ice cream. Highly recommend stopping in the town of Duck to explore this great scenic boardwalk! Only a 30 minute drive from our house in Nags Head. We were blessed to see a beautiful great blue heron and also see a snake slithering through the water in the sound! Lots of fish, too!

This Boardwalk is great addition to Duck. The access to shopping and a nature walk is wonderful. It got 4 stars because the town needs a better maintenance schedule for this venue. They need a volunteer group to clean up and repair every spring.

If you're looking for a peaceful escape from the noise of the city, the Downtown Park Boardwalk is a hidden gem worth exploring. Surrounded by trees and the calming sound of birds and flowing water, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature. The boardwalk is well-maintained and easy to walk, making it accessible for all ages. Whether you're taking a quiet morning stroll or just need a break in the middle of a hectic day, this place offers a refreshing breath of fresh air. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the simple beauty of nature and a relaxing getaway close to home.

Such a fun place to visit. So many different shops you'll definitely find what you want. The wildlife on the boardwalk was very enjoyable.

We love the boardwalk! Great for a stroll but then also has so many different shopping places and restaurants! Definitely recommend. Public restrooms off the boardwalk by the Town Hall and also a public parking lot by the park.

There's a lot of cool shops and places to eat. Nice atmosphere and right on the sound.

Nice boardwalk for a wide variety of local food & wares vendors for visitors to stroll&shop - in early May we found plenty of available parking and bathrooms. Photos taken at mid-day, imagine the sunsets at this location!

Awesome seashore with so much to do from Lighthouses to beaches to dunes and water activities. The water and shores have a more pristine feel to them.

Beautiful! So much to see. The waves and shore and dune hiking was amazing.

What an absolutely gem. Throw your truck or suv in 4 wheel drive and hit the beach! Don't forget your ORV permit tho!

Wow a day! Bought our Annual Beach Permit, and today's weather was amazing. One of our favorite beaches and always clean! Everyone was respectful. It was so clean!

This used to be one of our favorite beaches. The storms out at sea made the surf a bit rough and unfortunately significant beach erosion was a problem. Once over the dune, the drop off to the beach was almost impassible and only 20-30 feet of beach to the breakers remained. Until this is remediate, I would avoid the area around Waves, NC.

It's beautiful. If you have 4 wheel drive you can get a permit to drive on the beach. Plenty of good shells can be found. Roped off areas to protect turtles and beaches. Fishing can be good at times.

Love this place! Regardless of the problems as of late. Two years ago, I was there for a week before they shut the beach down in Buxton. Apparently, the US Navy left toxic stuff in the ground, and it's now still leaking on the beach. This year, I go back, and it's even worse. Then, a wind event took out all of buxton Beach, exposing even more of that old Navy base. Didmt get.to see much of the beach there, but I did go to the point twice. Lovely place despite setbacks history dealt them.

The nor Easter prevented most people from catching any fish at this time. The waves were rocking underneath of the pier floor and running about 7- 10' regularly. For happiness, seek the Lord.

It's a decent pier, the staff recognized my son was disabled and did not charge me for him to fish. Which that's the first time ever in 15 years of going to OBX and hitting different piers with my son that that's ever happened. The end of the pier is roped off so if you are trying to fish for mackerel or blues with a gotcha you won't be able to. It's for live bait fishing only. I recommend the pier, I just wish they would let folks go all the way to the end that wan't to fish for mackerel or blues do so.

We visited the beach by this pier for the first 3 days of our beach week. It is a classic fishing pier with beautiful views of the ocean.

Waves are too intense for my girls, and it was fairly busy. The outdoor showers were not on either. Very beautiful though.

Great views from the pier. I love it I go to see it everytime I visit the Outer Banks

Great place to fish, check out the views, and best place to watch fireworks on the 4th!

Overall, this is a great place to fish off a pier. They could use a few more benches.

We went on the hottest week on record. It was miserably hot and the musuem house was a bit of a walk from the parking lot. The house had no AC and was basically an oven. The light is closed due to renovations. Free entry. No tickets required.

It is in the process of being refurbished. We did get to see the original red brick! The gift shop is open. Just be prepared for construction. But it still is pretty impressive.

The lighthouse is an icon of mine, from many visits as a child. I even honeymooned at the park years ago. This time we were surprised to find it paintless, covered in scaffolding, and only viewable from a distance. Even so, we were glad we visited. Winds from two offshore hurricanes made eerie tunes through the scaffolding. It was a unique experience in an old favorite spot.

Good lord, what a job they are doing to refurbish the light house. I'm glad to see it being kept up. Sorry we missed really seeing it all done. Great gift shop and nice restroom. I am looking forward to coming back and seeing the restoration completed.

Unfortunately the lighthouse is under repairs. It was supposed to complete in fall of 2025, but they found additional structural issues at the top & awaiting additional funding TBD. The gift store/visitor center & museum are open though.

It's being stripped and repainted. Lots of layers of paint. Inside photos are of the museum beside it. It's a museum dedicated to the life-saving crews and the keepers of the lighthouse

Even though it was closed for moving and renovations. It was nice to see in person and get to learn about the lighthouse and the purpose of it getting moved and how long it has been in the works.

I've been wanting to visit this place for years and finally had the opportunity this year. Admissions is free, they do have donation boxes and QR codes posted if you would like to donate. The place has a lot of videos and interactive screens/tablets. It's worth stopping in and at least seeing once in your life in my personal opinion.

Went here for a break from the beach. My kids all enjoyed it. They had a scavenger hunt for the kids to complete which engaged them into the exhibits. Place was pretty interesting and it was free. If you’re down that way you should stop in and check it out.

Very limited, not much to see. Beautiful building The beginning movie was interesting. Also like the video showing all the wrecks around Wonderful staff Sad limited gift shop

Love the history lesson. Nice place, lots of things to see. The gift shop is amazing.

This was a very interesting exhibition. Push all the buttons to listen to the stories. Very enjoyable 90 minutes or more.

Absolutely amazing. First time back since the remodel and I love it. The displays were informative and very beautiful.

Overall for as big as the building is, exhibit was smaller than expected however the items that are there are very neat and they all have a nice read to them. Crazy to think where those items came from. Worth a trip from nags head maybe not, but if you’re in the area it’s worth a visit.

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!?

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~💖

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.

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.

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.

Have visited Fort Fisher since I was a child, and while I was a wee disappointed (initially) to learn they were renovating and updating the historic site, the updates proved me wrong. A very clean and well laid out new museum/historic area with a good bit of historic artifacts that are now clearly labeled and provide great detail. Also a great walking trail around the site. It was a tad busy when we went, as I jokingly told my Dad that we encountered a "blockade" in one area with multiple people stopped to read and you couldn't move around them, but otherwise a well put together site.

What a phenomenal couple of hours at Fort Fisher! I was blown away by the new museum facility, the numerous artifacts from the battle, and the amazing views of the remains of the fort. I could spend half a day here on this hallowed ground and still want more. Highly recommend for a reflective and powerful experience, and the chance to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who have their lives for their beliefs.

Fort Fisher State Park is one of those places that just makes you slow down and appreciate where you are. The beach is clean, the views are gorgeous, and it never feels overly crowded like some of the bigger tourist spots. The walking trails through the live oaks are beautiful, and the history of the fort itself adds a layer of meaning that makes the visit more than just a beach day. Parking was easy, facilities were well kept, and it’s the kind of place where you can spend the whole day — walking, swimming, exploring, or just relaxing with a cooler and a good book. Whether you’re into history, nature, or just want a calm place by the water, Fort Fisher really delivers. I’ll definitely be coming back.

Kure Beach is our go to vacation spot whenever we go to the beach. Fort Fisher Museum is pretty interesting, the tour is a self guided tour and it’s free. They also have a souvenir shop with some pretty cool items. They have redone a lot of things on the grounds and the building itself so it’s much nicer than it used to be. It’s worth going to at least once! We hadn’t been since everything was remodeled and it is extremely nice!

We decide to stop by here on our way back to our hotel after the visit to the aquarium at Fort Fisher. Admission was free and there was plenty to look at. The site is beautiful to walk around and there were exhibits on the upper floor of the museum building. There was also a nice gift shop on the bottom floor. When we visited the elevator was out of service.

Great job with the transformation and new museum, and exhibits!! Beautiful!! The reconstruction of the north facing battery mounds is excellent and gives a great perspective.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site has a self-guided tour trail. It's a quarter-mile long, winding through the remaining earthworks of the fort. Along the trail, you'll find exhibit panels with information and images that explain the history of the site. The trail also features a restored gun emplacement and a reconstructed palisade fence. The trail is handicapped accessible.

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.

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.