Where is the Best Carolina Beach Tourist Attractions in Fall?
Discover the allure of the best Carolina beach destinations. From pristine shores to vibrant communities, find your perfect coastal getaway.
During the fall, beaches and attractions are a bit less crowded. Families can stretch their sea legs aboard a Gulf Stream fishing excursion or test their paddle-boating skills on a salt marsh lake tour.
Take in the sights and sounds of the area on a guided hike on the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous plants along its path at Carolina Beach State Park.
Freeman Park
Freeman Park is a secluded beachfront area that allows four-wheel drive vehicles and overnight camping with the proper permits. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and hunting for sea shells at this pristine destination. The beach is also a popular place for sunbathing and relaxing on the soft sand.
The beaches at Freeman Park are also a great location for those who like to bring their dog along for the vacation. While dogs are allowed on the beaches at all times of the year, they must be kept on a leash during the summer months. The beach is also home to several species of wildlife, including sea turtles and dolphins.
Over the past few years, erosion has caused the town of Carolina Beach to close off a large portion of this beach, leaving some season pass holders without access to their favorite spot at the beach. The town has been in a battle with property owners over this issue, which resulted in multiple lawsuits.
In addition to the sandy beach, Freeman Park features a boat ramp and a lake. There is also an 18-hole disc golf course that is open to the public. Disc golfers can find a map for the course at the Williams Pavilion parking lot or online. Those looking for a bit of history can also visit the Lincoln Heritage House, which was built with the hands of Abraham Lincoln’s father.
While the beach at Freeman Park is a public beach, it is still privately owned by some of the property owners on the surrounding dunes and wetlands. An interlocal agreement with the county gives the town extraterritorial jurisdiction of this property, but it does not actually own the beach itself. However, State Statute places all dry sand beaches into the “Public Trust,” meaning that they are available for anyone to use and enjoy.
Snow’s Cut
A spit of land in the center of the town’s namesake waterway, Snow’s Cut is a picturesque locale with a pretty setting overlooking the waters. With plenty of picnic tables, a playground for kids, and hiking trails ranging in length, this park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors.
With a pretty locale on the edge of its namesake waterway, Snow’s cut offers some of the best flounder fishing in the state. The fishing here depends on tidal flow, with Sheepshead and Flounder caught during the first two hours of slack tide while speckled trout and tarpon are found during higher tides.
Situated on the western side of Pleasure Island, this park is a prime representation of the coastal environment at its most natural and serene. The 761-acre Carolina Beach State Park is home to a secluded beach, an on-site campground, and miles of hiking trails. The Sugarloaf Trail is a favorite with hikers, offering access to various habitats, including coastal evergreen forest, coastal fringe sandhill forests, tidal cypress-gum swamps, and longleaf pine savannas.
In addition to being a popular recreational spot for visitors, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is one of the most recognized attractions in the region. The nationally acclaimed boardwalk has earned many accolades from top travel magazines, and features an array of fun activities, games, food, and entertainment. Visitors can take a stroll on the boardwalk to sample local fare, ride the Ferris Wheel, and get a bird’s eye view of the ocean-bordering town from its observation deck.
The boardwalk also boasts a variety of shopping and dining options, and is home to several top-rated hotels. In fact, Budget Travel recently named it one of “America’s Best Boardwalks.” So if you’re looking for a fun-filled day on the water, be sure to check out the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. You’ll be glad you did! To explore more of the area’s best attractions, download the free app ExploreNC. With this app, you can find and share outdoor adventures with others from anywhere in the world. It even has an offline map option, so you can explore without internet connection.
Zeke’s Island Reserve
The unique landscape of Zeke’s Island Reserve includes a diverse assortment of coastal habitats like tidal flats, salt marshes, shrub thickets and ocean-facing beaches. This varied terrain provides a home for a wide range of species that are unique to the area, including the endangered black-bellied plovers and short-billed dowitchers.
The Reserve is a popular place for recreational activities like birding, hiking and fishing. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Reserve with a guided tour or on their own, but are warned to always wear bug spray in warm weather months and be aware of the presence of invasive species and stinging vegetation.
Although the Reserve is difficult to get to, it’s an amazing place to explore for those who are willing to put in a little effort. Travelers can take U.S. 421 south from Wilmington to Federal Point, the northern tip of the Zeke’s Island Reserve basin, to access a public boat ramp and kayak launching area. The New Hanover County Parks and Recreation Department also maintains a pedestrian beach facility and vehicular dune crossing close by for those who want to patrol the shoreline.
Sandwiched between the hopping beach town of Carolina Beach and the quiet shorelines of Kure Beach, this collection of isolated barrier islands offers an entirely different experience from the typical coastal Cape Fear vacation. The Reserve features miles of pristine shorelines and wild paddling trails, along with fantastic shelling, fishing, birding and relaxing opportunities. The Reserve is also an important habitat for a variety of coastal wildlife, and offers a peaceful retreat from the crowds that frequent nearby vacation destinations. For visitors who want to stay close to the Reserve, the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach feature a large selection of vacation rental homes or condos, hotels and motels and campgrounds. This is one of the best places to visit in coastal North Carolina for a truly authentic beach vacation experience!
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
With its impressive marine life and focus on the waters of the Cape Fear region, it’s no wonder the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has earned national accolades. Named one of the Top Aquariums in America and a Top Ten North Carolina Attraction, this impressive attraction offers patrons a fascinating introduction to the local ecology and ocean wildlife. From freshwater streams, swamps and ponds to coastline habitats, reefs and the open ocean, the aquarium features a variety of aquatic environments from North Carolina and around the world.
The aquarium is smartly divided into individual galleries that pay homage to certain ecosystems. The first stop is the Conservatory, a tree-filled atrium with a series of streams, ponds and swamps where visitors will find frogs, snakes, bass, catfish and box turtles. A new albino alligator exhibit opened in 2009. Next up is the 235,000 gallon “Cape Fear Shoals” Open Ocean Tank, where visitors can watch sharks, barracudas, a school of African pompano and other sea creatures swimming around re-created Cape Fear shoal rock ledges.
In addition to the impressive main tank, the aquarium features a number of touch tanks where visitors can feel horseshoe crabs and sea stars. The Otters on the Edge exhibit features a family of Asian small-clawed otters, while the Sharks: Shadows on the Sand exhibit introduces baby bonnethead sharks (Syphyrna tiburo).
The aquarium also includes a large tropical display with colorful coral and fish including clownfish, cardinal fish, harlequin perch, sand tiger sharks and surgeonfish. An adjoining 550 gallon Pacific Reef exhibit showcases rare ocean residents like octopus, jellyfish, stingrays and filefish.
Beyond the aquarium, visitors can explore the scenic beaches of the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Take a walk along the state park’s tranquil Basin Trail to see diverse wildlife and a WWII bunker, or hike a 6-mile stretch of protected shoreline. Other outdoor activities include a kayak tour to a secluded surf fishing spot and a bike ride along the boardwalk and beach path.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher also has incredible online resources to help patrons prepare for their visit or to continue their learning after they return home. The website offers free printables and worksheets, a virtual bookshelf and many educational videos. Additionally, the aquarium’s Gills Club is a great way to promote STEM education to girls aged 10-14 and encourage them to learn about ocean conservation.
Discover the allure of the best Carolina beach destinations. From pristine shores to vibrant communities, find your perfect coastal getaway. During the fall, beaches and attractions are a bit less crowded. Families can stretch their sea legs aboard a Gulf Stream fishing excursion or test their paddle-boating skills on a salt marsh lake tour. Take…