Top Things to do in North Carolina Coast
Top Hotels in North Carolina Coast
- 1. Clarion Pointe New Bern
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks / Corolla
- 3. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
- 4. Bridgepointe Hotel and Marina
- 5. Sea Ranch Resort
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront
- 7. Best Western Ocean Reef Suites
- 8. Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel
- 9. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rocky Mount, NC
- 10. Sanderling Resort
Things to do in North Carolina Coast, North Carolina Coast: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
North Carolina's coast and 300 miles of barrier island beaches are filled with lovely state parks, top restaurants and world-class golf courses. Cape Fear's beaches attract surfers. Wilmington's downtown contains fine antebellum homes and exciting shopping and dining. The wind-swept Outer Banks offer historic lighthouses, mysterious Roanoke Island and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers hiking, biking and fishing. Ferry trips link islands with the mainland.
Restaurants in North Carolina Coast
1. Cape Lookout National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 322 reviews
Popular recreation area for surf fishing and shelling, these 28,500 acres of undeveloped barrier islands are accessible only by boat
Reviewed By dbaaronson - Asheville, United States
This is one of the must-do experiences in my hone state of NC. You can literally have a ferry drop you off on a deserted island for the day. Cape Lookout is not quite as deserted although it can feel that way on the inlet side. On the ocean side there are cars that can access the island from farther north. Despite that it's a pretty remote place, the lighthouse is very scenic and if you're looking for a wild beach with no frills, this is the place for you.
2. Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 272 reviews
Visit the world's largest waterfowl park, featuring over 2,500 birds from around the world in large walk-through aviaries. Meet endangered waterfowl, flamingos, parrots, cranes, toucans, and more. Get an up-close experience with parakeets in the interactive Landing Zone aviary. Unique education programs teach students of all ages about waterfowl, wetlands, and environmental science. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the spring and summer, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the fall and winter.
Reviewed By 392pattyg - Bend, United States
Even on a day when the temps were in the 40’s the bird refuge was a great day trip. So fun to test your patience waiting for the perfect photo opportunity with these fluttery beauties. Nice chance to wander the woods with friends and warm up with the tropical birds. Highly recommend!
3. Masonboro Island Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By debbiebQ4569TE
Enjoyed this with teenagers on a field trip! Was very beautiful and excellent resource for our state. The beach and marsh, what an educational opportunity for our students! Wish the weather had been better, was rainy, windy and very cold. Really want to come back and visit again. Super place!
4. Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Wildlife Sanctuary specializing in rehabilitation care and treatment of small mammals, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and reptiles. We provide: Orphan care for babies and eventual release back into the wild. Educational programs and presentations to schools, youth and civic groups, and libraries, relating to native local wildlife, ecology, environment, natural resources, and backyard habitat creation. A learning center to provide experience in hands-on rehabilitation skills to new rehabilitators, or those interested in earning their mandatory hours of experience and training for a variety of permits and license. A permanent home to non-releasable waterfowl and assistance with placement of adoptable domestic waterfowl.
5. Sea Turtle Camp
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Sea Turtle Camp is a life enriching marine biology experience. We offer a variety of adventure programs lasting from a few hours to a few weeks.We can cater to your specific group size and age profile. Through this multidimensional marine biology program, participants will gain a life changing appreciation for coastal conservation. Come "Sea Life" differently!
Reviewed By williamhV1051YZ
Our 14 year old son has wanted to be a marine biologist. Sea Turtle Camp gave him the beginnings of this experience. He earned his open water certificate and looks forward to qualifying for his advanced open water certificate. The camp counselors were contentious and caring. With the pandemic I thought the arrangements provided everyone safety and protection. Sea Turtle Camp provided a wonderful summer experience, and I would recommend it without reservation.
6. Alpaca Dreams
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
**Call or Email to Visit our Alpaca Farm and/or Gift Shop** We are an alpaca farm with 12 alpacas and 2 guard llamas. We love to have visitors come out to meet and learn about alpacas and llamas. We provide information and displays showing how their fiber is sheared and processed into yarn; pictures of our crias (baby alpacas) on their 'birth days'; pictures of our animals before and after shearing; and other fun pictures from around our farm. We have a Gift Shop with many, many alpaca related items including alpaca yarn (homespun and mill spun), scarves, hats, purses, gloves, books, ornaments, throws, pillow covers, stuffed animals and much more.
Reviewed By Jpools8 - Raleigh, United States
We LOVE this place and have been there twice, both times with teenagers, but perfect for ALL ages. The owners, Sarah and Mike are probably the nicest people I have ever met. They patiently give private small tours of their lovely farm of alpacas and llamas and allow their visitors plenty of time to ask questions, meet the animals, pet and feed them and take pictures. My daughter's friend started crying happy tears when she got to pet llamas for the first time! They have an adorable gift shop featuring some items made from their own Alpaca's wool. We can't wait to return. We live in the Raleigh/Durham area and it is a beautiful 45ish minute drive for us. There is no charge for the visit, so we are happy to buy something to help contribute to the upkeep of their beautiful animals.
7. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
An off-beat wildlife refuge that is interesting for children.
Reviewed By annecolorgreen - Louisville, United States
My husband and I actually visited two different times. The first, was just after lunch on a hot July day. We had quite the delay getting there because I mistakenly thought that the trail was close to the visitor's center--it's not. and then I couldn't figure out how to find it. Don't put the visitor's center in your GPS, put in the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail (which is actually the 1/2 mile nature trail that you can hike at the beginning of the motor trail). My husband and I kept driving in circles trying to find it! When we actually did get there, I was very impressed. There are very well maintained gravel roads that go in/out through this part of the refuge. There were also some dirt roads (not necessary to drive on) but they were well marked that they could be potentially hazardous during wet weather. We saw birds, a bear from a LONG distance, many turtles sunning on logs, and an alligator. Also, lots of pretty late summer flowers. Because we took awhile to get there and there are no restrooms, we eventually did have to leave. I made a plan to go back the next day and was up well before dawn to drive back over from Kitty Hawk (30'ish minutes?). This time, my plan was to drive along the areas with big fields keeping an eye out for bear. If this is your goal, don't turn off onto Sawyer Lake Rd (to the right) but keep going straight until you can turn left onto Long Curve Road. Drive slowly and pull off to the side if you want. You will soon see some big open fields--keep your eyes peeled. Through the help of a local, I was directed to the area by the "dump" where there are NUMEROUS bears that gather at least in the early hours of the day. Sadly, I didn't see or hear the wolves, but the bears were fun to watch.
8. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Located in the Outer Banks, this preserve is one of only a few maritime forests left in its natural state.
Reviewed By akvolkan
If you're looking for a change of scenery or some trail running (can get runs in between 1-7miles), you have to visit this unique corner of the Outer Banks
9. Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Located five miles from the Atlantic Ocean, this 14,480-acre refuge consists of a variable landscape of brackish marsh, pocosin and woodland habitats, which are dominated by an abundant variety of birds and wildlife.
Reviewed By DebMJones1 - Rural Hall, United States
We drove through...and went on to the ferry service so we could get information for our next trip. We want to go to Ocracoke for the day...
10. Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By dougparsons - Holly Springs, United States
A trip into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is well worth your time. Whether you decide to delve deeply into the park in search of bears, deer, waterfowl or any other of the myriad wildlife residing there, wandering/hiking or walking the trails or boardwalks or enjoying any of the other aspects available, you owe it to yourself to experience this beautiful area.
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