There are so many things to do in Kure Beach, North Carolina. One of the things that makes the Tar Heel state so unique is its ability to provide weekend getaways all year around . . . and Kure Beach is a perfect example. While the Outer Banks is known worldwide as a perfect summer vacation escape, you can find year-round joy throughout the entire North Carolina shoreline. Kure Beach is near the southern tip and is framed to the west by the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The ocean water is warm and inviting in the summers yet surfers enjoy the surf throughout the year.
The surrounding maritime forests with its spectacular Southern Live Oaks, thicket shrubs of stunted oaks, holly and wax myrtle along with the stacked rocks that help protect the shores all create an utterly unique experience. If you have interest in American history then Fort Fisher, with its embankments and strategic importance during the Civil War, provide an excellent account of siege warfare. There are unique natural places like the Coquina Outcrop, man-made areas like the Rocks at Fort Fisher, the home of a famous local hermit and even an aquarium.
We originally planned a weekend getaway but ended up seeing almost everything in one day yet never felt rushed. It was a wonderful trip filled with beautiful sights and plenty of exercise. Please join us as we wind our way up the southern North Carolina coast from Fort Fisher all the way up to the Carolina Beach boardwalk. We hope you enjoy our trip filled with fun things to do in Kure Beach, North Carolina.
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The Rocks at Fort Fisher
The Rocks of Fort Fisher represent an astounding engineering feat that began for practical reasons and evolved into a wonderful unintended benefit. Built over a 4 year span in the mid-1800’s, the rocks were to serve as a barrier to prevent the shifting sands of the natural channel causing issues with ship navigation routes. There existed none of the modern dredging equipment available today so the entire 4,400’ (1,341 m) rock retaining wall was created by hand (with some aid from horses and mules). Unexpectedly over time the construction developed around 8,000 acres of rich salt marshes. A word of warning . . . visitors are not encouraged to take the walk on the rocks over to Zeke’s Island as time has made sections of the rocks dangerous to traverse.
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North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
North Carolina has (4) aquariums: Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, Jeanette’s Pier and Fort Fisher. They each share similarities yet also retain their own individual ambiance. The Fort Fisher Aquarium features an albino alligator, a beautiful humpback whale replica, a large Bald Eagle and a very active Loggerhead Sea Turtle. They have a 2-story, 235,000 gallon (889,572 litre) tank filled with Sand Tiger, Sandbar and Bonnethead sharks, a massive Southern stingray and multiple exotic fish like the Atlantic Spadefish, blue angelfish and a green Moray Eel (which is actually yellow!).
There’s a very educational hurricane section on the second floor, an exotic area for translucent Moon Jellies and Sea Nettles, sea horses and a massive Megalodon jaw (an extinct 50’ (15.24 m) shark). After a brief shutdown for Covid-19, the facility has reopened with only a few exhibits (mostly outdoor) still not available for viewing. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is the perfect place to visit for all ages – families, couples or on your own and has to rank high on the list of things to do in Kure Beach.
NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM AT FORT FISHER FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Kure Beach, NC
HOURS: 9am-5pm everyday
COST: $12.95 Adults, $11.95 Seniors (62+) & Military, $10.95 Children 3-12, & Children 2 & under FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 2 hours 15 min
ACCOMODATIONS: Large parking lot, public restrooms and gift shop
Robert Harrill Hermit House
Robert Harrill is a local North Carolina legend. In 1955, at the tender age of 62, he decided to abandon the luxuries of life and become a hermit. He chose an abandoned WWII artillery bunker for shelter and began to live entirely off the land by clamming, fishing and scavenging. At first he was arrested for vagrancy and harassed by authorities but eventually he became more of a cult figure with reportedly over 100,000 visitors from all over the country and even abroad. He developed his own philosophy of life called a “School of Common Sense” that continues to have followers even today. He was murdered in 1972 under mysterious circumstances which has only further enhanced his almost mythical reputation. All that’s left of him is the bunker which now has a plaque in memory of his unique life. You can find Harrill’s home by following the marked Basin Trail .8 miles (1.29 km) from the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Visitor Center.
Coquina Outcrop at Kure Beach
Perhaps the highlight of our Kure Beach visit was the Coquina Outcrop, the only naturally occurring rock formation in the state. Please note that the outcrop is only visible at low tide as it is otherwise completely immersed under the Atlantic Ocean water. Ideally you want to spend a bit of time here to appreciate how the ocean water has created unique shapes and layers over billions of years from small clam-like seashells (called Coquina). They appear, and look, just like any ocean rock but they have additional layers of green sea moss that cover most of the flat sections. They take on another thrilling dimension as the tides starts to come in and the waves splash on the rocks creating beautiful white mister sprays. Truly a sight to see in person and our personal favorite thing to do in Kure Beach.
Fort Fisher Confederate Monument
In 1921, the United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsored a 3’ x 4’ (.9 m x 1.2 m) marker that was placed at the spot of the original Fort Fisher headquarters. A decade later a 24’ (7.3 m) granite column was erected in commemoration to the unknown Confederate soldiers who died during the Battle of Fort Fisher. At the unveiling, a number of uninvited cows joined the ceremony and proceeded to moo loudly and incessantly. The monument is located at the marked Battle Acre Tour Stop historic site opposite the parking area facing the Atlantic Ocean. After you’re finished looking at the monument and enjoying the ocean views the Battle Acre has another fun surprise in store for you . . .
Battle Acre Maritime Forest Maze
Just to the south of the monument is a bushy thicket that would likely get scant notice from the casual observer. After all, you see these lush green clustered overgrowths quite often along the North Carolina shore. They appear to be bushes but are actually a cluster of small trees. Upon closer inspection you’ll see two small openings where a gap in the brush can be seen. If you walk through either of the gaps you’ll enter a maze of twisted vines and tree trunks that wind throughout the structure. There is actually a path you can follow that leads inevitably to the other opening but feel free to explore throughout. In the summer the maze provides a wonderful respite from the direct sun as the shrub thickets provide plenty of shade. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more fun thing to do in Kure Beach that is equally fun for both adults and kids!
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
If you love history, particularly military history, a visit to the Fort Fisher State Historic site is highly rewarding. As you enter the front of the main building go first to your right and watch the 10-minute video that provides an excellent framework for the historical significance of Fort Fisher. After watching the video be sure to peruse the small museum which features a great relief map of the Battle of Fort Fisher, authentic weapons, uniforms, artifacts and photographs and the history of confederate flags. Outside you’ll see the few remaining earthen fortifications from what was, at the time, the largest man-made earthen structure in the world. Along the quarter-mile long trail you’ll also see the few remains of the fort, a restored gun emplacement located atop one of the batteries and weapons storage entrance and an open area filled with magnificent tall gnarled live oak trees.
FORT FISHER STATE HISTORIC SITE FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Kure Beach, North Carolina
HOURS: 9am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday (closed Sunday-Monday)
COST: FREE (donations are appreciated)
TIME TO COMPLETE: 40 minutes
ACCOMODATIONS: Large parking lot, public restrooms and gift shop
Battery Buchanan
About 2 miles south of the historic site is the other remaining civil war earthworks, Battery Buchanan. It sits at Federal Point looking down on the Rocks at Fort Fisher. Constructed in 1864, and named for Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan, this battery was the final earthwork built to protect Fort Fisher and the vital shipping lanes it supported. The battery proved successful during the first major attack from Federal troops in 1864 but ultimately fell, along with Fort Fisher, the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy,” in 1865. At the top of the hill is a perfect tree for family photos including a natural bench. On the Cape Fear River side there are some very cool moss covered rocks along the shoreline.
North Carolina Military History Museum
The North Carolina Military History Museum is not a full-fledged museum but is, nonetheless, an interesting stop. The tanks, artillery and Vietnam-era Huey helicopter outside are worth the visit alone. Though cordoned off, you can still get close-up views of these powerful machines, which includes a Russian tank captured during Operation Desert Storm. The museum inside is an interesting mix of donated 20th and 21st century memorabilia from North Carolina soldiers. The fact that it isn’t as polished as larger museums actually gives it more of an authentic feel. Think of it as a visit to a strategically organized military surplus store with much cooler items and a curator that can answer any questions you have.
NORTH CAROLINA MILITARY HISTORY MUSEUM FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Kure Beach, NC
HOURS: Noon-4pm Friday-Sunday (closed Monday-Thursday)
COST: FREE (donations are appreciated)
TIME TO COMPLETE: 40 minutes
ACCOMODATIONS: Some parking available, gift shop but NO restrooms
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Kure Beach
Kure Beach runs from the Fort Fisher State Historic site in the south to Carolina Beach to the north. Though it only covers just .88 sq mi (2.29 km2) of land it features some of the best beaches on the North Carolina coast to its east and the calm warm waters of Cape Fear River to the west. There are plenty of options for accommodations with more than a dozen hotels and an array of vacation rentals. The Kure Beach Pier area has a park, heavy wooden swings, a walking path, a pavilion, lots of great restaurants and a 700’ (213 m) fishing pier. Joe Eakes Park is located about a half-mile from the pier and offers a baseball field, courts for basketball, volleyball, bocce ball and tennis along with a playground for the kids and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Kure Beach Pier
Originally built in 1923, the Kure Beach Pier was the first fishing pier on the Atlantic coast. The pier has been knocked down 5 times, was completely destroyed in 1954 by the infamous Hurricane Hazel yet received little damage from 2018’s Hurricane Florence. Unlike the piers along the middle Outer Banks, there is no charge to walk onto the Kure Beach Pier. It sits 26’ (8 m) above the ocean floor and extends out 711’ (217 m). The fishing is free and is well known for its fishing tournaments targeting king and Spanish mackerel, red and black drum, tarpon, bluefish, pompano and sheepshead. Along with the pier the area also features a bait shop, a souvenir store, a concession stand, an arcade and miles and miles of spectacular ocean views. Whether you enjoy fishing, people watching or simply the calmness of the ocean tides, the pier is one of the more relaxing things to do in Kure Beach.
Carolina Beach
While Kure Beach is small and relatively quaint, Carolina Beach is considered a bit more lively with a more expansive selection of eateries, an active night life, the annual on-the-beach Carolina Beach Music Festival, the Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival and summer fireworks every Thursday during the busy summer months. Though perhaps best known for its boardwalk, the town also has the wonderful Carolina Beach Lake Park, a few arcades, a fishing pier and two state parks which include native Venus flytraps. Along with the colorful homes, several of the businesses in town feature beautiful murals on the sides of buildings and you can even rent surrey bikes to pedal all around town. For a truly unique experience check out the Fat Pelican complete with a walk-in beverage cooler, an outdoor bar from a renovated dinghy and a large octopus on the roof.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk has won several awards and is consistently being showcased as one of the best boardwalks in America. To truly appreciate the atmosphere and ambiance it must be experienced in the summer when tourists mill about, music is in the air and the warm ocean breezes delight the crowds. Though only 800’ (244 m) in length, there are endless places to eat, drink, shop and enjoy activities like the Island of Lights Festival and Christmas by the Sea. The area has two levels, the wooden boardwalk and a lower level filled with shops, snacks, music and restaurants (be sure to sample the world famous Britt’s Donuts). The top level, which essentially sits atop a large sand dune, has five different walkways that extend all the way to the beach and large wood swings that can easily fit a family of four. The boardwalk used to have amusement rides and a large Ferris Wheel that were discontinued but plans are being made for their return in 2021.
Kure Beach Homes
As you drive up and down the 421 (Fort Fisher Blvd) you can’t help but notice all of the brightly colored homes along the way. They feature different styles, shapes and sizes but all help to add to the beach vibe that makes the entire North Carolina coast so special. One of the more interesting trends that have accompanied the increasing popularity of the area is the clever ways home owners on the inland side of the 421 have added to their homes in order to retain some sort of beach view while high rise hotels and condos continue to dot the beachfronts. Since the speed limit in town is 30 mph (48 kph) you’ll have plenty of time to check out all of the colorful facades for yourself.
Kure Beach Dining
North Carolina’s coastal towns are well known for their food. Not just the quality and variety but also the atmosphere and ideal locations. Kure Beach is certainly no exception. Whether you choose to dine in town or drive a few miles north to Carolina Beach you are guaranteed a culinary delight, no matter your tastes. Among the more noteworthy options are the Kure Beach Diner, Freddie’s, Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill, Nauti Dog, Gulfstream, Big Daddy’s and the Cape Fear Boil Company. For snacks and desserts you’ll want to find Britt’s Donut Shop, Wake N Bake Donuts, Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats, Burrneys Bakery & Ice Cream and the best gelato on the boardwalk at Latella’s.
Whether you’re looking for a vacation filled with activities or just a quite stroll along a pristine beach, there are endless things to do in Kure Beach. All of the North Carolina coast is amazing but the Kure Beach area stands out as a perfect weekend getaway you can enjoy throughout the year.
Have you ever been to Kure Beach? Do you have any recommendations or favorite spots? We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment below.
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we will be spending a week there in August looking forward to all the things to see and do.
Fantastic. We loved it. Please let us know how you enjoyed it.