The 10 Best Things to Do in Kure Beach, United States

March 16, 2018 Milan Banda

Kure Beach (ˈkjʊəri KYUR-ee) is a town in New Hanover County, North Carolina about 15 miles south of Wilmington. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,012 at the 2010 census. It is found on Pleasure Island directly south of the Wilmington Beach annex of Carolina Beach and just north of Fort Fisher.
Restaurants in Kure Beach

1. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

1000 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449-4845 +1 910-458-5798
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 264 reviews

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Old historic fort that was the site of two major Civil War battles.

Reviewed By Bob J - Old Saybrook, CT

We drove down Pleasure Island to take a look at Fort Fisher. What we found was a beautiful park with beach access, a Civil War Historic Site and a museum. Lightly trafficked at this time of year, I highly recommend taking the time to visit.

2. Carolina Beach State Park

1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 +1 910-458-8206
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 344 reviews

Carolina Beach State Park

Reviewed By Tom551 - Parsons, West Virginia

We visited with our dog while staying nearby. We were here twice and really enjoyed hiking in the park. It made a nice diversion was being at the beach. The park opens at 8:00 and there is plenty of parking and no admission fee. The area around the marina and along the river is beautiful! We walked the Venus Fly Trap Trail and spotted a few, although they were dormant this time of year (late fall.) They are very small and had to see so you really have to look for them. We saw a nice buck in the swampy area which was an added treat. The only negative for us was when we were walking along the road looking for the trails our dog got several little very sharp burrs in her paws. We did not notice until she started limping and we had to pull them out. Next time we know to stay on the roads or trails. Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable experience.

3. Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry

1650 Ferry Rd., Southport, NC 28461 +1 910-457-6942
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 305 reviews

Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry

Reviewed By Conniedelmont - Delmont, Pa.

What a great deal $5.00 per car. It 's just a mere 35 minutes to Fort Fisher. Once there go to aquarium. It was very nice. Make sure to see mermaid show . You can also drive to Wilmington from here.

4. Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson State Historic Site

8884 St Philips Rd SE, Winnabow, NC 28479-5035 +1 910-371-6613
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson State Historic Site

A major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River, Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site, and served as part of the Cape Fear River defenses below Wilmington before the fall of the Confederacy. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort.

Reviewed By Harry P - Wilmington, North Carolina

Finding this jewel of the old south is well worth taking the time to find this well-preserved, excellently maintained
remnant of the War of Northern Aggression. Preservation has meant maintaining the physical layout of the fort
without obstructing view or taking liberties with historical fact. Maintenance is the well played out walkways, identification of remaining foundations and earthworks in a way that allows one's imagination to picture the
fort and adjoining town as it was so long ago. The view of the river from the bluffs is amazing and reminds us now why then it was such a great place to live, work and finally fight for it's very being. Plan a morning or afternoon with a picnic. Ask a Friend of Fort Anderson for a tour, information or just plain how we tell it down this way, just talk a spell It will certainly be worth your time to take in the quiet solitude that is Fort Anderson and Old Brunswick Town. Off the beaten path on purpose.

5. Kure Beach Pier

100 Atlantic Avenue, Kure Beach, NC 28449 +1 910-458-5524
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 371 reviews

Kure Beach Pier

Reviewed By Michael B

On first sight, the Kure Pier may seem to be just another fishing pier. However, if you spend some time in the area, you quickly discover that the pier has special place in the community. Every time you step out on the pier, you are stepping back in to history. Although it has been rebuilt several times since it was first established in the 1920s, Kure Pier is the oldest fishing pier in continuous operation on the US Atlantic Coast.

Kure Pier is an excellent place to walk out and observe the beach day or night. It's free for those only on a stroll, and those who want to fish pay a reasonably small daily fee. You can learn a lot walking out on the pier, especially since the crowd is generally friendly. The Pier House, open from mid-Spring through Thanksgiving, provides everything you need for a day of fishing. It even features snacks, drinks, Hershey's ice cream, Sno-Cones, and slew of tourist shirts and souvenirs. The owners understand that they are running a vital community asset, not a commercial tourist trap. As a result, everything is reasonably priced for families and the budget-conscious to enjoy. During the fall and winter months the pier provides visitors with a great place to spot whales and pods of dolphins.

The Kure Pier is a local institution well worth a visit!

6. The Veggie Wagon

608 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428-5327 +1 910-805-3014
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 63 reviews

The Veggie Wagon

Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member

We stopped in here 3x during our week long vacation in Carolina Beach because we loved it so much. They have fresh homemade meals, dips, organic coffee bar, slushy bar, beer, wine & so much more. Worth the stop! Or 2, or 3.Thanks you so much for making us part of your vacation! We're glad you enjoyed your trips to the store and hope you picked up some goodies for the road! We hope to see you again on your next vacation!

7. Southport Pier and RIverwalk

Howe St, Southport, NC
Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 305 reviews

Southport Pier and RIverwalk

Reviewed By tedtom51 - Connecticut

On a recent road-trip stopover, we grabbed sandwiches at an in-town deli and enjoyed them at a picnic table alongside the water. It was a great spot to relax for an hour and watch the boats go by before heading over to the Southport Ferry.

8. North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449-3786 +1 910-772-0500
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach (a short drive from Wilmington), enjoy an exploration of “The Waters of the Cape Fear.” Journey down the Cape Fear River – from freshwater streams and swamps, to coastline habitats, reefs and the open ocean - discovering unique habitats and aquatic wildlife. Meet a rare albino alligator named Luna. Get eye-to-eye with a loggerhead sea turtle. Talk to a SCUBA diver swimming with sharks rays and eels. Compare teeth with a megalodon. Touch sea stars, horseshoe crabs and even sharks! Play outside in the Adventure Reef play area. Feed free-flying tropical birds. Free daily programs include dive presentations, animal feedings and encounters. Explore more with behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor adventures, classes, camps and more. Open 363 days a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Days). Tickets available at the door and online.

Reviewed By Shephusky - Wheaton, Illinois, USA

Yes, they do have a albino alligator. Along with many other marine life. I have seen better Aquariums, but this is a nice local one. They hand feed some sting rays which is pretty cool. They have sharks and jellyfish. Probably could spend about 2-3 hours there.

9. Fort Fisher State Historic Site

1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449-3755 +1 910-251-7340
Excellent
55%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 424 reviews

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

At the dawn of the American Civil War, the Confederacy took control of land in southeastern North Carolina near one of the two outlets to the Atlantic Ocean from the Cape Fear River. Fort Fisher was the largest earthwork fortification in the Confederacy and was constructed to protect this vital opening. Ships running the Federal blockade of the port of Wilmington, known as blockade runners, supplied necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By late 1863, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The Federal Army and Navy attacked Fort Fisher December 24, 1864. After two days of fighting with little headway, Federal commanders concluded that the fort was too strong to assault and withdrew their forces. However, they returned for a second attempt on January 12, 1865. For two and one-half days, Federal ships bombarded the fort on both land and sea face. On the fifteenth, more than 3,300 Union infantry, including the 27th U.S. Colored Troops, assaulted the land face. After several hours of fierce hand-to-hand combat, Federal troops captured the fort that night. The Confederate army evacuated their remaining forts in the Cape Fear area, and within weeks Union forces overran Wilmington. Once Wilmington fell, the supply line of the Confederacy was severed, and the Civil War was soon over. This site has been declared national historic landmark. Along with a restored palisade fence, approximately ten percent of the fort still stands. Guided tours, outside panel makers and museum exhibits provide a historical point of reference. Shaded by gnarled live oaks, a scenic trail leads tourists from the visitor center past the gigantic earthworks and around to the rear of the fort. Visitors are invited to tour the remains of the fort's land face featuring an impressive reconstruction of a 32-pounder seacoast gun at Shepherd's Battery. Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located in Kure Beach on what was then known as Federal Point and today as Pleasure Island.

Reviewed By By_His_Grace - Richmond, VA, USA

Three of us visited Fort Fisher. Unfortunately one of us had a plane to catch so we did not have as much time to view the exhibits as we would have liked. Also fog rolled in on our drive down and seeing anything outside at any real distance was not possible. However, all three of us were pleased that we took the time to drive down from Wilmington. It was worth the trip.

10. Ocean Front Park

105 Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC
Excellent
71%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Ocean Front Park

Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member

I was impressed with the free story time and craft time with Disney princesses! My young kiddos loved it and the princesses had great costumes, makeup & demeanor. It's Wednesday mornings at 10am. The park also has a playground with a ship, which they also really enjoyed.

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