If your family is heading to Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and looking for something fun beyond the sand, Rachael recently visited the Museum of Coastal Carolina with her family—and it turned out to be one fabulous visit. The kids stayed engaged from start to finish, and she enjoyed it just as much.
From hands-on exhibits to live animal experiences, it’s an easy way to mix learning into your beach trip without it feeling like “school” at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
Museum of Coastal Carolina: Easy Location Near the Beach
This museum is located right on Ocean Isle Beach and was a short walk from our hotel. That made it incredibly easy to fit into our day without needing to load up the car again.
It’s a great option when you want a break from the sun but still keep the day feeling fun and active.
First Impressions: Instant Kid Engagement
The kids were immediately drawn in the second we walked inside the museum.
They ran straight to the huge shark jaw display and spent a while checking out all the teeth. Right nearby, the wave-making generator grabbed their attention next. They loved changing the wave energy and watching how it affected the water—it turned into a mini experiment they kept going back to.
There was also a large water table where they sorted ocean creatures vs. marsh creatures. It was simple but really effective, and they stayed there longer than I expected. The first room alone had several exhibits, and it set the tone for how interactive the entire museum would be.
Watch! Our Visit
Take a quick look at our visit to the museum in our You Tube short.
Museum of Coastal Carolina: Interactive Exhibits for Kids
As we made our way down the main hall, the exhibits kept surprising us with super cool things to learn about.
There was a projected bubble popping game that the kids couldn’t resist jumping into. It was a quick, fun moment that gave them a chance to move around before heading to the next exhibit.
One of the coolest stops was the SeaScope microscope setup. It had a TV screen attached so you could clearly see magnified preserved creatures like shrimp and octopus. The kids thought it was fascinating to see those tiny details up close.
The kids were also really into the puffer fish, and an exhibit where you can switch the environment between day and night to see how elements react differently.
We came across a few snakes, which definitely caught the kids’ attention, along with animal hides that they could freely touch and hold. That hands-on element really carried throughout the entire museum and kept the experience from ever feeling boring.
The Touch Tank Experience
The next room was easily a highlight for us.
The giant touch tank had sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, whelks, starfish, and anemones. The kids were a little hesitant at first, but once they realized they could touch everything using two fingers, they jumped right in.
With staff permission, they were even able to hold a few of the animals, which made the experience even more memorable. They asked so many questions during this part, and the staff took the time to answer every one of them without rushing.
We also spent time at the shell display and the two touch tables nearby.
The magnifying glasses added another layer of exploration, and it was fun to watch the kids slow down and really look at what they were holding.
More Photos from the Museum of Coastal Carolina
Good to Know Before You Go
Restrooms are located near the exit
There’s a small gift shop on your way out
Easy walkable location if you’re staying nearby
They may offer discounts with some zoo or aquarium memberships, but that would be worth checking ahead of time.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm (hours can change seasonally, so it’s a good idea to double-check before you go)
Address: 21 E 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
After I saw photos from the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville, NC, I knew that my family would have to go. We love outdoor adventures and seeing animals, so I knew that my kids enjoy a visit. When we decided to finally visit, the WNC Nature Center was even better than I anticipated. If you haven’t been it’s only an hour drive from Greenville and you need to schedule a visit.
Find a place to stay near Asheville, NC. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Why the WNC Nature Center is so cool
The WNC Nature Center focuses on animals and plants in the southern Appalachian mountains so you’ll get to see animals that roamed this area eons ago up to the present day. The uniqueness of this aspect helps guests to understand more about their own environment and animals they may see in the area.
The center is built into nature with lots of shade, walkways, and natural playgrounds. It’s not huge so it’s very manageable for a day trip, especially with smaller children. The exhibits are interactive and fun for kids of all ages and the park is hardly commercialized.
What You Will See at the WNC Nature Center
You will start your visit in the Appalachian Station where kids can see a variety of small animals and reptiles. Children will also enjoy interacting with a textured wall and looking at rocks under microscopes.
Then, you will venture outside, where you will follow paved and wooden sidewalks through animal exhibits. Most of the animals are behind glass or chain link fences, but the exhibits themselves are large and full of animal play structures. These animal exhibits include: otters, raccoons, foxes, gray wolves, red wolves, cougars, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, hawks, owls, and more. There is a red panda exhibit with the cutest, fluffiest red panda ever. And the red wolf exhibit is an educational experience unto itself, as the WNC Nature Center is one of only 40 AZA facilities with red wolves, which are the world’s most endangered canine species
While exploring, you will also find the Trillium Nature Trail, a .6 mile nature trail to allow children to see the beauty along the Swannanoa River.
Kids will enjoy the Arachnid Adventure, a playground based on spider web jungle gyms. This playground also is surrounded by spiders hiding on the surrounding trees making a fun “eye-spy game”. There are also other playgrounds scattered throughout the park where kids use natural materials to build and play with.
Otter Falls also has a slide that kids can play on while they watch the active animals enjoy the water.
Your visit will end at the Western North Carolina Farm where kids will get to pet animals and even pretend to be farmers themselves in an interactive play zone with small wheelbarrows and tools inside the huge barn. Be sure to check out “water painting” nearby. A gem mine is also next to the barn and the buckets can be purchased in the little shop.
A new Songbird Garden is near the wolves and built like a big wall but cutouts to try to find the birds that are pictured on the wall.
Sensory Bags are available for free
For parents of children with autism or sensory processing disorders, free sensory bags can be signed out at the gift shop upon entering the center. They are sponsored by KultureCity, a national non-profit, and include headphones, a fidget toy, and a feelings chart.
Signs are posted throughout the park indicating areas to perhaps use the headphones. It’s great that the WNC Nature Center now has these available!
Should I bring a stroller?
If you’ve got small kids, bring a stroller or rent one ($10) there. There are lots of hills and little legs will probably get tired. There are plenty of places to rest and enjoy the animals and playgrounds but yes, strollers would be ideal.
Our Experience at the WNC Nature Center
We came later in the day, so we ended up missing the petting zoo (it closed at 4 pm) and didn’t have time to explore the trail. My kids had such a great time though that we hardly missed the extra activities. We easily spent two hours exploring and could have spent another 30 minutes if the nature center would have been open longer. We tend to be slow visitors to attractions, so your family may tour the center quicker especially if you don’t have small children who want to play in the play areas.
I really enjoyed that the layout and outdoor walkways seemed more like a nature walk than zoo. The animals were active in the cool fall air and most of them were easily visible. The paths were easy to follow, though it was confusing figuring out which way to turn to explore the center without missing any of the exhibits.
My kids favorite exhibits were the Otter Falls and the WNC Farm play area. I personally loved watching the cougars and was thrilled to get some wonderful photos even through glass. I was disappointed that glass and fences made it difficult and even impossible to get good photos of some of the animals, but at least the animals were easy to see in person.
Some concessions are available through vending machines and new concession areas will likely be opening in the next year. The center also has plenty of picnic space for families wanting to bring a lunch. The WNC Nature Center is also right beside a large park with a playground, picnic shelters, and public pool. The center has restrooms in the ticket access, barn near the petting zoo, at the arachnid climbing playground, and in the Appalachian Station which are wheelchair accessible.
Open: 7 days a week, 10 am – 3:30 pm Admission: $13.95/ adults ($1 off for seniors), $13.95/ youth (13-15), $9.95/ kids (ages 3 – 12) 2 and younger free 75 Gashes Creek Road; Asheville, NC 28805 828.259.8080 WNC Nature Center
Have you ever visited the WNC Nature Center? What did you think?
For a fantastic summer experience that’s great for the whole family, check out Lake Lanier Waterpark, Fins Up. It’s at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, Georgia and just two hours from the Upstate. We checked it out and have all the details!
Thanks to Discover Lanier Islands for providing media tickets for this review.
If there’s anything that will get me packing up the car and kids and hitting the road during the summer, it’s a good water park, preferably one with heart-pounding slides, a big wave pool, and places to hang out and relax. Fins Up Water Park in Lanier Islands, Georgia hits all those marks and went above and beyond my expectations!
This place is a lot of fun, and it’s the perfect place to spend a weekend or summer trip with your family. It has something for everyone, including little kids, teens, and parents.
Water slide at Fins Up Waterpark
About Fins Up Water Park
Fins Up is part of Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. If you’ve read any of the stories about our trips to Margaritaville properties, you know we love to visit. The atmosphere at Margaritaville encourages you to relax and enjoy your family. It’s chill and easygoing and all the things that your regular life at home isn’t (for the most part).
I really didn’t know what to expect with the water park because it wasn’t on my radar. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised.
Wave Pool at Fins Up Water Park
The wave pool is huge, and the waves are exactly like the ocean, except way better because there are no sharks.
There is plenty of seating if you want to hang out and watch your kids. We saw people reading books and looking happy. They had good reason to be. It was a beautiful day at a beautiful spot.
The wave pool stops producing waves every few minutes and then starts up again. It’s a blast.
Wave pool at Fins Up Water Park
Rides at Fins Up Water Park
The park has 13 thrilling waterslides and four exhilarating attractions.
Apocalypso, Georgia’s first adrenaline-fueled waterslide coaster, has two big drops. Your stomach goes up into your heart as you fly up a giant wall and then slide back down. It’s 418 feet of fantastic fun. We did it a couple of times and absolutely loved it.
There are several other waterslides, including Serpentine Storm, Dreamsicle Dive, and Mango Mania. They’re in the same area as Apocalypso. You can choose which one to go down when you get to the top of the platform.
Mat slide ride at Fins Up Water Park
The Apocalypso is definitely one of the more heart-pounding slides, but there are a couple others I dared not try like Racing Waters and Intimidator & Triple Threat. These slides involve some kind of free fall water slide action that would probably give me a new fear of heights and falling. I did all of the other ones though!
My oldest daughter and I loved the waterslide, Splash Down. We rode headfirst down the slide on a mat. It was awesome.
Both my daughters and I loved Raging River, an old-school water slide with lots of twists and turns and some smaller drops. You end by getting dunked in a small pool.
Aquatic Adventure
I had to hold my daughters back from sprinting towards the aqua park, Aquatic Adventure, as soon as they saw it. We absolutely love these floating obstacle courses and have done all the ones we can find in South Carolina and North Georgia. We were more than happy to add this one to the list. It was by far the largest aqua course we have ever done in terms of how many pieces of equipment there are.
I was completely exhausted after 15 minutes or so because these things, while fun, are tricky. It’s hard not to slip around as you climb on the obstacles. It’s such a blast though, and we loved every minute. You can go as many times as you like.
Witbit at Fins Up Water Park
Kids have to be 48″ for the floating obstacle course. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a guardian and be at least 48″ tall. Life jackets are provided and required.
Areas of the Water Park for Smaller Kids
Little kids will certainly enjoy the wave pool, even if they stay near the entrance and play in the water. But if they want a little more action, there’s Parakeet Springs. This section has mini-waterslides, splash fountains, and Wiggles Waves (a mini wave pool).
Fin Dunker Bucket is a cute area next to the LandShark Bar & Grill. Here, kids wait for a huge bucket of water to dump over them. It’s hilarious to watch.
Kids will also love the sandy beach. There are small areas of the lake to splash around in, but the beach is enormous with plenty of space to run around. You can also hang out and relax in beach chairs.
Food at Fins Up Water Park
There are plenty of food and drink options at the water park. You can get everything from burgers to chicken tenders to nachos to a famous margarita at the Tiki Bar on the beach.
Ice cream is also easy to come across! You don’t really need to leave the water park since there is a lot to do and eat.
Tips for Enjoying Fins Up Water Park
Even though I’ve only gone one time, I have a few tips to share on how to enjoy this awesome park.
Look at the height requirements beforehand for the rides you or your kids want to try. You can then plan where to go, and no one will be surprised.
Look at a map of the water park beforeand during your visit. I’m embarrassed to say this, but my daughters and I completely missed like five water slides because we thought the water park ended at the beach at Aquatic Adventure. It didn’t. It kept going, and we didn’t find out until went to dinner at the LandShark Grill.
Locker rentals are available. We didn’t rent any this time, but we usually do when we go to water parks. There weren’t a lot of people around during our visit so I figured I’d take my chances with a towel and beach chair. If it was more crowded, I would have rented a locker. Prices range from $12-20 depending on locker size
Be prepared to walk. While the park isn’t as big as a theme park, it does require a lot of walking, especially when you’re carrying tubes up hills to get to launch points. Some of these hills are steep so take breaks if you need.
Parking is $20. Guests entering Margaritaville at Lanier Islands are required to pay to park. That fee is waived for season pass holders.
Be sure you have a credit card or some other cashless way to pay at the park. They don’t accept cash there.
Try to go during the week or early/late in the season. We went on the second day of the season and were able to ride as many rides as we wanted with barely any wait times. I imagine this place is a lot busier in the height of summer and on weekends and holidays.
You can reenter on the same day. If you want to leave the park for any reason and return, you can as long as you keep your wristband on.
Beach at Fins Up Water Park
Honest Mom Review: Fins Up Water Park
I just love water parks, and Fins Up was no different. I really enjoyed the water slides and aqua course, and having fun with my daughters was a memory we’ll share for years. Some of the slides were kinds I hadn’t seen before. They were made before the more modern ones of steel and plastic, and while I never felt unsafe, it was a new and fun experience.
All the staff was really nice, and it was easy to see they were well-trained on safety protocols. They always made sure the slides were clear before sending down the next person or group. And the lifeguards on the Aquatic Adventure were paying attention to everyone to ensure safety.
My daughters (ages 13 and 9) had a blast here. It wasn’t as big as some of the other water parks we’ve been to, but that made it all the more charming and fun honestly. We didn’t feel rushed and knew we could hang out at the beach or wave pool if we wanted downtime. Because the water park is part of Lanier Islands, it was a great place to enjoy as a family as part of our short visit there. We only had to drive a few minutes to the lake house where we were staying for a couple nights.
Tickets and Admission to Fins Up Water Park
You can get tickets online, and if you purchase more than 24 hours ahead of time, you’ll receive $10 off adult admission. Regular day-of admission is $59.99+ tax ages 7+ and $44.99+ tax ages 4-7. If you purchase ahead of time, adult tickets are $49.99+ tax.
Season passes are available for $99.99, but they offer discounted passes for $79.99 in late April and early May.
Once Memorial Day weekend hits, the park is open daily from 11 am – 7 pm until Labor Day weekend. Check the park site before you go as some days they have later hours.
Where to Stay Near Fins Up Water Park
Use the map below to find places to stay nearby!
Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when you book through this map!
Traveling to Georgia? Don’t miss our Kidding Around Travel Guide to Georgia, full of guides to popular cities, things to do, places to stay, restaurants, and more!
Shark teeth and fossils are plentiful on Morris Island outside of Charleston, SC and Coastal Expeditions will make it the highlight of your trip!
Thank you to Coastal Expeditions for inviting us to go on the Morris Island adventure with them.
The South Carolina coastline is incredibly diverse with wildlife and ecosystems and because of ancient history (think Ice Age), there are some pretty amazing fossils to be found along the coastline. And you get the chance to do just that with the adventure out to Morris Island with Coastal Expeditions.
Shark teeth that we found
About Coastal Expeditions
If you’ve read some of our Charleston content or bucket list adventures, you’ve read about Coastal Expeditions. They took us out to Bulls Island where we got to experience an otherworldly place with lots of gators. It was amazing and we haven’t stopped recommending it ever since.
Coastal Expeditions was started in 1992 to help people experience the beauty of the Lowcountry, not just see it. Their knowledge of the environment here is completely unmatched. Our naturalists on both trips blew me away with their extensive knowledge of the lands, people, history, and wildlife. More than that, their deep love of the area is evident and it’s because of that love that they want to share their knowledge in hopes that others will come to love and respect the amazing land that is the Lowcountry.
Boarding the boat
Coastal Expeditions has a wide range of offerings to help visitors explore Charleston’s wild side from kayak rentals in Shem Creek to the excursion to Bulls Island to guided kayak tours to fossil hunting on Morris Island. You can choose adventures that are more kid-friendly or more adventurous, depending on what you and your family would like to explore. They also offer summer camps and other kid-focused activities. This tour – and any of them -are perfect for homeschoolers.
Both excursions – Bulls Island and Morris Island were kid-friendly but Morris Island was a lot less walking!
Heading Out to Morris Island
Our big adventure to Morris Island began at the flagship of Coastal Expeditions at Shem Creek, which is a beautiful area full of restaurants and a park that borders the creek. It’s best known for its amazing sunsets and its local population of dolphins.
There is parking at Coastal Expeditions but be sure to get there at least 15-20 minutes early if you need extra time to find parking during busier times and use the restroom as there is no bathroom on the boat or at Morris Island.
Shem Creek
The boat we had was nice and spacious and Captain Dolph did an excellent job getting us to and from the island. As we were leaving the dock and slowly making our way out of the creek and into the harbor, we got to see some dolphins. I love dolphins and always get super excited to see them.
We also learned a crazy cool fact: these dolphins that live in the estuaries and creeks along the South Carolina coast are actually smaller than Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins and genetically different, so much so that they have been declared a new species. True story. It happened during the summer of 2023 after a decade of research led by Ana Costa, Ph.D. Their name is Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin.
Our excellent naturalist, Jackie, told us that this is just incredible because dolphins are so well-studied and to have discovered a new species is essentially unheard of. Then she said some other names in Latin of wildlife that sounded really smart. Jackie was actually amazing, which I’ll get to in a bit when we explore Morris Island.
One other thing that we learned when heading out to Morris Island was that The Coastal Expeditions Foundation was instrumental in renourishing Crab Bank, a seabird sanctuary for resting and nesting birds, that was washed away in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. Coastal Expeditions raised funds for this effort of conservation and you can only go to this island in wintertime when the birds aren’t nesting – and search for fossils!
Morris Island Lighthouse
I have come to really appreciate the mission of Coastal Expeditions because they practice what they preach. They are so enthralled and amazed by the beauty in the Lowcountry and use that love and knowledge to share with others in hopes of continuing to preserve it for future generations.
On your way out to Morris Island, we passed right by Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. We also got incredible views of the Harbor and Ravenel Bridge. And we saw more dolphins – it was a great trip before we even got to the island. For you history buffs, you can read about the history of Morris Island on the Coastal Expeditions website.
Hunting for Fossils
Once we made it over to Morris Island, about a 30-minute boat ride from Shem Creek, we descended onto the sand and Jackie drew a map right on the sand of the island. She gave us her expert opinions of where to search for shark teeth and fossils. But the best part of her short presentation was when she showed us what she had found in the past on the island so we knew what to look for.
She showed us a ton of cool stuff: shark teeth obviously but also vertebrae of sharks, fossilized clams, stingray teeth, and fossilized mammal bones. The tides and waves naturally erode the beach, dredging up fossils and teeth from thousands and thousands of years ago that are buried beneath the island. That’s how you can find some really neat things and why this place is so special.
Where are you, shark teeth?
Once we got our instructions and tips from Jackie, we were off to find some treasures. You have three hours on the island, which may seem like a lot of time but it’s not a small island and you’ll want to walk slowly as you search for treasures.
Within a few minutes, my kids had already found a couple of shark teeth, their very first ever. It took me um, a little longer. But I eventually found some and started looking more closely at anything that resembled a shiny triangle, which, it turns out, there are many of along this beach and they are not shark teeth. But I persevered!
The island is very peaceful, clean, and beautiful. It is uninhabited and even if there are lots of other people, it won’t feel crowded. People just do their thing and look around or hang out on the beach and get some sun.
We ran into Jackie a little over halfway through the time we had on the island and showed her some of our finds. We walked together for a little ways and she so kindly would draw circles in the sand where she saw shark teeth so my daughters could find more. Really, I should have looked in those circles because I was terrible at finding them but I thought it was really nice she did that to help them out.
What We Found on Morris Island
My kids found shark teeth a lot faster than I did. They had a good eye for them. But about 30 minutes into our walk along the shoreline, I hit the jackpot. I found a huge shark tooth and nearly jumped up and down at my find. It was just the coolest thing. Jackie, in all her knowledge, said it was from the predecessor to the Megalodon shark. That’s super old.
Shark tooth and vertebrae
Jackie has a cool book she carries around with her where you can match your shark tooth to a picture and it will tell you where it came from. She is a great naturalist though and was easily able to identify where most of our shark teeth came from, which mostly included bull sharks and reef sharks. My one daughter found a really old one that was older than the big one I found.
One of the things I was really hoping to find was a vertebrae. I knew it looked like a really small version of a cut up tree trunk and to my great surprise, I found two. Jackie said they likely came from a shark.
We also found a couple larger vertebrae and a fossilized clamshell plus some really gorgeous shells. I’m not sure exactly what we are supposed to do with all these shark teeth (I will tell you that we are heading to the Nature Exchange with some of them at the Roper Mountain Science Center!) but to have them is pretty neat and a wonderful reminder of the beauty of the Charleston area.
One other neat thing about Morris Island is the lighthouse on the island. It’s very pretty but also too far to walk to and from in order to make it back to the boat. It’s no longer in operation but it was shown in the Netflix series, The Outer Banks. So if you’re a fan of show and love fossil hunting, you will love this tour.
Comparing Finds on Morris Island
I really enjoyed the time we spent awaiting our boat to come back and get us since that’s when a bunch of us in our group got to compare finds and Jackie could help us identify things we didn’t know, which was pretty much everything.
Some people in our group really brought in the haul and had lots of cool shark teeth, some of which were pretty big. One lady found a piece of post-colonial pottery, which she was legally able to keep. If it had been dated before that, she would have had to surrender it as it would have been considered an artifact. We were legit living our Indiana Jones dreams right here.
Remains of a sea turtle on the island
Jackie also had what she thought was a bone of a Leatherback Sea Turtle. She needed to consult her “bone guy” to get it properly identified though. Even so, it was neat. If the bone was from a Leatherback Sea Turtle, she guessed it came from the one that had washed up deceased on Morris Island a little over a month ago. She had shown it to us while we were walking along and it was enormous. It’s the largest kind of sea turtle in the world and was easily longer than myself. As sad as it was to see the turtle being delivered back to the Earth, from a scientific perspective, it was fascinating.
Tips on Visiting Morris Island
We learned a few things on our trip that may help you when you go:
Wear shoes. Shells are sharp and you really don’t want to cut yourself or have your kid cut their foot. That will be most unpleasant.
Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. We went in April and the temperatures were perfect but it was sunny and sunscreen and water were crucial.
Bring a few snacks but don’t go crazy. I totally overpacked my bag and it was really heavy the whole trip. I had three water bottles, my camera, a lot of food, sunscreen, and bug spray. I really only needed the water and a couple snacks. If you have a small and comfortable hiking backpack, that would be a great option for this trip.
Keep the pups at home. Dogs are not allowed on public boat trips. For private boat trips, an exception may be made.
Bring a sunshirt or jacket. Weather on the coast can be very unpredictable. A light jacket or sun shirt would be useful to protect yourself from the sun on the island and if the boat ride gets a little chilly.
Bring a plastic bag for your treasures. A gallon-sized ziplock bag is perfect for collecting and admiring your treasures. A fanny pack to attach it to would be excellent.
You’ll be walking (very slowly) for most of the timeif you want to search for fossils. We pretty much walked around 2.5 hours of the three hours on the island. I could have stayed there all day but just be prepared if you have smaller kids that may not want to do that kind of activity. You don’t need to go that far on the island to find treasures though – we just wanted to explore. You can certainly find a few spots to hang out at and look around.
Towels are useful. Towels can be helpful if you get a little wet during the boat ride or just want to sit on the beach and relax. Towels can also be useful if you decide you want to swim in the ocean for a bit.
For those with accessibility needs, they are evaluated on a trip by trip basis. Coastal Expeditions suggests giving them a call to talk about mobility and what those needs are and see if they can be accommodated.
Booking Your Morris Island Trip
The Morris Island excursion runs from March 16 – October 15 and in total is about four hours. You can book your tickets online.
Tickets are $65/adults and $45/kids. Gratuity is not included but very much appreciated if you really enjoyed your trip. The trip begins and ends at their Shem Creek flagship location.
If your family loves adventures, trying new things off the beaten path, and making amazing memories, this is the trip for you. My daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and we learned so much in the process. This is the best kind of learning! And going with Coastal Expeditions – an established company with an impeccable reputation – you know you are going to have the best experience possible.
I took my 4 teenagers on a trip to Wilmington, NC. Even though schedules with teenagers get super packed—school, activities, work schedules—it’s so important to make the time to adventure together. We need to have shared experiences so we can have conversations together. Meaningful conversations.
That’s exactly what we got on our trip to Wilmington, NC.
The trip was packed full of nature, beach time, silly fun, and lots of history—leading to great conversations about our shared experiences, current events, and more.
In this article, I’ll take you through some of the great activities we enjoyed, the delicious food we ate, and our top recommendations.
Thank you to Wilmington and Beaches for providing our stay so we could bring this story to our readers. All opinions are those of the author.
Kure Beach: Our Home Base
First—we stayed in Kure Beach, and of all the Wilmington beaches, we really loved this area the most. The traffic was light, the beach was wide, and the proximity to the larger beach towns and Wilmington was great.
Our oceanfront condo from Victory Beach Vacations had easy parking and plenty of space for the 5 of us. It was super clean and well-appointed—we didn’t cook in the condo, but we totally could have as the kitchen was fully stocked with dishes, cookware, and utensils. It was the perfect place to come back to after our busy days to pop some popcorn, watch a movie (somehow we always end up watching Pirates of the Caribbean when we’re at the beach), or to take a walk on the beach. We would definitely stay here again.
Carolina Beach: Easy Fun + Great Food
Just a few minutes down the road from the condo was Carolina Beach, which is really as far as you need to go for a huge selection of restaurants, a beautiful boardwalk area, and fun things to do.
Biking Carolina Beach
We rented bikes from Tony Silvagni Surf School and pedaled around Carolina Beach Lake Park—home to a pretty lake, a gorgeous playground for kids, and one of Carolina Beach’s fun murals. Then we headed to Mike Chappell Park to pick up part of the Island Greenway and rode to the end.
It was a nice laid-back start to the trip and a fun way to see parts of the island. They gave us a printed map when we picked up the bikes and we realized… we aren’t very good at reading maps. (Even though it was actually really simple.) We just popped the park names into Google Maps and off we went.
Kayaking
We also did a guided kayak trip with Kayak Carolina to Zeke’s Island, an uninhabited island full of shore birds and wildlife. It was spectacular. So great, in fact, that we did a whole story on it: Our Kayak Trip With Kayak Carolina
Surf’s Up Mini Golf
And then there was Surf’s Up Mini Golf, which has got to be one of the most fun mini-golf courses we’ve ever played. The theming was super, everything was really clean, and all five of us had a blast—even though we are TERRIBLE at mini golf. If you go, don’t miss the hints at the beginning of each hole—they actually help.
Where We Ate in Carolina Beach, NC
We had dinner at Seaworthy Kitchen & Bar, a beautiful restaurant with classy seaside boat theming. The food was excellent—I loved the poke bowl, it tasted super fresh. The kids enjoyed salads and smokehouse mac and cheese customized with chicken and shrimp.
For breakfast, we had a couple of spots we LOVED.
Southerly Biscuit has giant, delicious biscuits. You can go simple with a biscuit and jam (like one of my kids), or all in with fried chicken, sriracha mayo, and hot sauce. The kids said the woman at the counter made you feel like she was everyone’s grandma.
Drift Coffee and Kitchen is a full-service breakfast spot with great coffee and lots of options. Most of us got breakfast sandwiches, but a few of us decided all we really wanted was a few slices of bacon with our coffee. To each his own.
For coffee, we stopped at Crush and Grind near the boardwalk. It has a super fun vibe and lots of specialty drinks. I’m boring and got a hot black coffee, but the kids each found something fun to try.
Island Bagels in Kure Beach was an easy grab-and-go spot for bagels and breakfast sandwiches. Those bagels sure tasted good after our kayak trip, but they’d be equally great as a quick stop before any adventure.
Crush and GrindDriftFood from Island Bagel
Things We missed in Carolina Beach/Kure Beach
Fort Fisher
We had planned to visit Fort Fisher on our last day in the area. Unfortunately the rain would not let up. We had driven by on our way to and from kayaking to Zeke’s Island and boy did we want to check this one out. We drove past cannons, and trails, and monuments- and my history loving oldest was really looking forward to checking it out.
Also at Fort Fisher, you can access a trail to a world war 2 bunker where the Fort Fisher hermit lived for 17 years until his death in 1972.
It looked like a beautiful spot to enjoy the coast, take a walk and learn some history. It’s a place we will visit next time we are in the area.
We also spent some time at Wrightsville Beach, which has a different feel—more upscale with lots going on, pretty restaurants, and a fun change of pace.
We drove in for dinner at South Beach Grill and it was spot on delcious. The sweet potato encrusted flounder with a light honey citrus sauce was incredible. And the fried pickle appetizer? Get it. They disappeared about 22 seconds after they hit the table.
The kids ordered everything from pork nachos to shrimp and grits and seafood pasta, which made it one of those fun, share-everything meals.
Parking is available at the restaurant, but it is tight—so plan ahead that you may need to park in public parking areas for a fee.
After dinner, we found public parking and walked a bit around the area. The Loop, a 2.5-mile walking path, is a great spot for this. Or, you can walk along the beach, because that is never a bad idea.
The Loop – 2.5-mile scenic walking path with water views and marsh landscapes.
Harbor Way Gardens – Peaceful garden oasis with plants, art, and fountains (right off The Loop)
Wilmington, NC: Our Favorite Day
Our day in Wilmington was probably our favorite day. It was jam-packed with things to do, and while we got tired (and some of us may have taken a little snooze on the river boat), it was completely worth it.
We had no idea how beautiful Wilmington is. The riverwalk area is just stunning, and the historic feel of downtown—with the brick streets and old details—made it such a fun place to explore. There are lots of shops, and my daughter kept asking to stop in all the “cute boutiques.”
Definitely, definitely make time to visit the Riverwalk.
The Cape Fear River from the Riverwalk
Don’t Skip This: Battleship North Carolina
Whatever you do, do NOT skip the Battleship North Carolina.
We did the City at Sea tour, and I really can’t recommend it enough. We actually needed more time there—it was that good. Our visit led to some great conversations later that day, which is exactly why trips like this matter so much.
We took a ride with Cape Fear River Tours aboard the Henrietta, which was a nice way to relax a bit. You get a little history of the area, views of the port, and a chance to just sit together for a while.
We were particularly interested to see the port area with all the big cargo ships being loaded and unloaded. Wow, do they work fast. We learned that docking there costs the ships $1500 an hour! Fun Fact: Parts of Iron Man 3 were filmed here (guess which movie we watched that night).
We thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The boat offers an open-air top deck, covered for shade, as well as a bottom deck indoors with air conditioning, a restroom, and a bar with beverages and snacks.
Carriage ride with Springbrook Farms
We also did a historic carriage ride with Springbrook Farms. The horses are rescued Percherons, and the tour is a great way to see Wilmington without wearing out your feet. Our guide was funny and had lots ot point out about the city. It was a quick 25-minute tour, and we got to bet the horses, too!
Where We Ate in Wilmington
The food in Wilmington was some of the best on our trip.
Front Street Brewery
Front Street Brewery is where we headed for lunch after we toured the Battleship North Carolina. It was a bit late for lunch, and we were hungry. This spot did not disappoint. The chicken salad with a bit of jalapeno spice was perfect with their English ale. The kids enjoyed a soft pretzel, BBQ, burger, and a Reuben. The interior of the brewery is warm and inviting with lots of dark wood. It definitely has that English pub vibe. We loved it.
Inside Front Street BreweryA Reuben sandwich from Front Street BreweryChicken salad at Front Street Brewery
Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp
For dinner, we ate at Elijah’s, right on the riverwalk. We sat outside—even though it was hot—because the view was so good.
I picked a mango margherita to cool down, and it was perfect. We enjoyed a couple of appetizers of hush puppies, salads, burgers, and I got The Big Crabwich, which was a crab cake with coleslaw on top in a bun. YUM. And for dessert, banana pudding. It was stellar. We all agree that Elijah’s was a trip favorite.
But more than the food, it was the time together. We sat there for a while, talking about our day, laughing, and just enjoying being together. Its nice to take a little time to realize your kids are growing up, and you’re getting to see who they’re becoming. Pretty cool.
Why This Trip Worked So Well with Teens
This trip worked because it gave us a mix of everything.
Time to relax at Kure Beach
Easy, fun activities in Carolina Beach
A fun night out at Wrightsville Beach
A full, meaningful day exploring Wilmington
This trip gave us exactly what we needed—shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and time together. There was always something to do, but also plenty of space to just be together—and that’s really the point.
Traveling with teens isn’t always easy, but it’s so worth it. Wilmington made it easy to find that balance between fun, learning, and just enjoying each other. Its definitely a place I intend to visit in the future.
What would your family want to try first—biking, kayaking, or exploring the battleship? Tell us in the comments!
Watch!
Take a quick peek at our trip in our YouTube short.
Want to discover more amazing travel destinations? North Carolina has them!
Have you experienced the overwhelming wonder of Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the US? Here’s everything you need to plan an epic adventure, including Georgia Aquarium reviews, photos, and even parking and hotel information.
Watch! Our Visit to the Biggest Aquarium in the US
Our Day Trip to the Georgia Aquarium
For our day trip to the Georgia Aquarium, we brought along our five-year-old and two-year-old because we knew this would be a fantastic memory for them. You can purchase tickets online in advance for cheaper than same-day tickets! Ticket prices for pre-booked dates start at $54.99, but prices fluctuate depending on the day you want to attend, if it’s a holiday or weekend, or if they anticipate large crowds. Keep that in mind!
We also made reservations for the dolphin show and the sea lion show on the same day as our visit. If you are looking to do these two free shows or any backstage events, be sure to factor those in when figuring out how long you want to stay at the aquarium!
What Animals Can You See at the Georgia Aquarium?
Because the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the US, there is A LOT to explore. You’ll want to carve out at least two to three hours of your day to experience everything, but you could honestly stay longer. When you arrive at the aquarium, staff will take a photo that you can later purchase as a souvenir. You’ll then immediately follow a corridor lined with a wall of glowing jellyfish! My kids were ecstatic to see them glowing purple and bouncing around the elongated tank. It was the perfect start to our visit.
Galleries and Exhibits: Georgia Aquarium
The hard part is figuring out what you want to see first! There are eight major galleries at the Georgia Aquarium, each with its own theme. There are over 500 species and over one million animals to see. They have sharks, penguins, beluga whales, dolphins, and even massive whale sharks. It’s not just another aquarium. It’s like stepping into another world. And if you think that sounds melodramatic, consider some of these stats:
With more than 600,000 square feet and 10 million gallons of fresh and salt water, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States.
The Ocean Voyager exhibit is the largest indoor fish habitat in the United States. It measures 284 feet long by 126 feet wide by 30 feet deep. It contains 6.3 million gallons of water.
The viewing window into the whale shark exhibit measures 60 feet long by 27 feet high.
When we arrived in the huge atrium, we decided to work our way clockwise through the galleries so we wouldn’t miss anything. We started at SHARKS! Predators of the Deep, which was my daughter’s absolute favorite. There were tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, silvertip sharks, and a sand tiger shark that swam around the 1.2 million gallon tank and through the circling false pilchard fishes. We even saw a hammerhead shark try to catch one. A presenter said this was because an older or sick false pilchard released electromagnetic signals.
Before our scheduled show at Dolphin Coast, We worked our way through several exhibits on the bottom floor. It took us a little over an hour. You’ll want extended time at the Ocean Voyager Built by Home Depot exhibit. Here, you can ride down a conveyor belt under a 100-foot tunnel. This part is exciting, but be sure little feet stay off the edges of the belt so they don’t fall. You can choose to walk beside it as well, which is nice if you want to stop and take a closer look at the rays and fish swimming overhead.
The epic part of Ocean Voyager is the large seating area you’ll find toward the end of the gallery. You can lounge on the stairs under the glow of the huge aquarium and watch the whale sharks swim by. This is a great place to park it for a little bit after a long day of walking around. We sat here for almost 20 minutes listening to the presenter give us facts about animals inside the tank. We also played a game of who could spot Gulper the whale shark.
Here is a full list of the exhibits and key features at the Georgia Aquarium so you can decide where to start!
Aquanaut Adventure – Newer exhibit with alligators, lizards, eels, and a Discovery Zone touch pool.
Cold Water Quest – Home to beluga whales, sea otters, African penguins, Pacific octopus, and more.
Dolphin Coast – Dolphins (including the theatre), spoonbill, spiny lobster, and scarlet ibis.
Ocean Voyager – The largest exhibit offers whale sharks, rays, sharks, tons of fish, and a place to relax.
Predators of the Deep – A variety of sharks with large glass walls to observe from different angles.
Georgia Aquarium Dolphin Show and Sea Lion Presentation
One wonderful thing about the aquarium is that you can get up close and personal with many of the animals, all included in your admission ticket! For an additional cost of $5, you can choose preferred seating. We had such a fun time at the dolphin and sea lion shows which run at various times throughout the day.
My five-year-old and I opted to sit in the splash seats for both shows, and we were giggling the entire time waiting to get splashed, especially when the dolphins sent a wave of water right at us. But don’t worry, the majority of the seats are out of the splash zone.
During both shows, we learned how the aquarium staff trains the animals and what the animals are like in the wild. We saw a spectacular showcase of their skills. During the sea lion show, we sat closest to Katie, the oldest sea lion resident and watched her and her trainer show off their dancing skills and tricks. My two-year-old was squealing when each sea lion showed off how loud they could be. It was hilarious!
Both the dolphin show and the sea lion show are about 15-20 minutes each, so make sure your little ones go to the bathroom ahead of time so you don’t lose your seats. You will also want to arrive about 10 minutes early to get the best seats. They fill up very quickly!
You will want to make reservations the day of to confirm seats for the Dolphin Coast dolphin show and the sea lion show. They are free to attend, but for an additional $5, you can reserve preferred seating.
Quick Facts: Things to Know Before Your Visit
Hours of Operation
The Georgia Aquarium is open year-round, but hours do vary. Visit the aquarium website for specific hours on the day you plan to visit. You are welcome to leave the aquarium after you enter, just make sure you get your arm stamped at the customer service counter before you leave.
Georgia Aquarium Tickets
Ticket Prices
The aquarium uses a timed ticketing system, which means you’ll get time to enter the aquarium. This keeps the facility from becoming overcrowded.
Tickets cost more at peak times like weekends and holidays. Be sure to check the website for the date you plan to visit.
General Admission Tickets
When you purchase tickets ahead of time, you get a discount. Remember that! Fixed-date tickets start at $54.99. Anytime tickets are $69.99. We recommend purchasing ahead of time and looking at their booking calendar to get the best price. You can also purchase an annual membership if you plan to visit more than once.
If you want to do special animal encounters or events, you can also purchase tickets to those ahead of time. They do sell out sometimes because of limited ticket availability, so book early. Prices for animal encounters start at around $90 per person, and there are age restrictions.
Georgia Aquarium Parking
Parking is available in the attached parking deck and costs $20 per day. The World of Coca-Cola and CNN Tower are within walking distance, so you could plan an entire day of attractions for one parking price. There’s also a nice playground area in Centennial Olympic Park if the kids need some downtime.
Coastline Cafe: Cafe at the Aquarium
On the second floor you’ll find the new Coastline Cafe. Most of the food is American fare, like chicken nuggets and burgers. It can be pretty expensive to dine here, so we chose to bring sandwiches to enjoy during our break outdoors on the grass between World of Coca-Cola and the aquarium.
Wheelchairs, Strollers, and Babies
The entire aquarium is wheelchair and stroller accessible. However, strollers are NOT permitted in the Dolphin Coast theater. There is a “stroller parking” area available for use during the show.
There’s a private nursing pod for mothers available on the second floor.
Sensory bags are also available at Guest Services if you would like them for you or your child.
Where to Stay Near the Georgia Aquarium
Planning an overnight trip? Use the map below to find perfect lodging near the Georgia Aquarium.
Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when booking through the map and links in this section.
During a previous visit, we stayed at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, which we recommend because of the hotel’s great location and comfort. Another great option is Home 2 Suites Midtown. The CNN Tower, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Park, the Peachtree Center, and a new Ferris wheel attraction are all within easy walking distance of both hotels.
Restaurants Near the Georgia Aquarium
You can leave the aquarium and come back, so why not check out some of the best restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium that are within walking distance? The Atlanta Breakfast Club is just down the street, and has some of the best Southern breakfast food around! Have a kid who will only eat pizza? Then head to Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria. They have delicious pizza, plus vegetarian and vegan options. You don’t want to miss out on the crispy chicken and fries at Rocks!
Tips for Visiting the Georgia Aquarium
Bring a stroller or carrier if you have little ones, because there is a lot of walking involved.
Be sure to reserve a dolphin show or sea lion show. It’s worth it and great for younger kids.
Pack your lunch and leave it in a cooler in the car to save money.
If you want to leave and come back to the aquarium, be sure to get your hand stamped.
Current or former members of the United States armed forces get free entry and a 30% discount for accompanying family members on Military Appreciation Days.
The gift shop has some great stuff, and you have to exit through it, so be sure to budget for a souvenir. Pro gift shop tip: Collect something small from gift shops you visit throughout all your travels like a magnet, postcard, or Christmas tree ornament. Everyone in your family will know they are on the hunt for the perfect item to add to that collection, and you’ll stay far away from the expensive toys, stuffed animals, and apparel.
My Honest Opinion of the Georgia Aquarium: Review
Visiting the Georgia Aquarium as a mom of two young kids is so worth it! There’s so much to do and see that the trip is absolutely a core memory maker. There are animals at the Georgia Aquarium you’ll most likely never see in your lifetime. Plus, the vast amount of scientific research and conservation efforts they do helps us learn more about these animals and reverse their wild population decline. My kids were in awe, and so was I.
The aquarium staff are friendly and helpful, and we had zero issues throughout the entire day. It’s a great family vacation idea, because the city of Atlanta has so much to offer. It’s worth the 2.5-hour drive from Greenville, SC, and makes the perfect day trip!
Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker Street NW Atlanta, GA 30313 404-581-4000
What was your family’s favorite part of the Georgia Aquarium?
There’s a lot more to do in Atlanta! Check it out!
The Cradle of Forestry is a hidden gem in Pisgah Forest up near Brevard, NC. It’s a fascinating place and has lots of special events and both indoor and outdoor fun.
Sometimes, there are cool places hidden in plain sight that you may drive by so many times and just never notice. We try to find these kinds of neat places and tell you about them so you can experience all the coolness we did! One such place is about 90 minutes from Greenville nestled in Pisgah Forest near Brevard, NC called the Cradle of Forestry. It’s amazing and totally worth the trip up there (plus, I’ll tell you some other neat things to do in the area).
Looking for a memorable family adventure near Kure Beach and Wilmington, NC? A guided kayak tour with Kayak Carolina is a fun way to explore the water, learn about coastal wildlife, and visit Zeke’s Island Reserve during a Wilmington-area trip.
We signed up for a morning tour and had to be at the meeting point at 7:45 am. I have teens… and they are definitely not early risers. Honestly, I hadn’t even had my coffee yet, and we were about to head out on a three-hour kayaking adventure across the water.
Attitudes were cooperative… but let’s just say enthusiasm was a little low at that hour. But by the end of the tour, everyone agreed it was completely worth it.
That might be the best proof of how good this experience was. These are teens who are not excited about early mornings (and did I mention I hadn’t had coffee). Yet by the time we paddled back, they were talking about our seine net catches and everything Amanda had shown us on the island. The sleepy, slightly grumpy start turned into genuine excitement, and that shift felt like a win to me!
Thanks to Wilmington and Beaches for providing admission to this tour so we could bring this adventure to our readers! All opinions are those of the author.
Watch Our Adventure
Take a quick peek at our trip in our YouTube short.
Paddling Out to Zeke’s Island
Our tour started at the tail end of Fort Fisher, at the Zeke’s Island Kayak Launch. There was a kayak there for each of us, along with a paddle and life jacket. Our guides Amanda and Paige, helped us adjust the foot pegs in the kayaks, and then, we were off. We paddled across the water to Zeke’s Island, an uninhabited reserve only accessible by kayak, canoe, boat, or SUP. We chatted as we paddled, and Amanda pointed out various shorebirds along the way.
Amanda led us to two landing areas on Zeke’s where we explored the shoreline, hiked inland a bit, and learned about the island.
Exploring Zeke’s Island
Amanda showed us all kinds of interesting things on Zeke’s Island, including:
A wild edible called sea pickle (which really does taste like a crunchy pickle!) It was very salty.
A “secret beach” that’s covered at high tide
A rock wall built in the 1800s to help keep shoals from forming and making the Cape Fear River too shallow for boats
Trying a sea pickle on Zeke’s IslandStunning beauty on Zeke’s Island
Zeke’s Island is an uninhabited reserve with tidal flats, salt marshes, dunes, and ocean beaches. It’s also an important shorebird habitat and part of a protected coastal research area.
The Best Part for Teens: Seine Net Exploring
While at the shore of our second stop on Zeke’s, Amanda pulled out a seine net, a rectangular fishing net with two poles that takes two people to use.
To use a seine net, each person grabs a pole and stretches the net out between them. Then each person taps the ground with the pole while walking forward through the water. We used the net several times and got to check out what we caught.
My kids were so into this.
We found:
Small fish
Crabs of various sizes
Several ghost shrimp
And the find of the day — a pipefish!
At first, we thought it was a baby Trumpetfish, but after a little Google Lens searching back at the condo, we think it may have been an Atlantic Pipefish, which makes more sense as these are fish found in the area. It’s not something you see every day, and my son, Chris,(who is very into marine life) was quite excited.
Everything we caught was safely released back into the water before we headed back across to where we started.
Even with sleepy teens and no coffee, this turned into an experience we’ll all remember. It’s active and educational without feeling like a school lesson, and gives kids (and teens!) a chance to really interact with nature.
What’s Included with the Tour at Kayak Carolina
The kayak tour included:
Guide-led experience
A kayak for each person
Paddle
Life jacket
What to Bring
This is definitely an “expect to get wet and sandy” kind of outing.
Be sure to bring:
Water (it gets hot quickly)
Clothes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty
Snacks
Water shoes or something that can get wet
Sun protection
How to book your tour
Book your kayak tour on the Kayak Carolina Website. Zeke’s Island is just one of several choices. Prices vary by tour. The Zeke’s Island tour is $75 per person.
Kids ages 12 and up can go in their own kayak. Kids ages 3-11 can go in a tandem kayak with an adult. Kids must be at least 3 years old.
If you’re heading to Wilmington and looking for something meaningful to do with your family, touring the Battleship North Carolina is a “don’t miss” experience. From a quiet start along the boardwalk around the ship, to the City at Sea Tour full of stories that brought the ship to life, my visit with my teenage kids was incredibly immersive and wonderful.
Battleship North Carolina from the boardwalk: access the boardwalk for free
Thanks to Wilmington and Beaches for providing admission so we could bring this story to our readers. All opinions are those of the author.
Your Quick History Lesson: USS North Carolina
Here’s your quick history lesson on the battleship.
Commissioned in 1941, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) was the first of a new class of battleships built for the U.S. Navy just before the country entered World War II. Nicknamed “Showboat”, this vessel served in the Pacific Theater during the war, providing anti-aircraft protection for aircraft carriers and participating in major operations including Guadalcanal, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and the Philippines campaign.
The USS North Carolina earned 15 battle stars and became one of the most decorated American battleships. After being decommissioned in 1947, the ship was saved from scrapping through a statewide effort and moved to Wilmington in 1961.
My teenagers and I got a chance to visit the ship, now a National Historic Landmark and memorial to the more than 10,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives in World War II. We learned all about life on USS North Carolina during her service. Read on for our experience (spoiler: we loved it).
Start the Day on the Boardwalk
We began our visit by walking around the ship on the boardwalk, and I’m so glad we did.
The walk really gives you a sense of just how massive the ship is before you ever step onboard. Seeing it from every angle, stretching out across the water, puts everything in perspective right from the start.
Even better — this part is completely free, and so is parking. If you’re operating on a really tight budget, you can still enjoy a close-up look along the SECU Memorial Walkway.
We actually still had our coffee from breakfast when we arrived, and it turned into a perfect start to the day — just walking, sipping coffee, and taking in the site.
Photos on the SECU Memorial Walkway
Heading Inside the Ship: Stepping into history
When you’re ready, you’ll head into the visitor center to get tickets (if you haven’t already) and check out the tour options you can add on.
You have choices here: you can walk through the ship on your own or decide to go through with a tour guide. There are a few different tours to pick from that cover different areas of the ship and topics.
Once onboard, it quickly becomes clear just how much there is to see. You could easily spend an entire day here if your family enjoys this kind of experience, like ours.
Everything feels incredibly real because it is — so much is original and preserved. Since this ship was decommissioned so soon after its service, what you see on board is very much as things were for the sailors serving at that time.
The City at Sea Tour Experience
For our visit, we did a guided Battleship North Carolina tour. There are several different tours to pick from. Ours was the City at Sea tour, and this ended up being the highlight of our visit, maybe even our whole weekend in the Wilmington area.
The City at Sea tour takes you through the inner workings of the ship — berths, galleys, officers’ quarters, sick bay, barber shop, bakery, bathrooms, and more. You are indeed moving through a floating city.
Our guide, Mark, was incredible. He’s a veteran who served on a destroyer during Vietnam, and he shared so many details and stories about life at sea. Not just the facts, but real moments that helped all of us picture what we were seeing back in time.
He told stories of Thanksgiving meals going cold as general quarters sounded again and again, and how quickly everything shifted from routine to readiness. He talked about movies being shown over and over — sometimes 20 times — because that was the only entertainment available for the crew.
When we stepped into the bakery, hearing about the ovens and the massive scale of recipes needed to feed hundreds of sailors made it all feel even more real. These are the real places where daily life unfolded for the sailors in ways most of us have never experienced.
Thanksgiving dinner, Battleship NCThe head (bathroom)Potato peeler in the Battleship
Later, one of my boys told me he could imagine everything Mark described happening in each space. That connection made the experience stick in a way I don’t think either of us expected.
The Teens Stayed Engaged: Battleship NC
I originally wanted to stop at the battleship because one of my teens loves world history and World War II. But what actually happened is that all four of my teenagers stayed engaged the entire time. So did I.
The tour lasted about two hours (which I think was longer than scheduled because we had lots of questions). Mark took his time, answered everything, and made sure we all understood what we were seeing.
Battleship tour, North Carolina
Take a Peek
Here’s a quick look inside the ship.
We Needed More Time
When the tour ended, we realized how much more we still wanted to see.
We had other plans that day, so we only had time to do a quick walk around the top deck and climb up into one of the turrets for a closer look.
It wasn’t enough. We will 100% be back, and next time we’ll block off more time and maybe try the Topside Tour, too. We all want to hear more stories like the ones Mark told and learn more about this ship’s incredible history.
Tips for Visiting the Battleship
A few things we noticed right away that will help you plan your visit:
The heat is real — especially up on deck in the sun
Inside the ship is cooler, but most areas are not air-conditioned
Bring water (you’ll want it)
Closed-toe shoes are a really, really good idea
Be ready for the ship’s ladders — steep, narrow, and somewhere between stairs and a ladder
We found it easiest to climb them facing the stairs like a ladder.
You can leave and re-enter, so if you think you’ll want to spend most of the day at the ship, pack a picnic to enjoy in the adjacent park.
Lunch Across the River
There are also lots of places to head for lunch, just a few minutes away across the Cape Fear River in Downtown Wilmington. After we left, we headed to Front Street Brewery for lunch.
The sandwiches were delicious
I had the chicken salad with a little jalapeño kick — so good, and their English Ale paired perfectly
Prices were quite reasonable
The English pub feel was great, with dark, warm wood tones and fixtures that totally fit the vibe.
It was exactly what we needed after a warm, full morning exploring.
Inside the laundry on the BattleshipWhere garbage was ground up to be dumped into the sea.Climbing into the turret.Where sailors slept on Battleship North Carolina
Between the free boardwalk and the reasonable admission, this is a really doable outing for families with a lot of options to customize and make it fit your budget and interests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Battleship North Carolina
How long does it take to tour the Battleship North Carolina? Most families spend 2–4 hours exploring the ship. If you add a guided tour like the City at Sea tour, plan closer to half a day to fully enjoy the experience.
Is the Battleship North Carolina good for kids and teens? Yes! The ship is very engaging for older kids and teens, especially those interested in history. Guided tours help bring the experience to life and keep kids interested throughout.
Can you visit the Battleship North Carolina for free? While boarding the ship requires paid admission, you can walk along the SECU Memorial Walkway and view the battleship from the outside for free. Parking is also free.
Do you need to book tickets in advance? You can purchase general admission tickets on-site, but specialty tours (like City at Sea) may require advance booking, especially during busy seasons.
Are guided tours worth it? Absolutely. Guided tours provide stories, context, and access to areas you might overlook on a self-guided visit. They make the experience much more immersive.
What should you wear when visiting the battleship? Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. You’ll be climbing steep, narrow ladders and walking through tight spaces, so sturdy footwear is important.
Is the ship air-conditioned? Most of the ship is not air-conditioned. It can get hot, especially in the summer, so bring water and plan accordingly.
Is the Battleship North Carolina wheelchair accessible? Accessibility is limited due to the historic structure of the ship, including narrow passageways and steep ladders. However, the visitor center and grounds are accessible.
Can you bring food or leave and come back? Yes, you can leave and re-enter the ship the same day. Many families bring a picnic to enjoy in the nearby park area. Bottled water is allowed on the ship. You can also carry a light snack if needed, to eat on deck.
If you’re planning a Wilmington trip, Battleship North Carolina is a great experience to add to your list.
For your visit we highly recommend a battleship tour.
North Carolina is full of amazing family fun, and this one is definitely a bucket list item.
Add to your day: Have an adventure in Wilmington with your family (coming soon).
Have you visited the Battleship North Carolina with your family? We’d love to hear what stood out to you!
Ever heard of Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach? My family recently traveled to Myrtle Beach to check it out for our Kidding Around community. We had a lot of adventures (you can read our full Myrtle Beach itinerary here), but one of the experiences that stood out for being truly amazing and beyond our expectations was the dinner and show, Pirates Voyage produced by the Dolly Parton Company. Here’s a review of our experience at Pirates Voyage, plus some tips for your own visit.
Thank you to the Myrtle Beach CVB and Pirates Voyage for inviting us to enjoy the show.
Don’t head in too quickly as you might spy a sea lion or parrot outside.
The doors open 50 minutes before the performance, so take that into consideration when you plan your arrival time. There’s an entertaining pre-show in the Pirates Village with pirates singing and performing tricks to help pass the time before the main event. We were happy to see lots of seating in the waiting area, and there was popcorn and drinks available for purchase. Before the show, you can also pay to “Join the crew” which includes face painting, costume accessories, and flags. The face-painting area was decorated very nicely with huge chairs for the kids to sit in, and the face painting looked very elaborate. You should reserve your spot ahead of time if you want to add this to your package.
I was also pleased that the gift shop had a wide range of prices and items. Our kids had brought a small amount of their own spending money, and both found a decent costume prop for $3 each.
About the show
Be prepared to be entertained by pirates, tricks, animals, and even mermaids during the two-hour show. My family was impressed by the number of tricks and the many surprises. The show also included singing, dancing, and a fun story plot. Don’t worry if your kids aren’t into pirates. There are parrots, sea lions, mermaids, and lots of tricks and aerobatics. The show is fast-paced and kept my kids’ attention the entire time.
You’ll also be assigned a pirate team to cheer for which adds a fun interactive element. It’s all lighthearted, and while there is enough sword fighting and banter to keep the kids entertained, it’s not violent or scary.
At a couple of points in the show, members of the audience were given a chance to participate. I’m not sure how the members are chosen, but my kids were picked to chase ducks. They received a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and a medal for their participation.
It’s easy to see from any level of seating in the arena. We were seated in one of the higher sections and had no trouble seeing the action. In my opinion, it’s worth paying a couple extra dollars to be in the preferred section to be in the middle of the room.
The food
Like most dinner and show venues, there’s a set menu, though you can request a vegetarian meal or gluten-free meal when you make your reservation. The served beverages are Coke, Diet Coke, tea, and water, and you get multiple refills during the meal. The food was hot and fresh and included chicken, shredded pork, corn on the cob, creamy vegetable soup, bread, basted potato, and an apple pie pastry. You can purchase additional beverages at the start of the show.
Last tips
Be sure to bring a suitable cash tip as tips are not included in your ticket price. Our table had a small sign that suggested 15% for good service. The servers work very hard carrying large trays across the arena while in costume, and they deserve a decent tip.
Have your kids use the restroom before the show as it’s a long performance and they’ll possibly be consuming a lot of beverages. We were really happy to find clean restrooms that were actually large enough to accommodate the crowds. In fact, when we headed there after the show we didn’t even have to wait in line.
If you choose to skip the pre-show, be sure to arrive early enough to allow time to go through the ticket lines and get your photo taken before the show.
You can purchase a bundled deal on the Pirates Voyage website to save money on tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium or Wonderworks.
About Pirates Voyage
8907 N. Kings Highway Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 843-497-9700 Pirates Voyage website Ticket prices start at $59.99/adults, $29.99/children.
Have you ever been to Pirates Voyage? What did you think?
