Quaint, charming, and surrounded by spectacular shores, the town of Atlantic Beach is a picturesque getaway along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. This breathtaking destination astounds with its natural beauty; a place of quiet beaches, rugged islands, and translucent waves where dolphins and sea turtles play. Atlantic Beach is a gem of family-friendly attractions and exciting outdoor adventures that dazzle and delight. Take a leisurely stroll through peaceful parks, or trace historic footsteps in Fort Macon State Park. Enjoy the beauty of the area from the water, and try fishing, parasailing, or boating along the spectacular coast. Back on land, there are lovely spas, delectable restaurants, and fantastic nature trails to discover. With sand, surf, shopping, and more, this gorgeous town is the perfect destination for a laid-back family vacation. Plan your trip today, and check out this list of things to do in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina!
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1. Sail out to explore the coastlines of Atlantic Beach
One of the best ways to enjoy the picturesque beauty of Atlantic Beach is out on the water. This area of North Carolina is renowned for its spectacular surf and stunning coastline, and a boat tour can help you explore the magnificent seaboard. From eco-tours to sailboats to fast-paced ferries, there are plenty of cruise options to embark upon. Whether you charter a private boat or join a group excursion, sailing around the shoreline is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Boat Rentals in Atlantic Beach
Website: The Crystal Coast
2. Pack a picnic and play in the Atlantic Beach Town Park
This park features playsets, swingset, merry-go-round, basketball goal, miniature golf, splashpad, skatepark, and more...
Posted by Atlantic Beach, NC Town Park on Tuesday, 5 December 2017
This family-friendly park is a wonderful way to unwind in Atlantic Beach. Pack a picnic and head over to the Atlantic Beach Town Park for an afternoon filled with fun. With a splash pad, mini-golf course, skate park, and more, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the day. There is even free Wi-Fi. In addition to the great day-time activities, the park also hosts free movie nights and live music events in the summer evenings!
Atlantic Beach Town Park
Address: 915 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Website: Atlantic Beach Town Park
Opening hours: 24/7
3. Spend a fun-filled afternoon at Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag with your family
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
It’s Locals Night!!! Locals come enjoy $10 off admission for laser tag or hour long axe throwing!!! • • • #localsnight...
Posted by Battle Works on Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Get your adrenaline pumping and engage in some friendly competition at Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag. This fantastic indoor arena is elaborate and intense and features real-world immersion and tactical scenarios. During the hour-long sessions, you can choose your complex missions, and traverse the unique battlefield which includes multiple rooms, woodland bunkers, and even a full office cubicle suite. Players have to be over 54 inches (137 cm) tall and the age of 12 to participate.
Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag
Address: 1010 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Website: Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12:30pm - 10:30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 30 USD
4. Try spotting some wildlife along Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Get lost in nature on the wild Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail. This beautiful walkway offers visitors a chance to connect with the stunning scenery and the mammals, birds, and reptiles that call this place home. The trailhead is located next to Bojangles in Atlantic Beach, but soon winds away from the sounds of civilization and becomes surrounded by tangled trees and swampy marshland. Follow the boardwalk through this unique estuarine ecosystem and marvel at the wondrous landscapes of maritime forest, salt marshes, and dune ridges that can be admired on the 1 mile-long (1.6 km) nature trail. As you walk, keep your eyes peeled for deer, turtles, butterflies, and lizards!
Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Website: Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Opening hours: 24/7
5. Visit Fort Macon State Park and explore the Civil War fort
The beautiful Fort Macon State Park is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about local history. The picturesque park is surrounded by beautiful views of the inlet and is also home to a historic fort. This five-sided fortification was used in three American wars: the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the Second World War. Visitors can learn more about the stronghold’s past through the terrific on-site exhibits, tour the site with an expert guide, or meander along the battlements at their own pace. The fort also hosts special events like Civil War reenactments throughout the year. After exploring the fort, stroll along the beautiful beachfront and explore tide pools or picnic on the soft sand.
Fort Macon State Park
Address: 2303 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Website: Fort Macon State Park
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
6. Catch a show at the Atlantic Station Cinema
Located in the Atlantic Station Shopping Center, this movie theater always has something of interest playing. This fantastic theatre screens the latest blockbuster releases and offers matinee and evening showings. No matter what you plan on seeing, make sure to pick up some tasty snacks from the concession stand before you settle in to watch your show.
Atlantic Station Cinema
Address: 1010 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Website: Atlantic Station Cinema
7. Join a Port City Ghost Tour
Posted by Port City Tour Co. & Escape Rooms on Friday, 1 April 2016
Discover a spookier side of the Crystal Coast on this spine-tingling tour. The Beaufort Ghost Walk combines scary storytelling with sightseeing and is a unique way to learn more about the area’s past. Over the course of an hour and a quarter, you will hear chilling tales from the Golden Age of Piracy, the Colonial and Civil War eras, or the early 1900s as your guide leads you on a walking tour through Beaufort. This family-friendly tour is filled with fascinating information about local legends, infamous characters, and eerie attractions.
Port City Tours
Website: Port City Tours
8. Go jet skiing, kayaking or parasailing with AB WaterSport Adventures
Up....
Posted by AB WaterSports on Tuesday, 7 August 2018
No roundup of the best things to do in Atlantic Beach can ignore the sublime beaches and crystal clear surf. The AB WaterSport Adventures company provides a variety of water adventures for every comfort level, taste, and experience. Climb aboard a jet ski and race over the waves, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon kayaking along the quiet coastline. Grab a paddleboard and skim tranquil estuaries, or charter a boat and head to scenic Cape Lookout. The company also offers thrilling parasailing adventures! Whatever way you want to explore the water, AB WaterSport Adventures can help you do it.
AB WaterSport Adventures
Website: AB WaterSport Adventures
9. Grab a scrumptious seafood meal at On The Rocks
A wonderful option for a fresh and flavorful meal, On the Rocks has an extensive menu of mouthwatering dishes. This lovely casual restaurant has a superb salad bar, and a menu filled with tasty appetizers, delicious entrees, and renowned seafood dishes like the island shrimp and the seared tuna steak. Whatever you decide to order, make sure you save room for one of the lip-smacking desserts like the fried Oreos, the made-to-order funnel cake, or the luscious Key Lime pie!
On The Rocks
Address: 5344, 2604 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, United States
Website: On The Rocks
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
10. Sip some quality craft beer at The Growler Bar Atlantic Beach
We're open!
Posted by The Growler Bar Atlantic Beach on Friday, 10 May 2019
For a sample of the brilliant local brews from the area, head to the Growler Bar Atlantic Beach and taste what they have on tap. This friendly bar offers a rotating selection of 24 brews on tap and features craft beers and wines from all around North Carolina. Choose a flight of beers and enjoy an assortment of what is on offer, then you can fill up a growler with your favorite choice. Whether you prefer ales or IPAs, the Growler Bar Atlantic Beach offers so many refreshing options.
The Growler Bar Atlantic Beach
Address: 2610-E W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Website: The Growler Bar Atlantic Beach
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am
11. Reinvigorate your skin with a spa treatment at Complexion MedSpa & Aesthetics
??Do you have chronic neck and back pain?? We have the solution to your aches and pains. Call today and book your Therapeutic Massage with Cara!! ??
Posted by Complexion Med Spa on Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment from the luxurious Complexion MedSpa & Aesthetics. This elegant spa offers a wide variety of treatments, services, and packages to encourage relaxation and provide beauty experiences. Pamper yourself with a deluxe spa package, or choose from a range of facial treatments and massage styles. Try a MedSpa practice for a particular beauty focus, or make an appointment for waxing or threading services. From foot reflexology to after-sun wraps, this spa offers a selection of gorgeous services to choose from.
Complexion Med Spa & Aesthetics
Website: Complexion Med Spa & Aesthetics
12. Cast a line off Oceanana Fishing Pier
Eddie is one proud man with that Spanish he caught!
Posted by Oceanana Family Motel on Wednesday, 8 May 2019
Visit the Oceanana Fishing Pier, and try your luck at casting your line and scoring a catch! Stretching nearly 1,000 feet (305 meters) into the ocean, a massive variety of fish swim beneath your feet. This is the only ocean fishing pier in the city and is also home to a fishing center which sells bait, tackle, and fishing gear. You can also rent rods and reels here, and obtain your fishing passes. The pier is a beautiful place to visit even if you don’t fish! Stroll along the board walk at sunset and soak up the magnificent views, or sip on a drink at the Barnacle Bar. If you’re unlucky with any catch of the day, you can still enjoy a seafood meal from the Pier House Restaurant.
Oceanana Fishing Pier
Address: 700 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Website: Oceanana Fishing Pier
Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily) (closed on Tue)
13. Go on a shopping spree at the Atlantic Station Shopping Center
Stop by on this windy Crystal Coast Tuesday and pick up a book, some Magic the Gathering cards, some comics, dice, and...well, just stop by on this windy Crystal Coast Tuesday! #beachbookmart
Posted by Beach Book Mart on Tuesday, 26 March 2019
Scout out the best souvenirs and shop until you drop at the quaint Atlantic Station Shopping Center. This delightful shopping plaza is filled with fantastic stores and delectable restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit or a cool addition to your home décor, the Atlantic Station Shopping Center brims with brilliant shopping experiences that include both one-of-a-kind boutiques and brand name stores.
Atlantic Station Shopping Center
Address: 1010 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Amazing times in Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is a family-friendly destination that offers a bevy of interesting activities to try out. From beach walks to boating tours, historic forts to water sports, the opportunities for entertainment are as endless and varied as your interests. Whether you’re here for sand, surf, spas, or shopping, Atlantic Beach is the perfect place to explore North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Start planning your getaway today and try out these things to do in Atlantic Beach!
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