AB WaterSport on the Atlantic Beach Causeway rents jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Families can join a guided jet ski tour to Cape Lookout and watch for dolphins.
Atlantic Beach Town Park gives kids a splash pad, playground, and skate park, while families play 18-hole mini golf, shoot hoops, and picnic under shady trees. Entry is free, and the park is open daily.
Ben & Jerry’s serves hand-scooped ice cream, waffle cones, sundaes, and thick shakes. Try Cherry Garcia or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, then take your cone for a walk after dinner.
Board the Capt. Stacy IV headboat or book a private charter on the Atlantic Beach Causeway. Rods, reels, and bait come with your ticket, so whole families can just fish.
Carolina Home and Garden in Newport has free gardens, a tropical greenhouse, a petting zoo, and a play center. Parents can browse the boutique while the kids burn off energy.
Crystal Coast Eco Tours takes families out of Morehead City on small-boat trips to watch dolphins and wild horses on Shackleford Banks, hunt for shells, and rake for clams.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill serves grilled burgers, crispy chicken strips, hot dogs, and fries, plus Blizzards, shakes, and soft serve. It’s a quick stop for hungry families and groups.
Families can join a guided paddle board tour through the marshes and estuaries of Bogue Sound. All skill levels are welcome, and you may spot local wildlife along the way.
Fort Macon State Park sits at the eastern tip of Bogue Banks. Kids can explore the brick fort’s tunnels, swim at a guarded beach, and hike coastal trails.
Game On Escape Rooms in Morehead City gives families a fun, puzzle-filled way to spend time together. Work as a team to find clues, crack codes, and beat the clock.
Ride the passenger ferry from Swansboro to Bear Island, where kids can swim, hunt for shells, and walk miles of undeveloped beach. Kayak rentals are available on the mainland side.
Island Water Sports Rentals on Bogue Sound has rented kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats to families since 1988. Child and toddler life vests are available, so the family can go.
Isle Cycle on Emerald Drive rents cruisers, tandems, and electric bikes for all ages. Pick one up or have it delivered, then ride the 11-mile bike path as a family.
Board a 45-foot catamaran at the Beaufort waterfront and sail to Cape Lookout for swimming, shelling, and lighthouse views. Sunset and dolphin cruises are also offered, and kids are welcome aboard.
Bowling lanes, billiards, and over 4,000 square feet of arcade games fill this Cape Carteret spot. The sports bar and grill serves drinks and full meals, and it’s open late every day.
The Morehead City Marlins play summer college baseball at Big Rock Stadium. Grab a seat, watch wood-bat games on warm evenings, and let the kids cheer along with local fans.
Right on Bogue Banks, this aquarium shows off local coastal life. Kids can touch rays and sea stars, watch otters play, and walk past a big shipwreck tank full of sharks.
Paddle NC rents kayaks and paddleboards near Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. Families can book guided tours or lessons and paddle marked trails that suit beginners and experienced paddlers.
Pedego Electric Bikes in Emerald Isle rents pedal-assist bikes, so families can cruise the island’s bike paths together at an easy pace. Tours and group rides are also available.
Sweet Spot on Emerald Drive is a beach-town ice cream parlor with candy and a small gift shop. Lines run long after dark, but they move quickly, and the front rockers are worth a seat.
Waterbug Tours runs narrated boat rides from Front Street in Beaufort. Families cruise past historic homes and the working waterfront, and often spot dolphins, pelicans, and the wild horses on Rachel Carson Reserve.
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