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The great thing about Jacksonville, North Carolina is how conveniently located it is. The New River runs through the city and the ocean is a half-hour drive away. When it comes to weekend getaways, could you have a better starting point? We think not. Get your gear together, we're setting sail.
Topsail Island
What better place to set sail than to Topsail? About 30 minutes south is an island that boasts many beautiful things to do on the ocean and beyond. This would probably be a great place to take children for outdoor activities as well as things like the Touch Tank Aquarium. Aside from being a neverending beach, here are a few of our favorites.
EMA Touch Tank Aquarium
If you have little hands who can't stop touching things wherever you go, this is the place. Here, it is encouraged to get a more up-close and personal look at the sea creatures and more. There are terrapins, horseshoe crabs, bamboo, and even sharks to touch. That's just getting started. They also host field trips, spring and summer camps, and birthday parties. Now that's a fun time! 18+ get in for $5, 2 to 17 for $8 (as of March 2022).
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
Give the whole family a new perspective on wildlife here at the active sea turtle hospital. While sea turtles are listed in the name, the matters of all marine turtles who live on both land and sea are brought to the visitor's attention. They do everything here, from monitoring nests to rehabilitating injured turtles. It takes about an hour to soak up the whole experience, but it leaves you with an interest in conservation.
Surf City Pier
Whether you're looking for a place to meditate, take in the sunrise, or fish, this pier has a spot ready. The Surf City Pier is 937 feet long, culminating in a 40-foot octagon over the ocean. Didn't come with bait? You can stock up here as well as get anything else you need, such as food, ice cream, fishing supplies, and even souvenirs.
Kure Beach
A bit further down the coast, about an hour and a half from Jacksonville is a strip of oceanfront property. Similar to Topsail Island, Kure Beach has a lot of places to enjoy the scenery and see some great sights, of the aquatic kind and from above. From museums to helicopter rides, there's plenty to keep you busy for a weekend or more. Below are some of the highlights.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher is the location of not one but two major Civil War battles. When you arrive, you can see the fort and there is a trail to walk around and get a better scope of the location. There are also six miles of beaches and lush wildlife in the marsh and around the fort. This recreation area touches both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic. Things to do at Fort Fisher:
North Carolina Military History Museum
Where there's a fort, there's a military museum. Since this area has seen its fair share of battle, it makes sense that the military museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Within each installment are artifacts from all service branches and wars. It's amazing to see these uniforms, vehicles, and even weapons and imagine what they've all been through. Admission is free.
High Tide Helicopters
If you want a break from the scenic drives, how about a scenic ride above it all? High Tide offers a handful of helicopter tours that fly over beaches, historic sites, and even filming locations. If you're really feeling the spirit, you can take an intro to flight lesson! As one visitor commented, "It was one of the more memorable experiences of my life."
Myrtle Beach
Because sometimes you want to get further away to disappear from anything recognizable, we have Myrtle Beach. Sure, it is another Atlantic beach, but even though it's just under two and a half hours away, Myrtle Beach is in another state. All the beachy things to do can be found here as well, but there's another side to this place. So, let's bring on the fun and thrills and have a romantic getaway.
Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show
Did we say another state? Try another country. The Polynesian Dinner Show takes you across a different ocean to experience the kind of entertainment that has you forgetting where you are. The two-hour event starts with a lei greeting, followed by a buffet dinner inspired by the Polynesian islands. To wrap up the evening, the show heats up with a fire and dance act. Before the excitement ends, you'll see acrobatics, live music, and real-life fire knife champions who come from the islands. Tickets start at $67.49 (as of March 2022).
Original Motown Tribute Show
We've left the country. Now let's leave this moment in time to listen to the history of Motown. Sing along to all the favorites from Motown's heyday. Selections include hits from artists such as The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, and Lionel Ritchie. Now if that doesn't make you want to grab your partner's hand and get moving, perhaps nothing will. Tickets start at $44.24 (as of March 2022).
Ghost, Pirates, and Historic Families Trolley Tour
Surely a place that has been settled for almost 250 years has some stories to tell. Maybe even a lingering soul or two? That's exactly what you'll find on the trolley tour. The ride takes you south towards Murrells Inlet while the host shares stories from the locals about the haunts and swashbucklers of Myrtle Beach past. This two-hour ride starts at $40 (as of March 2022).
There's no reason not to roam when you live within a short driving distance from these fantastic places. We've hit up Topsail Island, Kure Beach, and Myrtle Beach to bring you a far, farther, and farthest collection of weekend trips from Jacksonville. Be sure to try all three!
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
