Plan an Unexpected Beach Trip to North Carolina

5 Reasons to Plan a North Carolina Beach Vacation This August

As the summer travel season winds down in August, some of us are itching to squeeze in some more fun before our busy fall schedules take hold. Late August and early September are my favorite times of the year to hit the beach. The crowds are smaller, there is more affordable lodging, and just as many exciting things to see and do. 

If you’re on the East Coast, you should consider visiting Wilmington, N.C.’s Island Beaches. The area has three beaches, each with their own distinct personalities – Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. 

To help inspire your final vacation of the summer, here are five reasons why you should take advantage of late August and head to the coast:

1. Smaller Crowds: When your child’s school doesn’t start until late August or September, North Carolina schools are already back in session. This means smaller crowds during the last two weeks in August, and more time to spend time together as a family instead of waiting in long lines or searching for the perfect spot on the beach.

2. Availability of Lodging: Fewer people means more lodging options. Visitors to Wilmington’s Island Beaches can choose from a variety of family-friendly accommodations including full-service hotels with oceanfront views and summer programs for kids, or vacation beach homes and vintage motels that will fit the whole family.

   
   

3. Explore Somewhere Old, but New to You: I love taking in a little bit of history every where I travel. Not too much, but enough to get to know the culture of a city. Take a trip back in time when you explore a vintage (but newly renovated) boardwalk in Carolina Beach. You’ll have some classic fun taking a spin on seaside amusement rides, sampling famous donuts, or jamming to weekly oceanfront concerts and fireworks. You can also spend time at in Kure Beach at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, which was the site of the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War.
   
4. Easy to Get There: If you’re planning a spontaneous trip, proximity helps for timing and for your budget! North Carolina’s beaches are one of the most accessible coastal destinations.  It’s easy to get there and even easier to navigate once you arrive. Forget the plane tickets and losing two days of flying to get there and home; instead pack your bags and hop in your car!

5. River to Sea: As I wrote earlier, each of the beaches has their own personality. For example,  Wrightsville Beach is a walkable island dubbed one of the top surfing towns in the world by National Geographic. You can charter a sailboat to the spot for an afternoon–how fun is that?! It’s not all beaches in Wilmington. Take a break from the beach for an afternoon and take a 20 to 30-minute trip from the Island Beaches to enjoy scenic views of the Cape Fear River, waterfront restaurants and shops.
   

Have any good memories from trips to North Carolina? Any end of summer travel tips? I’d love to hear about them below!