Family Fun
From the Beaches to Blackbeard, Putt-Putt to Parasailing,
the Crystal Coast offers Exciting Activities for All Ages
For some kids, a plastic bucket, shovel and plot of sand are all they need for a day’s worth of entertainment. From swimming to sandcastle building, shell searching to just plain goofing around, family fun on the beach is what makes a vacation to the Crystal Coast so memorable.
But beyond the beach, you’ll also find numerous activities to keep the whole family amused, from the 5-year-old balls of energy to those hard-to-please teenagers. Spend a day at one of the many amusement parks in the area, which offer everything from bumper boats to go-kart racing, rock-climbing walls to water slides. Many attractions stay open well after the sun sets, ensuring a full day’s worth of fun. Mini-golf is particularly popular, day and night. Challenge the family to 18 holes of putt-putt through waterfalls and windmills on one of the area’s lighted and extravagant courses.
Even the kids will enjoy a history lesson at the Crystal Coast’s own captivating museums and historic areas. Visit the Beaufort Historic Site, and get a glimpse of what this coastal region was like during the 18th and 19th centuries. Costumed guides tell fascinating stories about Beaufort’s past, including tales about the town’s most infamous visitor, the pirate Blackbeard. Afterward, catch a glimpse of some of Blackbeard’s treasures and personal belongings at the North Carolina Maritime Museum. A recent addition is the North Carolina History Education Center located in New Bern, with 60,000 square feet of interactive fun for all ages.
Get up close and personal with nature at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, which showcases local wildlife from the land and sea and provides interesting facts about the region’s ecosystem. For a more hands-on experience with nature, hop on a ferry to Cape Lookout National Seashore, and explore maritime forests and pristine beaches, or head to Shackleford Banks and look for wild ponies grazing on the beach or seeking shade under trees. There are several nature cruises that take visitors to places inaccessible by foot, with knowledgeable guides pointing out plant life, birds and animals on shore.
Of course, there are dozens of ways to get out on the water and explore. Rent a speedboat or wave runner, and set your own course across turquoise waters. The wind and the ocean spray will be a welcome cool-off after a day spent sunning on the beach. Other ways to explore the wide-open seas include sailing, sunset cruises, parasailing, dolphin-watching trips, fishing charters, kayak excursions and much more.
From toddlers to teenagers, parents to grandparents, people of all ages flock to the Crystal Coast year after year to enjoy the beaches and wide variety of activities and attractions. With all these entertaining options plus miles and miles of beautiful beaches to explore, the Crystal Coast tops the list of any family seeking the ultimate beach vacation.
Family Fun Listings
| Beaufort Historic Site 130 Turner Street Beaufort, NC 252-728-5225 www.beauforthistoricsite.org   Beaufort Inlet Water Sports Harkers Island, NC 252-728-6181 www.capepointemarina.com Cape Pointe RV Park Helicopter Tours Island Ferry Adventures Isle Have Fun Park Daily Excursions departing from the Beaufort Waterfront Beaufort, NC 252-504-SAIL www.lookoutcruises.com Professor Hackett’s Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway 976 Salter Path Rd. Salter Path, NC 252-247-3024 www.losttreasuregolf.com
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MacDaddy’s 130 Golfin’ Dolphin Drive Cape Carteret, NC 252-393-6565 www.mymacdaddys.com  Morehead City Marlins Morehead City, NC 252-269-9767 www.mhcmarlins.com North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Port City Pirates & Ghosts Tour 168 S. 9th Street Morehead City 252-772-9925 www.portcitytourcompany.com The Legend of Blackbeard 700 Front Street Beaufort, NC 252-772-9925 www.portcitytourcompany.com Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Tour 610 Front Street Beaufort, NC 252-772-9925 www.PortCityTourCompany.com  Sandbar Safari Historic Sites & Gardens New Bern, NC 800-767-1560 www.tryonpalace.org Water Sports Rentals
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