Excitement & Activities For All Ages

By Kelsey Thomas

The whole family’s bags are packed, and everyone is ready for a well-deserved vacation. Drop your bags off at your hotel then head out to explore all of what the Crystal Coast has to offer. From the beach to Blackbeard, putt-putt to parasailing, the Crystal Coast offers exciting activities for all ages.

Fun On and Off the Water

On a hot summer’s day, cool off with some fun on the water. For an exhilarating experience, rent a jet ski and ride the waves of the Atlantic or the Bogue Sound. Dolphin tours, sunset cruises, sailing, fishing charters and kayak excursions are other fantastic ways to have some fun on the open water. 

Beyond the beach, you’ll find countless activities to keep the whole family entertained. Visit one of the many amusement parks for a day of tactical laser tag, go karts, miniature golf, bowling and more. The local water park even features the largest water slide on the Crystal Coast! There are also a ton of parks and playgrounds that welcome children of all ages. 

Uncover Crystal Coast History

Take a trip to the Beaufort Historic Site and witness the preservation efforts used to maintain Old Beaufort as it was in 1723. Tour old homes, the old jail, an apothecary shop and the Old Burying Ground. Climb aboard a vintage English double-decker bus for a tour of the historic district. A local narrator shares stories of Beaufort’s rich history, including Confederate spies and pirates.

As the former home of Blackbeard, the Crystal Coast has no shortage of swashbuckling pirate cruises. The whole family will love a fun-filled adventure with singing, sword fights and even a water cannon battle. Or let a pirate guide teach you about Beaufort’s pirate history while on land. Walk the same streets that Blackbeard and other pirates did 300 years ago and learn about the Beaufort Pirate Invasion of 1747.

Wildlife and Natural Attractions to Explore

Want to visit hundreds of animals in one building? Look no further than the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores—the state’s largest aquarium. Stare down a shark, pet a sting ray and talk to a loggerhead sea turtle. To get even closer with the Crystal Coast’s wildlife, take a short ferry to the Cape Lookout National Seashore and explore the 56 miles of barrier islands. When you dock, take the challenge to climb all 207 steps of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. It will all be worth it when you get to the top and catch the dazzling views of the shore. Head to the southern-most barrier island and search for the wild horses that live on the Shackleford Banks on a guided tour. Let a knowledgeable park ranger give you an in-depth look at the behaviors of these majestic wild horses.

Come find out why visitors of all ages—from toddlers to grandparents—spend their vacations in the Crystal Coast. The Crystal Coast is the place to be for the ultimate family-friendly vacation.

WANT MORE INFO ABOUT CRYSTAL COAST?

Sign up for our Crystal Coast Destination Newsletter to always know what is happening along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina!