A short ride south on highway 12 takes the visitor to Ocracoke Lighthouse. It is the oldest lighthou

North Carolina discount rental cars clearwater fl beach vacations offer affordable summer options for families seeking to minimize vacation budgets without losing quality and fun. From the Outer Banks – only 269 miles from Washington, D.C., to Wilmington near the South Carolina border, a North Carolina beach vacation features clean beaches, fishing, hotels that fit any budget, affordable dining, three aquariums , and a lot of history.
The North Carolina Outer Banks attracts discount rental cars clearwater fl fishermen, surfers, yet still maintains a rustic atmosphere not found in larger tourist destinations like Atlantic City or Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. For vacationers that crave a robust ocean, natural wildlife, and small-town charm, the towns along the Outer Banks may be the place to go.
Most vacationers wind up in or very near Nags Head, not far from Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Across the bridge near Manteo, discount rental cars clearwater fl history buffs might wander through the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and attend a performance of The Lost Colony . Manteo is also the location of one of three North Carolina aquariums. The Weeping Radish Farm Brewery and Restaurant offers brewery tours and a fine menu.
A short ride south on highway 12 takes the visitor to Ocracoke Lighthouse. It is the oldest lighthouse still operating. The Outer Banks features several lighthouses discount rental cars clearwater fl including the one at Currituck Beach and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which is also on highway 12 on the way to Ocracoke.
Interstate 40 ends at Wilmington, the gateway to Wrightsville Beach, Carolina discount rental cars clearwater fl Beach, and Kure Beach. Carolina Beach is also the home of an aquarium as well as historic Fort Fisher, open for daily tours. The immediate area offers something for everyone. The USS North Carolina is docked in Wilmington and offers daily tours. On July 4, a "Battleship Blast" fireworks discount rental cars clearwater fl display commemorates the holiday. The battleship is also said to be haunted.
Wilmington's historic district invites visitors into boutique shops, quaint cafes, and craft galleries. People come to North Carolina beaches for seafood in between leisurely hours on the pristine beaches. Wilmington, as with all North Carolina beach vacation destinations is no exception. Holden Beach Seafood and Carolina Beach's Michael's Seafood Restaurant offer menus in every price range.
Moorehead City is the gateway to Atlantic Beach as well as home of North Carolina's third aquarium, discount rental cars clearwater fl located south of Atlantic Beach at Pine Knoll Shores. Emerald Isle is south of Pine Knoll Shores, part of the "Crystal Coast," known for immaculate beaches. The region is also known for scuba diving and fishing. Moorehead City marinas are full of fishing vessels and much of what is brought in can be found in local restaurants such as the acclaimed Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant . A much-visited seafood festival is held annually in Moorehead City (This year, October 1-3)
Historical New Bern is also near Moorehead City with a past that reaches back to Colonial times. Tryon Palace was the home of the Colonial governor and is open daily for tours. The North Carolina Maritime discount rental cars clearwater fl Museum is located in nearby Beaufort. Of particular interest is the "graveyard of the Atlantic" exhibit. For visitors seeking sedate accommodations, there are seven bead breakfast inns in Beaufort and three in New Bern.
Although the internet is full of sites detailing every North Carolina beach destination, an excellent tool is Our State magazine which features in-depth stories about the North Carolina coast, out-of-the-way places to visit, great dining opportunities, discount rental cars clearwater fl and places of historical interest.
At a time families are looking closely at vacation budgets or canceling vacations along the Gulf coast, a North Carolina beach vacation may be a viable, family-friendly alternative. Whether exploring wildlife refuges, surfing, fishing, or just enjoying the beaches, the coast of North Carolina has many fun activities for the entire family.