BEACH FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Whether you're putting those bikes, boards, boats and beach games to use or you're slowing down your pace to simply soak in some time with one another, Holden Beach, with its distinction as one of the best family beaches in the country by National Geographic Traveler, is the obvious choice. Holden Beach offers small-town charm and unspoiled beauty, which is perhaps why families return year after year to relive old memories and make new ones… like chasing ghost crabs with a flashlight during an evening stroll, or grabbing a bike and pedaling to the far eastern tip of the island to Lockwood Folly Inlet.

HOLDEN BEACH'S WILD SIDE

Navigate a kayak or paddleboard along the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphin playfully diving at the surface. Or wait for low tide to explore the small pools left behind that are filled with fish and other curious sea creatures. In this wildlife haven, you're sure to find something to delight your whole family.

During your visit, have lunch on the deck at one of several restaurants that sit beside the Intracoastal Waterway. Here you can watch shrimp boats cruise by as they make their way to and from the ocean. Or, if you time it right, you can mingle with visitors that come from all over to enjoy the North Carolina Festival by the Sea, a celebration of arts, crafts, and delicious seafood.