Activities in Emerald Isle

My wife%26#39;s family is planning a large family vacation to Emerald Isle this summer. No one in the family has ever been there, I recmommended we go to Hilton Head. Are there enough activities for all ages? Are there any top golf courses nearby, all I see are average courses. I don%26#39;t really feel like traveling across country to play average courses and eat in average restaurants. I would like some positive feedback, in order to help make this decision.

Activities in Emerald Isle

I live 45 min. from Emerald Isle, so I go there all the time, however it is not one of my favorite beach spots in NC. The beaches are fine, just at the waters edge you have to cross a line of shells, which can be hard on the feet.

I am not a golf player, so I don%26#39;t know much about golf courses. I do know there are a lot of them in the area. Atlantic Beach has a course, Swansboro has a course, and there are tons of courses in Jacksonville (30 min. from Emerald Isle). As far as activities, there is mini golf, go karts, and those type of places. There is the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, which offers daily activities for all ages, such as surf fishing lessons, surfing lessons, lunch with the fishes, ect. Prices arond $10-20/person. If interested in those type of things, plan ahead and make reservations early.

As far as restaurants, there are some good ones on the island, one of my favorites in Busch Wackers. But then there are also some that are not so good, such as those offering all you can eat seafood buffets.

I hope this helps.

Activities in Emerald Isle

Oh gosh yes. I took my wife and two kids, ages 12 %26amp; 13 at the time. We stayed at the Islander Motor Inn while my parents parked their motor home at the Trav-L-Park. The Trav-L-Park is very clean, nice pool, a game room, great access to the beach. You walk a block away and there is a water slide and amuzement park. Great eating and shopping places all around. Like the one person said you drive a few minutes up and down the strip you can find all sorts of things to do. Like we took the world%26#39;s largest speedboat ride to Cape Lookout lighthouse, or take the slower boat tour around the Beaufort area. Here is a link that might help:

http://www.crystalcoastnc.org/

BTW, if you Beaufort eat at the Sanitary Restaurant. We always make it a point to hit it at least once on a trip. Plus lots of great shops along there.

At Pine Knoll Shores is the Marine Resources Center and you can see all sorts of ocean life on exhibit.

Believe me there is something for eveyone. At least through the site above you get ideas of city names and then you can search for more specific information on them.

BTW, we%26#39;re going this summer as well. Usually the end of July like last time with the parents staying at Trav-L-Park. We can hardly wait.

The Islander Motor Inn is not the Ritz, but it%26#39;s clean, awsome service, very nice people, great access to about everything. We%26#39;ll be staying there this summer for sure. Have to talk to my stepfather on the golfing part. lol Unless you don%26#39;t mind putt putt. LOL

If you can%26#39;t find anything to do there there%26#39;s no hope for you. lol Seriously. Not overly tourist trap there. Does get busy on the weekends if you want to drive any place but it keeps moving pretty good. We never had to wait any length of time to eat any place. Believe me, if I had to wait for shrimp I%26#39;d be hot. lol I know, I ate some every day.

Michael