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10 Best Places to Take a Summer Vacation in North Carolina

Randi Moultrie June 3rd
Red Thumbtack Over North Carolina State USA Map. 3D rendering

Thinking about taking a trip this summer? Maybe you don’t want to go too far from home though. Nothing beats a fun, summer road trip! Right here in North Carolina, you can visit great places for an even better summer vacation. Wondering what places are within driving distance of you? Trust me, some of these places you may have not even thought to visit but I am here to say, why not?

Tripping curated a list of the 10 best places to take a summer vacation in North Carolina. From beach towns to mountain views, North Carolina has tons of places that you can visit this summer. Don’t sit at home thinking about the next vacation. Pack a bag, pack up the car, and hit the road. North Carolina has tons of things to offer you and a vacation experience we know you need. Find a cute Airbnb and head to one of these great locations in North Carolina. Check out Tripping’s top 10 best places to take a summer vacation in North Carolina and plan your next destination!

14 Best North Carolina Beaches to Visit

  • 14. Kure Beach

    Kure Beach, NC | Events, Outdoor Adventures & Special Deals

    Discover water activities, top attractions, small-town adventure and big-time family fun. Take a break from your deadlines to see why life's a little less hectic at Kure Beach. Located just 18 miles from Wilmington, here you'll find the kind of small-town beach you visited as a kid.

  • 13. Kitty Hawk

    Things to Do in Kitty Hawk, NC | Find Hotels & Restaurants

    Of all the beach towns on the Northern Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk may have the most-lovely name but it's one whose roots are lost to time. Some say it's the Anglicization of the native word , for which we have no translation.

  • 12. Carolina Beach

    Carolina Beach, NC | Fun, Festivals, Fishing & The Beach

    Hit the shore, enjoy live music, seaside fireworks on the Boardwalk & high-flying amusement rides. Trade your ordinary beach vacation for an extraordinary one! Find your laid-back beach vibe at Carolina Beach, one of the most down-to-earth, good-time beaches on the Atlantic Coast located just 15 miles from Wilmington.

  • 11. Nags Head

    Nags Head, NC - OuterBanks.com

    Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 35 years the oyster has been our world. The Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar is the place to enjoy sensational fare from the sea washed down with your favorite brew or cocktail.

  • 10. Duck

    Duck, NC | Restaurants, Hotels & Outdoor Recreation

    Duck, the northernmost town on the Outer Banks, earned its name at the turn of the 20 th century thanks to the popularity of duck hunting in the Currituck and Albemarle Sounds.

  • 9. Atlantic Beach

    The Atlantic Beach Official Website! | Official Website

    The City of Atlantic Beach publishes this Beaches Community Resources Guide to make it easier for individuals, organizations, religious institutions, and businesses to access helpful information about various resources and services that are available, Read on...

  • 8. Wrightsville Beach

    Wrightsville Beach, NC | Events, Fishing & Activities

    Enjoy an active island vacation with watersports, live music, scenic cruises & kids programs. From active lifestyles with plenty of watersports and outdoor healthy and wellness activities to friendly community gatherings, there's never a shortage of something happening year-round in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina's most accessible beach located just 8.5 miles from Wilmington.

  • 7. Oak Island

    Oak Island, NC | Home

    Situated on the southern end of North Carolina's picturesque coastline, the Town of Oak Island encompasses nearly 20 square miles; offering 10 miles of pristine beachfront, along the 12 mile-long island from which the Town derives its name.

  • 6. Topsail Island

    History of Topsail Beach

    Situated at the southern end of Topsail Island, off the coast of southeastern North Carolina, the Town of Topsail Beach is the smallest of the three communities located on the 26-mile long island. North Topsail Beach occupies the northernmost section, and Surf City, the largest town on the island, is in the center.

  • 5. Ocracoke Island

    Ocracoke Island Photo Tours and Travel Information

    The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse may not be the most imposing of the Outer Banks lighthouses, but as North Carolina's oldest lighthouse in operation, (and the second oldest in the United States), it is certainly one of the most beloved. At just 65' ft.

  • 4. Corolla/Currituck Beach

    Outer Banks Beaches | Corolla, Currituck County Beach Access

    Overlooking the vast expanse that is the Atlantic Ocean, you'll find Currituck's northern Outer Banks beaches of Corolla and Carova - more than 20 miles of windswept remote seascapes where you can enjoy strolling along our unspoiled shoreline, shelling or simply relaxing in the sun with a good book.

  • 3. Cape Hatteras

    Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

    The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually.

  • 2. Bald Head Island

    Bald Head Island NC

    On February 25, 2022, Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. (BHIT) provided initial public notification as required by law of a change in checked-baggage policies ordered by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). The NCUC order becomes effective April 1, 2022.

  • 1. Emerald Isle

    Emerald Isle, NC | Bogue Inlet & Emerald Isle Beach

    Emerald Isle greets Crystal Coast visitors at the western end of Bogue Banks, offering 12 miles of pristine shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet.

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