Are you searching for an alternative to your regular family beach vacation? Then it is time to Discover Southport and Oak Island in North Carolina. With 28 miles of gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beachfront, the area excels in the standard beach goers activities like swimming, building sandcastles, combing for seashells, golf, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving and more. Lesser known attractions that your whole family can enjoy will get you off the beaten path and out of a vacation routine:
Learn about Southern History – The whole family can enjoy a FREE self-guided walking tour on the Historic Southport Trail. Make history come alive as you enjoy a relaxed one mile walk through charming Historic Southport. Continue a history lesson traveling a short distance to Wilmington, NC. On the way, stop at the Fort Fisher Civil War Museum. Remains of the earthen fort that kept the Cape Fear River and the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which delivered vital supplies to the Confederate armies until the fort fell on January 15, 1865. Among many historical points in Wilmington, the whole family will enjoy touring The USS North Carolina Battleship. She is preserved just as she was in World War II and has been the site for many dramatic documentations and action films.
Discover Under the Sea – Before you leave Fort Fisher, be sure to take the whole family to The North Carolina Aquarium. Here you can meet Luna, a rare albino alligator currently weighing in over 54 lobs and 6 feet in length. The kids will also enjoy hands on experience with sea stars and can sign up for a summer camp on the island. Best of all, you and your family will get to see close up what is living in the waters you are typically only swimming in.
Connect with Nature – Back on Oak Island there are many trails and parks for enjoying North Carolina’s exceptional natural environment. Be sure to visit the Oak Island Nature Center overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The Center has live animal exhibits as well as educational activities and programs with walkways to the water. Dedicated to a former Mayor Dorothy Kelly, the Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden is a natural setting that attracts these creatures so you and your family can enjoy them in their typical surrounding.
See it All – Get a bird’s eye view of the island as you fly down the coastline in an open air cockpit, waving at beachgoers and occasionally spotting dolphins, sea turtles and more. Oak Island Sport Planes also offers flight lessons for the adventurous types.
Stay all Summer – Whether you are looking for a weekend retreat or a month long getaway, Margarat Rudd & Associates Realtors can find a long or short-term vacation rental to suit your needs. Vacation rental lodging is perfect for a family or group vacation where you want the cost savings and convenience of having your own kitchen, washer/dryer, and parking. Many units are also pet-friendly so your entire family can enjoy the trip! Visit Rudd’s website to view their current Oak Island Vacation specials.

Welcome back!

Hibernating golfers from New York to Michigan and beyond… here is your calling! Spring is in full swing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and so is the golf season. Whether you are an avid golfer or simply looking for a spring getaway we invite you to take a look at Myrtle Beach. With many golf courses and lodging properties teaming up to offer package deals you are sure to find a vacation that will fit your budget.

Too many choices? MyrtleBeachGolf.com has started a three part series entitled, “MyrtleBeach.com’s Spring Golf Guide: Everything you need to know about the packages, the courses, and all things Grand Strand.” The Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s main strip, “presents the traveling golfer with a seemingly infinite matrix of golf courses and accommodations, and an even longer laundry list of providers that want to package the entire deal for the best price available.” Depending on what type of golfer you are and what type of vacation you seek (family trip, gentleman’s weekend, or a romantic escape), Myrtle Beach is sure to have the golf package to fit your needs.
If you are looking for a Myrtle Beach golf vacation with Southern Style Plantation Living, try Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort. Three night and three round lodging and golf packages are around $200 and include a cart. This package is based on four golfers in a two bedroom condominium with a choice of a free breakfast or lunch at an on-site restaurant. Plus, non-golfers and children stay-free.
Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort also offers daily golf packages with lodging under $100 per person per day. Contact the resort directly to book a vacation for you or your large group at 800-332-8576 or book online at http://www.brunswickvillas.com.

Looking to squeeze in one last family getaway before the snow starts to fly?  Check out Oak Island, NC.  This beautiful island offers views in every direction and fun for the whole family. 

Stretching across 28 miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline, the island covers a total of 9 square miles.  Ideal for family vacations, Oak Island offers a variety of activities for the whole family (even your four legged family members!) to enjoy.  Here are a few of our favorites:

• The Beach – No matter what time of year you visit the area, the beach is sure to please.  Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, beach combing, long walks, building sandcastles, and relaxing with a good book are just a few of our favorite things to do when visiting the beach.  With over 14 miles of beach, you’re sure to be able to find your own little piece of paradise to stick your toes in the sand and let the calm sounds of the surf wash away your worries.
• Dog Park – Bringing your furry family members?  Let them run off some energy and meet some new friends at the local dog park.
• Fishing – Whether you’re into competitive sport fishing or just looking to drop in a few lines from the pier, Oak Island offers something for fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels.  From annual tournaments to charter boats and pier fishing, there is a great variety of fishing for anglers of all ages and abilities.  Surf casting is also a popular pastime.  Be sure to see what’s biting when you’re visiting!
• Water Sports – Grab the whole family and try something new!  Area favorites include kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, and boating.  Novices and pros alike love hitting the water while visiting Oak Island.
• Golf - The Oak Island area boasts some of the country’s best courses.  Try a few & choose your favorite!

What are you waiting for?  Pick out the ideal Oak Island Vacation Rental for your family, and start planning the perfect fall family getaway!

Images Courtesy Ashley Edgell

Head to Duck, NC for one last warm weekend before you pack up the beach towels and sunscreen for another winter.  The town of Duck is offering some great reasons to plan a quick beach getaway the weekend of 10.10.10! 

The Duck Jazz Festival is a favorite for locals and visitors alike, offering great music and fun cuisine in a gorgeous setting.  This year, jazz guitarist Joyce Cooling is the headliner, and Gerald Veasley is the guest co-host.  In addition to a great free show, guests will enjoy food and beverage tastings and a variety of to-be-announced activities throughout the area.

What are you waiting for?  Pack up the cooler & toss your bags in the car one more time and say goodbye to summer with great friends and some wonderful live music!  With the vacation season winding down, there are tons of great deals on some amazing Outer Banks vacation rentals!

*Feel free to bring a picnic, and your own chairs and blankets. No beach umbrellas or tents will be allowed at the event. Food concessions to be provided by the Duck United Methodist Church in the picnic shelter and chairs will be available for rent.

Its no secret that we like the Outer Banks.  What’s not to like?  Impressive vacation homes, sweeping seascapes, and the salty sea air are just a few of our favorite things about the area.  Families have been renting the impressive oceanfront vacation homes for generations, returning year after year for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Children grow up enjoying the local beaches, and return with their own children when they’re grown to share a little piece of their heaven with them.  Fishermen have told tall tales that resonate throughout the islands for centuries, overshadowed only by the local pirate lore.

We’ve spent a lot of time researching the area, both online and in person, and thought we’d share a few of our favorite things about North Carolina’s Outer Banks.  Take a look at the list, and see if you can resist planning your own getaway!

• Outer Banks Vacation Rentals - Offering everything from oceanfront estates large enough for a family reunion to quiet condos for a romantic getaway, the Outer Banks provides a plethora of lodging options.
• The Beaches - The Outer Banks consists of a string of islands that stretch the length of the Carolinas.  Spend some time exploring the seemingly endless shoreline.  You’re sure to enjoy!
• Fresh Seafood - Oh, the amazing fresh seafood!  Visitors from inland will never see the term “fresh catch” the same.  The Outer Banks region is home to some of the most amazing seafood in the world.  Be sure to try some new things!
• Fishing, Fishing, and more Fishing - Surf casting, pier fishing, and deep sea charter fishing are just a few of the local favorite ways to get the freshest catches available.  Bring your gear, or rent it from one of the many area vendors. You’re sure to spin some tales!
• Golf - Golfers of all ages and abilities can test their skills on one of the many area courses.  The options are endless!
• Wild Horse Tours - See Corolla’s famous Spanish Mustangs in their natural habitat.  A once in a lifetime experience that will leave you in awe.
• Shopping - What’s a vacation without a souvenir to remember it by?  Explore the numerous shops, galleries, and boutiques for the perfect momento to take home with you. 
• Fun For The Whole Family - One of our favorite things about the Outer Banks is how family friendly the islands are.  The variety of tours, activities, and entertainment are endless!  Explore the island on an Eco Tour, teach your children how to cast a line, or grab some buckets and hit the beach in search of treasures.

Do we have you convinced yet?  If not, you’ll just have to see for yourself.  One trip to the Outer Banks, and you’ll never want to leave!

Images Courtesy Swimparallel