Southern Sunshine - Emerald Isle
Food scene
We love Gaffers for dinner out. Great drinks and atmosphere. They often have live music outside on the patio, so go early to beat the crowd!
53 locals recommend
Gaffer's
9106-A Coast Guard RoadWe love Gaffers for dinner out. Great drinks and atmosphere. They often have live music outside on the patio, so go early to beat the crowd!
Our favorite spot for lunch or dinner on the island. A quick bike ride away! Even if it's busy, you can have drinks while you wait. The staff and food is always amazing. Get the cheese curds!
69 locals recommend
Fish Hut Grill
301 Mangrove DrOur favorite spot for lunch or dinner on the island. A quick bike ride away! Even if it's busy, you can have drinks while you wait. The staff and food is always amazing. Get the cheese curds!
Great spot for roof top drinks with a view. Great dinner menu if you're looking for something a little more upscale!
63 locals recommend
Caribsea
8921 Crew DrGreat spot for roof top drinks with a view. Great dinner menu if you're looking for something a little more upscale!
Another favorite close by! Sit outside if you can and whatever you do, get the croissants.
12 locals recommend
Rucker Johns Restaurant
5564 Carolina Beach RdAnother favorite close by! Sit outside if you can and whatever you do, get the croissants.
Love this spot for brunch. Great little outdoor space with picnic tables too! There's a couple shops attached if you'd like to do some shopping while you're there.
43 locals recommend
The Village Market
7802 Emerald DrLove this spot for brunch. Great little outdoor space with picnic tables too! There's a couple shops attached if you'd like to do some shopping while you're there.
Fun outings
A favorite with the kids! Just a short walk from our house. You can get a wristband that's good all day (for return visits) or go after 5:00 for a discounted rate. The mat slides are our favorite.
63 locals recommend
Salty Pirate Waterpark
8915 Reed DrA favorite with the kids! Just a short walk from our house. You can get a wristband that's good all day (for return visits) or go after 5:00 for a discounted rate. The mat slides are our favorite.
Our favorite go-karts around. You can walk or bike here from the house!
14 locals recommend
Fun World Motorsports
9102 Coast Guard RdOur favorite go-karts around. You can walk or bike here from the house!
Our daughter did a surf lesson with Owen from Hot Wax, the surf shop just around the corner from the house, and he was wonderful! You can rent surf boards, paddleboards and kayaks through Hot Wax as well.
11 locals recommend
Hot Wax Surf and Paddle Sports
200 Mallard DrOur daughter did a surf lesson with Owen from Hot Wax, the surf shop just around the corner from the house, and he was wonderful! You can rent surf boards, paddleboards and kayaks through Hot Wax as well.
Sightseeing
If you're staying for a week, we highly recommend a a day trip out to Cape Lookout. You'll drive from EI up to Harker's Island and take a ferry over to Cape Lookout. One of our all time favorite outings was renting the ATVs for the afternoon - what a great time!! Stop in Beaufort for dinner on your way back.
78 locals recommend
Cape Lookout Lighthouse
If you're staying for a week, we highly recommend a a day trip out to Cape Lookout. You'll drive from EI up to Harker's Island and take a ferry over to Cape Lookout. One of our all time favorite outings was renting the ATVs for the afternoon - what a great time!! Stop in Beaufort for dinner on your way back.
Take a morning walk up to Bogue Inlet Pier or ride bikes up for dinner or lunch at Surfs Up. A great, casual spot that never disappoints. Our favorites are the grouper basket and blackened shrimp!
77 locals recommend
Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier
100 Bogue Inlet DrTake a morning walk up to Bogue Inlet Pier or ride bikes up for dinner or lunch at Surfs Up. A great, casual spot that never disappoints. Our favorites are the grouper basket and blackened shrimp!
Bike over to Emerald Isle Woods, park at the end of the road, then take the short trail out to the dock overlooking the sound. Great views!!
37 locals recommend
Emerald Isle Woods Park
9404 Coast Guard RdBike over to Emerald Isle Woods, park at the end of the road, then take the short trail out to the dock overlooking the sound. Great views!!
We love love love Beaufort! If you're staying a while and looking for a day/half-day trip, drive up to Beaufort to walk around town, take a ferry ride, or grab a bite to eat. We recommend stopping in the General Store for ice cream. Our favorite is the sunset ferry ride to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses.
165 locals recommend
Beaufort
We love love love Beaufort! If you're staying a while and looking for a day/half-day trip, drive up to Beaufort to walk around town, take a ferry ride, or grab a bite to eat. We recommend stopping in the General Store for ice cream. Our favorite is the sunset ferry ride to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses.