I kind of had my heart set on Topsail beach, but after a search for rentals in Topsail and surrounding beaches, I found the best deal in Kure beach. I've booked a stay at a place called 'the cottages at Kure Beach', they look very nice, 5 bedroom, 4 baths, oceanfront for a very reasonable price. Has anyone stayed here?

I will be traveling with my hubby, 14 year old son, my two sisters and two nieces ages 9 and 12.

Tell me as much as you can about Kure and where to eat (we all love seafood), and where to golf (both regular golfing and putt-putt). What else is a 'don't miss'?

Also, my hubby and son wants to go to see the USS North Carolina battle ship, they love war history, but as for myself I'm not so sure I would enjoy it. I could bug out, but I know my son will want me to go. So should I go or just stay 'sorry'?

Kure Beach is fine. It has grown up a lot since I used to vacation there as a child, many, many years ago. But we drove through several years ago just to see the place again.

A day trip into Wilmington is fine--if you don't want to visit the USS North Carolina with your hubby and son, you could shop, browse and eat along the Historic District on the riverfront while they are onboard across the river.

Also, just south of Kure Beach is Fort Fisher--lots of history, plus an aquarium. And a little south of that is the car ferry to Southport. Southport is a great little town, with art galleries, shops, and some surprisingly good restaurants. I am coming up blank on the names, sorry--I think one is the Pharmacy, and there are several good ones on the waterway.

Thanks for the tips! Southport sounds like a place my sisters and I would love!

I just hope that Kure beach isn't too built up--I know that it's more so than Topsail though. But please tell me that Kure doesn't compare to a place like Myrtle beach! I think that is what I'm most worried about, I hate LOADS of crowds. The place we are staying said it has a private beach, so I'm hoping that it won't be too bad there.

I don't think Kure Beach is anything like Myrtle Beach. The aquarium at Ft. Fisher is nice. I especially enjoy walking the grounds. Freddies in Kure Beach is one of my favorite resturants in the area. Provisions in Southport is a fun and funky place to get seafood and watch the boats go by.

Hey jnine! Provisions was the waterfront restaurant I was thinking of.

iluvmyrot, she is so right about Kure and Myrtle Beach. I live in Myrtle Beach, so I can assure you that Kure is comparatively a desert island.

Have a great time!

Thanks again, no disrepect to Myrtle, I've stayed in North Myrtle once in the first week of June (back when the kids weren't in school yet) and we did like it, but I'm sure that in the middle of June that Myrtle would just be too crowded for us. I've heard others mention Provisions restaurant. I'm writing it down for a place we need to go! Also, I've heard about Freddie's restaurant (an Italian Restaurant), what is your opinion of it?

I'm a dedicated Topsail man(40 years) yet some aspects of Kure are fine. Fort Fisher, the North Carolina Aquarium, the USS North Carolina and the Wilmington waterfront are much closer. For kids of 9,12 and 14 there are more things to do than at Topsail. I do find Kure to be much more congested. At Topsail, I'm not crowded, can drink beer on the beach, and the kids can have the run of the beach.

I think the kids will like Kure better, I and my husband, on the other hand would have preferred Topsail, but I found that the rentals at Topsail seemed much more expensive than at Kure and I guess I know why---you get what you pay for! I just hope I'm not disappointed with Kure!!!! It's too late to change now, my reservations are already made.

Haven't heard of Freddie's, sorry.

ttt for pamela

pamela, nothing else recent on here...

Not sure if this is too late or not. As to restaurants in Kure Beach-- do try Freddie's. We went back twice. It's eclectic -- best known for their amazing pork chops , but they have seafood entrees as well. Menu on site.
http://www.freddieskurebeach.com/aboutus.htm

The aquarium is a must. Also take the ferry rather than the highway to Southport -- lovely to explore. Definitely lunch at The Provision Co. .. rustic, crazy, but really fresh seafood. Go early or late to avoid line-ups.