4 days ago
9 Family-friendly activities to do near Camp Lejeune, NC
Marine Corps Base (MCB)-Camp Lejeune is located in coastal North Carolina and is the largest Marine base on the East Coast. It is home to II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, School of Infantry-East and U. S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. With over 100,000 Marines stationed there, your family might spend a few years in this region.
Here are some family-friendly activities you can enjoy near MCB-Camp Lejeune.
Enjoy the beaches. Within one hour of Camp Lejeune, you will find Onslow Beach (on base), Emerald Island, Atlantic Beach, Topsail Island/Surf City, and Wrightsville Beach.
Visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center. This non-profit in Surf City cares for injured and sick sea turtles from across the East Coast. Take a tour to see the rehabilitation process firsthand and learn what it takes to prepare turtles for release back into the wild. You'll also find out how to help protect sea turtle nests along the beaches during nesting season
Roller skate at Topsail Beach Skating Rink. For over 60 years, this family-owned skating rink has been a staple of South Topsail Island. Open seasonally (follow their Facebook page for hourly updates), lace up your favorite skates, and groove to music from the 70s and 80s. Skate rentals are available on-site.
Visit the aquarium at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach. Though it's a bit of a drive from Camp Lejeune, the 92,000 square-foot aquarium at Fort Fisher is home to over 2500 animals, including the popular Luna, an albino American alligator.
Play mini golf at Shipwreck Point in Surf City. This pirate-themed course offers two different 18-hole options and loads of fun for the whole family.
Learn to surf or attend surf camp at one of the surf schools on Topsail Island. With hundreds of miles of shoreline in North Carolina, surfing is a way of life. Whether you are a beginner or can drop in with the best of them, these camps offer expert instruction to help you build confidence and refine your skills.
Catch a University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) athletics game. UNCW is a part of the Colonial Athletic Association and has sporting events happening year-round, with baseball and basketball drawing the largest crowds. Wear navy blue and teal, and prepare to cheer the Seahawks to victory. Athletic camps are also available in the summer.
Catch a ferry to visit the wild horses at Shackleford Banks. These North Carolina horses have lived wild and free for 400 years, with speculation they arrived on these shores when a Spanish ship crashed on the North Carolina Coast. You can hop a ferry from Harker's Island, Beaufort or Moorehead City through Island Express Ferry Service and witness these majestic wild creatures roaming the beaches for yourself.
In the late spring of 2025, High Tides and Good Vibes, a 40,000-square-foot facility, is slated to open. High Tides and Good Vibes will offer bowling, food, and other family-fun entertainment in the heart of Surf City.
