(Best family-friendly activities for toddlers and beyond for your NC beach vacation!)

Planning Your Coastal Getaway?

Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach, NC, are the perfect spots for a relaxing yet fun-filled beach vacation. Whether you’re visiting with little ones or just looking for unique coastal experiences, these destinations offer something for everyone. As a NC native and mom of two toddler boys, I know the best activities that are iconic, family-friendly, and stress-free.

Here are five must-do activities to make the most of your North Carolina beach trip!

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

📍 Address: 1 Roosevelt Blvd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC
🕒 Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM Daily

If your kids love sharks, turtles, and playful otters like mine do, they are sure to love this aquarium! Located just minutes from Emerald Isle, it features:

A massive shark tank
Hands-on touch pools with stingrays and starfish
An outdoor nature trail through the marsh

💡 Pro Tip: Arrive early to beat the crowds, and check their daily schedule for live animal feedings!

📷 Great Photo Spot: The tunnel inside the Living Shipwreck Exhibit makes for an epic picture with sharks swimming overhead!

Enjoy Dinner at Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant

📍 Address: 501 Evans St, Morehead City, NC
🕒 Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM

For fresh seafood with stunning waterfront views, Sanitary Fish Market is a must-visit. This iconic restaurant has been serving visitors since 1938, offering delicious seafood with a front-row seat to the boats coming into Morehead City. I have been going here since I was a child!

🌊 Why We Love It:
The dockside seating is perfect for kids who love to watch boats.
They have a kids’ menu with simple, toddler-approved meals.
The fried shrimp and hush puppies are local favorites!

💡 Pro Tip: Visit at sunset for beautiful golden-hour views over the water.

📷 Great Photo Spot: Snap a family pic on the docks before heading inside!

Play at MacDaddy’s Arcade

📍 Address: 130 Golfin Dolphin Dr, Cape Carteret, NC
🕒 Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM (Check for seasonal hours)

Have a rainy day or need a break from the beach? MacDaddy’s is the ultimate indoor family fun spot, featuring:

A huge arcade with games for all ages
Mini bowling lanes for little ones
Mini golf and a sports bar for parents who need a break

💡 Pro Tip: Weekdays are less crowded, making it easier to snag the best games!

📷 Great Photo Spot: Capture your toddler’s excited face when they win their first arcade prize!

Catch a Sunrise at Bogue Inlet Pier

📍 Address: 100 Bogue Inlet Dr, Emerald Isle, NC

There’s nothing more peaceful than starting your day with a breathtaking sunrise over the ocean. Whether you’re an early riser or setting your alarm for a special moment, Bogue Inlet Pier offers:

Gorgeous sunrise views over the Atlantic
A perfect spot for family beach photos
Seashell hunting before the beach gets crowded

📷 Great Photo Spot: Walk out onto the pier for stunning views of the waves and sky!

Watch the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Weigh-Ins

📍 Address: Big Rock Landing, Morehead City, NC
🗓️ When: Second week of June

If you’re visiting in early June, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind coastal experience! The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is one of the biggest sportfishing competitions on the East Coast. Watching the massive marlins being weighed at Big Rock Landing is thrilling—kids and adults alike will be in awe of these huge catches!

🌊 Why It’s a Must-See:
You can see record-breaking fish up close.
The energy at Big Rock Landing is electric.
It’s a great free activity for families!

💡 Pro Tip: Tune in on the Big Rock app to find out when boats are bringing in marlins to weigh!

📷 Great Photo Spot: The Big Rock Landing sign makes a great backdrop for a family photo!

Ready to Make Memories on the NC Coast?

Whether you’re exploring the NC Aquarium, watching the sunrise at Bogue Inlet Pier, or cheering on anglers at the Big Rock Tournament, Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach have something for everyone.

✨ Planning your trip? Don’t forget to capture these moments with a professional beach photoshoot! As an NC Beach Photographer, I specialize in timeless, light-filled beach portraits that your family will cherish forever.

Click here to inquire about availability and start planning your dream beach session today!

Madison Z Photography provides newborn and family photography in Eastern North Carolina for busy moms who want a stress-free and luxury portrait experience. Also offering maternity, milestone, and baby photography. Based in Kinston, NC, I serve families in Greenville, Goldsboro, New Bern, Washington, Jacksonville, and all throughout Eastern North Carolina.

I offer a high-end, full service experience including pre-session preparation, exclusive access to the carefully curated Client Closet, a beautiful gallery of emotion-filled images, and an array of family heirlooms such as albums, prints, custom framing and more to pass down to your children. If you are searching for the perfect maternity, newborn, milestone, or family portrait photographer near Greenville, NC and are wanting to create heirlooms for your family, I can’t wait to serve you!