The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MODERATE
Ocean Isle Beach offers 7 miles of family fun, kayaking on the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Museum of Coastal Carolina. The Ocean Isle Beach Pier features a large game and arcade room, a grill for pizza and cheeseburgers, and a store to buy beach supplies, fishing tackle and bait (and rental equipment), www.oibpier.com. Ocean Isle is also the home for the North Carolina Oyster Festival, Oct. 21-22. Trip planning: www.oceanislebeach.com.
Stay: The Winds Resort Beach Club on Ocean Isle Beach offers a “Wine Down Island Style” package starting at $321 for two-night stays through June 2. Included are oceanfront accommodations, a bottle of Champagne, dinner for two, tour and wine tasting at the Silver Coast Winery, chauffeured door-to-door transportation in a luxury sedan to the winery, Southern breakfast buffet, complimentary bikes to explore the island, and use of three pools (one heated indoor). On site are grills, beach volleyball and bocce and outdoor table tennis. 310 E. First St., Ocean Isle Beach. 1-800-334-3581, www.thewinds.com.
Eat: Locals love the Sugar Shack, a small family restaurant opened in 1996 specializing in Jamaican dishes. Jerk pork, Brown Stew Chicken, ribs, curried goat to fresh fish entrees, $18-$30. Reservations suggested. 1609 Hale Beach Road S.W., Ocean Isle Beach. 910-579-3844, www.sugarshackoib.com.
Experience: Get up close with nature on a 50-minute Swamp Boat tour. Learn about history in the swamp, including a landmark possibly used by George Washington back in 1791; $29.99 per person. Also available are guided two-hour zip-line adventures over more than 1.25 miles of cable; $79 per person. 5550 Watts Road, Ocean Isle Beach. 910-687-6100, www.shallotteriverswamppark.com.