The presence of numerous timeshare apartments and vacation homes attests to the fact that it is a popular location for vacationers to return year after year. The fishing pier is the center of town, and most shops and restaurants are near it. I personally recommend Big Daddy's seafood restaurant the service is excellent, prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. After a day of fishing or body surfing, head over to the Tastee Freeze for ice cream. Our family vacationed there in mid-August, and unlike many popular beaches, it wasn't crowded and it was fairly clean of litter.
Lifeguards are on duty during most of the day.
Most motels and public access points have wooden walkways through the dunes of sea oats, and it is a short walk to the water. Kids will enjoy searching for shells, flying kites, and of course building sand castles. If the beaches, pools, and fishing aren't enough to keep you busy, there are other attractions nearby. Drive south on the main road to Fort Fisher, a civil war encampment. Ride across the Cape Fear River on a ferry to the town of Southport, where there is a fascinating maritime museum.