Oak Island is the perfect destination for families looking for a classic North Carolina beach vacation, offering more than 60 public beach access points and seaside attractions such as old-time ice cream parlors and miniature golf courses. A number of historic sites are available for touring, including Oak Island Lighthouse, the state’s most recent lighthouse, constructed in 1958. Popular family attractions include the Oak Island Nature Center and the Ocean Education Center, which offer natural history exhibits and programming, and the community-supported Oak Island Skate Park. Two ocean piers span the island’s shoreline, including Oak Island Pier, the state’s tallest pier, and the Ocean Crest Pier. Parents can shoot the green at the Oak Island Golf Country Club, designed by renowned architect George Cobb, or tour the filming locations of feature films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer or Crimes of the Heart.

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Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Read the reviews, then call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).

Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.