The Top 9 Ways to Rest and Relax in Holden Beach, NC
If you’re looking for a beautiful destination to while away a week in spring, summer, or fall, you can't do better than Holden Beach NC. An enchanting seaside town, Holden Beach is located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, surrounded by charming drives, darling villages, an Oceanside fun aplenty.
Wondering whether there's enough to do in Holden Beach? Wonder no longer: Here are 10 of the top things to do in Holden Beach NC.
1. Catch a Beach Sunset
While the sun does not set directly out to sea the way it does in the West, you can still witness a glorious beach sunset here. The sun sets closer to land, but it still casts beautiful colors across the waves and sand. If you want to catch a sunset, which is both romantic and family-friendly, make sure you check when sundown occurs for the time of year you are visiting, then get down to the beach an hour to an hour and a half ahead of time.
(By the way, if you want some great photos, that “golden hour” from an hour before sunset to when the sun disappears below the horizon is absolutely glorious.)
2. Get Up Early for Sunrise at the Pier
If you want to be nested up tight by evening but don’t mind getting up early, sunrise might be more to your liking than a beach sunset. Visitors to Holden Beach NC catch beautiful photos of sunrise from the Holden Beach Pier, though simply walking along the sand as the waves light up in pink, purple, and orange is a breathtaking sight as well.
Again, sunrise timing varies throughout the year, so be sure to go online and check. Remember, too, that the hour before the sun crests the horizon is just as beautiful as the hour afterward (though that post-rise “golden hour” is the next best time of day for family photographs).
3. Go on a Dolphin Cruise
When it comes to things to do in Holden Beach NC, what could be better than a dolphin cruise? These intelligent animals are sweet and friendly, and they keep the sharks at bay ... not that you need to worry about that in Holden Beach, but it's to the dolphins’ credit.
More importantly, for our purposes, you can book a dolphin cruise right in town at TourH2O, an award-winning company that offers both pontoon and kayak excursions. Head out into the Atlantic to find our mammalian brethren today.
4. Go Shopping
If your idea of a good time is shopping, then Holden Beach NC won’t disappoint. There are plenty of shops to head up, from the Cape Fear Surf Shop to the Salt Peddler to Sandman’s Candyland.
Of course, there are also plenty of tackle shops, restaurants, a coffee shop, and a Walmart for your bigger needs. Make sure to call businesses ahead of time to see if they're open, as ours tend to change a lot in seasonal towns such as Holden Beach.
5. Take a Segway Tour of Cape Fear
If you think of Segways as a meme or a joke, think again: They’re one of the best ways to cover a lot of distance in the open air. First-timers to Holden Beach NC often appreciate the chance to see coastal destinations such as Cape Fear up close and personal without exhaust fumes and windowpanes in the way.
This classic destination includes shops, sand, surf and turf, and all kinds of other fun activities, so go sightseeing first and then enjoy the locale before heading home.
6. Hit Up Magic Mountain Fun Park
If you’re looking for things to do in Holden Beach NC that will be fun for the whole family, you can’t go wrong with Magic Mountain Fun Park. It's a pretty basic setup, which allows it to be very affordable, while still being a great way to while away two or three hours.
There are several larger slides as well as smaller slides for the younger set, so the whole family can come, from baby to grandpa. Note that there are no thongs allowed.
7. Fish from the Pier
If you’re a dedicated angler, then you’ve come to the right place. While there are any number of places to fish near Holden Beach NC, the pier is a classic destination. That’s right: You can do more than take pictures of sunrise from the 700-foot-long pier.
Not only is it a great place from which to cast, but it’s darn comfortable too. With tables and chairs lining its length, you’ll easily find somewhere to rest a while with your rod and reel, and biting is decent much of the year. Want to stay close by? Check out the RV-accessible campground behind it.
8. Get Your Golf On
The Lockwood Folly Country Club is a beloved local destination for golfers, so if no vacation is complete for you without 18 holes, make sure you check it out. The links style course winds through an amazing array of natural areas, from marshes to forests, fields to intertwining community spaces.
If you’d prefer to just hit a bucket of balls every morning, you can always head to the Holden Beach Driving Range, where prices are incredibly reasonable.
9. Visit Ludlum's Produce
If you love fresh, locally grown produce, then a trip to Ludlum's Produce is always a win. Founded in 1952, this Holden Beach institution is jam-packed with, well ... jams and jellies, for one thing. They also have nuts, honeys, fruits and veggies, and other artisanal food items.
Come peckish and get a snack, or do your shopping trip for a gourmet meal in your vacation rental. Note that it's less a store than a farm stand, though, so it's not open in the wintertime.
10. Unwind in Style
Whether you're here to swim, fish, catch a beach sunset, or just eat a lot of ice cream (we vote for all of these, btw), you're going to need somewhere to stay. That’s where Hobbs Realty comes in: We’ve got luxury beach rentals in spades. Think private walks to the beach, seaside views, fully outfitted kitchens, and hot tubs.
Our gorgeous rentals are perfect whether you spend the whole week cooking or want to eat out every day; whether you'll spend most of your time on the beach or would rather stargaze from the comfort of a private pool; whether you come with a large family or a small group of friends. All you have to do is get in touch to learn more!
