Atlantic Beach

Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon is a five-sided brick and stone fort with 26 vaulted rooms, which was used during the 18th and 19th centuries to protect the area from naval attacks by pirates or enemy warships. Today the site features exhibits about the fort's history, restored quarters, and occasional re-enactments. Guided tours are available. Visitors can also fish, hike, swim and picnic in the park grounds surrounding the fort.

Daily 9AM-5:30PM (except Christmas Day)

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The aquarium takes visitors on a tour of North Carolina’s amazing aquatic life "from the mountains to the sea." The journey is arranged in five galleries: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters and Ocean. Among the 38 innovative exhibits are re-created shipwrecks that showcase the diverse marine life attracted to these sunken vessels. The 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck display in the Ocean Gallery features a three-quarter-size replica of a German U-boat that was sunk off Cape Lookout in World War II. The Queen Anne’s Revenge duplicates the 18th century artifacts in Beaufort Inlet thought to be the wreckage of the pirate Blackbeard’s flagship. Visitors also get a view of a pair of playful river otters, a roaring mountain waterfall, a sea turtle rehabilitation area, and a jellyfish gallery. Touch pools allow personal contact with stingrays, hermit crabs, whelks and other creatures. The Aquarium offers an array of activities and field trips, and has facilities for weddings, celebrations and meetings. Visitors also will find a large gift shop and a snack bar.

AB WaterSport

Daily sailing and kayak rentals, group and private instruction, sunset sails and dinner cruises. Sailing classes are $60-90; ocean cruises are $45-75; hourly rentals are $10-15 for kayaks and $30-40 for sailboats.

Daily 9AM-6PM

Amos Mosquito's Swampside Cafe

Swamp decor and atmosphere- including Spanish moss, cattails and swamp sounds- with a panoramic view of Bogue Sound. Emphasizes fresh, in-season vegetables and seafood; the homemade potato chips, crabcakes and tableside s'mores are popular, and Thursday is sushi night.

Open for dinner Wed-Sat; call for winter hours·$10.50-22.95

Atlantic Station Cinemas

The only movie theatre in town, with four screens, snack counter and arcade games.

Bahia Beach House & Surf Bar

Located on the Atlantic Beach circle; events include weekly pool and dart tournaments, video games and more.

Beach Tavern (BT)

Right near the center of town, is a bar and restaurant that is an AB tradition. It attracts all kinds of folks, from locals to tourists, and features pool tables and liquor. Cash only, but there is an ATM.

Bert's Surf Shop

A local chain (North Carolina plus Myrtle Beach) offering beachwear, surfing gear, skateboards and accessories.

Big Oak Drive-In

Praised by many for having the best shrimpburgers on the island ($4.95 for a large).

Captain Stacy Fishing Center

Deep-sea fishing cruises, shark fishing, 24-hour overnight bottom fishing trips, moonlight cruises and harbor tours, and privately chartered tours. Deep-sea cruises are $45 for shark fishing, $60 half-day, $90 full day (adult prices); overnight trips are $160.

Crab's Claw

Not always open off-season, so it's best to call ahead to check their hours. Oceanfront fine dining serving Harkers Island littleneck clams, crabcakes, conch fritters, steamer pots and other local seafood delicacies.

Island Grille

Fine dining in a casual atmosphere, with plenty of fresh seafood. Locals know that the best nights to come are Monday and Tuesday, when the restaurant offers two entrees for the price of one.

$12-20

Kites Unlimited & BirdStuff, etc.

Atlantic Station Shopping Center. If you want a kite to fly on the beach, this should be your first stop; they also sell banners, flags, windsocks, and games. The shop sponsors a kite-flying group in the area on weekends, and a kite-flying festival in late October.

Oceanana

Fishing pier attached to the Oceanana Family Resort.