14 Best Things to Do in Atlantic Beach, NC: Forts & Horses

Atlantic Beach is a little old-school, and that’s what North Carolina families love about it. You get a real boardwalk, a long fishing pier, a Civil War fort at one end of the island and warm, south-facing water. You’re also close to the boat that takes you to see wild horses, the part most visitors talk about for years.

The restored brick walls of Fort Macon at Fort Macon State Park near Atlantic Beach — Fort Macon, a restored pre-Civil War fort. Photo: DiscoA340 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The best things to do in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina are touring Fort Macon, spending a day at the Circle and boardwalk, fishing from the Oceanana Pier, walking the Hoop Pole Creek trail, and taking a boat to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses.

Here’s how to fill your stay, with a few free picks and one thing older guides still get wrong about the nearby lighthouse. You’ll find that one at #11.

1. Tour Fort Macon

The dry moat and brick walls surrounding Fort Macon — The moat at Fort Macon. Photo: Kevinbercaw via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Fort Macon State Park at 2303 East Fort Macon Road centers on a restored pre-Civil War fort, and day use is free. The fort and visitor center open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guided tours and frequent cannon and musket demonstrations. Go in the morning, because those brick walls hold the heat.

2. Swim at Fort Macon’s Beach

Fort Macon, a short walk from its beach. Photo: Kevinbercaw via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The park also has one of the nicer stretches of sand around, with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as staffing permits. You’ll find it quieter than the center of town, and it has a bathhouse. Parking and bathhouse hours change by month, so look them up before you plan a late afternoon swim.

3. Spend a Day at The Circle

The beach and dunes at Emerald Isle on North Carolina's Crystal Coast — Emerald Isle on the Crystal Coast. Photo: DiscoA340 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Circle at 201 West Atlantic Boulevard is the center of beach life, with 300 parking spaces (paid in summer), restrooms, showers and picnic tables. Lifeguards lend out free beach wheelchairs, first come, first served. Arrive early on summer weekends.

4. Stroll the Boardwalk

The causeway into Atlantic Beach. Photo: DiscoA340 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Right by the Circle, the Atlantic Beach Boardwalk has shops, restaurants, benches and live entertainment, with a swing set nearby. Come here for ice cream after a day on the sand. In May it hosts the town’s Beach Music Festival, so look up the dates if you like shag dancing.

5. Fish the Oceanana Pier

A fishing pier on the North Carolina coast — Illustrative photo: a fishing pier on the North Carolina coast. Photo: Pubdog (talk) via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

At 700 East Fort Macon Road, the Oceanana Fishing Pier stretches nearly 1,000 feet into the Atlantic. You don’t have to fish to enjoy the walk and the ocean views. The Pier House Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can make a morning of it.

6. Walk the Hoop Pole Creek Trail

A maritime forest on the Outer Banks, much like the one on Hoop Pole Creek — Illustrative photo: a maritime forest on the Outer Banks, much like the one on Hoop Pole Creek. Photo: Roger Mulligan via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

This 31-acre maritime forest preserve has a mile-long trail, mostly on an accessible boardwalk, and you’d never guess the beach was so near. The entrance sits next to Atlantic Station Shopping Center at 1010 West Fort Macon Road, and the sign is easy to miss, so keep your eyes open. Bring bug spray in summer.

7. Get on the Water

Bogue Sound, seen from NC 58. Photo: DiscoA340 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

AB Watersport at 612 Atlantic Beach Causeway rents boats, kayaks, canoes and paddle boats, along with jet skis and guided tours. Beginners should stick to Bogue Sound, which is calmer than the ocean. Watch the forecast before you head out, as the wind can pick up quickly in the afternoon.

8. Book a Fishing Charter

A sportfishing boat heading offshore — Illustrative photo: a sportfishing boat heading offshore. Photo: NOAA AOML via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

People here take fishing seriously, and you’ll have plenty of captains to choose from for a day offshore or a calmer inshore trip. In October, the town hosts a three-week King Mackerel Tournament. Ask your captain what’s biting and whether licenses are included.

9. Let the Kids Play at Town Park

The Atlantic Beach water tower. Photo: Okayfurry119 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

At 915 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach Town Park is free, with a playground, basketball court and picnic shelters, plus a splash pad in season. You’ll also find 18-hole mini golf from May at a listed $6 per person. Next door, the skatepark is described as one of the largest in Eastern North Carolina.

10. See the Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks

A wild pony grazing on Shackleford Banks in Cape Lookout National Seashore — A wild pony on Shackleford Banks. Photo: Lori von Gretener via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Don’t leave without doing this. Ferries from nearby Beaufort and Harkers Island take you to Cape Lookout National Seashore, where wild horses roam Shackleford Banks. Pack water, food and shade, since nothing is for sale out there, and stay well back from the horses, because they’re wild animals.

11. Visit Cape Lookout

The diamond-patterned Cape Lookout Lighthouse rising over the dunes of Core Banks — Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Photo: Jarek Tuszyński via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Farther along, the diamond-patterned Cape Lookout Lighthouse stands on 56 miles of undeveloped beach, with great shelling at The Point. Older guides may tell you that you can climb it, but the climb has been closed for repairs since 2021, so ask the National Park Service before you plan around it.

12. Visit the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

A pufferfish at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Photo: jjmusgrove via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Just down the road, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is your best rainy-day option on the island. Families get indoor exhibits and an outdoor wooden walkway. Buy tickets ahead on the aquarium’s site.

13. Eat Seafood in Morehead City

The Morehead City waterfront. Photo: Bz3rk via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Across the bridge, Morehead City has a nice waterfront to stroll, and the famous Sanitary Fish Market is among its best-known restaurants. The North Carolina Seafood Festival comes in the fall and the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in June. Spend some time here and you’ll see this area’s working fishing heritage up close.

14. Explore Beaufort

Downtown Beaufort, North Carolina. Photo: Aurora30 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

About 15 minutes away, Beaufort is one of the prettiest towns on the coast. Come for the lovely waterfront and the North Carolina Maritime Museum, and look for wild horses on the Rachel Carson Reserve from the water. If you’re staying into the evening, take a dolphin cruise.

Best Free Things to Do in Atlantic Beach

Fort Macon’s day use is free, and so are its tours of the grounds, the Hoop Pole Creek trail, Town Park’s playground and splash pad, and of course the sand. In October, the Carolina Kite Festival is free too. Just remember that parking at the Circle costs money in summer.

When to Visit Atlantic Beach and How Long to Stay

Summer is warm and busy, with July 4 fireworks at the Circle. September and October bring warm water, fewer crowds and the fall fishing season, although you’ll want to watch for hurricanes. Three or four days gives you a beach day, the fort and a boat trip to Shackleford.

Where to next? Try our guides to Beaufort, Nags Head and Wilmington, or see the best beaches in North Carolina to compare the whole coast. You can also browse all our travel guides on Decidel.

How we checked this guide: hours, fees and rules were checked against official and published sources in November 2026. They can change, so confirm with the venue before you go.