Places to Stay | Things to Do | Restaurants

ESCAPE TO FALL'S NATURAL WONDERS

Mild weather and less crowds make fall the perfect time to visit Kure Beach for the best of outdoor experiences. Enjoy unspoiled coastal scenery on a guided kayak tour to Zeke's Island Reserve. Get ready for some friendly competition with a round of disc golf at Joe Eakes Park or bring your furry friends along for an afternoon at the park's "barking lot" dog park.

Take in the sounds of summer well into fall with outdoor waterfront concerts at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, held every other Friday through September. Enjoy live, local music each Friday and Saturday night through October at Big Daddy's Restaurant. Nearby on the island, cast your line for a chance to win the cash prize in the Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge Oct. 15-17 or watch from the shore as anglers reel in their catch of the day. Watch as incredible, one-of-a-kind kites of all shapes, sizes and designs take over the sky for the 15th annual Cape Fear Kite Festival Nov. 6-7.

For breathtaking scenery, take a stroll along six miles of seashore at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and search for sea stars and whelk shells. Look for Loggerhead sea turtles and pelicans near their natural habitat. Near the shore of Fort Fisher, see the rare coquina rock formation at low tide. Feel the coastal breeze as you bike through the gnarled live oaks at Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Sign up for a Salty Dog Yoga & Surf excursion and paddle out to Masonboro Island to practice yoga. With serene sanctuaries to explore, you'll quickly forget your busy schedule and reconnect with nature.