Nothing beats a beachside getaway with your best girlfriends. From endless fun in the sun to late-night hangouts by the pool, making time to reconnect with your favorite people is a must— especially in a world where relationships are often just a series of texted memes and shared Instagram Reels or TikToks.
To help you make the most of your long weekend trip, we’ve created the perfect 4-day girls’ weekend itinerary full of the top things to do in Kure Beach. With something for everyone, this itinerary is designed to give ideas for each day rather than a strict rulebook to follow.
Check out our local recs, mix up the order, add some flair of your own, and above all, enjoy just being away from the hustle and grind for a few days.
Still trying to find the best place to stay in Kure Beach? Bryant Real Estate offers oceanfront homes with private pools perfect for groups of all sizes. Plus, when you book directly with us, you’ll get the best rate on your stay + local service you won’t find with Airbnb or VRBO. Take a look at our inventory and find your dream girls’ trip home base today!
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Things to Do in Kure Beach on Your Girls’ Trip
Whether it’s Memorial Day, Labor Day, or just a splurge on some PTO for a 4-day weekend, this is how we’d spend our time in Kure Beach.
Day 1: Soak Up the Sun
For your first day, keep it simple with a focus on relaxation and quality time on the shore. If you’re into finding your Zen, you could start the morning with yoga on the beach, followed by mimosas around the pool back at your vacation rental.
Prefer not to wake up and immediately exercise when you’re on vacation? Coffee on the deck is also totally acceptable. Pro Tip: Make mornings easy by visiting The Veggie Wagon after check-in and grabbing essentials for the week.
Once everyone is awake, throw the necessities in your beach bag, fill up your insulated cup, grab a beach book, and head to the waves. With a beachfront rental, there’s no need to pack a heavy cooler—just go back to the house when it’s time for lunch. From floating in the waves to playing beach games to just enjoying the salt air, a beach day doesn’t need to be overthought. As Sheryl Crow said, you’ve just gotta put your 45 on so you can rock on.
At the end of the day, enjoy your rental’s fully equipped kitchen and make dinner together, or keep the waterfront vibes going at Riverview Restaurant. Located on the banks of the Blakeslee AF Recreation Area (formerly the Fort Fisher AF Recreation Area), this casual restaurant serves poboys, baskets, tacos, and salads. Featuring fresh-caught seafood and the best sunsets in the area, it’s a great cap to the day. Order at the counter and grab a seat on the patio for the views.
Riverview Restaurant
- Hours: Daily from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Reservations: They do not take reservations
- To-Go Available? No
- Menu
- Google: 4.5 ⭐️
- Yelp: 4 ⭐️
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
Day 2: Try Something New
Trying something new with your besties is guaranteed to be memorable. Maybe you’ve never played golf and want to see what all the fuss is about. Kure Beach is located near several exceptional public courses, our favorite of which is the Beau Rivage Golf and Resort. Choose between a full 18-hole round or shorten it to 9. After your time on the links, head to the Veranda Bar & Grill for tasty cocktails and delicious food specials.
If a golf course isn’t your thing, they also have pickleball courts!
Another fun thing to do in Kure Beach could be a deep-sea fishing charter. Who says guys are the only ones who can post a fish-pic? There are many charters to choose from, and plenty of local fishing spots—opt for inshore along the marshes or head out into the deep blue.
The average cost for a four-hour trip is around $550, but when you factor in the boat ride/time on the water, the amenities, and getting to keep some of your catch, it’s well worth the price tag.
For more unique things to try, consider:
Alternatively, your new experiences can be more leisurely with a trip on the Fort Fisher Ferry. For just $7, a scenic boat ride takes you across the water to the charming coastal town of Southport, where you'll discover beautiful architecture, cute shops, and excellent waterfront dining options.
After a day of new adventures, kick back at home or try one of the best Kure Beach restaurants: Big Daddy’s Seafood for dinner! Enjoy Calabash-style dishes like their deviled crab seafood platter, fresh flounder, or fish tacos. Be sure to ask for a seat on the patio so you can enjoy the views of the Atlantic and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier.
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Day 3: Fun and Free Near Kure Beach
After Day 2’s adventures, let’s slow down with some fun and free things to do. Kure Beach is located near Carolina Beach and Wilmington, so there’s plenty to enjoy.
If you’re visiting at the end of the month, take advantage of the 4th Friday Gallery Walk—a free art event where local galleries open their doors and showcase their collections. Refreshments and light snacks are often available, as well as live entertainment at some stops along the way.
Want to sightsee without spending a dime? The Port City Trolley has 25 designated stops along Front Street and takes about 40 minutes from end to end. Hop off and on along the way and check out the cute shops, bars, and dining spots in downtown Wilmington.
The New Hanover County Arboretum is perfect for a friend group photo shoot. It features stunning flowers, garden cottages, Koi ponds, art pieces, and more. Free to enter and explore, the arboretum has 7 acres of impeccably maintained grounds you’ll love.
If you head to Carolina Beach instead of Wilmington, you can spend the day strolling and shopping around the boardwalk. While there, grab lunch at Seaworthy or dinner at Soul Flavor, and round it all out with a stop at Squigley’s Ice Cream—the most famous parlor in Southeastern North Carolina. They have sundaes, cones, shakes, and every kind of ice cream treat you could want.
Want a great cocktail or some live music instead? The bars in Kure Beach, NC, and the surrounding areas are great! Places like SeaWitch Tiki Bar, Bill’s Brewing Co, Hurricane Alley’s, or the Fat Pelican (the #1 Dive Bar in NC) are perfect for cold drinks and quality entertainment.
Need more ideas? Ocean Front Park and Pavilion hosts free farmers markets, concerts, and other community events throughout the week, and is always a great time. Regardless of where you go—Wilmington, Carolina Beach, or Kure Beach—you'll find plenty of options for this fun and affordable day of your stay.
Day 4: Fort Fisher State Historic Site
It’s fun to learn about the areas you visit. If anyone in your group had grand dreams of becoming a marine biologist (looking at you, dancing dolphin Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper gals), this last day will be right up your alley.
Today, let’s check out the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher State Historic Site for an immersive experience into coastal Carolina’s ecosystems. The aquarium’s behind-the-scenes tour is the perfect group activity. It lets you visit animal holding spaces, see the husbandry area, learn about life support systems, and get backstage access to the exhibits. Tours cost $20 per person and last one hour.
Aquarium Exhibits:
- Otters on the Edge – Meet Milli and Binx, two mischievous and fun-loving critters
- Cape Fear Shoals – A 200k+ gallon tank filled with sharks, sea turtles, rays, eels, and more
- Coquina Outcrop – Touch pool experience with sea stars, crabs, anemones, and urchins
- Maverick – A magnificent bald eagle who came to the aquarium for rehabilitation and has been a staple since 2014
- Awesome Alligators – Luna the albino gator likely wouldn’t survive in the wild because of her color. Visit with her and her trusted pal Gantu at this popular exhibit
- Maris and Atlas – A fascinating loggerhead sea turtle conservation habitat featuring two adorable hatchlings
- Caribbean Corals – Discover bright tropical fish and vibrant coral reefs
Before You Visit
- You must book your reservation online
- Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
After you’ve thoroughly taken in all the sites at the aquarium, spend some time exploring the rest of Fort Fisher. Don't forget to snap pics at your favorite filming locations while you're there!
You're sure to have worked up an appetite at this point, so for dinner, head to Freddie's for some tasty Italian food. From calamari to lasagna and fresh seafood to ribeye steaks, they have an exceptional menu that covers all your cravings.
Freddies Italian Restaurant
- Hours: Daily from 4:30 PM to 9 PM
- Google: 4.6 ⭐️
- Yelp: 4.3 ⭐️
- Menu
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
Once back at your vacation rental, take a final stroll along the beach, sit and watch the sunset with each other, splash in your rental’s private pool, cozy up on the couch, or all of the above!
If your itinerary calls for checking out on your fourth day, have no fear! You can enjoy a shortened itinerary by heading to Jack Mackerel's for lunch (ask about the fresh catch or try the crab cake duo!) and then venturing on to Wilmington for one last jaunt around historic downtown. The riverwalk has tons of shopping, sights, and picture-perfect spots to enjoy the views and quality time with your friends before you head home from your long weekend.
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Featured Property: Conched Out
When it comes to finding things to do in Kure Beach, this itinerary barely scratches the surface. There’s shopping, tons of outdoor activities like biking, disc golf, and jet skiing, annual events and festivals happening all year long, historic sites, craft breweries… You name it, you can find it.
But before you can plan these grand adventures, you need to secure your place to stay! At Bryant Real Estate, we have you covered with an inventory of more than 200 homes in the Cape Fear region. Choose the size you need in the location you want and book your getaway directly with us to lock in the lowest rate. Start your search, and let us welcome you and your girls to Kure Beach on your next long weekend trip!