Onslow County stretches along the southern coast of North Carolina and is home to a collection of family-friendly cities that often fly under the radar. From the beaches to the inland towns, you’ll find charming destinations like Surf City, North Topsail Beach, Swansboro and Jacksonville. This coastal county is packed with attractions the whole family will enjoy, offering much more than the beach. It’s perfect for multigenerational travel and especially ideal for families with young kids.
As a mom with kids of all ages, I’ve rounded up the top Onslow County experiences you won’t want to miss on your next visit.
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Things to Do in Onslow County That Kids Love
The southern coast of North Carolina is renowned for its rich history, natural beauty, and wide beaches with soft, sandy shores. Many of my favorite attractions reflect those attributes. To explore the waterways, I recommend spending a day at Hammocks Beach State Park, where you can enjoy swimming, paddling and kayaking. The state park offers a ferry service to Bear Island, known for its shark teeth and shells.
For a deeper appreciation of marine life, book a tour at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Kids love the behind-the-scenes tour to see how local turtles are rescued and cared for by volunteers. It’s a great rainy day activity in Onslow County. Meet the turtle patients, learn about turtle rehabilitation and even adopt a stuffed turtle to take home as a souvenir.
An inland adventure that the whole family will love awaits at Mike’s Farm, which is just outside of Jacksonville. It’s Onslow County’s original agri‑tourism destination, offering a hands‑on, family‑friendly experience through all the seasons.
Kids love to pick seasonal crops, from pumpkins to strawberries, but I recommend coming hungry for a dinner at their farm-to-table restaurant, serving family-style country favorites. Finally, I adore their NC Products Barn, which features gifts and products made in North Carolina. Mike’s Farm will win over your heart.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Vacation Home Rentals and state park lodging options book quickly during the peak summer season. Allow yourself at least six months to plan your Onslow County family vacation.
Need a Splash Without a Beach Day? Onslow County Splash Pads
The Onslow County Splash Pads are great for little ones who want to cool off and play during the warmer months. Free and open to the public, the splash pads are great options for a budget-friendly summer day.
- Northeast Creek Park Splash Pad: A Jacksonville splash pad with nearby baseball fields, an inclusive playground and green space.
- Jack Amyette Recreation Center Splash Pad: Another Jacksonville splash pad with shaded areas nearby and picnic tables.
- Swansboro Municipal Park Splash Pad : This splash pad is inspired by the town’s mascot, the swan, and sits on 18-acres of community park.
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Where to Eat With Kids in Onslow County
Famous for fresh seafood, Onslow County is most notable for shrimp, oysters and blue crab dishes. Dining on the region’s sustainably-sourced seafood is something you can feel good about, whether you’re picking from broiled or fried at Fishmonger’s Honest Seafood or slurping oyster direct from the shell with Ghost Fleet Oyster Co. while on the water at their oyster farm.
With the beach just miles (if not steps) away from most the county’s restaurants, the dining atmospheres are casual and family-friendly. Kick back and enjoy coastal cuisine as a family.
More Family-Friendly Onslow County Restaurants
- RiverView Cafe (Sneads Ferry): Fresh caught seafood & steaks
- Yana’s Ye Olde Drug Store Restaurant (Swansboro): Go for breakfast and don’t miss the fruit fritters
- Thigs BBQ Restaurant (Jacksonville): Savor pit-smoked BBQ topped with a little bit of North Carolina’s “Swine Wine”
What’s Nearby That You Don’t Want to Miss
Look at a map, and you’ll notice Onslow County is an odd shape. That’s because the county surrounds U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Established in 1941, it’s the home base for several key marine units. The base covers 156,000 acres of land and has 11 miles of beach front that are used for training.
Head to Lejeune Memorial Gardens to reflect and honor American Military servicemen and women. It’s free, open to the public and an excellent teaching opportunity for kids. The garden is home to the Beirut Memorial, the Onslow County Vietnam Veterans Memorial and contains a 9/11 Memorial Beam from the World Trade Center. It’s a peaceful and photographic spot.
Getting To Onslow County As a Family
From sunrise to sunset, Onslow County is worth visiting as a family. Photo credit: Kimberly Stroh
Conveniently located, the Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) is Jacksonville’s regional airport, offering direct flights from both Charlotte (CLT) and Atlanta (ATL). Driving directly to the coast, for North Topsail Beach and Surf City is roughly an hour. I recommend renting a car if you fly into Jacksonville, because the county’s attractions are spread out.
The best cities to drive from are Raleigh (2½ hours), New Bern (1 hour), Morehead City (1 hour) and Wilmington (1 hour). Most of the area’s attractions offer free parking, with a few exceptions of beach access points.
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