While staying at a Sunset Beach vacation rental, make it a point to enjoy the many activities in town that are suitable for the entire family.
Visit Museums and Aquariums
With the town situated in one of the most visited beach locations in the region, you can expect to find several museums and aquariums that display the different marine life living in the area. Bring your family to the Aquarium of the Pacific, which showcases more than 11,000 different marine species. It has 32 exhibits that focus on different marine life, aside from the 19 major habitats. You can see a vast display of marine life from the waters of the Northern Pacific, Tropical Pacific and Southern California and Baja. The kids will enjoy the Shark Lagoon, the Lorikeet Forest and the Shorebird Sanctuary.
Drive over to the Village at Sunset Beach to explore the wonders of astronomy in the Ingram Planetarium. This domed planetarium features hourly programs where you can see the different stars and heavenly bodies. There are also interactive activities that kids will surely enjoy in the Paul Dennis Science Hall right in the planetarium. In a short drive from your Sunset Beach vacation home, you will find the Museum of Coastal Carolina, which deals with natural science.
Go Boating
A good way to enjoy the beach in Sunset Beach is to go boating with your family. You can bring your own boat and moor it in one of the several boat ramps and docks in the area, or rent one of the boating charters in Sunset Beach. The Wildlife Boat Ramp in Seaside is the nearest boat ramp in Sunset Beach. It's situated between Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach.
Visit the Battleship North Carolina
A few minutes' drive from Sunset Beach to Wilmington is the Battleship North Carolina. Both the kids and the adults will enjoy exploring this battleship that is open daily. The battleship is marked well, so self-guided tours are encouraged. It is a restored World War II battleship where you can access a portion of the interior as well as the main deck. Aside from touring the battleship, there is also a Visitors Center where a film is shown about the history of the ship and its role as a memorial. The Battleship North Carolina is also considered to be a museum, with numerous objects and documents on display.
Go Bird and Turtle Watching
Sunset Beach is home to several species of birds and is a favorite nesting ground of the Loggerhead Sea Turtles. At the beach, you can see several sea turtles crawling their way to shore to nest. However, one of the best ways to see both is to visit Bird Island located at the end of Sunset Beach towards the South Carolina border. The best way to reach the island is by foot. In this natural reserve you will see several endangered species that make this 1,300-acre are their habitat.
There are several family-friendly activities in and around Sunset Beach that both you and your kids can enjoy. To make your stay more enjoyable, check out the listings and prices at Vamoose.com for family-friendly accommodations. You can sort your rental search based on price, location and amenities offered.