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🇺🇸 Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner! What better way to kick off summer than at North Carolina’s southern coast in Onslow County? Embark on an outdoor adventure in our coastal towns of Swansboro, Sneads Ferry, North Topsail Beach, Richlands, or Jacksonville, home to US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune! Here are 10 ways for you to enjoy a great Memorial Day weekend, #OnlyinOnslow!
Chillax at North Topsail Beach
Unwind into a leisurely weekend and a couple of beach chairs at North Topsail Beach! Grab a cooler, and your beach gear and enjoy the quieter family-friendly vibe. Kids of all ages enjoy searching for shark teeth and sea glass along the sand. If you’ve got a 4×4 vehicle, drive right on the beach with a daily pass. See more information about parking at North Topsail Beach on our InspiredbyOnslow blog.
Tour Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, NC
Head to downtown Jacksonville, NC to Lejeune Memorial Gardens and Freedom Fountain. Both of these points of interest in Jacksonville, NC are awe-inspiring places to reflect and honor our American military servicemen and women.
Additional Events in Jacksonville, NC include…
Friday Night, 5/26 @ 8pm. The public is invited to a Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, hosted by Rolling Thunder.
Saturday 5/27 @ 10am. The Freedom Ride with Rolling Thunder Chapter XXXIV will be making its way to Jacksonville, NC. This national motorcycle run event is open to Rolling Thunder members. Join them for their opening ceremony at the American Legion on 146 Broadhurst Rd in Jacksonville at 10am. Members of the public can enjoy vendors and entertainment at the New River Harley Davidson on 2394 Wilmington Hwy in Jacksonville from 10am to 5pm.
Sunday 5/28 @ 8am. Register for the Freedom Ride from 8am to 11:30am at the American Legion. The Freedom Ride begins at 12pm. The public can enjoy food trucks and vendors throughout the day at the American Legion.
Monday, 5/29 @ 11am. The public is invited to participate in a live Memorial Day Observance being held at the future site of the Carolina Museum of the Marine, 100 Montford Landing Road, on Monday, May 30 at 11:00 am. This event is hosted by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Beirut Memorial Chapter # 642. This event is free and open to the public. The ceremony will be recorded and streamed to G10TV, G10TV.org and the City of Jacksonville YouTube Channel.
Freedom Fountain – Photo: Onslow County Government
See the Smithsonian at the Onslow County Museum
The Smithsonian exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, will be open for viewing at the Onslow County Museum until Saturday, June 10. This exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution and NC Humanities prompts discussions about what happened when America’s rural population became a minority of the country’s population and the ripple effects that occurred.
Purchase tickets at the door, cash and check only. For hours and pricing, visit their website.
Photo: Facebook @ Onslow County Museum
Go Shelling, Birdwatching & Hop Aboard A Sunset Cruise
Adventure over to Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park to explore three miles of unspoiled island beachfront, with all the seashells, sand dollars, and shark teeth you might find! Get there via the ferry directly from the park, or charter your own adventure with one of our specialty cruise operators. Marsh Cruises offers sunset, shelling, and night excursions along Bogue and Bear Inlets. Hop aboard a sunset birding cruise with Lady Swan Boat Tours. Do some paddling on a guided kayak eco-tour with Pogie’s Fishing & Kayaking Center, Swansboro Paddle Boarding & Kayaking, and Paddle NC.
Photo: Facebook @ Lady Swan Boat Tours
Savor Local Flavors
The perfect getaway calls for an exploration of the best local cuisine, and what better place than at the coast? Sample traditional mouthwatering southern delicacies, fresh local seafood, indulge a pasta craving or some good authentic Mexican, or your favorite sushi. Endless options are available and we’re sure your taste buds will be satisfied. See all of our local restaurants on our website.
Photo: Saltwater Grill
Photo: Thig’s BBQ
Discover our Local Boutiques & Unique Shops
Enjoy some leisurely shopping just for the fun of it. You’ll find what you’re looking for with Onslow’s mix of name-brand and locally-owned businesses. We’ve got a number of upscale boutiques offering the latest fashions in addition to many veteran-owned businesses sprinkled throughout the area. See a list of shops on our website.
Explore Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Whether you are an expert or a beginner, enjoy kayaking and paddling along the Intracoastal Waterway in Swansboro, at Hammocks Beach State Park, in Jacksonville on the New River, or at North Topsail Beach. Check out our local paddling outfitters, Pogie’s Fishing & Kayaking Center, Swansboro Paddle Boarding & Kayaking, and Paddle NC for rentals and gear as well as joining guided tours!
Photo: Facebook @ Pogie’s Fishing Charters, Coastal Tours, Kayaking, and Rental Center
Cast a Line in our Waters
Recreational, sport, and commercial fishing have deep roots in our coastal communities of Onslow County. If you’re interested in casting a line or two, you might catch your own dinner and enjoy seafood at its freshest! List of all fishing outlets.
For the land-based angler, head over to Seaview Fishing Pier or enjoy walking along North Topsail Beach and fish the surf and the areas around the inlets. Be sure to obtain a permit and review the rules and regulations from the Town of North Topsail Beach.
Saltwater fishing from both land and boat is an angler’s dream in Onslow. You’ll find an abundance of speckled trout, flounder, red drum, bluefish, sea mullet(whiting), croaker, Spanish mackerel, and spot in our waters. Those that have larger boats can fish for cobia, Mahi (dolphin), king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, grey trout, flounder, black sea bass, various groupers, and more. Unless you are fishing from a pier, head boat, or charter, you must have the appropriate license to fish saltwater.
Freshwater fishing opportunities are available along the New River in Jacksonville and the White Oak River in Swansboro. Anglers enjoy catches of speckled trout, red drum, flounder, largemouth bass, sunfish, and white catfish.
Visit NCWildlife.org to obtain information about obtaining a fishing license in addition to rules, regulations, and related guidelines.
Catch Some Live Music in our Coastal Towns
Most of our live music is scheduled outdoors and at local restaurants. Here is our music lineup for Memorial Day Weekend. Be sure to check out their Facebook Pages to confirm dates and times. Arrive a little early to shop in downtown Swansboro or spend the day at North Topsail Beach!
MAY 26
Joe Baes Project – Willy Nilly Warehouse, Swansboro
Kiss Alive – Limelight, Jacksonville
SUGAR! A Tribute to System Of A Down – Hooligan’s, Jacksonville
MAY 27
Stephen Poole – Willy Nilly Warehouse, Swansboro
Latin Saturday w/ Miguel Santana & DJ RYRY– Hooligan’s, Jacksonville
MAY 28
Flip Side – Willy Nilly Warehouse, Swansboro
Get Outdoors at our Local Parks
Being outdoors is a way of life for us and we hope you enjoy our parks as much as we do! Paddle trails, bicycle routes, tennis, playgrounds, picnic areas, basketball courts, disc golf, splash pads – you name it! We encourage you to visit Onslow County’s Parks & Recreation website as well as the Recreation & Parks – Jacksonville, NC Facebook Page for a whole slew of happenings and activities to enjoy throughout the year. See a list of our parks here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZqo3dpDK_/
Read Our Next Blog
The charming historic coastal town of Swansboro was selected as “One of the Coolest Towns in America to Visit in 2021.” Get the inside scoop on some of our favorite local coffee hangouts! Check out “12 Great Spots to Grab a Coffee.”
Click on the Map to Explore our Coastal Communities
