Which NC seaside made USA TODAY’s reasonably priced journey record?

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  • Summer journey prices have elevated, with a 25% rise in airplane ticket costs over the previous 12 months.
  • Carolina Beach, North Carolina, was highlighted by a USA TODAY column as a budget-friendly trip spot.
  • The city presents free summer time actions, together with weekly fireworks, reside music, and film nights.

Summer journey isn’t low-cost — particularly this 12 months. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of July, the buyer value index for airplane tickets had risen 25% previously 12 months, and costs on the gasoline pump have stayed excessive into August 2026.

Despite the fee, for some households, summer time is when touring simply makes essentially the most sense. Schools are out of session, and the climate is conducive to creating essentially the most out of a trip.

While touring — particularly to the seaside — would possibly by no means be low-cost, there are some locations which might be extra budget-friendly than others, together with within the Wilmington space.

A current USA TODAY column spotlighted Carolina Beach as top-of-the-line spots for a trip that stays reasonably priced whereas nonetheless providing that basic seaside journey expertise.

A visit to Carolina Beach

A USA TODAY column from journey web site FamilyVacationist.com detailed eight locations throughout the United States that have been supreme budget-friendly locations.

Carolina Beach was included, partially, as a result of it presents a basic coastal vibe. Almost nothing says quintessential seaside city like Carolina Beach Boardwalk with its colourful ice cream parlors, beachy seafood eating places and an amusement park full with towering Ferris wheel.

Beyond that, when you’re in Carolina Beach, there’s a lot to try this gained’t value you a dime. The city places on reside music and a free firework present each Thursday night time throughout the summer time, in addition to a free film sequence on the city’s Lake Park on Sunday evenings.

As for outside recreation past the seaside itself, the free-to-enter Carolina Beach State Park presents miles of climbing trails, water entry and views of the native Venus’ flytrap.

Budget-friendly seaside journeys

The full record included cities and areas from throughout the U.S., although Carolina Beach was the one place in North Carolina to make the record.

Here’s the total record.

  • Torrance, California  
  • The Wildwoods, New Jersey
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • Carolina Beach, North Carolina
  • Coastal Mississippi
  • Gulf County, Florida
  • Grand Haven, Michigan
  • Seaside, Oregon

Charlie Kingree is the trending subjects and Pender County reporter for the StarNews. He may be reached at [email protected].


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