Under $100: Carolina Beach, N.C.

Guests to Carolina Beach should start their day with a breakfast at The Gulfstream Restaurant. This oceanside diner offers an assortment of basic breakfast fare, as well as seafood specialties like their crabmeat and cheese omelet ($9.25).

Around town, there are a number of rental locations where guests can find bikes, kayaks and paddleboats. Perhaps the most notable rental, however, is the Duece Coupe three-wheeler that can be peddled by two occupants ($20/hour).

© Mike P | Flickr

For lunch, visitors might consider trying Island Hots. Here, the prime focus of the menu is its extensive selection of gourmet hot dogs, like the Sriracha Dog with island relish, jalapenos and Sriracha sauce ($2.75).

The centerpiece of Carolina Beach is its enormous boardwalk. Here, guests can take a ride on the enormous Ferris wheel ($4.50), where they can experience a panoramic view of the entire town, shore-to-shore.

© Mike P | Flickr

When the sun starts to set, the best place to grab dinner is Havana’s Restaurant. Complete with its own miniature pier, this beachside stop showcases a selection of food, both fried and from the sea, like its Volcano Shrimp ($10.25).

Finally, come nightfall, perhaps the best option is to sit on the beach, dip your feet in the cold sand and watch the amazing fireworks above.