15 Of the Best Things to Do Near MCAS Cherry Point (2021 Edition)

Introduction

As you settle into your new home at MCAS Cherry Point, you’ll want to find things to do. You’ll find some of our suggestions for the best things to do near and on MCAS Cherry Point. Spending time with family and friends is crucial to getting to know and feeling comfortable in a new place. Explore these options and find what works best for you and your family. Remember that these are just suggestions; don’t be afraid to ask friends and neighbors for their recommendations and explore on your own, too!

Know what you are looking for? Click the number(s) to go right to where you want to go:
(1) Golf Courses
(2-4) Outdoor Recreation
(5-6) Bowling
(7-9) Gyms
(10) Movie Theaters
(11-15) Museums

Suggested Read: MCAS Cherry Point: In-Depth Welcome Center

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Many, if not all, of the ones listed here, are likely subject to such restrictions for the time being though new re-openings and closings occur all the time. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being. Check individual websites provided in each section or call to find out each place’s current hours and situation.

15 Things to Do Near MCAS Cherry Point

The base has an extensive network of establishments suited for many of your needs. If you are looking to do something off base, there are a lot of options in nearby Havelock, North Carolina. Check out the options below for some suggested activities on and outside of the comforts of the base.

MCAS Cherry Point Golf Course

1. Sound of Freedom Golf Course

MCAS Cherry Point
3570 Jackson Dr.
Cherry Point, NC 28533
Phone: 1 (252) 466-3044

Sound of Freedom is a 6642 feet, 18 hole, PGA-rated course. The course features a 24-hour driving range, a chipping area, a practice putting green, and a pro shop that rents golf carts and clubs. Lessons are also available.

MCAS Cherry Point Outdoor Recreation

2. Outdoor Connection (ODC) Rentals

MCAS Cherry Point
100 Roosevelt Blvd.
Bldg. 162
Cherry Point, NC 28532
Phone: 1 (252) 466-4058

Outdoor Connection Rentals offers party canopies, folding tables and chairs, inflatables, camping gear, kayaks, canoes, lawn mowers, garden tools, and more. You can also rent stand up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, and hobie cats. They will also refill propane tanks.

More like this: 10 of the Best Military Campgrounds & RV Parks in the United States

Havelock

3. Pine Cliff Recreation Area

1300 Ferry Rd.
Havelock, NC 28532

The Pine Cliff Recreation Area offers a scenic location and picnic area, but it’s likely best known for the hiking trails that snake through more than 22 miles of forests, beaches, and marshlands.

New Bern

4. Croatan National Forest

Flanners Beach Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
Phone: 1 (252) 638-5628

Croatan National Forest is the East’s only true coastal forest. The Croatan National Forest’s 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. The first is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators. Canoeing and fishing are popular, as well.

MCAS Cherry Point Bowling Alleys

Cape Carteret

5. Mac Daddy’s

130 Golfin Dolphin Dr.
Cape Carteret, NC 28584
Phone: 1 (252) 393-6565

Mac Daddy’s isn’t just a bowling alley, though it does sport 24 bowling lanes, leagues, and space-themed cosmic bowling on Friday and Saturdays. In addition, there’s also a large arcade, mini-golf, batting cages, an escape room, and go karts.

Jacksonville

6. Bowlarena

433 Western Blvd.
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Phone: 1 (910) 455-8800

Bowlarena has been recently upgraded and offers a nice alley and arcade, but reviewers also praise its prices, friendly staff, food, and bar. The wings are said to be particularly excellent.

MCAS Cherry Point Gym

7. Devil Dog Gym

MCAS Cherry Point
100 Roosevelt Blvd.
Bldg. 4322
Cherry Point, NC 28532
Phone: 1 (252) 466-2713

Devil Dog Gym is located within walking distance of the barracks and has state of the art equipment that will fit the needs of any workout from strength training to cardio. The gym offers treadmills, elliptical machines, cross-trainers, step machines, upright & recumbent bikes, free weights, and a cardio theater.

8. Hancock Gym

MCAS Cherry Point
100 Roosevelt Blvd
Bldg 3471
Cherry Point, NC 28532
Phone: 1 (252) 466-4018

Harnock Gym boasts a more diverse workout experience than Devil Dog, offering both access to a pool and a nearby trail in addition to more traditional workout equipment.

West Havelock

9. Planet Fitness

514 US Highway 70
West Havelock, NC 28532
Phone: 1 (252) 558-9249

Planet Fitness has a little bit of everything, which isn’t surprising given their status as a chain. But this location is praised for its cleanliness and the friendliness of its staff.

MCAS Cherry Point Movie Theater

Havelock

10. AMC Classic Havelock 6

500 Mccotter Blvd.
Havelock, NC 28532
Phone: 1 (252) 447-0131

AMC Classic Havelock 6 isn’t a huge theater, but it does offer opportunities for cheap tickets, a friendly staff, and is largely clean and well maintained.

MCAS Cherry Point Museums

These institutions preserve history and are a great learning opportunity for those new to the area. Many have programs and guided tours as well as activities for kids and all of them are a quick drive, or even walk, from the base. Check out their websites for details on business hours and specific programs.

Beaufort

11. North Carolina Maritime Museum

315 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
Phone: 1 (252) 504-7740

The North Carolina Maritime Museum has exhibits that cover pirates, including Blackbeard. There’s also a whale skeleton, several displays on sailboats, and one on North Carolina coastal surfing.

Pine Knoll Shores

12. North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

1 Roosevelt Dr.
Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Phone: 1 (252) 247-4003

The North Carolina Aquarium was founded in 1976 and features several exhibits that highlight several different environments. Guests will be able to watch otters, touch stingrays, see sharks, rare white sea turtles, and more.

New Bern

13. Tryon Palace

529 South Front Street New Bern, NC 28562
Phone: 1 (800) 767-1560

Tryon Palace was the official residence of the British governors in North Carolina from 1770 to 1775. The current Palace is a recreation of the original, based on the architect’s original blueprints. It functions as a historic site, offering tours of the historic homes and more than 16 acres of gardens to explore.

14. The Pepsi Store

256 Middle St .
New Bern, NC 28560
Phone: 1 (252) 636-5898

The Pepsi Store is the actual site where Pepsi Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham in his pharmacy in 1898. In addition to chronicling the early history of the soft drink and its inventor, the store also offers Pepsi merchandise.

Aurora

15. Aurora Fossil Museum

400 Main St.
Aurora, NC 27806
Phone: 1 (252) 322-4238

The Aurora Fossil Museum may be small, but it’s absolutely packed with fossils and information about them. The museum also has two fossil digging spots so visitors can dig for their own fossils and a gift shop.

Conclusion

Explore your options, and don’t be afraid to try out new things. Ask your new friends and neighbors for recommendations, especially when it comes to local attractions and outdoor parks and events. This list is just a taste of the things to do on and near MCAS Cherry Point. We hope it gives you a place to start as you get acquainted with the area.