Book Your Vacation Direct & Save Money

February 1, 2020 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Are you and your family wanting to book your next vacation to Holden Beach this year? If so, then we suggest that on February 5, 2020 you book direct with us and not using a third-party vacation rental site. Did you know that many of the third-party vacation rental sites will tack on additional fees onto your reservation just for using their site? This can vary between each vendor but who wants to spend an additional 5% to 20% on their vacation. This year Alan Holden Vacations wants to make sure that your family are getting the most out of your money when it comes to vacationing here on the island. Let’s look below at some information on why you should Book Direct with us!

What You Should Know About Booking Direct

This year February 5, 2020 is the 3^rd Annual Book Direct Day in which it was created to help educate vacation rental guest on the different benefits of booking directly through an owner or Property Management Company vs using a Third-Party agency such as VBRO and Airbnb. While you may notice that these big-name companies may seem like they will help save you money at first, you will soon find out that they will charge you a fee just to use their website. Some of the fees can range from 5% to 20% of the total cost of your vacation rental which for some may be more than you want to budget for.

You may ask yourself, “What does this vendor do special if they charge me an extra $600 for the rental?” We can tell you they do absolutely nothing. It’s just another tactic for them to get you to continue to use their website just to book your vacation rental. Some of the other third-party vendors don’t know the ins and outs of each individual property and can’t answer any questions you may have. They won’t be able to send out maintenance if you should have a problem occur while on your vacation and they won’t be able to recommend what to eat locally. We at Alan Holden Vacations can tell you all about each property we manage and want to make sure our guests are happy with their stay.

Why Should You Book Direct with Us?

When you book your vacation direct with us at Alan Holden Vacations, you will be able to speak with one of our vacation specialists who are very knowledgeable, local, who lives, works and enjoys what Holden Beach has to offer. We are able to give you our personal recommendations when it comes to the best local dining spot, play, shop and visit with different businesses around the area. Our office is located in Holden Beach so if you should have any problems arise, we can get it handled quickly!

How Can You Book Direct with Alan Holden Vacations?

Booking your vacation directly with us is as simple as 1, 2, 3. We encourage all of our guests to book their vacation through our secure website, www.holden-beach.com or by contacting us at 1-800-720-2200. Rest assure that you will never be charged with a hidden fee and we will always provide you with the best rate available on our professional managed vacation rentals. We don’t want you to have to pay for anything extra for just using our site to book your vacation. We understand that saving money when having a family is the best way to enjoy your vacation!

Are you ready to plan your next vacation today? Make sure you Book Direct with us at Alan Holden Vacations today to have the best vacation year after year!

local events

Fun Events Happening Around Holden Beach

January 1, 2020 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Are you and your family coming to Holden Beach next month? If the answer is yes, then we have to tell you all about the fun events that are coming to the area. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep you and the family close to where the action is happening. Let’s look below at a few of the fun things happening around town so your family can make new memories.

Run Holden Beach 2020

Do you like to run or have a runner in the family? If yes, then why not sign up to join in the Run Holden Beach 2020 race on Saturday, January 18^th from 7:00 am to 10:30 am. Here you can run with some breathtaking views that you won’t want to miss in the early morning hours. This year the race has changed courses and so you may find that this course is better. If you’re not a runner but you’d like to come check it out, why not cheer on some of those runners instead. Get the whole family involved and enjoy the event!

Hidden Battleship Tour

This event is perfect for those who have always dreamed of being in the Navy or wanting to get a closer look at the Battleship in Wilmington. Join in this fun and unique event where you will tour the Battleship for 4 hours and you will be able to take a peek in what it was like to live on the ship. You will be able to see the Captain’s Quarters and so much more and is something that you may not be able to experience ever again. This event is happening on Saturday, January 4^th from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm and is something that you will want to check out with the family!

Explore Bald Head Island

Have you ever been over to Bald Head Island before and have wanted to learn a little more about it? If you have then you have to check out this fun Bald Head Island Guided Tour on Tuesday, January 28^th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The cost for this event is $25 per adult and $20 per child (3 – 12) and does not include the ferry ticket. What a fun way to learn more about this island and you will get to experience the Lighthouse Service and more.

While there are other fun events happening around Holden Beach during the month of January, these are the few we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t booked your next vacation to Holden Beach yet, go ahead and do so now. We hope that you and your family have a wonderful and happy new year!

Holden Beach rentals

Surprise the Family with a Vacation to Holden Beach this Winter

December 1, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Are you looking for a gift that will make the family happy this winter? Why not surprise them with a vacation to Holden Beach this winter. There are many things that your family can do while in town. Staying in one of our Holden Beach rentals will keep you close to the fun on the island. Let’s look below at how you can surprise your family with a vacation to Holden Beach this winter.

Scavenger Hunt

One way that you can surprise your family this Christmas is to leave a little clue for each family member. Then on those little clues you will continue to have them search the house for their surprise gift. After they have gone through all of the clues, you hand them each something that they would need for the beach. This is a great way to get the family pumped for their gift and then tell them where you are going for a week.

Keep it a Secret

Another great way that you can surprise the family with a trip to Holden Beach, is you can keep it a secret. Have them pack their bags as if you were going to take a small trip to a destination close to you. This is a great way to surprise them as they won’t be expecting to travel to the beach considering its winter. Not only will it be a great surprise for the family but will get you excited to sneak away from life just for the week.

Gift Under the Tree

Surprising any family member with a vacation to Holden Beach during the winter months, is always fun. You can write on a piece of paper where you’re going and wrap it up in several boxes. They will have to continue to guess what’s in the box and it will be fun for everyone. Be sure to record them as they are unwrapping the gift because seeing their reactions is what every parent wants to see for years to come.

There are many other ways that you can tell your family about the surprise vacation to Holden Beach this winter, but these are the few we wanted to share. If you haven’t booked your Holden Beach rental to getaway for a week to the beach, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family as you get to explore what Holden Beach has to offer in the off-season!

Holden Beach Vacation

Book Your Next Vacation to Holden Beach this Year

October 31, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Are you looking to go on a relaxing vacation the beach but not sure where to go? Holden Beach is a great family vacation spot that many loves to visit year-round. With the warm weather for most of the year and the amount of fun your family can have while vacationing here, it’s the perfect location for all. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep your family close to where the fun is at. Let’s look at a few reasons as of why you need to book your vacation to Holden Beach below.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Going on a vacation where you can explore the outdoors is what many families are looking for. Heading to the beach at any time of the year will allow your family to enjoy the great outdoors. Spending time at the beach building sandcastles with the kids or soaking up the sun sitting watching the kids play. Some other fun things that your family can enjoy are the Shallotte River Swamp Park, go fishing with the Holden Beach Fishing Charter or heading to nearby towns and explore. Rent bikes if you didn’t bring them with you and go on a daily bike ride with the family. There is so much that you can do outdoors with the family when you take a vacation to Holden Beach.

Relieves Stress

For many adults, they head on vacation and yet still bring their work with them. Instead of bringing your computer or work phone with you, leave it at home. You are on vacation and you’re here to relax and enjoy time with the family. Spending time at the beach while you are on vacation can help relieve stress you may have from life at home. Sit back on the beach with a book in your hand, an umbrella to sit under and just let go. Just enjoy your time away from work, school, the kid’s activities and just life at home while you are visiting Holden Beach.

Sunrises & Sunsets

Another great reason that you need to book your next vacation to Holden Beach is the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. While many want to sleep in while on vacation, having younger kids may prevent this from happening some days. Instead, make a pot of coffee and go sit on the deck of your vacation rental and watch the sunrise happen. The sunsets are just beautiful as the sunrises and you can watch them from your vacation rental or watch them with the kids on the beach. Be sure to take a camera with you so you can capture the beauty that you will witness.

While there are many other reasons as of why you need to book a vacation to Holden Beach, these are just a few that we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t booked your next Holden Beach vacation rental yet, now is the time. We hope that your family can get away and come enjoy the beach life here on the island.

local events

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Holden Beach

September 25, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Are you and your family looking to head to the beach this fall to experience what the weather is like? Many families love to visit the North Carolina Southern Coast during the fall months because the weather is still warm enough to enjoy the sand. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep you close to the beach and to where some of the fun fall festivals are happening. Let’s look below at where your family can enjoy some fun at some of the festivals happening around on the North Carolina Southern Coast.

Sunset at Sunset Festival

Head over to nearby town Sunset Beach to experience their very own fall festival. The town of Sunset Beach is hosting a community block party where your family can enjoy lots of food, fun and arts & crafts. This is the 13^th year that the festival has been going on and many locals love heading to it for family quality time. From getting to listen to some amazing music all day to trying new food from many local restaurants, there’s always something for everyone. Don’t miss coming to this fun day being held on October 5^th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in Sunset Beach!

39^th Annual NC Oyster Festival

Don’t miss this year’s annual NC Oyster Festival happening in Ocean Isle Beach this year. This happens to be the 39^th year that they have been hosting it and we can tell you that you won’t want to miss out on any of the fun. On October 19^th and 20^th your family can get to experience this amazing festival that will have lots of fun things for everyone in the family. From listening to live music to eating your weight of oysters there is something for everyone. And don’t go home empty handed as you explore the arts and crafts from the local vendors that will be at the festival this year. Take home one of their treasures to remember your trip to Holden Beach or give as gifts for Christmas this year. No matter what this is a festival you don’t want to miss!

Wilmington’s Riverfest

Coming back for another year is Wilmington’s Riverfest happening by the waterfront in downtown Wilmington. This fun 2-day event is one that many families who live on the North Carolina Coast love to head to every year. From getting to try new foods from many of the local restaurants to getting to watch fireworks like it’s the 4^th of July. We can guarantee that no one in the family will be bored. This weekend long festival will be one that you won’t want to miss with the family. Plus, there will be a street fair, kids’ zone and much more! Just think of heading to Wilmington for the day as you explore the other festivals happening around the area.

Vacationing to the North Carolina Coast during the month of October is fun for the whole family. There is something for everyone to enjoy besides soaking up the sunshine on the beach and it’s fun to explore new places too. If you haven’t made your reservations to get away for a week or even a small getaway, now is the time. We still have plenty of Holden Beach vacation rentals that will keep your family close to all the fun festivals. We hope to see you this fall as you explore and experience what it’s like to come to the beach during the fall months!

Things To Do

5 Kid-Friendly Activities Perfect for the Beach

July 26, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Summer for kids means only one thing, it’s time for the annual trip to Holden Beach. Holden Beach is a great place to take your family vacation every year and get to spend as much time on the sand. Staying in one of our Oceanfront vacation homes will keep you and your family close to the beach. We have a few kid-friendly activities that are perfect for playing on the beach with the family below.

Tic-Tac-Toe Fun

Who doesn’t love a good classic game of tic-tac-toe with the kids? But this game is even more fun when played in the sand. All you need is a stick to help draw the squares in the sand and some seashells that the kids collected from the beach to use as the X & O. What a great game to play with the kids and have a friendly game with them. Think of how much fun they can have with learning how to play the game in the sand!

Musical Towels

Another great activity that can be played on the beach and with the whole family would be musical towels. Have a towel for each member of the family and lay the towels out on the beach in a circle. We also recommend that you bring a small radio or a smartphone with speakers so you can play musical towels. Play just as you would play musical chairs but only on the beach soaking up the sun!

Build Sand Animals

Instead of building the perfect sandcastle build sand animals instead. What a great way to challenge your kids to build their favorite animal in the sand. What you will need to build these beautiful animals in the sand are a bucket, shovel and your kids’ imagination. You can always split into teams and see what family member has made the best sand animal together. What a great way to spend time with the family on the beach where everyone can be in on the action.

Play Sand Skeeball

Have you ever gone to an arcade and played skeeball? This version is a little more fun and entertaining as you are playing in the sand with the kids. You will need to have a small ball that the kids can roll down the sand to go into the holes. Next you want to dig 10 holes into the sand that will be in the shape of a triangle and roll the ball down the “lane”. Be sure to assign each hole with a point value so that you can tally up who won.

Build a Sandman

Since snow is a rare sighting at the beach during the summer, it’s time to build a sandman instead. This is the kid’s version of a snowman but building out of the sand on the beach. Make sure that each child has a bucket and a shovel to help build their sandman. For the eyes and other features that you will find on a snowman you can find right there on the beach. Grab a few shells for the eyes, smile and buttons down the sandman. Find a piece of driftwood for the nose and hands. And finally, if you happen to find some seaweed, use that as the scarf on their sandman. Take a picture with each kid sitting or standing next to their creation and take a picture to help remember the fun they had.

There are many other fun kid-friendly activities that you can do on the beach, but these were a few to share with you. If you haven’t made reservations for your next beach getaway, check out what Oceanfront vacation homes are available. We can’t wait to see you and your family as you make new memories with the few kid-friendly activities listed above!

local events, Uncategorized

Don’t Miss These 4th of July Events

July 1, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that the 4th of July will be here and that means so is your family vacation. Many families love to come to Holden Beach every summer to celebrate the birth of our country with their friends and family. Staying in one of our Ocean Front vacation homes will help you stay close to where the fun will begin. Let’s take a look at what some of the fun things that you and your family can do while you stay with us below.

Ocean Isle Beach July 4th Festival

If your family is looking for a fun July 4th festival then head over to Ocean Isle Beach on Thursday, July 4^th where you can watch the 4^th of July Parade. The parade will begin at 10:00 am and you will be able to see the spectacular decorated floats & golf carts, If you would like to watch the fireworks, head over on July 3rd to the Ocean Isle Beach Pier to view them. Don’t miss the fun that Ocean Isle Beach has to offer you on your next family vacation to Holden Beach.

4th of July in Southport

The City of Southport has an amazing 4^th of July celebration that will begin on July 1^st and ends on July 4^th, 2019. Your family will be able to enjoy several different things such as the Flag Raising Ceremony, Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony and so much more. There will be plenty of things for the kids to do as there will be entertainment, games and even a pancake breakfast. Make this a tradition to visit every year as you celebrate this festival.

Fireworks in Wilmington

If you are looking for a great fireworks show, then head to nearby Wilmington on July 4th. There are several different places where your family can sit down and relax to watch the annual 4^th of July fireworks. One of the best places to sit and watch them would be at Battleship Park. Bring a blanket or towel to sit down and enjoy the amazing display. The firework display will begin around 9:00 pm so come and grab a quick bite to eat and find the perfect spot by the waterfront to watch the fireworks display. What a fun evening to spend in nearby Wilmington with the family.

While there are many other events happening along the North Carolina Coast, we thought you’d enjoy these. If you still haven’t found a place to stay for your vacation, then check out some of these Ocean Front vacation homes today. We hope that your family has a wonderful vacation and a safe 4th of July!

Holden Beach Turtle Patrol

What You Need to Know About the Turtle Nesting Season at Holden Beach

May 14, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Summer may be here for many but did you know that May is the start of the sea turtle nesting season here on the coast? Each year many loggerhead sea turtles come to our shoreline in late spring to lay their nests? And when you stay in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals, your family may get to see a nest or two. Let’s see what you need to know about the sea turtle nesting season here at Holden Beach below.

When Will We See a Sea Turtle Nest?

Here at Holden Beach, we have many volunteers who will begin searching the beaches in hope of finding a loggerhead sea turtle nest. May 1st through the end of October is when your family may get to see a turtle nest. If you are walking at night on the beach, you may find a mother sea turtle laying her eggs in a nest she built. This doesn’t happen just at Holden Beach, but happens along the shorelines in several states.

Help Protect our Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Holden Beach takes protecting our loggerhead sea turtles very serious we would like to continue to make their nests on our coast. Each morning you will see that there are local volunteers who look for a new nest or a turtle who may need help. With each new nest they find, they mark it with stakes, ribbon and even a warning sign to help protect them. It will normally take each nest to hatch around 60 days or so and so they are closely monitored until they do. We do however have a few things that you need to remember while you are on vacation during turtle nesting season:

If you happen to see a sea turtle mother or their nest, please keep your distance from them.
When you are venturing on the beach at night, please leave your flashlights off or if you happen to see a turtle, don’t shine it on them. They use the moonlight to help guide them back to the sea.
Make sure that you bring your beach equipment back to your vacation rental after a nice day at the beach. We don’t want the turtles to get caught in them while they are on the sand.
Please keep the beaches clean from any trash or plastic on the days you spend at the beach. We like to keep our beaches free of trash to help with the new hatchlings as much as we can.
If you happen to see a mother who is in distress, injured or any unmarked nests, please contact the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol today at 910-754-0722.

While there are many other things you can do to help protect the nests and hatchlings while you are on vacation, these are the most important that we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t made your vacation reservations, check out our Holden Beach vacation rentals today. We hope that you and your family will be able to see a sea turtle on your next vacation to Holden Beach!

Summer Concert Series

Don’t Miss the 2019 Holden Beach Concert Series this Summer

April 30, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Have you ever vacationed in Holden Beach during the summer, then you are missing out on some fun! Each year the Holden Beach Concert Series begins at the Holden Beach Pavilion under the Holden Beach bridge. This series offers our guests free live performances by local musicians every Sunday night at 6:30 pm. The series begins on May 26^th and ends on September 1^st, 2019. And when you are staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals, then you will be close to the fun for your next vacation. Let’s look at the line up for this year’s Concert Series below.

2019 Holden Beach Concert Series Lineup

May 26^th – Steve Owens and Summertime
June 2^nd – Carolina Breakers
June 9^th – The Embers featuring Craig Woolard
June 16^th – Blackwater Rhythm and Blues
June 30^th – Jim Quick and Coastline
July 7^th – The Tams
July 14^th – Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot
July 21^st – The Entertainers
July 28^th – Big Time Band
August 4^th – North Tower
August 11^th – Tim Clark
August 18^th – Too Much Sylvia
August 25^th.– The Extraordinaires
September 1^st – The Imitations

Fun with the Family

If you have never attended one of these concerts, then you have been missing out on fun with the family. Here you can dance together and enjoy time outdoors with the ones you love and can just enjoy the live music. There will be refreshments available for purchase during the live entertainment, so if you haven’t eaten dinner yet, there will be a few things there to grab. What a great way to start out your vacation with your family.

If you still have not made your summer vacation reservations to Holden Beach this year, now is the time. We have plenty of vacation rentals that will work for all size families who want to come and enjoy the beach. We can’t wait to see you and your family this coming up season!

Holden Beach

Best Places to Get Coffee in Holden Beach

March 18, 2019 Alan Holden Vacations Leave a comment

Are you and your family going on Vacation to Holden Beach and you are wondering where you can get the best coffee at? We can tell you that we know where the best spots to grab a cup of coffee or two from in the area. Many locals like to get their daily dose of caffeine at these places and we thought that we’d share them with you. If you are staying with us in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals, you won’t be too far away from any of them. Let’s look at our top picks for the best places to get coffee while on vacation in Holden Beach.

Cappuccino by the Sea

Cappuccino by the Sea has been open for over 25 years and is not like any other coffee shop around. Here you and your family can come in, paint some pottery, shop and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea. Fresh coffee is made every morning and afternoon and they serve Columbian coffee. Also, in the summer time while the weather is hot, you can get served cold coffee along with coffee ice cubes. You may notice that if your coffee will get stronger as the ice melts, but for many it only makes the coffee better. They do serve other drinks as well such as Chai Tea, Frappuccino, Lemonade and hot chocolate. Don’t miss this gem on your next vacation to Holden Beach.

Café Ahora

For those days where you just want a nice cup of coffee and munch on a little treat, then we have the perfect location. Café Ahora is located just before you come onto the island on Holden Beach Road. In a quaint location you will be able to find several different coffee options for you to choose from. From a hot cup of coffee to a Cold Brew to even smoothies, there is something for everyone in the family. And treat yourself to a little treat such as a Chocolate Chunk Cookie or a muffin. They also do offer specials for their customers as well which is why many of the locals love this coffee shop.

Jumpin’ Java Espresso

Jumpin’ Java Espresso is located in nearby town, Shallotte and is known to many as to have some of the best coffee around. They offer many classic options such as Caramel Lattes, Americano, Daily Brews and Caramel Macchiato’s for you to enjoy. They also offer cold options and frozen drinks for you to sip on. And let’s not forget about their signature drinks that everyone raves about such as their German Chocolate Cake, Monkey Business, Milky Way and the famous Shallotte’. Jumpin’ Java Espresso also has other drinks such as Hot Chocolate, Italian Soda, and Smoothies for those who don’t drink coffee. Don’t miss this coffee shop while you are on vacation or leaving to go home.

OIB Surf & Java

If you are looking for another great coffee shop in the area, then head on over to Ocean Isle Beach for a different kind of coffee shop. OIB Surf & Java is like no other coffee shop out there are you cannot only get coffee, but you can also shop for surfing things. They are locally owned, and it happens to be a favorite spot for many of the locals to flock to. They do offer different and unique flavors of Lattes and Frappes and for those who don’t care for coffee they have smoothies and tea for you. With so many different options for you to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one. Get a little shopping done while you enjoy your coffee or treat by looking at clothing, surfboards and more. Come check out why the locals love this little shop!

While there are many other options for coffee shops in the area, these are the few we’d thought that you would enjoy. If you are still on the hunt for a place to stay this year for either Spring Break or for the summer, then check out our Holden Beach vacation rentals today. We can’t wait to see you and your family on your next vacation to the area!