Located between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, Holden Beach is a charming oceanside town known for its relaxed energy and family-friendly vibes. Spanning roughly eight miles of shoreline, Holden Beach is one of the barrier islands that make up North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Spend lazy days pier fishing, shell hunting, dining on iconic, Calabash-style seafood, and savoring spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Sandwiched halfway between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington along the Intracoastal Waterway, Holden Beach is one of coastal North Carolina’s quieter barrier islands . It’s an easily accessible, uncrowded alternative to some of the region’s busier beach destinations. It’s also a place I know well. Growing up in West Virginia, I spent one glorious week in Holden Beach every summer with my family. The moment our station wagon tires hit the Holden Beach Bridge, we could hardly contain our excitement. You won’t find high-rise resorts or flashy neon signs here, and that’s part of the appeal.…