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Top 10 Things to do in Carolina Beach

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Carolina Beaches Guide

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Carolina Beach Scenic Spots

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Kure Beach Guidelines

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Carolina Beach Rules & Guidelines

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Vacation Rental Homes

Vacation Rentals

Visitors are often surprised at the number and variety of weekly vacation rentals throughout the area.. Vacation rentals are, in fact, an increasingly popular accommodation available to vacationers, and visitors will find that the sheer number of rentals available allows them to find an ideal retreat to fit their crew, from quiet condo complexes to brightly colored oceanfront sand castles.

Southport River Walk

Southport River Walk

The Historic Riverwalk in Downtown Southport will quickly introduce newcomers to the waterfront scene in this coastal community, and will surely instill a newfound appreciation and overall enthrallment with this scenic laid-back region.

  • Southport
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Driving on the Beach - Cape Fear and Brunswick Islands

Driving on the Beach - Cape Fear and Brunswick Islands

The coastline of North Carolina is unique in that beach-goers have ample opportunities to explore the shoreline from the comfort and convenience of a 4WD vehicle. From the northern Outer Banks along the Virginia state border to the sunny beach towns that border Wilmington, visitors will find that there are plenty of options when it comes to cruising the coast.

Southport Pier and RIverwalk

Southport Pier and RIverwalk

Cap off a leisurely day of exploring Southport with a scenic walk along the waterfront, courtesy of the Southport Pier and Riverwalk.  Located on the edge of Howe and Bay Streets, and therefore easy to reach for veritably any Downtown Explorer, this scenic walk is a great place for fishing, birdwatching, or just settling into a wooden bench and admiring the miles of open water views.

  • Southport
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Carolina Beach Shelling Guide

Carolina Beach Shelling Guide

Whether you hit the sand close to home, or plan an extensive shelling expedition to one of the outlying island destinations, shelling can be an incredible Carolina Beach adventure that certainly pays off. Easy to enjoy in your own backyard or via a boat trip to an isolated shoreline, visitors who adore beachcombing will find themselves right at home at this coastal destination that has miles of beaches to explore.

Bald Head Island Lighthouse - Old Baldy

Bald Head Island Lighthouse - Old Baldy

It's hard to confuse the Old Baldy Lighthouse with the other Carolina lighthouses that guard the Eastern Seaboard. The unique structure has undergone some interesting natural and manmade changes during its nearly 200 year lifespan, but many visitors believe that the unique structure, the aging exterior, and the long history only adds to the overall charm. A must-see local attraction for day trippers and weeklong vacationers alike, the Old Baldy Lighthouse is easily one of the most interesting and admired sites throughout all of Bald Head Island.

  • Southport
  • 910-457-7481
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Ocean Isle Beach Park

Ocean Isle Beach Park

The newest attraction to hit Brunswick County is the much anticipated Ocean Isle Park and Amphitheater, a 58 acre park which is located just off the barrier island on the mainland, on Old Georgetown Road. While the facilities feature a world of every-day fun for outdoor lovers, the star of the park's landscape is the incredible outdoor amphitheater, which is poised to welcome musical guests and evening shows throughout the summer season.

  • Ocean Isle Beach
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Top 10 Things to do in Carolina Beach

Top 10 Things to do in Carolina Beach

There’s a reason why the Carolina Beach area is historically known as “Pleasure Island.” A favorite destination for generations of vacationers, this coastal town is more than meets the eye, thanks to an array of activities and things to do that are sure to appeal to everyone in the vacationing party. Make sure your upcoming Carolina Beach vacation is the best it can be by including these top things to do on your travel agenda. From ocean waves to cool hiking trails, there’s miles of fun to be found at this wonderfully entertaining coastal destination.

Southport Marsh Walk

Southport Marsh Walk

Nature lovers who want to take an in-depth and self-guided exploration of Southport's wild terrain can take an easy stroll down the "Marsh Walk." This long boardwalk that begins along Brunswick Avenue on the edges of the busy downtown ends, essentially, in the middle of nowhere, with incredible views of the Cape Fear River, Elizabeth River, and miles of the waterfront terrain that defines Southport as a uniquely coastal town.

  • Southport
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Rainy Day Activities near Carolina beach

Rainy Day Activities near Carolina beach

Even in a vacation destination as sunny as Carolina Beach, an occasional rainy day can still arise to put a momentary break on the shoreside fun. But just because a visitor has to leaves the beach doesn’t mean that the vacation fun has to end. There are a myriad of cool attractions and activities in and around the Carolina Beach area that are crowd-pleasing destinations for visitors of all ages, regardless of the weather.

Top 10 Attractions at Carolina Beach

Top 10 Attractions at Carolina Beach

Though arguably best known for its beaches, Carolina Beach is brimming with fantastic attractions for visitors who know where to look. From classic boardwalks, to freshwater lakes, to remote island reserves, there’s a lot to discover both on and off the local beaches. Make the most out of your next Carolina Beach getaway, and ensure that these top 10 attractions are on your upcoming vacation agenda. Enticing for visitors of all ages and interests, these destinations will have your family eager to plan your next escape to this iconic Cape Fear beach town.

Best Beach Carts 2021

Best Beach Carts 2021

For families travelling to the beach, or fishermen carrying tackle/coolers, a beach cart can be the best purchase of your vacation. These carts feature extra-wide wheels to move across soft sand, even when loaded. Carts are often built for specific scenarios, so think about the gear you’d be putting on your cart before making a decision.

Carolina Beach Educational Activities

Carolina Beach Educational Activities

Though Carolina Beach is arguably best known as a fun-filled vacation destination, hence the well-earned nickname “Pleasure Island,” both the town itself and the surrounding Cape Fear area are fine spots to pick up a little area education. From remote island destinations that are prime representations of the local coastal habitats, to cool museums and historic residences where the local history comes to life, there’s a lot to discover in this culturally rich section of the North Carolina coastline.

Masonboro Island Coastal Estuarine Reserve

Masonboro Island Coastal Estuarine Reserve

Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear Coastline in between the bustling towns of Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, the Masonboro Island Estuarine Reserve is a unique slice of undeveloped and natural barrier island shoreline that’s an important habitat for countless coastal species. Hard to reach but wonderfully isolated, visitors who make a trip to this literal deserted island will be rewarded with great shelling, beautiful landscapes, and miles of beaches to go around.

  • Wrightsville Beach
  • 910-962-2998
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Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park

Visitors who want to take a break from Carolina Beaches' busy surfside scene, and instead enjoy its acres of wild, undeveloped territory, can pay a visit to the sprawling Carolina Beach State Park.

  • Carolina Beach
  • 910-458-8206
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Carolina Beach Rules & Guidelines

Carolina Beach Rules & Guidelines

Carolina Beach is well known for its miles of enticing shoreline that attract surfers, swimmers, fishermen, beachcombers, and everyday folks who just love to spend their days on the sand. But before you go, you may want to brush up on area guidelines, rules and regulations, and safety tips to ensure that your beach getaways are as stress-free as possible. The following guidelines will help you celebrate your beach vacation to the fullest, while enjoying a safe atmosphere for your family, and everyone else on the shoreline.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Enjoy miles of pristine beaches, salt marshes, and scenic views in every direction with a visit to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Located just south of Kure Beach, and renowned for its 6 miles of undeveloped shoreline, this sunny beach destination is one of the most popular state parks in North Carolina, and offers miles of fun around every corner.

  • Kure Beach
  • 910-458-5798
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Best Beach Toys for Summer 2021

Best Beach Toys for Summer 2021

Here is a list of some of our favorite beach toys for kiddos. We gravitate to unique, high-quality toys that inspire creativity. Some of these toys are classics, and some add a twist.

Activities for Kids near Carolina Beach

Activities for Kids near Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is a paradise for kids! Filled with sunny beaches, summertime activities, and plenty of great eats and good times, kids will never be bored at this town that deserves its longstanding name of “Pleasure Island.” Make your upcoming Carolina Beach vacation simply unforgettable for the youngest members in your family by ensuring that these top activities for kids are on your vacation agenda. From amazing new adventures to educational explorations that make learning a joy, these activities, attractions, and time-tested things to do will make any Carolina Beach vacation shine for visitors of all ages.

Crystal Coast Map

Cape Fear & Brunswick Islands

  • 1. Sunset Beach
  • 2. Ocean Isle Beach
  • 3. Holden Beach
  • 4. Oak Island
  • 5. Southport
  • 6. Bald Head Island
  • 7. Kure Beach
  • 8. Carolina Beach
  • 9. Wilmington
  • 10. Wrightsville Beach
Beau Rivage Golf & Resort

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort

  • Website

Enjoy the best activities that Cape Fear region has to offer – from sunning at the local beaches to sneaking in a quick 18 holes – with a visit to the Beau Rivage Golf & Resort. Located along US Highway 421, and close to both the nicely desolate Masonboro Island and the popular Carolina Beach activities, this resort features enough amenities and diversions, both on-site and in the neighborhood, to keep all family members happily entertained.

  • Wilmington
  • 910-392-9021
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Brunswick Islands Visitors Guide

Cape Fear & Brunswick Islands Visitors Guide

Smithfield's Chicken N Bar-B-Q

Smithfield's Chicken N Bar-B-Q

  • Website

For over 30 years, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q, has focused on creating an enjoyable dining experience for our customers.At Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q, we strive to be the best host. From the moment you walk through the door, you are our guest. Our staff personally delivers hot and fresh food right to your table, refills your drink, and even takes care of discarding your trash. Our goal is for you to relax and enjoy the nostalgic décor and music. Let us serve you.There are currently 36 locations stretching from the NC coast to the Piedmont with plans of expansion. This would not be possible without our loyal customers.We invite you to come join us. Dine in, take home or go through the drive thru.

  • New Bern
  • 252-636-2398
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    • Morehead City
    • 252-247-7476
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    • Wilmington
    • 910-794-8280
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    • Wilmington
    • 910-686-4175
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(More Locations)
Victory Beach Vacations

Victory Beach Vacations

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Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.

  • Carolina Beach
  • 910-458-0868
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Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Carolina Beach Boardwalk

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is the place to go for family-oriented or even late-night fun after a sunny day on the beach. Noted as one of the top 10 boardwalks in America by Food & Wine magazine, this classic oceanside boardwalk features a full host of shops, amusements, restaurants, and nightlife for visitors of all ages to explore.

  • Carolina Beach
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Kure Beach Guidelines

Kure Beach Guidelines

Situated just south of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach is a haven for vacationers who appreciate a more relaxed beach atmosphere that’s still close to all the big attractions that the Cape Fear region is famous for. Well known as a quiet town with a lot of charm, it’s not unusual for most visitors to spend the bulk of their time lounging along Kure Beach’s miles of shoreline.

Carolina Beach Surfing Guide

Carolina Beach Surfing Guide

Like a number of hotspots along the Cape Fear Coastline, Carolina Beach is a favorite destination for East Coast surfers. Only rivaling only its neighbor to the north, Wrightsville Beach, in terms of local popularity for southern North Carolina surfers, this beach town features a wide range of beaches to choose from, as well as traditionally gentler waves in the summer months that are great for beginners. As a result, visitors who’ve always dreamed about the surfing lifestyle – or who just wanted to see what all the fuss is about - will feel right at home at this vacation destination where daily life revolves around the beach.

Southport Waterfront Park

Southport Waterfront Park

While Downtown Southport has an ample supply of wide front porches to take a load off and enjoy a breeze, many longtime visitors attest there's no better place to relax than the Southport waterfront Park.

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Wilmington Riverwalk

Wilmington Riverwalk

The Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington is a showstopper of a stroll that is a distinctive attraction all its own. Originally conceived in the 1980s as a way to generate more interest and tourism to the Cape Fear River waterfront regions of Wilmington's historic Downtown, today the Riverwalk encompasses a full mile of scenic boardwalk, hugging the borders of the riverfront, and providing visitors with endless views and easy access to some of the Downtown's most beloved attractions.

  • Wilmington
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