For postcard-perfect long weekends, or full week stays that have exceptional access to indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, and amenities, there's nothing quite like the convenience of a stay at a local hotel or motel. A number of area hotels have been welcoming guests for decades, and as a result, vacationers have come back year after year for the fantastic service and the million-dollar views.
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.
Carolina Beach is easily one of the most popular destinations for campers along the Cape Fear coastline. Home to a collection of top-rated sites that welcome all varieties of campers, this cool vacation spot is perfect for enjoying everything that the great outdoors has to offer. Close to the town’s collection of restaurants, shops, attractions, and stellar beaches, a camping adventure is always a reason to celebrate in this enticing and accommodating beach town.
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.
Nothing beats an ice-cold beverage while relaxing on the beach. Nothing is worse than reaching for an icy drink and finding your cans swimming. Coolers are essential for family days on the sand. A good modern cooler will keep food and drinks fresh for days. In addition to beverages, fishermen rely coolers to keep bait fresh, and hopefully the catch of the day. Walk onto any beach or pier in North or South Carolina and you’ll see a plethora of cooler models and sizes. Cooler technology has advanced rapidly in modern years. Top-end hard-sided coolers can keep ice frozen for a week. Soft coolers are easier for one person to carry onto a beach, but can still keep food cool for days. Cooler materials and price points vary wildly, so we put together this guide with our recommendations for your coastal vacation.
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.
The fascinating galleries throughout this extensive complex encourage visitors of all ages to meet and mingle with their aquatic neighbors, from interactive exhibits to "touch tanks" where patrons can have personal encounters with local bamboo sharks. This all-encompassing approach to maritime education has made the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher one of Carolina Beaches' most popular local attractions, and is a fun day trip for any Coastal Carolina visitor who wants to get their feet wet in the unique and varied wildlife habitats located just offshore.
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 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.
Enjoy a freshwater environment just a block or so away from the beach with a visit to Carolina Beach Lake Park. This public park is centered on the 11-acre freshwater lake, which was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the closest freshwater lake to a major body of saltwater. This unusual feat has produced a sunny and surprising environment that’s perfect for off-the-beach relaxation and entertainment.
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.
The Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, technically known as the "Carolina Beach Fishing Pier Northern Extension" is a fantastic destination for sightseers and anglers alike at the northern edge of Carolina Beach. Bordering miles of undeveloped beaches to the north and small clusters of vacation accommodations to the south, the pier feels deceivingly isolated, which makes it an ideal spot for a peaceful ocean sunrise, or a full, dedicated day of reeling in the saltwater species that can be found in abundance along the North Carolina coastline.
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.
One of Kure Beach’s newest pubic parks is already becoming one of its most popular, thanks to a prime location along the oceanfront, and a host of concerts, shows, and special events that have all been held within its borders. The Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion is home to the town’s largest public green space, and is perched along the oceanfront, inviting visitors to stop by and admire the scene. Fun for big community-wide events and everyday visitors alike, this park is charming both the visitors and locals of Kure Beach.
Visitors can cast off for some exceptional fishing, while enjoying a bit of local history, with a visit to the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. Family owned and operated since it was first built, this unmistakable beach landmark is a fantastic destination for newcomers who want to check out the fishing scene, enjoy a full day at the beach and neighboring restaurants, or just enjoy the ocean views that span the coastline from Carolina Beach to Fort Fisher State Park.
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.
Visitors who want to spend a day off the beach learning something new will find plenty of opportunities in the Cape Fear region. The coastal communities that surround Carolina Beach are chock full of enticing museums, historic sites, and other landmarks that are easy to explore with just a few minutes’ drive. So make the most out of your educational outings, and plan a trip to these destinations where the region’s rich history, culture, and stunning natural landscapes are explored in vivid depth to the delight of museum patrons of all ages.
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.
Though Carolina Beach is a modern vacation destination, with a brilliant array of accommodations, resorts, and attractions, the town has deep roots that span the centuries and which include countless and fascinating stories. From the original Tuscarora Indians to the early waves of vacationers, there’s more than meets the eye in this contemporary beach town. Discover a treasure trove of stories by uncovering the unique history of this iconic North Carolina Beach town.
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.
Life in Carolina Beach revolves around the water, and one of the most popular (and easiest) ways for new visitors to join in the fun is by signing up for a coastal kayaking adventure. With a far-reaching range of ocean waves, river and sound waters, and even a freshwater lake within the town limits, the world is a paddler’s oyster in this hopping beach town. On your next vacation, discover the beauty of the shoreline while embarking on an unforgettable adventure by diving into the always engaging Carolina Beach kayaking scene.
Clean and uncluttered beaches and a remarkable local history combine to make the Fort Fisher State Historic Site one of coastal North Carolina's most treasured barrier island attractions. This incredible locale, just miles away from Carolina Beach, is home to gorgeous stretches of shoreline, thickets of nature trails and live oaks, and the original site of Fort Fisher itself, a relic of the 1800s and an instrumental turning point during the Civil War.
Sandwiched in between the hopping beach town of Carolina Beach and the quiet shorelines of Fort Fisher and the Zeke’s Island Reserve, Kure Beach is a picturesque beach vacation destination that offers a little bit of everything to visitors. Famed for sunny beaches, a quiet atmosphere, and easy proximity to a wealth of attractions and things to do, Kure Beach represents the best of all worlds when it comes to coastal Cape Fear vacations.
Kure Beaches' newest local hotspot is the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion, a small but welcoming local venue that beacons fans of summer farmer's markets, live concerts, and special, private events in a stunning location.
Obviously one of the biggest and best attractions of Carolina Beach is, naturally, the beach, and visitors will find ample ways to access and enjoy this sunny stretch of Cape Fear shoreline. Known for its wide coastline, shallow ocean bottom with traditionally gentle waves, and abundant activities including surfing, shelling, and fishing, Carolina Beach is a true playground for visitors of all ages who can’t get enough of the sand, salt and sun. Before your next vacation, read up on all there is to know about the Carolina Beach landscape so your crew will be well prepared to enjoy the shore. From lifeguarded public access areas to isolated stretches of shoreline, virtually any beach taste - and adventure - can be accommodated in this sunny North Carolina vacation destination.
Military members in need of a beach vacation will find the Air Force Recreation Area in Carolina Beach a welcome home base. A unique mix of cottages, mobile homes, and RV and tent sites, this veritable waterfront resort has a fantastic location and plenty of amenities to make even the weariest military member feel fully refreshed.
Carolina Beach is well-known as one of the best Cape Fear destinations to drop a line, and with good reason. With a host of charter fishing businesses, ample inshore fishing grounds, and miles of Atlantic Ocean facing beaches, there’s arguably a fishing spot everywhere you turn in this small island community. Make the most out of the exceptional waterfront scene, and try your hand at the many ways to go fishing in Carolina Beach. From oceanfront piers to open river waters, the fishing is unforgettable and unbeatable in this corner of the North Carolina coastline.
Visitors to historic Southport who want to make a beach escape, or Carolina Beach travelers who need an easy yet scenic route to head south will find the Southport / Fort Fisher ferry a convenient yet completely unique way to explore the southern North Carolina coastline. Though just a short 35 minute ride from the mainland to Pleasure Island, (the home of Fort Fisher State Park, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach), this ferry trip nonetheless gives its passengers exceptional views of the Cape Fear River, and an incredible story to take back home.
Visitors have plenty of options when it comes to staying in the bustling beach town of Carolina Beach. This coastal vacation destination is filled with local resorts and hotels, smaller motels, and even campgrounds that are regionally renowned as rustic but inviting places to stay. But with that being said, visitors who want to enjoy an extended stay in Carolina Beach – with all the comforts of home and then some – will want to look into securing a vacation rental home. Now one of the most popular forms of accommodations, there are quite literally hundreds of vacation rental properties within the borders of Carolina Beach, providing plenty of options for visitors who want their accommodations to perfectly suit their vacationing style.
With a location that straddles both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, visitors shouldn’t be too surprised to discover that boating rules the scene Carolina Beach. The town is teaming with charter and tour boats, marinas, and ramps for visiting mariners, and as a result, it’s a great place to explore by sea (as well as by land.) On your next vacation, see how incredible Carolina Beach can be from the water’s perspective by checking out all the ways to enjoy boating in the community. With a myriad of options to get out and explore, the maritime life is easy at this perfectly coastal Cape Fear destination.
