Carolina Beach Unveiled: Your Next Family Adventure Awaits!
Are you looking for a family-friendly beach vacation spot? Look no further than Carolina Beach! This North Carolina coastal town offers the perfect opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. After driving over the bridge, you’ll arrive on Paradise Island, including Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The area is easily navigable and has a nostalgic feel that transports you back in time. With activities such as sunbathing, nature exploration, and savoring delicious seafood dishes, there’s something to keep everyone entertained and well-fed! Let’s explore some of our favorite things to do in Carolina Beach and the surrounding areas!
Explore the Boardwalk
The historic Carolina Beach Boardwalk offers a variety of fun things if you’re looking for an adventure without getting your feet wet! Filled with souvenir shops, you can find unique gifts and memorabilia. The arcade provides fun for the entire family. Britts Donuts have been famously making just one kind of donut since 1939; they are only open seasonally and very famous, so expect a line of donut lovers! Ice cream shops are always a big highlight with Pelican’s snow cones or Latella’s Gelato; your crew won’t be disappointed with the options.
Soak up the sights and sounds of this vibrant beach town boardwalk while enjoying a yummy meal or seafood dinner, as you will find many restaurants with an ocean view. You will find our favorite sushi takeout place, Cherry Blossom, on the boardwalk and The Shuckin Shack Oyster Bar, a local favorite within a block. You will also find an amusement park with rides, a Ferris wheel, and games designed for the young and old. The boardwalk often has concerts and activities year-round to bring families together and have fun!
Nature adventures: Freeman Park Recreation Area
Freeman Park Recreation Area is the quintessential southern North Carolina beach, featuring breathtaking sunsets over the inlet, expansive beaches, ideal waves for ocean kayaking or surfing, exceptional fishing, and excellent treasure hunting. This beach is one of Carolina Beach’s famous attractions as it’s among the few beaches in NC where you can drive your 4X4 vehicle. With that added convenience, you can pack all the necessary gear without manual hauling. Bring your family for a memorable experience at one of Carolina Beach’s most cherished and distinctive shorelines. The town does require permits to park on the beach, and daily passes range from $30-50, depending on the season.
Carolina Beach State Park
Explore the beauty of Carolina Beach State Park with its nine hiking trails and one biking trail, perfect for a family adventure. The easy terrain of these trails offers stunning views of the surrounding area, so make sure to bring your camera! For those seeking a unique experience, don’t miss out on Flytrap Trail, an enjoyable hike featuring carnivorous plants that can eat bugs – a sight worth seeing!
Children can participate in various activities at the park, including guided programs, community service projects, the Eco Explore program, and hiking. These activities earn acorns for the children, and upon collecting 20 acorn points, they can receive the park’s Junior Ranger patch. We know you will enjoy this beautiful state park’s stunning vistas, water views, and wildlife sightings.
Mike Chappell Park
Mike Chappell Park offers a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. Nestled beside the CB greenway system, this park is ideal for biking, hiking trails, and observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Parents can relax nearby on a bench with a book or engage in conversations with locals while their kids explore two playgrounds. For those seeking more physical activity, there are basketball courts and two tennis & pickleball courts (don’t forget to bring your equipment!). Soccer and baseball fields are also available for those who need space to play. The park bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. Additionally, Mike Chappell Park boasts a Skate Park that caters to beginners and advanced skaters alike. Lastly, don’t forget about the dog park – the perfect place for your furry friend to run free and play!
Fishing
Carolina Beach is a prime fishing destination with abundant inshore grounds, oceanfront piers, and many beaches. To fish in Carolina Beach, including the ocean beaches, anglers over 16 years must have a Coastal Recreational Fishing License, which can be purchased online or at a local tackle shop. Anglers near Carolina Beach can expect to catch various fish depending on the region they fish in. Inshore/ICW fishing offers drum, striped bass, trout, flounder, and more. Surf/oceanfront fishing yields mackerel, drum, bluefish, and occasional tarpon. Offshore fishing provides big sport fish like marlin, sailfish, and game fish such as tuna, mahi-mahi, and more.
Fishing piers are perfect for family outings as they offer a fun and safe environment for children to learn about fishing while enjoying scenic views. Carolina Beach’s pier extends 700 feet into the ocean with an on-site bait and tackle shop, grill and snack bar, game room, restaurant, and full ABC permit for alcohol refreshments. Kure Beach Fishing Pier is another option located south of Carolina Beach with amenities such as a tackle shop, grill, and arcade with pool tables but no alcohol service. You can experience unbeatable fishing family adventures in this charming North Carolina community!
Conclusion
Carolina Beach is the perfect destination for families seeking enjoyable beach vacations. With activities suited for relaxation and adventure, there’s something special for everyone in your family. Carolina Beach offers everything from lounging on the pristine beaches and swimming to exploring open water fishing or browsing local shops on the boardwalk. Discover your new favorite vacation spot!
We warmly invite you to experience a rejuvenating stay at one of our wellness-focused vacation rentals in Carolina Beach, NC. Our properties are designed to promote health and well-being, offering various amenities and features supporting healthy living. From organic cotton bedding and non-toxic cleaning products to yoga mats and meditation spaces staring at the water on our decks, we’ve thoughtfully curated every detail to ensure you have a truly restorative vacation experience. Book your stay today:
Airbnb: Horizon 360 & Pelican View
VRBO: Horizon 360
VRBO: Pelican View
Expedia: Horizon 360
Our mission is to empower families with the knowledge and resources necessary for a safe, non-toxic, enjoyable vacation experience.
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