What’s New?

Curious about what's new in the always original Carolina Beach? Read about the latest updates, openings and accolades here.

2019 Visitors Guide

CB Visitors Guide 2019

Request your 2019 Visitors Guide

The new 2019 Carolina Beach Visitors Guide is now available. Full of trip ideas for your next getaway, browse accommodations, find dining options and start planning a vacation that's unmistakably Carolina Beach. Request a copy, or view the Digital Flip Book now.

Restaurants

Carolina Smokehouse Logo

Carolina Smokehouse

Step off the Boardwalk and into the Carolina Smokehouse for real pit Barbeque. Venture upstairs to “Topside”, the new rooftop bar and dining area to hear live music in season and take in views of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean.

Friends playing Jenga outdoors at Good Hops

Good Hops Brewing

The island’s only brewery, Good Hops Brewing is growing. Production is expanding with new seven-barrel and 10-barrel fermenters. Visit to relax in the redesigned Tap Room and improved outdoor Beer Garden. Stray out to the attached Disc Golf course where nine new holes have been added.

Lake Park Steakhouse establishment

Lake Park Steakhouse

Carolina Beach has plenty of surf, now Lake Park Steakhouse adds the turf. This classic steakhouse provides an elevated experience alongside timeless dishes including hand-cut steaks, shrimp cocktail, bone-in pork chops and 8-ounce lobster tails. Create your own salad without a visit to the salad bar by choosing from over 30 ingredients and eight homemade dressings on the fill-out sheet. An extensive wine list is accompanied by a rotating bottle selection displayed on each table. Save room for dessert with homemade cheesecakes, key lime pie and crème brûlée.

Salt Fish Restaurant logo

Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Chef and owner, Kirsten Mitchell, brings an eclectic variety of cuisine to Carolina Beach with Salt Fish. Kirsten has achieved many awards and honors, including Food & Wine’s People’s Choice Top 100 Chefs in the Country. Influenced by Caribbean, Polynesian and flavors in-between, patrons can enjoy a variety of smoked dishes and meats, poke tuna, Caribbean 'mac and cheese pie' and more unique dishes packed with island flair. Don't forget to wash it down with a "rummy yummy" cocktail.

Celtic Creamery loaded banana float with yellow fork

Celtic Creamery

The recently opened Celtic Creamery brings authentic Irish ice cream recipe to Carolina Beach. Customers love their creations, like banana splits, ice cream topped doughnuts and hot sundaes.

Attractions

Island Greenway Project sign and pathway

Island Greenway

The new Island Greenway will soon open, resulting in a 1.2-mile paved path that will take pedestrians and bikers safely through town.

Sea Legs Pedal Pub

Sea Legs Pedal Pub at Carolina Beach combines the fun of getting out on the water with a classic pedal pub experience. It’s perfect for special occasions like bachelor or bachelorette parties, birthdays, corporate team building or as a unique activity to do with friends and family. Different cruise options allow you to secure a pedal pub to yourself or simply book a seat and join the fun. Sit at the bar and sip on a drink or two, eventually, you’ll start pedaling through the water while your guide steers the way. This 90-minute ride is BYOB and luckily comes with a motor for extra get up.

Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park has recently installed one acre of a proposed five-acre inshore artificial reef just off the park’s riverfront shoreline. The artificial reef will enhance recreational fishing and create oyster reef habitat in the lower Cape Fear River.

Woman paddling in a yellow kayak at Carolina Beach NC

Paddle NC

Paddle NC now offers half- and full-day rentals of bikes to complement their fleet of standup paddleboards (SUP) and kayaks. Visitors can explore Carolina Beach State Park and other areas of the island. Kayak and SUP tours and expeditions are also available, including a new guided overnight kayak expedition.

Accommodations

Courtyard Carolina Beach Oceanfront Guest Suite with Ocean view and painted shiplap wall

Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront

The Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront recently completed a major renovation and refresh that included all 144 oceanfront guestrooms, meeting and conference rooms, the lobby, front desk, fitness center, on site-restaurant and all public spaces.

Shopping

Seaside Shenanigans store display of goods and products

Seaside Shenanigans Gift Boutique

Shop gifts, apparel and home accessories at Seaside Shenanigans Gift Boutique. The shop recently opened in the former location of Touche on Lake Park Boulevard.

Accolades

	Tripping.com listed Carolina Beach among its roundup of 10 Best Beaches in North Carolina.
	TripSavvy named Carolina Beach one of the Best Family Beach Vacations in the Southeast.
	24/7 Wall St. named Wake n Bake the best doughnut shop in North Carolina in their list of The Best Doughnut Shop in Every State.
	The American Trail Running Association included Carolina Beach as a Featured Trail Town.
	Thrillist.com named The Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar one of the Best Beach Bars in America.
	Coastal Living.com named The Fat Pelican in Carolina Beach as one of The Best Beach Bars in America.
	Britt's Donuts in Carolina Beach ranked 18th in Foursquare's list of Top 20 Donut Shops in America.
	Our State Magazine ranked Carolina Beach's Surf House as one of the 5 Farm to Table Restaurants to Visit in NC.
	TripAdvisor.com recognized Carolina Beach among its list of Affordable Winter Hidden Gems.
	Impulcity.com ranked The Fat Pelican #25 in the list of the 32 Diviest Dive Bars in America.
	The Daily Meal ranked Britt’s Donuts among their top list of America’s 25 Best Donuts.
	Coastal Living named Shuckin' Shack one of the Best Seafood Dives in America.

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