Located on the southern part of the NC coast, Carolina Beach is just under four hours from Charlotte and one of our all-time favorite beaches in the area! Like many NC beach towns, it’s located on a barrier island with the ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. Carolina Beach is clean, crowds are wayyyy lower than nearby Myrtle Beach (about 2 hours south), and there’s something for everyone – plus, it’s only about 20 minutes from Wilmington if you need services that only a bigger city can offer. Keep reading for all of our fave things to do in Carolina Beach!

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Best Breakfast in Carolina Beach

If you’ve been to Carolina Beach before, it’s very likely that you’ve been to or at least heard of Kate’s Pancake House – it’s a Carolina Beach institution! The restaurant is small and ALWAYS has a wait, but it’s definitely worth the wait. One of the most popular options on the menu is Kate’s Trio of Pancakes, where you can choose any three flavors. Lexie had the Oreo, the S’mores, and the Boston Cream and was hard-pressed to pick a favorite.

While they’re known for the pancakes, their omelette selection is fantastic with MANY to choose from. I had the Cajun Chicken Omelette – it did not disappoint, and their home fries are probably the best I’ve ever had!

Ellie ordered the Choose Three from the kids’ menu where you can pick any three choices: baby pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries, grits, toast, or egg. She went with baby pancakes and both meat options and gobbled it down. Be aware; drinks are not included with the kids’ meals, so that will be an extra charge if your kiddo wants one.

Best Dinner in Carolina Beach

While I honestly haven’t had a bad meal in Carolina Beach, Havana’s Restaurant is definitely my favorite for dinner.

We started with the Cajun Shrimp appetizer: cajun bacon-wrapped shrimp topped with sriracha aioli served over roasted corn salsa, and it was excellent. I loved every single thing about this appetizer! I also ordered a cup of Clam Chowder (New England, not that gross Manhattan stuff! ????), and it was probably the best I’ve ever eaten.

For my entree, I ordered the French Quarter Pasta: andouille sausage, blackened chicken, shrimp, peppers & onions, tossed in a Creole cream sauce over spinach fettuccini. Oh my goodness, was this delicious! Honestly, every single thing our group ordered was fantastic, from the Cha-Cha Salmon to the Lousiana Mac & Cheese.

Best Pizza in Carolina Beach

Pizza is one of our favorite foods to order when we’re traveling because it’s relatively inexpensive, everyone likes it, and it’s easy to eat anywhere. Michaelangelo’s Pizza has locations in Wilmington and Carolina Beach, and it’s one of our favorite beach lunches.

We had it delivered to the hotel and ran to the lobby to pick it up and bring it down to the beach. Our pizzas were still piping hot by the time we got everything situated and started eating!

Best Late Night Snack in Carolina Beach

Another Carolina Beach institution, Britt’s Donut Shop, has been making donuts in Carolina Beach for over eighty years. The hot glazed donuts are often on the Top 10 Donuts in the US list and for good reason. They’re simple but absolutely delicious and perfect for a late-night snack after a long day at the beach, but make sure to bring cash because Britt’s is CASH-ONLY.

Best Ice Cream in Carolina Beach

There’s no shortage of ice cream shops in Carolina Beach; in fact, there are many on the Carolina Beach boardwalk, but for the absolute best ice cream, you need to venture off the boardwalk and visit Squigley’s Ice Cream and Treats. Their trademarked Squigley® starts with a base of vanilla ice cream and then has 2-3 items (fruits, candies, baked goods) “Squiggled” into a custom flavor using their patented machines. Served in a homemade waffle cone or cup, the Squigley® is ridiculously good and comes in over 4000 different flavor combinations. Squigley’s Ice Cream and Treats is CASH-ONLY but does have an ATM if you forgot to pack cash.

Best Beach Rentals in Carolina Beach

Thank you so much, Tony Silvagni Beach Rentals, for hooking us up with beach chairs and umbrellas! As always, all opinions are honest and my own.

After years of lugging beach chairs and umbrellas to the beach – while also trying to wrangle five kids and their gear – I finally realized that beach rentals are really the best thing ever. You can have chairs and umbrellas set up on the sand and waiting for you when you get to the beach for a really reasonable rate. No lugging gear down and staking out a spot, and no lugging gear back to the car or hotel at the end of the day!

If you’re in Carolina Beach (or neighboring Kure Beach), Tony Silvagni Beach Rentals is your go-to shop for chairs, umbrellas, boards, bikes, surf lessons, and everything in between. Make sure you spring for the MVP special so that they don’t pick up your gear until 7pm (instead of 5pm) – those two extra hours are two of the best since crowds are typically lower and the sun is just starting to set.

Best Non-Beach Attraction (technically in Kure Beach)

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is our pick for the best Carolina Beach area attraction. It’s on the small side as far as aquariums go, but the exhibits are well organized and informative. Most visitors spend about two hours exploring the aquarium though it’s certainly possible to spend considerably more time, especially if you’re going to take advantage of a tour.

You can’t go wrong with a trip to Carolina Beach – it’s the perfect seaside getaway on the southern NC coast.  Have you been to Carolina Beach?? What’s your favorite North Carolina Beach??

Ever since my parents and my sister (+ her fam) moved to North Carolina, we’ve been talking about doing a Girls’ Trip but it’s never worked out. This year, even in the midst of a pandemic, we found a way to make it work and we had THE BEST time spending a few days in Carolina Beach, North Carolina!

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We partnered with Mazda to drive the 2020 CX-9 Signature SUV and I was seriously impressed! There was plenty of room for the six of us and our luggage (I originally wasn’t convinced it would all fit, but it did – thank you, packing cubes!!). Once we got everything loaded up, we hit the road . . . to Starbucks, obv . . . and then to the beach!

Ellie’s car-seat went in easily and she was super excited to have a cupholder in the center console where she could reach it!

Since we’re not really doing the indoor dining thing right now, we got take-out and ate it outside at a closed Chick-fil-A – yay for traveling on a Sunday when Chick-fil-A is closed!

And before long, we arrived at the Courtyard Carolina Beach! It’s just under four hours from our house to the beach so it’s perfect for a long weekend getaway.

The littles broke out the coloring supplies while the adults unpacked and got everything settled. This Melissa and Doug Color-by-Number set turned out to be the favorite- and it was easy for them to share.

Hannah and Ellie made off with the bag of Gardetto’s and enjoyed their snack on the balcony, taking in the beautiful ocean views.

The Courtyard Carolina Beach sits on the Carolina Beach boardwalk so it’s super convenient to not only go to the beach but also to walk to the restaurants and attractions (when they’re open again) on the boardwalk.

Looks like it’s going to be a great day at the beach!!

One thing that I’ve learned after traveling to the beach countless times with so many kids is that it’s so much easier to rent beach chairs and umbrellas at the beach instead of lugging all that gear around! Yes, it does cost a bit more than bringing your own, but I’ve always found it to be well worth the money. Plus, you don’t get a bunch of sand in your hotel room and car from sandy gear.

She loves a good beach day!

While there were others at the beach, people did a wonderful job respecting boundaries and gave a wide berth when walking by or setting up their beach gear.

These two are already making plans to live at the beach when they grow up – it’s most definitely their happy place!

We ordered pizza for lunch and had it delivered to the hotel lobby- and Auntie Janne ran back to the hotel to grab it and bring it to the beach. It was an awesome choice for a physically distant, outdoor meal, and the pizza was still piping hot when we started eating!

Britt’s Donuts is a Carolina Beach institution and we enjoyed them several times on our trip! Our hotel was less than a five-minute walk from Britt’s and hot donuts were the breakfast of choice while we were there.

Back to the beach! We rented boogie boards one day and the kids (both big and little) had a blast with them.

Ellie used one to do some beach yoga. ????

The Island Ice Factory and Italian ice carts were another favorite on this trip and we enjoyed delicious treats from both!

These two girls loved pulling the boogie boards around . . .

And sitting or laying on them while the waves crashed.

Auntie Janne and Lexie were much more adventurous and took the boards out farther!

This trip to the beach was just what we all needed. It was a great break from the monotony of life at home and constantly being stuck in the house. It was a literal breath of fresh air – the salty, beach kind, that’s my absolute favorite, and I’m so glad that we finally had the chance to make our girls’ trip a reality!

On our way back to real life, we stopped to grab a quick lunch in Wilmington.

We originally planned to get our food to-go and eat at a park, or in a parking lot, but they had an open patio area that worked out perfectly.

One of my favorite features of the Mazda CX-9 Signature is the overhead camera view. I’m used to having a back-up camera (and honestly don’t know what I did before I had one!) but the overhead view allows you to see so much more!

Check out this beauty! The Mazda CX-9 Signature is the perfect SUV for a road-trip with the family. It’s not super big but still manages to have plenty of room for 6 people + all their gear – and trust me, we don’t pack that light! ????

I was really impressed with all of the safety features in this crossover SUV: lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring- so many features to help keep your family safe! Plus, with a turbo, this thing is so much more fun to drive than my usual minivan!

Are you team SUV or team minivan?? Let me know in the comments!

Part of the draw of glamping at the yurts at stayNantahala is the proximity to Nantahala Lake, a three-fingered lake in Western North Carolina often considered to be a hidden gem. Located at an elevation of 3000 feet in the Nantahala National Forest, the lake is over 250 feet deep and is one of the deepest in the state.

Thank you so much Lakes End Marina for hosting us- we received a complimentary rental and lunch, but as always, all opinions are honest and my own.

Lakes End Marina is where you’ll want to go to rent a boat and it is super easy- you can do the whole thing online. When it’s time to pick up your rental, stop by their office at the marina, sign a few forms and waivers, and you’re good to go. Rentals are available hourly, by the half-day, by the day, or by the week and they truly have something to fit every need.

The kids enjoyed playing cornhole on the lawn while I got everything set up. We were the only people out there but I imagine that the marina can be a lively place to hang out when restrictions are not in place.

We rented a pontoon boat for the afternoon (230pm-630pm) and it was the perfect amount of time for our family. The staff at Lakes End Marina was phenomenal and gave us a quick boating lesson before we headed out. In North Carolina, boating licenses are required if you were born on or after January 1, 1988, and since that didn’t apply to any of the adults in our group, we were fine without a boating license.

They have a variety of boats at Lakes End Marina and given the current COVID-19 situation, they’re paying extra attention to high touch point areas when they clean the boats. We rented a 12-passenger pontoon boat and it was plenty of space for us to spread out, and speedy enough to pull everyone around on an inflatable tube!

Pulling out of the marina and ready for a fun afternoon on the waters of Nantahala Lake. Life jackets are included and children 12 and under are required to wear one at all times.

It was an overcast afternoon- we were keeping our fingers crossed that the rain would stay away. With a high in the low 70s, I was concerned that the kids would say the water was too cold to get in (especially with the lake depth!) but I didn’t hear a single complaint!

Nantahala Lake is absolutely breathtaking and I can see why it’s considered a hidden gem- the water is very clear and the surrounding hills are covered in trees.

We found a secluded cove and stopped to enjoy our late lunch from the Lakes End Café– and boy was it delicious!! Lexie LOVED the Cobb Salad and proclaimed it one of the best she’s ever eaten!

Ben and I split the Turkey Club Wrap and Buffalo Chicken Wrap (with a side of buffalo wings!) and both were exceptional- I honestly don’t know which one I liked more!

The sandwiches/wraps from Lakes End Café were hearty and well-made- perfect for enjoying out on the water.

After our delicious lunch, it was back on the water where the kids took turns out on the inflatable tube.

Not being a boater, I was slightly concerned that a pontoon boat wouldn’t go fast enough for the kids to get a thrilling ride, but I was totally wrong!

Ben and Hannah took at slow at first, but then Hannah kept wanting to go faster and faster and faster!

The kids have now added a pontoon boat to the family Christmas list… I think we’ll stick with renting from Lakes End Marina for awhile though!

Cruising around Nantahala Lake was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon and so different than our usual packed days of traveling. It was nice to be able to unwind and enjoy each other’s company as well as enjoy the beauty of the lake.

Even Grandpa got out there for some tubing fun!

Hannah is such a daredevil! After riding once with Ben, she was pumped up and wanted to do it all by herself- and had a blast!

Even though she’s a year older, Ellie is more risk-averse than Hannah, and enjoying a fruit cup from the safety of the boat was more her speed.

Mmmm… I’m still dreaming about the Banana Pudding from Lakes End Café. Some of the best I’ve ever had!

All in all, it was a perfect day at the lake for our family. Four hours was long enough that we were able to explore most of Nantahala Lake and the kids all got several turns on the inflatable, but not so long that people were starting to get bored or needed a bathroom break. The kids are already talking about going back and renting one of the lakeside cabins and getting a boat for a week, and I totally support that idea! There’s a waterfall on the southern end of the lake that I want to hunt down next time we visit.

Things to Remember at Lakes End Marina

• Reservations are necessary and they do book up several weeks in advance so make sure to reserve your boat online or by phone (828) 321-3001.
• Life jackets are included with your rental- kids under 12 need to wear them at all times.
• Pick up a picnic lunch from Lakes End Café and Grill before you head out- you won’t regret it! And don’t forget to get dessert, too!

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Given the current COVID climate and the fact that all of our summer plans were canceled (no big road trip, no camps, no nothing), I wanted to find somewhere that we could get away for a few days while still maintaining our distance from others. I know lots of people are camping this summer since you can ensure that you’re not around people, and while the kids are outdoorsy- in that they go to summer camp every year- I am not the biggest fan of camping. I mean, I enjoy being outside, and I LOVE campfires, but I’m not a fan of sleeping on the ground, or not having running water (or a/c!), or bugs. But glamping? I can totally get behind that! Did you know that there are quite a few places to go glamping in North Carolina?!

Thank you so much stayNantahala for hosting us- we received a complimentary stay, but as always, all opinions are honest and my own.

With just a little research, I found these fantastic yurts at stayNanatahala near Nantahala Lake and surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. They’re less than four hours aways away from our house just north of Charlotte and PERFECT for a long weekend of glamping in North Carolina!

After a beautiful drive through the mountains, we pulled up, and I was shocked at how gorgeous the setting was. I mean, I’d seen pictures on their website, but the view far exceeded my expectations: flowers were in bloom, and everything was so GREEN!

There are four separate yurts on the property, and each one comfortably sleeps 4. Each yurt has a huge deck overlooking the creek and a PRIVATE hot tub! We were traveling with my parents as well as my sister and niece and reserved three of the four yurts.

Every yurt has a full kitchen with everything you could possibly need (a full-size refrigerator is to the right of this picture). There are place settings for four plus a wide range of pots, pans, cookies sheets, measuring cups, sharp knives, etc. I was surprised to see that each kitchen also has a Keurig AND a regular coffee maker, and we definitely took advantage of both.

The master bedroom has a queen bed, a full dresser, a flat-screen tv on the wall, and a private balcony. I wondered how the bedrooms would work given the domed ceiling, and while the bedroom walls don’t go all the way up to the top, they do offer privacy but not a ton of noise reduction. It worked fine for our families, but we never had all three TVs on at once or anything like that.

The other bedroom has two twin beds and another wall-mounted flat-screen TV and is perfect for the kids in your family.

The bathroom was gorgeous- I want a shower like that in my house! With yurt glamping, there’s no running to an outhouse in the middle of the night; everything you could possibly need is right inside the yurt! Not pictured: the washer and dryer right outside the bathroom just in case you need to do laundry while you’re traveling!

The yurts are located at the convergence of Otter Creek and White Creek, and while all four yurts offer the same bedroom configurations and private hot tubs, each location is slightly different. Yurt #1 is Tranquil Haven, and it definitely has a secluded and private feeling. Yurt #2 is called Otter Creek, and it shares a community fire pit (stayNantahala even provides the firewood!) with Tranquil Haven. This one is across the creek in the picture above and is probably my favorite location of the four.

Yurt #3 is Creekside Cove, and it shares a community firepit with Yurt #4 Spring Ridge. Each of the four yurts has its own propane fire pit and charcoal grill (remember to bring charcoal and lighter fluid, though grilling tools are available). There is a dog run next to Spring Ridge, so it’s perfect for families traveling with pets!

The kids loved all of the big rocks lining the parking area- they honestly spent hours climbing around and playing on the boulders!

We were pleasantly surprised to find board games in the cabinet below the TV. We packed (and played!) a few of our own, but the kids had a blast playing Checkers and Chess and created elaborate competitions.

We all really appreciated the space in the yurt. When traveling with kids, it’s essential to ensure that everyone can get away a little bit and have some time to themselves. I was impressed with the use of space in each yurt, and each one felt much bigger than I’m sure it really was.

The creekside location was ahhh-mazing. We all were lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing water each night, and it allowed us to all sleep later than we expected. Because the yurts have a skylight at the top of the dome, some members of our group (Dad… I’m lookin’ at you!) were concerned that they would be up with the sun at 6am. Even though the rooms did start to get light, no one in our group was up before 8am, and I really think it has everything to do with the sound of the creek!

The kids (and adults!) loved having a hot tub on the deck of each yurt! At the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than relaxing in the hot tub and enjoying the sounds of the creek rushing by. We rarely take advantage of the hot tub when we’re traveling at a hotel because they’re often too hot for the kids, and I can’t enjoy it kid-free after they go to bed. With a private hot tub, we could control the water temperature and keep it cooler for the kids and could use it after they were in bed since it was right outside the yurt- totally a win-win!

This is Yurt #2- Otter Creek and my personal fave! I can’t wait to come back in the fall and experience this with fall color! Can you imagine a more peaceful setting?

After a fun day on Lake Nantahala, we returned to the yurts and made s’mores over one of the propane firepits. While a real wood campfire is always my preference (and there were two wood-burning firepits fully stocked with wood), propane is so much quicker!

We started the fire, and in no time, the whole family was circled around the firepit, making sweet s’mores with sticky fingers and faces.

This little one sure does love her s’mores. She stayed out by the fire long after everyone else retreated inside the yurts for showers and bedtime!

We had a fantastic few days at the stayNantahala yurts, and I honestly cannot wait to go back again. It was the perfect escape from reality, and we were able to spend time together but safely away from others.

Things to Remember at stayNanatahala Yurts

• StayNantahala provides nearly everything you need! Linens, towels, dishes + cooking supplies, washer/dryer, central air conditioning, and heat are all included.
• Check-in is at 4pm, and check-out is at 10am, and it is completely contactless. Before arrival, you will get a key code for the lockbox on the back deck of your yurt, and that’s it- you’re good to go!
• Cleanliness has always been important at Lakes End, but due to COVID-19, there is definitely increased attention to disinfecting high-touch surfaces. stayNantahala is following all CDC guidelines regarding disinfecting and cleaning, and we found each of the yurts to be very clean.

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