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Carolina Beach, North Carolina

The liveliest town on Pleasure Island — a real boardwalk with real rides, a century of history, and a Civil War battlefield at its southern edge. About 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington, lively and boardwalk-centered, best known for The Boardwalk, Fort Fisher, and the murals.

What to Do

Explore a self-guided or guided tour of 16+ murals scattered around town — "Marine Magic," "Carolina Dreamin'," and "Summer on the Boardwalk" among them.

The Boardwalk

All summer, The Boardwalk runs street food, carnival games, and rides — the centerpiece is the Giant Gondola Ferris Wheel, ten stories tall, with the ocean laid out below it once you're at the top. Weekly live music and fireworks, plus guided historic walking tours, run through the season, and the Boardwalk Pavilion hosts touring and local bands through the summer.

Attraction

Federal Point History Center

Covers the Colonial period through World War II with original documents, paintings, and memorabilia — a solid rainy-afternoon stop.

Museum

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

At the southern end of the island, marks the largest land/sea battle of the Civil War — walk the scenic trail past the remains of the South's largest earthen fort, past a restored palisade fence and a reconstructed 32-pounder seacoast gun at Shepherd's Battery.

Historic site

Where to Eat

Hang Ten Grill

Next to Carolina Beach Lake Park — surf-inspired plates with Southern ingredients, like fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese alongside local shrimp and softshell crab.

American

Stoked Restaurant

A dock-and-dine favorite at the marina. Order the Captain's Fish Sandwich or the Stoked Up Island Tacos.

Dock & dine

Gulfstream Restaurant

Family-owned since 1978, breakfast and lunch only (6am–2pm) — classic American breakfast, brunch, and seafood.

Breakfast & lunch

Britt's Donut Shop

A Boardwalk institution since 1939. Glazed, hot from the fryer, nothing else on the menu — and that's the point.

Donuts
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Best Time to Visit

Peak summer gets you every ride running and the Boardwalk at full energy, but it's also the busiest stretch. Late spring and early fall trade a little of that buzz for shorter lines and easier parking, while still leaving the Boardwalk, the murals, and Fort Fisher fully open.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Carolina Beach from downtown Wilmington?
About 20 minutes by car.

What is Carolina Beach best known for?
The Boardwalk, which dates back to the 1890s, along with Fort Fisher and the town's 16+ murals scattered throughout Carolina Beach.

When's the best time to visit?
Peak summer gets you every ride running and the Boardwalk at full energy, but it's also the busiest stretch. Late spring and early fall trade a little of that buzz for shorter lines and easier parking, while still leaving the Boardwalk, the murals, and Fort Fisher fully open.

What is Fort Fisher State Historic Site?
It marks the largest land/sea battle of the Civil War, at the southern end of the island — visitors can walk the scenic trail past the remains of the South's largest earthen fort, a restored palisade fence, and a reconstructed 32-pounder seacoast gun at Shepherd's Battery.

Is Carolina Beach good for families and groups?
Yes — it's the liveliest of the area's beach towns, boardwalk-centered and popular with families and groups, with carnival games, rides, a ten-story Ferris wheel, and weekly live music and fireworks in summer.

Where to Stay

Hand-picked homes on Pleasure Island.