As a North Carolina native, I had only visited Carolina beach once before spending a winter weekend there. David and I took a winter escape to the beach for the weekend with Winston and Gizmo, and had such a wonderful time at this beach. Carolina Beach offers a vintage seaside boardwalk, a brewery, the best burger in North Carolina, a community lake, plus a gorgeous beach. While Carolina Beach is perfect to visit any time of year, I am especially fond of the beach during the off season. Here are the best things to do in Carolina Beach NC on a winter weekend getaway!
This article was originally posted in December 2021 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2025.
The Best Things to Do in Carolina Beach on a Winter Weekend Getaway
Things to do in Carolina Beach – Where to Eat
Stoked Restaurant
Credit: Stoked Restaurant
We got in later than we expected on Friday evening, so we ordered take-out when we were getting close to the house from Stoked. A few friends highly recommended this restaurant, and we really enjoyed it! I imagine an enjoyable evening on the deck during the warmer months, watching the boats come in. I ordered a blackened mahi sandwich with Mac & cheese and David ordered the maple chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. As a surprise, I added a bottle of one of my favorites, Mumm Brut, to our delivery to kick off our weekend!
Stoked Restaurant is at 313 Canal Dr, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
North End Cafe To-Go
We enjoyed this place so much that we went both days for breakfast. You cannot beat one of their breakfast sandwiches on an everything bagel! They have a great coffee selection, too. It is also a great little bodega if you need to pick up any items before heading out on the beach.
North End Cafe to Go is at 901 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Island Burgers & Bites
Perhaps the most recommended place for us was Island Burgers & Bites, located in a gas station. Do not sleep on this! It is hands down the best burger in North Carolina. I always order my burgers the same for comparison sake: a bacon cheese burger with lettuce, mayo, and mustard. Island Burgers candies their bacon (seriously!) and their fries are equally as good. It’s a must-try spot while on your beach vacation!
Island Burger & Bites is in the Sunoco Station at 111 Carl Winner Dr St, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Hang 10 Grill
Credit: Hang 10 Grill Instagram
After a long day of exploring the island, David and I opted to get take-out and relax around the house. We ordered take-out from Hang 10 Grill and it was delicious! David got the buffalo chicken tenders with fries while I got the chicken quesadilla. This is a great, casual dinner spot beside the Carolina Beach Lake Park.
Hang 10 Grill is at 308 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Things to do in Carolina Beach – What to Do
Good Hops Brewery
Good Hops Brewing is a great neighborhood craft brewery with a tap room, beer garden, and a disc golf course. This brewery is woman-owned and woman-brewed and features an 18-hole disc golf course. It is a perfect spot for enjoying an afternoon. There are heaters & fire pits in the beer garden, which are great for a chilly afternoon.
Good Hops Brewing is at 811 Harper Ave, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar
The Tiki Bar at the Ocean Grill is where the remnants of the Center Pier are, which was destroyed in Hurricane Fran in 1996. Located in the Golden Sands Beach Resort, the Tiki Bar is a fun spot for a drink with gorgeous views and offers a limited lunch and dinner menu from the Ocean Grill. The Ocean Grill offers a variety of dining options with places to watch the waves and enjoy Carolina Beach. Check their website for Tiki Shows, live music hosted on the pier.
The Tiki Bar at the Ocean Grill is at 1211 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
The Veggie Wagon
The Veggie Wagon is the cutest spot to pick up fresh, local produce! It serves as a local market with sandwiches, grab-and-go salad options, take-and-bake pizzas, beer, wine, and an organic coffee bar. It really is a delightful spot that has a little bit of everything!
The Veggie Wagon is at 608 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Carolina Beach Board Walk
Our Air BnB was close to a beach access, so we took advantage of a very empty beach and walked down to the Tiki Bar. Later in the day, we explored the vintage Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Despite the off-season, several shops and restaurants were open, and we enjoyed checking out some of the spaces on the boardwalk. That evening, we had a happy hour drink at Hurricane Alley’s on the boardwalk and experienced the early set up of Christmas by the Sea (for more on North Carolina holiday traditions like this one, check out this article).
Carolina Beach Boardwalk is at Carolina Beach Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Carolina Beach Lake Park
We took a leisurely stroll around Carolina Beach Lake with the boys before heading out of town. During the holiday season, Carolina Beach Lake Park is transformed by thousands of twinkle lights, making for a delightful holiday scene.
Carolina Beach Lake Park is at 400 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Carolina Beach Mural Project
Carolina Beach Mural Project is a non-profit organization that celebrates Carolina Beach’s rich history through Public Art. Enjoy the murals while touring around town!
Carolina Beach State Park
Make plans to check out Carolina Beach State Park, home to Venus Flytraps, unique carnivorous plants, and a maritime forest. Carolina Beach State Park is a perfect plan to enjoy a leisurely afternoon, whether paddling the Cape Fear River, or hiking one of the trails in the park. Carolina Beach State Park is home to Sugarloaf Dune, a historic site dating back to the Native Americans who settled the area and used it as a lookout.
Carolina Beach State Park is at 1010 State Park Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Honorable Mentions
- The Island Greenway is a network of off-street trails, parks and scenic areas linked together with designated bike/pedestrian routes on our existing streets. The routes have been chosen for their safety, beauty, and convenience. See the map of the island greenway system here.
- Fort Fisher State Park features a historic site, four-wheel drive beach access, and an aquarium, making this a perfect spot to check out based on your interests, especially if you are staying in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
Things to do in Carolina Beach – Where to Stay
The Captain & Ginger Air BnB
Our Air BnB is an absolute delight. It is spacious, featuring three bedrooms, one with 2 bunk beds, one with 2 queen beds, and one with a king-size bed. It has an abundance of outdoor porches, both on the front, double porches on the back, and ocean views from the rooftop deck. I could not get over how comfortable the bed was, and the main room had a large soaking tub. I loved that it was decorated for the holidays, and so did our little elves.
I cannot recommend a stay here enough. I love a stay at the beach in the off-season, and this place has everything to feel cozy. Be sure to check this out for a family vacation spot no matter the season as it has everything you will need in a vacation rental. The hosts are quick and responsive and super helpful with great local recommendations.
For more North Carolina travel experiences, check out this page featuring the best of North Carolina travel!
Thanks to Allen & Ginger from the Captain & Ginger Air BnB for hosting us! As always, all opinions are my own.
Check out this map featuring all the best things to do in Carolina Beach.
Shop the Things to Do in Carolina Beach in the Winter
