Everything You Need to Know About the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Searching for the best things to do in Carolina Beach? It’s tough to go wrong no matter what you decide on. But one thing is for sure: you simply can’t have a trip to Carolina Beach without spending time on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

This fun destination is one of the most popular attractions among guests in our Carolina Beach vacation rentals, whether they’re kids, adults, families, couples, or any other groups. Here’s a sampling of the awesome things you can expect to do when you visit!

About the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Budget Travel recently called the Carolina Beach Boardwalk one of the most awesome boardwalks in America. When you visit for yourself, you’ll understand why! This breathtaking destination has a little bit of everything, from unique shops and restaurants to plenty of active fun opportunities, festivals and concerts in the summertime, and convenient access to the beach. You can truly spend an entire day or more exploring everything the Carolina Beach Boardwalk has to offer!

Things to Do 

If you’re wondering about things to do, you can rest assured that the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is high on the list of best family friendly activities in Carolina Beach. Start off by getting competitive with your crew at the Carolina Beach Arcade, playing all your favorite arcade games to try to win that big prize. Kids and pets are welcome here, where you’ll find games like skeeball, hoops, pinball, and more. You can also bring the kids out to enjoy popular amusement park rides like the carousel and giant slide. 

Of course, you can also try your hand at all the carnival games you know and love. It’s like the arcade, and the County Fair came together to offer one giant center of fun! (One thing to note, though: these attractions are only open from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, so you can visit them if you’re coming in the summertime. If not, you’ll have to plan another trip to experience it all!)

Active Things to Do 

Are you looking for fun activities that keep you entertained and active at the same time? Carolina Beach Boardwalk can deliver. Start off by taking a self-guided bike tour around the area, beginning on the boardwalk and heading through some of the most popular attractions in Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and the nearby Fort Fisher. 

Don’t want to bring your own bike from home? You can rent bikes for the entire family at Pleasure Island Rentals right on the Boardwalk! Not only can you rent your bikes here, but you can get all kinds of other outdoor equipment such as surfboards, kayaks, standup paddleboards, and beach umbrellas and chairs. 

If you want to have some fun in the water and maybe pick up a new hobby, head over to Odysea Surf School to take a lesson from an experienced surfer! All lessons last two hours and are held in small groups to help you make the most of your time on the water. Alternatively, you can head to the Tony Silvagni Surf School to learn from an Olympic gold medal surfer! Tony Silvangi also offers rentals for surfboards, beach equipment, flippers, beach toys, and more. 

Carolina Beach Restaurants

While you’re exploring all the fun attractions of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, you and your crew will probably get a little hungry! You can find plenty of delicious Carolina Beach restaurants no matter where you go in Carolina Beach, but one of the best places to get seafood is right here on the boardwalk, at the Shuckin’ Shack. They offer a welcoming atmosphere that the whole family will enjoy and delicious options on the menu for everyone. (Don’t worry; despite what the name might suggest, they do have more than just oysters here!) Don’t feel like getting seafood? Head into Fentoni’s Pizza for an individual slice or an entire pizza to devour with your family. You can eat it in the restaurant or take it back to your rental at the end of the night. 

The Carolinas have long been known for their delicious barbecue, and you practically can’t have a vacation to Carolina Beach without sampling it for yourself! Visit the Carolina Smokehouse while you’re on the boardwalk to get the most authentic barbecue you can find in the city. If you don’t think you like Carolina barbecue, try the Carolina Smokehouse, and it just might change your mind! Finally, if you want to step back in time and enjoy a simple yet mouthwatering meal with your loved ones, head inside Pop’s Diner and let yourself be transported back into the 1950s. The food is delicious and prepared with care, and the staff simply couldn’t be friendlier. 

Bars and Nightlife

The fun doesn’t stop at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk once the sun goes down. For the adults in your group, there are plenty of fun bars and entertaining nightlife for you to take advantage of. First, the Seawitch Café lets you enjoy live music almost every night during the summertime, as well as unique drink specials you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re looking for a place where you can watch the waves while you enjoy your drink, look no further than Hurricane Alley’s. They couldn’t have a more picturesque location, and the friendly staff will do everything they can to make you feel right at home.

Looking for something that’s a bit off the beaten path? Buzz’s Roost is where you’ll want to go. Even though it’s right on the boardwalk, this bar feels more like a well-kept secret, offering a casual atmosphere with no muss or fuss and just great drinks to enjoy with your friends. Finally, if you’re particularly in the mood for beer, the Fat Pelican is sure to have something for you. They’ve got more than 350 beers on offer and have long been regarded as one of the best dive bars in the country!