Ultimate Guide to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
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by Sea Scape Properties
- August 12, 2024
- Blog
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The Carolina Beach Boardwalk will be your gateway to fun this vacation. It’s one of the last remaining vintage North Carolina boardwalks. However, the shopping, dining, and activities on it will make it one of the most exciting areas in CB.
It’s time to get the scoop on how to ride the iconic Ferris wheel, who has the best donuts in town, and boardwalk events you don’t want to miss. This will be your ultimate guide to a good time on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.
A Brief History of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The Carolina Beach area has always been sought after. Fort Fisher was strategically built nearby, which also caused conflict during the Civil War era. A few decades later, after its reputation as a war site diminished, Carolina Beach became a must-visit destination on the Carolina coast.
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk was one of the earliest attractions along the beach. It was first constructed in 1887, around the time major hotels and train transportation arrived in the area. While many boardwalks in North Carolina were removed and destroyed over the years, this boardwalk received a major renovation during the 1990s. It represents a resurgence of Carolina Beach as a top beach destination in the Carolinas and preserves one of the beach’s key landmarks.
With leisure, shops, dining, and beach access, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk remains a top-visited attraction for tourists in Carolina Beach.
Visiting the Carolina Beach Amusement Park
- 1 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- cbboardwalk.com
- Hours: Daily 1pm-11pm
Enjoy family-friendly fun at this oceanfront amusement park. You’ll get the lights, sounds, smells, and thrills of a classic amusement park in a beach town setting. The centerpiece of the park is the Giant Gondola Ferris Wheel. It’s 10 stories high, reaching a height of 100+ feet overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Other popular rides are the Tornado, the Music Express, the Super Shot Drop, and a merry-go-round. Bring the kids for rides like Bumper Cars, The Sea Ray Pirate Ship, and the Wiggle Worm.
Between rides, you can play fun carnival games, such as putt-putt golf, skee ball, and shoot the target. If you’re good enough, you can even win prizes!
We know you can’t wait to run and jump in line for your favorite ride. Stop by the ticket booth before to ensure you have enough tickets to ride. Rides cost between 2 and 3 tickets per ride, and packages are available for purchasing bulk tickets.
Here are the 2024 Carolina Beach Amusement Park Ticket Prices:
- Single ticket – $2
- Econo Pack (18 tickets) – $30 (save $6)
- Family Park (27 tickets) – $45 (save $9)
- All-You-Can-Ride Matinee (daily between 1-5pm) – $30
You can also purchase various snacks to nibble on in the amusement park.
- Lemonade stand with different slushy flavors
- The Hot Spot Diner Food stand – general carnival treats including hot dogs, nachos, Italian and Polish sausage, burgers, tenders, chili cheese fries
- Sweet Treats – funnel cakes, fried dough, cotton candy, fried Oreos
- CB Snow Cones – snow cones, dole whips
Game in the Carolina Beach Arcade
- 103 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaBeachArcade/
- Hours: Daily 10am-10pm
What’s a vintage boardwalk without a retro arcade? The Carolina Beach Arcade is an iconic feature on the boardwalk that lets kids game and win prizes.
The arcade features popular games to win tickets for prizes. Get a handful of tokens and see how many tickets you can earn before the tokens run out. Spin the wheel for the jackpot, shoot basketballs in the net, or race wacky cars against a friend. Trade in your tickets for fun prizes. Pick from your favorite candy to games to toys.
Watch live performances on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Pavilion
- 1 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk Pavilion is a hub for live entertainment. It frequently hosts live concerts featuring local and touring bands. Check the calendar (https://carolina-beach.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/events/music-concerts/) for the latest bands performing on the pavilion stage.
The pavilion hosts concerts seasonally. Summer is a popular time for concert series. One of the best things about shows at the pavilion is that they’re free! So, grab a seat or gather around and delight in an evening of tunes.
Accessing Carolina Beach via the Boardwalk
The boardwalk is your gateway to the sandy shores of Carolina Beach. It’s located on the South End of the beach with several beach access points. Walk the boardwalk to reach pathways leading to the sand. Two popular access points are Harper Access and Hamlet Access.
Visitors entering the beach via these access points will be near a public restroom and beach shower facilities.
Shopping and Dining on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is a vibrant hub of local restaurants and shops, offering a diverse range of dining and shopping experiences. Visit and let your senses guide you to the best spots!
Popular restaurants on the boardwalk
- Sunny Daze Smokehouse
9 Pavilion Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Fenton’s Pizzeria
9 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Pop’s Diner
104 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Uncle Vinny’s Pizzeria & Ristorante
1012 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Shuckin’ Shack
6 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Malama Cafe
108 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Best Treats
- Britt’s Donut Shop
13 Boardwalk, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Latella Gelato
11 Boardwalk Avenue, Suite 110, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Celtic Creamery
201 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- The Fudgeboat
107 Carolina Beach Avenue N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats
208 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Best bars on the boardwalk
- Hurricane Alley’s
5 Boardwalk, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Fat Pelican
8 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Buzz Roost
8 Pavilion Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
https://www.facebook.com/BuzzsBeach
- SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Crush & Grind
7 Harper Ave, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
https://www.facebook.com/crushandgrindinc/
Must-visit shops on the boardwalk
- CB Surf Shop
209 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Seaside Shenanigans Boutique
201 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Carolina Surf Brand
11 Pavilion Ave S Unit 2, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- The Beach Shop
3 Boardwalk, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Annual Events on the Boardwalk
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is the perfect location to host some of the most popular annual events happening in Carolina Beach. Clear your schedule because you don’t want to miss any of these events.
- Boardwalk Blast (Every Thursday during the summer season)
The weekly fireworks are a highlight of visiting the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. They’re part of the Boardwalk Blast, held every Thursday during the summer. This weekly event features live music on the pavilion starting at 6:30pm. Jam to the music while waiting for the Fireworks by the Sea to begin at 9pm.
It’s one of the most exciting days to spend on the boardwalk and will be great for people-watching.
- Carolina Beach Music Festival (June)
https://www.pleasureislandnc.org/carolina-beach-music-festival.html
More than 2,000 people flock to Carolina Beach for a massive music festival in the sand. Watch a lineup of performers playing live on an oceanfront stage. The sand turns into the dance floor. And plenty of food and drinks keep you going all day.
- Island Arts Festival (May)
https://islandartscouncil.net/island-arts-festival
A multi-day art fair showcasing works by more than 100 local and national artists. Art is displayed in different galleries and venues near the boardwalk. In addition to looking at art, the festival promotes engagement with kids’ arts and crafts, live art, and performances.
- Santa by the Sea (December)
https://www.facebook.com/Xmasbythesea/
Welcome Santa and the holiday season to Carolina Beach during this winter event. Come down and meet Santa to tell him what you want for Christmas. Make holiday crafts to decorate your vacation rental. Giddy up with pony rides. And there’s plenty of cookies and hot chocolate to go around!
- New Year’s Eve Celebration
Ring in the new year with fireworks over the ocean. The event will have music, food, and a special beach ball drop.
- Seasonal concerts series
Check the events calendar to find seasonal concert series’ happening at the pavilion throughout the year.
Vacation Rentals Near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk area is the most popular for tourists. Between the beach, shops, and events, there’s always a reason to go down to the boardwalk to see what’s new. We have several Carolina Beach vacation homes (Carolina Beach Vacation Homes) near the boardwalk. You’ll enjoy a cozy stay within walking distance of one of the best areas in Carolina Beach.
