Carolina Dreamin' was one of the first murals I saw as I entered the cute boardwalk area of…read moreCarolina Beach. This colorful piece of public art is painted on the side of a coffee shop called Crush & Grind (which is equally great; see my separate review for this cafe). This mural was painted by Jason Parker, a North Carolina-based street artist / muralist. He created it in the fall of 2020. According to basic internet research that I just did, the artwork is supposed to conjure images of Carolina Beach's brilliant sunrises, the native flora in the dunes and the surfers who are eager to catch an early morning wave. I feel like it does that! It's definitely giving beach boardwalk.

The Boardwalk was beside our hotel and a short stroll. We were sad to see the iconic Ferris wheel…read moreby the Boardwalk was taken away. Despite the cold weather and construction, it was good to see the beach and walk the boardwalk that morning. Most of the businesses were closed and we spent very little time there. Still a nice walk.

There were rides set up at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk -- the kind of rides that you'd see at a…read morecounty fair -- but we visited in the morning and they weren't operating. It's all good, though, because we didn't want to ride them anyway! The rides just added a nice festive touch to the atmosphere. We mostly visited the Boardwalk for one thing: Britt's Donuts, which is a Carolina Beach staple. (And which I go into more detail about in my review for Britt's, so go read that, if you want.) When we visited, the shops were just opening (some wouldn't open for a couple of hours), and there was a nice, lazy feeling to the boardwalk. We grabbed a cup of coffee and hot chocolate at Crush and Grind, and walked around with our hot bag of donuts while looking at the murals all around the boardwalk. We parked across the street from Crush and Grind, at a dirt lot that requires you to pay to park. I imagine that parking becomes hard to find when it's busy, but we had the parking lot to ourselves when we visited.

This mural -- titled Marine Magic -- is located on the side of The Dive Food & Spirits in Carolina…read moreBeach. You really can't miss it: It is huge (about 50 feet) and colorful, and it's one of several beautiful murals that have been painted all along this area of the beach town. Marine Magic was painted in 2021 by Raman Bhardwaj (aka artistraman), a muralist, painter and illustrator in North Carolina. According to the artist's website, he has painted lots of murals all around the state and beyond. He's very talented! This piece of public art is just one example of his skills. The mural depicts marine animals with lots of bright blue and neon colors. There's a sea turtle, jellyfish and shark on the mural. The artwork really gives off a beachy vibe, which is appropriate considering this area is by the beach!

When I came across the Tribute to Carolina Shag mural while I was visiting Carolina Beach, it…read moreinstantly became my favorite. There are many murals in this area of town, but this one was notable to me because of one thing in the mural: white loafer dress shoes, which look almost exactly like the kind of shoes my late grandfather used to wear. Was my abuelo a fan of the Carolina Shag? Or maybe just cool old guys who like dancing also like penny loafers? I'll probably never know the answer to these questions. This piece of public art is a celebration of Shag dancing and a tribute to Malcom Ray "Chicken" Hicks, who, according to my brief internet research, was a member of the Shaggers Hall of Fame and one of the people who invented the dance known as the "Shag." Chicken helped introduce R&B music to Carolina Beach in the 1940s, and was active in getting young people involved in shagging. Yeah, baby. The mural was completed in 2023 by graffiti artist JEKS (aka Brian Lewis), a self-taught member of the street-art scene in Greensboro, N.C. Knowing this info about the artist makes me love the mural even more, because I love street art and especially people who make street art without formal training. This artwork is incredible. It's located on a south-facing wall of a storefront on Lake Park Boulevard, so you should go admire it yourself in you're in the Carolina Beach area.

I have taken several projects to Skip for framing and the quality and attention to detail is what…read moreyou would expect in a big city, not a beach town. I had to get some frames replaced and Skip made recommendations that helped save me some $. I then purchased a print of a local mural and Skip matted and framed my newest piece of art within a week. I will trust all my future framing/ matting projects with Skip. This is also more than just a framing store. If you are looking for local art and gifts, check out Tip Top Frame. Local artists have their work displayed in the shop- everything from modern to traditional beach art, small gifts and great Carolina Beach souvenirs.

I have had Skip frame numerous pieces over the years and have always found him to be very…read moreprofessional. If I don't have a clear vision for the piece, Skip makes helpful suggestions and I've never been disappointed with the results! I also find his framing prices to be very reasonable. Tip Top is definitely my go-to for all my framing needs. I have even found some delightful art from the vendors he carries!

We love this place. Came tonight for the food truck and the place was PACKED . Great outdoor…read morepatio that's dog friendly. This inside and outside are cute. They have games.for kids also that is why so many kids are here

Nice folks, good beer, frustrating disc golf but fun anyway. Thanks! Being outside is great!read more

We visited Historical Fort Fisher Visitors Center but we didn't walk around outside because it was…read moreso cold only 52 degrees and sunny w high winds. The museum visitors center is lovely and full of Information and free to visit with bathrooms on both floors, a Souvenir shop and hands on touching for the kids along with a scavenger hunt!! The kids and even us adults thoroughly enjoyed!! Definitely recommend!!

Tucked into one of the few true corners of the United States, Fort Fisher sits at the southern tip…read moreof North Carolina where the land reaches into the Atlantic. Built by the Confederacy to protect Wilmington and support blockade runners, the fort fell in January 1865 after a fierce Union assault by land and sea. Known as the 'Gibraltar of the South,' Fort Fisher was the most strategically vital seacoast fortification in the region, guarding the mouth of the Cape Fear River and serving as the last major supply line for the Confederate army. Its massive earthen walls, bombproof shelters, and 47 guns were constructed with the labor of hundreds of African Americans and Native Americans, but despite its strength, it could not withstand the final Union offensive. Today, the Fort Fisher State Historic Site offers a quiet, windswept glimpse into that turbulent past. Only a few of the original mounds remain, softened by time and erosion. The grounds are peaceful, with views of the river and ocean that once made this site so strategically important. The story of sacrifice, resilience, and transformation continues to echo across the dunes. We did not visit the museum today. The monument at Fort Fisher State Historic Site is a solemn granite tribute honoring the Confederate defenders who fought and died during the battles of Fort Fisher in 1864 and 1865. The monument is a tall, rectangular granite shaft set on a stepped base as part of early efforts to commemorate the site, long before it became a formal state historic site. [Review 1359 of 2025 - 4478 in North Carolina - 24911 overall]