Maybe you’ve been discussing a girls trip for a few years or perhaps it’s a last-minute whim. No matter the case, this list of the top things to do in Carolina Beach for your weekend girls getaway will help you plan the most memorable and unforgettable time during your visit. We hope you have a great trip!
1. Yoga on the Beach
Head on over to Salty Dog for a yoga, barre, or pilates class. This quaint studio offers yoga classes on the sand on Wednesday mornings at sunrise-ish. Check out the full schedule of classes here. The tranquility of yoga mixed with morning sun and salty air… amazing!
2. Rent A Golf Cart
To get to the beach in style, rent a golf cart! Despite NC Cottages offering stays within a few minutes walk to public beach accesses, sometimes it’s nice to just ride! Nothing says vacation more than your hair blowing in the 10 mph wind with sand on your feet! As if you need more convincing, think of walking home from the beach after a nice day in the sun, and relaxing as the golf cart pushes you to your next destination. Icon Golf Cars seems to have the best bang-for-your-buck in terms of cart rentals. Have fun!
3. Go Kayaking
If you and your girls are the sporty type, hit the water on kayaks! Kayaking provides a unique perspective of the intracoastal waterway that you wouldn’t be able to see from the beach. There are several different options accommodating any amount on the water; starting at one hour and up to a full day. Work out those arms and enjoy the marshy view!
4. Run/Walk in Carolina Beach
If you’re staying at one of NC Cottage’s Airbnbs, the Carolina Beach Lake provides a 0.7 mile loop only a few blocks away. After a lap or two, you can head to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk or onto the sand at Atlanta Public Beach Access or Driftwood Public Beach Access. Another option is to really lace up those running shoes and head down Lake Park Blvd South. This road alternates between having pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and a bike lane to walk in. It meanders through Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher before ending in a roundabout at the Federal Point Boat Launch. This route is just over 6 miles one way and will give you the complete Pleasure Island tour– perfect for you marathon trainers!
5. Bike Riding
If a 12 mile run isn’t your style, how about a bike ride? Check out Pleasure Island Rentals for daily and/or weekly bike rentals. They also offer a variety of other rentals to meet all your beach needs! From chairs and umbrellas to beach games and sports equipment. If eBikes are more your speed, we’d recommend iRide CB. Starting at $25/hour for an eBike, you can get all the beautiful views without breaking a sweat.
6. Britts Donuts
What’s a girls weekend without sweet treats? The options are plentiful when it comes to ice cream, donuts, and treats in Carolina Beach! If Britts Donuts isn’t your first stop, change course immediately! If you’re coming in the off season, well you’ll just have to come back again! This is a famous local favorite that only specializes in fried glazed donuts. They are perfect. If cake donuts are more your thing, go to Wake N Bake. They’ve always got new flavors and specials going on. In terms of ice cream, you’ve got options: Squigleys, Celtic Creamery, and Latella Gelato (not ice cream I know but still in the realm of cold, sweet treat). You really can’t go wrong with any of these options! Truly!
In terms of pastries, breads, cookies, and muffins– your best bet is to head to the Carolina Beach Farmers Market where local vendors come together on Saturday mornings from 8:00am-1:00 pm to offer vittles to the community. The market only happens during the summer season though so if you and the girls will be in town after September, we’d recommend The Veggie Wagon. The Veggie Wagon is a local gourmet grocery store on the south side of the Carolina Beach Lake that whips up delicious baked goods daily. You’re often greeted with wafts of glorious breads and cookies fresh out of the oven upon entering the endearing market that also features a hot chocolate bar, beer, wine, and cider on tap, and outdoor seating. You can also typically find plenty of vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options here. This spot is truly a gem!
7. Late Nights
What’s a girls weekend at the beach without a margarita? The island offers plenty of locations to grab a drink with your best girls- The Veggie Wagon (mentioned above) offers a laid back post-beach drink vibe that you can stop by on your way back from the beach, still totally sandy. The Fat Pelican, another local favorite, is a Carolina Beach famous dive bar with a walk-in cooler and eclectic decor. The BARge is a new floating bar on the north end of CB that offers a space for a nice afternoon drink literally on the water. If you’re looking for live music, your first stop is SeaWitch Tiki Bar, a laid back restaurant and bar offering $5 margaritas on Thursdays and beer buckets. For a more relaxed atmosphere, Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar is a restaurant and bar on a pier, offering beautiful sunset views and breezes. For beer on tap and a disc golf course, Good Hops Brewing is woman-owned and operated brewery that frequently has events like trivia, local vendors, and run club.
A Place for Everyone
No matter what you do during your girls trip to Carolina Beach, you’ll be in the company of your girlfriends so it’s bound to be a blast! Enjoy!!
