04 November . 2021
Carolina Beach Day Trip
While Riverlights is around 20 minutes from Wrightsville, we are even closer to Carolina beach. We wanted to help you plan another day trip, so you can get away for a bit, without going too far from home.
7am- Grab your coffee, your breakfast, and head to the beach!
Wake up and head to Carolina Beach, the closest beach to Riverlights. Before you dip your toes in the sand, make sure to stop and grab some caffeine and breakfast at Malama Café. This café has a great drink selection such as lattes, cold brew, americanos, and tea. Their breakfast menu is delicious as well, and they provide vegan and gluten free options so there is something for everyone. Not a fan of coffee? They have a wonderful array of fresh smoothies and acai bowls as well. After picking up your order, it's only a short walk to the ocean where you can watch the sunrise and get your day started.
9am- Once the sun is up it’s time to get moving!
With all that energy from your coffee, breakfast, and the sun, put it to use! Head over to Pleasure Island Rentals and have a day of fun in the water. They have a great selection of surfboards, kayaks, paddle boards, water skis, and other water sport rentals. If you’d like to stay on land and bike around the beach, they have bikes for rent as well. Want more of a lazy beach day? Pleasure Island even offers rentals for all your beach day essentials such as umbrellas, chairs, coolers etc. However you decide to spend your day, this is the place to get all your supplies.
12pm- Lunch time!
After all that fun doing watersports or getting a tan, it’s time to grab some lunch! Head on over to Hang Ten Grill, a cheap and family-friendly restaurant where there is something for everyone. They have an array of delicious food ranging from salads, sandwiches and burgers to fresh locally sourced seafood and yummy cocktails.
2pm- I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
Lunch on a hot day would not be complete without some ice cream. Luckily Carolina Beach has got you covered with southeastern North Carolina’s most famous ice cream parlor, Squigley’s! The building was constructed as a home in the 1930’s and went on to become a beach boarding house for tourists. Finally, in 1994 it became the beloved Squigley’s. Their ice cream and cones are delicious, and they even have sundaes, milkshakes, malts, and banana splits.
3pm- Take a walk on the boardwalk.
While you are in Carolina Beach for your day vacation, make sure you explore the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Here you’ll find not only restaurants and bars, but also tons of shops, boutiques, live music, an arcade, and sometimes even fireworks at night! There is so much to do, and it was even named one of the USA’s most fun boardwalks. There is also easy access to the ocean if you decide you want to take a dip again before dinner.
6pm- Looking for dinner with a view?
Once you are done walking the board walk, or swimming in the ocean, it’s time to grab some dinner. What’s a day trip without a delicious dinner and a waterfront scenic view? The Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar provide both. This restaurant has views of the shoreline, and a beachfront bar. Their menu is a delicious selection of seafood, appetizers, and cocktails. It’s a wonderful spot for friends and family, and to end your trip watching the sunset.
8pm- End your night right!
Dinner is done, but not ready to go home yet? Grab one last drink at Fat Pelican bar. This bar was voted the #1 dive bar in North Carolina and made the top 25 of all dive bars in the USA. This bar was opened in 1986 and is still going strong, it is also a favorite among the locals. It has a walk-in cooler with over 350 beers, and a wonderful wine selection. They have arcade games, foosball, and a spacious outdoor area where you can sit, enjoy your drink, and wrap up your trip.