~Bella’s Life on the Island~

“Walkable Neighborhoods” in Carolina Beach

What a great description for Pleasure Island, North Carolina, “Walkable Neighborhoods”.  When I speak of Carolina and Kure Beaches I strive to convey the feeling of this island and the phrase “walkable neighborhoods” is perfect in its simplicity. 

Carolina Beach is a place where people gather on their porches after dinner or take a walk around the Lake and say, “good evening” to passers by.  It is a neighborhood in the sense that you know those people who live beside you.  In fact, they collect your newspaper or mail and pull your trash can to the curb when you go out of town.  

While the shore is full of vacationers down on the beach, the peace of my neighborhood remains constant just a few blocks back from the mayhem of traffic and limited parking.  I casually walk or ride my bike to work to avoid fighting these daily summer time battles.

Walkable?  Most definitely! If you want in on the action, just a few blocks away is  our historic boardwalk.   Carolina Beach is home to one of the few remaining boardwalks on the East Coast.  No bikes or cars allowed, pedestrians only. In “season” it is similar to the atmosphere of a carnival midway.  Just the smell of the salty air mixed with the donuts frying brings back childhood memories of many summers past.

A cacophony of hungry seagulls compete for  french-fries from a friendly tourist.  The noise they make barely heard above the bells and whistles from the arcade games.  What “fairground food” is your guilty pleasure?  It is sure to be found here.  Choose from corn dogs, hot dogs, pizza or oyster po’boy sandwiches.  There is fried seafood, chowder and burgers.  If a sweet treat is your desire donuts, ice-cream, sno-cones and homemade fudge are sure to please. 

Family friendly activities are plentiful with miniature golf, bike rentals, bumper cars, and shopping.

 Nightlife on the boardwalk abounds.  There are karaoke bars, outdoor music at the Gazebo, weekly fireworks and beach bars. It is a fun spot for people watching on a hot Saturday night. You can walk the boardwalk to the ocean for a moonlit stroll or to the central business district where you can dine, shop and find more nightlife. 

After being ravaged by hurricanes and years of neglect, the boardwalk is undergoing a revitalization once again. Perhaps not as vibrant as in its’ hey day of the 40’s and 50’s, but still a grand reminder of a simpler time and the easy pleasures at the beach.

I am happy to have found the website “Walkable Neighborhoods” who is hosting the most recent Carnival of Cities. I found the Carnival through thesandiegobeat.com. The title of the topic was  just too fitting not to brag about my favorite place, Pleasure Island NC.

I hope to see you strolling around the Boardwalk!

~Bella~