Locals and tourists weigh in on the best things to see and do at Carolina Beach

Andy Argenio has lived in Carolina Beach for 10 years. He currently works at iRide Carolina Beach, an electric bike rental shop across from the boardwalk.

Originally from New York’s Catskill Mountains, he said Carolina Beach feels like home.

“Carolina Beach is such a great spot,” he said.

He said the beach’s proximity to Wilmington and its plethora of local events means that there’s always something happening.

One of the most popular events is Carolina Beach's Thursday night fireworks.

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Argenio said Nollie’s Taco Joint has some of the best food on Carolina Beach, a sentiment echoed by Bry Stevenson and Genevieve Houk, who also work on the boardwalk.

Both Stevenson and Houk work at Fuzz Love, a boutique near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

Stevenson and Houk said that in addition to Nollie’s, El Cazador and Havana’s Restaurant are also some of their favorite restaurants in the area.

They say that the boardwalk is a must-visit spot for those traveling to Carolina Beach for the first time.

“I’d say for Carolina Beach, this is the spot,” Stevenson said.

Houk said she and her friends make the trip down to Carolina Beach from Wilmington almost daily. One of her favorite things to do is go to the local skate park.

Houk, who was born and raised in Wilmington, and Stevenson, who is originally from Philadelphia, say the beach just keeps getting busier this summer, with crowds picking up.

Stevenson said that as the community has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, more activities, like bingo nights and the beach’s popular Thursday night concert series, have returned.

“Seeing all that stuff come back is just really nice,” Stevenson said.

Locals agree that the best thing to do in Carolina Beach is to visit the town's namesake beach and walk along the boardwalk. They say the town has been getting busier as more tourists arrive.

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The tourist take 

Deborah Noel said Carolina Beach is perfect for a weekend trip. A producer and anchor for PBS North Carolina, she hosts NC Weekend, a travel show featuring must-see locations across the state.

“It’s just an ideal kind of place for a quick getaway, especially from Raleigh,” she said.

Vacationing with her family, Noel said she’s been enjoying spending time at the beach, as well as exploring the boardwalk.

“Just listening to the sounds and feeling that water between your toes has just been really nice,” she said.

Noal Smith, of Sanford, said he hates the beach, though he’s enjoyed his trip to Carolina Beach so far.

Vacationing with his daughter, Ellie, and the rest of his family, he likes that Carolina Beach has something for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s like a new mini vacation every day,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do at Carolina Beach: Locals and tourists weigh in