Brinley & Jeff Christner.In 1887, Capt. John Harper started taking people from Wilmington to Carolina Beach for the day on a ferry named Passport. “After the second year, it was such a popular route that he had to pull a passenger barge behind the ferry boat to accommodate more people,” says Brinley Christner of Tasting History Tours. “It’s been a tourist destination ever since.” photograph by Matt Ray Photography
Brinley and her husband, Jeff, started their tour company to share the often-overlooked history of Carolina Beach, highlighting how events ranging from the Civil War to natural disasters have shaped the beachfront town. Now, Jeff, a high school math teacher, and Brinley, a mortgage loan originator, spend summers and weekends during the off-season sharing bite-size pieces of history — and bites at local restaurants — on their two-and-a-half-hour walking tours.
“There aren’t a lot of old buildings, so you don’t necessarily see the history,” Jeff says. “It’s easy to forget that someone came here 100 years ago, and that’s what we want to share: Carolina Beach has a lot of history.”
Britts Donut Shop. The homemade glazed doughnuts here have earned local and national accolades, so it’s no surprise that lines extend down the boardwalk from the moment the iconic shop opens full-time on Memorial Day. “The doughnuts taste so good when they just come out of the fryer,” Brinley says.
Grab a bag of sweet, glazed delights at Britts Donut Shop. photograph by Millie Holloman Photography
Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats. Start with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and choose up to three toppings, including fruits, candies, chocolates, pretzels, nuts, and pie pieces — then watch the magic happen as the ingredients are “squiggled” into a custom-blended ice cream flavor.
The Fudgeboat. More than 40 flavors of homemade fudge are displayed in an old boat that washed up on the beach during a hurricane. For a real treat, Brinley suggests ordering a scoop of homemade ice cream with melted fudge drizzled over the top.
Good Hops Brewing. An old glove manufacturing plant turned brewery pulls pints of flagship beers like Boardwalk Brown Ale and Flip Hop IPA. Grab a bite from one of the food trucks parked on-site and play a game of disc golf out back.
Havana’s. Built in 1916, the beach cottage that now houses this laid-back seafood restaurant is one of the oldest structures on the island — and, Jeff says, “one of the most happening spots” in Carolina Beach. In the summer, snag a seat on the patio to watch fireworks explode over the boardwalk on Thursday evenings.
The Dive Food & Spirits. From the outside, The Dive looks more like a dive shop than a scuba-themed restaurant. The fish tacos take top billing, but Jeff calls the burgers the best on the island. Order the classic cheeseburger, or opt for something a little different, like the avocado burger.
The Fat Pelican. “The Fat P” has been called the No. 1 dive bar in North Carolina. Grab one of more than 400 brands of beer stocked in the walk-in cooler and pop the top on the sand-covered patio, where the colorful hull of a boat looks like it washed ashore.
The Veggie Wagon. What started as a roadside fruit and vegetable stand has evolved into a gourmet market that stocks homemade pickles, pimento cheese, baguettes, jams and jellies, and other fixin’s for the perfect beach picnic.
Shop local at the Veggie Wagon. photograph by Matt Ray Photography
CB Surf Shop. Located one block from the beach, this expansive shop is the place to rent a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard to get out on the water. No plans to hit the waves? Brinley suggests stopping in for a Carolina Beach T-shirt as a souvenir.
Island True Value Tackle & Hardware. This hardware store is a central gathering place for anglers looking for tackle, bait, coolers, and other fishing essentials. The staff can also coordinate fishing charters.
Carolina Beach State Park. This park boasts 761 acres of pristine natural habitat that Brinley calls “a hidden gem on the island.” Native wildflowers and longleaf pines are abundant along the half-mile Flytrap Trail, and the carnivorous Venus flytrap plants that call the park home are a highlight of the hike.
Carolina Beach Arcade. This gamers’ paradise is filled with the latest arcade games as well as classics like Skee-Ball and pinball. High-scoring players earn bragging rights and tickets that can be traded for prizes.
Mark our words: Whether they nod to North Carolina or were penned by its residents, these notable, quotable passages remind us of the power of speech inspired by our state.
When one stream flows into another, the two chart a new course for the future — together.
When the weather outside is frightful, one chef serves loved ones dishes so delightful.
A historic Rose Bowl pitted Duke University against Oregon State in Durham. Then, in the dark days of World War II, those same football players — and a legendary coach — joined forces to fight for freedom.
