Pleasure Island, off the coast of North Carolina and just south of the city of Wilmington, is a barrier island consisting primarily of a strip of beaches and the Fort Fisher Historical Site. The two beaches are both public, but Carolina Beach is the most commercial while Kure Beach is largely residential. Some island residents have objected to its long-established and arguably decadent-sounding name, but families find a wealth of activities on Pleasure Island, from aquarium to boardwalk, fine dining to bar hopping.
Fort Fisher and North Carolina Aquarium
- When the Union Army had blockaded all other ports, Fort Fisher safeguarded the last remaining nautical gateway for supplies into the Confederacy during the Civil War. When the fort fell during the last days of the conflict, Wilmington Port was seized. Today, the Fort Fisher Historical Site on Pleasure Island draws tourists to its visitor center and the fort’s remains, including the gigantic earthwork fortifications and replica cannon. Fort Fisher is also the site of North Carolina Aquarium, an awesome 235,000-gallon saltwater tank on Kure Beach near Cape Fear River. The aquarium, which includes a host of natural environments and a two-story tank with sharks, stingrays and eels, was named one of the nation's top 10 aquariums by the Travel Channel. It’s open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Carolina Beach and Amusement Park
- A welcoming collection of shops, bars, restaurants, carnival rides, arcades and fishing piers has earned Carolina Beach boardwalk recognition as one of America’s 10 best boardwalks by Food & Wine magazine. Annual events range from concerts and boat regattas to fireworks that light up the night every Thursday during the summer season. The Carolina Beach Amusement Park, which includes an eye-catching Ferris wheel and two dozen other rides, is open evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Parks
- Pleasure Island is home to two major park systems for nature lovers or families who need to burn off excess energy. Carolina Beach Lakes Park encompasses 11 freshwater nautical acres surrounded by gazebos, sheltered picnic areas and a playground. Paddle boats can be rented seasonally. Carolina Beach State Park draws overnight campers and fishing enthusiasts to its 761 acres. Hardy visitors can explore miles of tree-shrouded hiking trails. Use of the park is free except for the camping facilities and the marina for fishing.
Restaurants
- From crab shacks lining Carolina Beach to finer dining venues closer inland, Pleasure Island has something for every visitor and every mood. One Carolina Beach boardwalk landmark is the 1940s-era Britt’s Donuts, where a line often forms outside the door. Big Daddy’s Restaurant on Kure Beach offers Southern-style seafood and steaks with seasonal outdoor dining. Hurricane Alley’s on Carolina Beach offers breathtaking deck views of the Atlantic Ocean, while nearby Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar is among the Best Seafood Dives in America, according to Coastal Living magazine.
