With its vibrant Boardwalk and laid-back vibe, it's easy to enjoy all Carolina Beach has to offer without realizing its rich history and fun surprises. Whether you're a first-time visitor or longtime fan, here are three fascinating things you might not know about Carolina Beach.
1. Snow’s Cut transformed Carolina Beach into an Island.
It’s hard to imagine now, but Carolina Beach wasn’t always the island we know and love today. That changed in 1929, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dug Snow’s Cut, a man-made canal connecting the Cape Fear River to Myrtle Grove Sound. As part of the Intracoastal Waterway system, Snow’s Cut effectively separated Carolina Beach from the mainland and became a crucial passage for both commercial and recreational boats. Today, it’s more than just a navigational route – it’s a scenic spot perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding and birdwatching.
Carolina Beach has transformed and grown over the years. It started with just a pavilion, a hotel and a restaurant. Early travelers would take a steamboat down the Cape Fear River and then board a small passenger train known as the Shoo-Fly Train, which carried visitors to the Boardwalk and the pavilion. The train is now depicted on a mural outside Celtic Creamery as a part of the Carolina Beach Mural Project – a growing collection of colorful murals celebrating the island’s history and culture. Check out this virtual tour to explore all the current murals.
This year, Carolina Beach is celebrating its centennial with special events and commemorations throughout the year honoring the past and present of the town. Local eateries, including Fudgeboat and Wake N Bake Donuts, are offering limited-time flavors and treats to mark the milestone. Other highlights include a “100 Days of Summer” exhibit, “Then & Now” walking tour, decades-themed car show, a 100+ Yogis on the Beach event, Founder’s Day Picnic and Centennial Flotilla.
2. Carolina Beach is home to the longest running beach music festival (and maybe even the birthplace of the shag dance!)
Each June, the Carolina Beach Music Festival kicks off a time-honored tradition as the largest and only beach music festival held directly on the beach along the North Carolina coast. It's also one of the longest-running beach music festivals in the United States. The festival draws visitors from all over to hear top beach music acts from across the South, performing both timeless favorites and modern hits. Now spanning two days, the recently added Reggae Sunday fills the stage and shoreline with laid-back island vibes.
The event honors the birthplace and legacy of beach music. What is now Freeman Park, located at the north end of Carolina Beach, was once home to Seabreeze, a resort community founded by and for African Americans. In its heyday, Seabreeze bustled with swing, soul and rhythm and blues – the soundtrack that helped spark dance crazes like the iconic Carolina shag dance. During the 1940s, local legends including Malcolm Ray "Chicken" Hicks helped popularize shag dancing and beach music in the dance halls near the Boardwalk. For a deeper dive into this history, WilmingtonNColor Heritage Tours offers guided tours of the Seabreeze area, spotlighting its cultural impact and musical roots.
Beyond the festival, music lovers can enjoy live tunes all year long throughout Carolina Beach. Local spots like Seawitch Café & Tiki Bar and Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar host rotating performances from local and traveling musicians. The Sandspur even features a backyard concert series during the summer months.
3. A wild carnivorous plant grows natively in Carolina Beach.
The Venus flytrap, one of the world’s most fascinating and rare plants, grows naturally only within a 70-mile radius of Carolina Beach, making the area one of the few places where you can see it in its native habitat. This rare species is protected and on display at Carolina Beach State Park, which spans 761 acres and features more than a dozen diverse habitats. The park is also home to other unique carnivorous plants, including pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts and butterworts. These plants, including the Venus flytrap, can be viewed in the park’s bog garden behind the visitor center. Venus flytraps can also be spotted along the Flytrap Trail, one of nine trails in the park. Visitors can join a park ranger for a free, guided carnivorous plant hike to learn more about these unusual species.
The park is also home to Sugarloaf Dune, a unique geological feature. This 50-foot dune once served as a navigation landmark for seafarers and was used as a military encampment during the Civil War.
For more unique nature experiences, visit Carolina Beach Lake Park, which Guinness World Records once recognized as the closest freshwater lake to saltwater in the world. The park features a walking path, a playground and hosts seasonal events throughout the year.
From island-making canals and iconic dances to bug-eating plants, Carolina Beach is full of surprises. On your next visit, you just might uncover something else you didn’t know about this beloved beach town.
