Carolina Beach/Kure Beach Vacation: Smoke-Free in 2010

Cough! Hack! Cough! Hack!

No more.

Even in the cradle of Tobacco Road, it's finally happened -- North Carolina legislators recently passed a bill prohibiting smoking in all bars and restaurants, effective January 2, 2010.

There are those who will whine about this law, but I am not one of them. On the contrary, I applaud it and will most likely go out to eat and drink more because of it. Most sensible establishments have already gone smoke-free anyway, so this was a fait accompli.

Learn How to Handle Rip Currents

A vacation to the sunny shores of Carolina Beach or Kure Beach might include rip currents, which are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the beach. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. If you find yourself in a rip current, do not panic. There is a tried and true method to extract yourself from a rip current.

Click here for further tips on how to handle these dangerous surf phenomenon.

Daytripper 101: The Charms of Southport

Southport, the old fishing village just across the river from Pleasure Island, is the type of town that is inevitably called quaint. Fortunately, it lives up to the description. Situated along the west bank of the Cape Fear River’s mouth, Southport is reachable by ferry from Fort Fisher and is a great day-trip for Carolina Beach and Kure Beach vacationers.



Steeped in American history, the town has always attracted sailor types. In fact the earliest settlers arrived shortly after Columbus, in 1524. The first European vessel constructed in the New World was built on these banks. Other firsts include North Carolina’s first fort (Fort Johnston, 1754). In 1795 the soldiers at the fort fired 13 cannon shots to honor the 13 states, thus celebrating one of the earliest known 4th of July celebrations.



Today, Southport’s July 4th festivities are a blowout 4-day event and popular throughout the Cape Fear region and Southeastern North Carolina. Southport’s shopping includes funky little stores and antiques galore, the restaurants are varied and welcoming, and the old homes are remarkable (check out, for example, the Captain Thompson Home, an intriguing peek into the life of a genuine Civil War blockade runner).

Hollywood has not been immune to Southport’s charms, filming several movies in the last few decades, including 1986’s “Crimes of the Heart," starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lang and Sissy Spacek.

Perhaps the best part about Southport? Unlike other communities in the area, public parking is free -- and it’s a great place for bike riding.

Ferris Wheel Returning to Carolina Beach Boardwalk?

Carolina Beach vacations may have gotten more thrilling -- and retro at the same time!

Our friends at Snow's Cut Monthly report the following:

"It almost happened two years ago. Local bussinessmen Brett Keeler and Adam Higgins worked tirelessly to set the stage for a small summertime amusement park to come to the beach, but it just didn't work out. There are a lot of logistics to work out and the amusement company decided not to come.

Now the amusement company has had a change of heart and they want to set up this summer. This Monday (March 23) the town Technical Review Committee will look at the plans and then it will go before the Planning Commission on April 9 and the Town Council on April 14. If everything works out they could be open in May."