Darcy’s guidebook
Shopping
If you enjoy shopping for clothes and souvenirs, here are some of my favorites!
Calahan's is a must stop for anyone looking for beach themed decor, souvenirs, and clothing. You could spend well over an hour looking through all of Calahans' items. It is a one stop shop for gifts and memorabilia!
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Callahan's of Calabash
9973 Beach Dr SWCalahan's is a must stop for anyone looking for beach themed decor, souvenirs, and clothing. You could spend well over an hour looking through all of Calahans' items. It is a one stop shop for gifts and memorabilia!
This is an outdoor mall with a collection of shops, dining, and entertainment options. What makes it special- its built around a lake! They have attractions including an alligator adventure and carousel for kids, or a House of Blues and the Alabama Theatre for adults. Shop the day away at fashionable boutiques and souvenir shops. Dining options range from sit down spots to food carts.
434 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barefoot Landing
4886 Hwy 17 SThis is an outdoor mall with a collection of shops, dining, and entertainment options. What makes it special- its built around a lake! They have attractions including an alligator adventure and carousel for kids, or a House of Blues and the Alabama Theatre for adults. Shop the day away at fashionable boutiques and souvenir shops. Dining options range from sit down spots to food carts.
Food scene
Getting to try new foods and local delicacies is one of my favorite parts of travelling. Here are some of my top choices when I visit Sunset Beach!
Love their fresh, hand made bagels! All flavors are available in a limited quantity only so get there early is you have a favorite. They have everything from classics like cinnamon raisin bagels to garlic bagels, with plenty of cream cheese options. My favorite is the egg and cheese sandwich on a garlic bagel! Be sure to check their hours by calling ahead (910) 575-4545.
Tim's Carolina Bagels
925 Seaside Rd SWLove their fresh, hand made bagels! All flavors are available in a limited quantity only so get there early is you have a favorite. They have everything from classics like cinnamon raisin bagels to garlic bagels, with plenty of cream cheese options. My favorite is the egg and cheese sandwich on a garlic bagel! Be sure to check their hours by calling ahead (910) 575-4545.
If you are celebrating a special occasion, go to the Boundary House. This upscale dining option has a good variety of food to fit most people's needs. The ambiance lends itself to a nice evening out without being stuffy.
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Boundary House Restaurant
1045 River RdIf you are celebrating a special occasion, go to the Boundary House. This upscale dining option has a good variety of food to fit most people's needs. The ambiance lends itself to a nice evening out without being stuffy.
A culinary trip to a beach a little further south than Sunset! This Jamaican restaurant is a nice change of pace if you need a break from all the local seafood. If you love jerk chicken and plantains, stop by here!
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sugar Shack
1609 Hale Beach Rd SWA culinary trip to a beach a little further south than Sunset! This Jamaican restaurant is a nice change of pace if you need a break from all the local seafood. If you love jerk chicken and plantains, stop by here!
Causeway is a great place for some local takeout. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and salads, and you can't beat the ease of just calling in an order and picking it up- no grocery shopping or prep needed!
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Causeway Gourmet
100 Causeway DrCauseway is a great place for some local takeout. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and salads, and you can't beat the ease of just calling in an order and picking it up- no grocery shopping or prep needed!
A relatively new member to the food scene, Maria's has great calzones and pizzas. I loved the margherita pizza, and the cheesesteak calzone is super filling.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marias Pizzeria
120 Causeway DrA relatively new member to the food scene, Maria's has great calzones and pizzas. I loved the margherita pizza, and the cheesesteak calzone is super filling.
This is a great little coffee shop if you want to support a local business! They have all the basics and some fun flavored drinks too. It is located among some other stores including a small book store, a tea room, and a jewelry/ decor shop.
Coffee Cottage
10152 Beach Drive SouthwestThis is a great little coffee shop if you want to support a local business! They have all the basics and some fun flavored drinks too. It is located among some other stores including a small book store, a tea room, and a jewelry/ decor shop.
They have a frequently changing menu with new specials every few days. My favorite breakfast here is the acai bowl, but they have great lunch and dinner options too!
Beach House Cafe
1780 Chandlers LaneThey have a frequently changing menu with new specials every few days. My favorite breakfast here is the acai bowl, but they have great lunch and dinner options too!
Great place with a large menu. Great choice for sushi or other Asian cuisine
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calabash Gourmet And Sushi Bar
10101 Beach Dr SWGreat place with a large menu. Great choice for sushi or other Asian cuisine
Sightseeing
During your stay I am sure you will be enjoying Sunset and Ocean Isle Beach, but if you need a break from the sand and the surf, these tourist attractions will keep you entertained!
Old Baldy is North Carolina's oldest standing lighthouse. To get to Bald Island to see the lighthouse, you must take a ferry. The ferry can be a little pricey- $22 per adult, and a self-guided tour is $8 per person. If you want to see some historic landmarks, this is the place for you!
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Baldy Lighthouse & Smith Island Museum
101 Light House WyndOld Baldy is North Carolina's oldest standing lighthouse. To get to Bald Island to see the lighthouse, you must take a ferry. The ferry can be a little pricey- $22 per adult, and a self-guided tour is $8 per person. If you want to see some historic landmarks, this is the place for you!
A younger lighthouse, this stop is worth it if you enjoy a low-key attraction away from the beach. When open, you can go up into the lighthouse and learn about the history of the building. This makes a nice day trip if you include stopping at a local place for lunch.
126 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oak Island Lighthouse
300a Caswell Beach RdA younger lighthouse, this stop is worth it if you enjoy a low-key attraction away from the beach. When open, you can go up into the lighthouse and learn about the history of the building. This makes a nice day trip if you include stopping at a local place for lunch.
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox is a mailbox placed on Bird Island by someone who loved the natural beauty of the place. For the past 30 years, fellow beach lovers have made the 1.5 mile beach walk to to see the mailbox, sit on the nearby bench to reflect, or leave a message in the communal notebook for future visitors to contemplate.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kindred Spirit mailbox
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox is a mailbox placed on Bird Island by someone who loved the natural beauty of the place. For the past 30 years, fellow beach lovers have made the 1.5 mile beach walk to to see the mailbox, sit on the nearby bench to reflect, or leave a message in the communal notebook for future visitors to contemplate.
A lovely park with space for walking and enjoying the greener side of Sunset Beach- don't worry though you can still see the ocean from here!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunset Beach Boat Ramp
101 Sunset Blvd NA lovely park with space for walking and enjoying the greener side of Sunset Beach- don't worry though you can still see the ocean from here!
Entertainment
Make sure to have some fun during your stay at Sunset Beach! Here are some of my recommendations for experiences to try while here!
Well, this is what you came for! Sunset Beach is a beautiful, laid back beach. Not as commercial as Myrtle Beach, and not as crowded. During peak season you may have to travel some distance from the walkway to get space to yourself, but Sunset Beach is the perfect place to enjoy the water, sand, and sun.
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunset Beach
Well, this is what you came for! Sunset Beach is a beautiful, laid back beach. Not as commercial as Myrtle Beach, and not as crowded. During peak season you may have to travel some distance from the walkway to get space to yourself, but Sunset Beach is the perfect place to enjoy the water, sand, and sun.
Treat yourself to a relaxing trip to Coral Tree! My first trip here was as part of a bridal party, so we got to experience their nail services, as well as hair and make up. The staff here are super friendly and did a great job. They also offer facials and massages. I highly recommend coming here for a spa day during your stay!
Coral Tree Salon And Day Spa
6934 Beach Dr SWTreat yourself to a relaxing trip to Coral Tree! My first trip here was as part of a bridal party, so we got to experience their nail services, as well as hair and make up. The staff here are super friendly and did a great job. They also offer facials and massages. I highly recommend coming here for a spa day during your stay!
Fun, local baseball team- it is a minor league team for the the Chicago Cubs so you might get to see some future stars up close. Great for an inexpensive night out for the whole family or a group of friends.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
1251 21st Ave NFun, local baseball team- it is a minor league team for the the Chicago Cubs so you might get to see some future stars up close. Great for an inexpensive night out for the whole family or a group of friends.
Similar to Sunset Beach, but slightly more commercial. Check out the facebook page to see tons of local events that pop up.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ocean Isle Beach
Similar to Sunset Beach, but slightly more commercial. Check out the facebook page to see tons of local events that pop up.
Check them out online to book a time https://www.myrtlebeachdolphincruises.com/ This is a great way to get out on the water without having to rent a boat. The cruise itself is about 1.5-2 hours and is a lot of fun for families (my grandmother thought the ride was a little rough, so this may not be a good choice for elderly grandparents).
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sea Screamer
4499 Mineola AveCheck them out online to book a time https://www.myrtlebeachdolphincruises.com/ This is a great way to get out on the water without having to rent a boat. The cruise itself is about 1.5-2 hours and is a lot of fun for families (my grandmother thought the ride was a little rough, so this may not be a good choice for elderly grandparents).
For those who want an adventure! Swamp park has ziplines, elevated canopy tours, and ATV tours.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Swamp Park- Zip Line and ATV Center
5550 Watts Rd SWFor those who want an adventure! Swamp park has ziplines, elevated canopy tours, and ATV tours.
Owned by locals, this is a family friendly course. Rate is $8/ round or $10 for all day fun!
Tropical Adventure Mini Golf
10124 Beach Dr SWOwned by locals, this is a family friendly course. Rate is $8/ round or $10 for all day fun!
So many choices! An Aquarium, TopGolf, Escape Room, Music venues, Grand Prix, Wax Museum...and so much more! Lots of tourists, but you can get a whole day of entertainment here.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Broadway at the Beach
1325 Celebrity CircleSo many choices! An Aquarium, TopGolf, Escape Room, Music venues, Grand Prix, Wax Museum...and so much more! Lots of tourists, but you can get a whole day of entertainment here.
Neighborhoods
Southport is a great small town if you want a day trip! They have quaint shop, good restaurants (I highly recommend Cafe Koa for brunch or lunch!), and lots of local artists.
242 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Southport
Southport is a great small town if you want a day trip! They have quaint shop, good restaurants (I highly recommend Cafe Koa for brunch or lunch!), and lots of local artists.
Consejos para la ciudad
Costumbres y cultura
Be sure to check business hours!
If you are staying during the off season, be aware that many local shops have shortened hours. Most businesses have specific hours only from Memorial Day to Labor Day, while some places will close entirely for January or February. If your stay is outside peak season, call ahead of check a business's facebook page to be sure they are open.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Avoid trips to the island during peak travel times
During peak season, many of the rental homes on the islands of Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach have check out times between 10 am Saturday and a check in time of 3 pm. Try to avoid a trip to the island on Saturday afternoons, as you will face lots of traffic, and a long wait to get over the causeway.
Formas de ahorrar
Use your kitchen!
If you are like me, you love to experience the local food scene, but you are also cost conscious. My favorite way to save on vacation is to pick one place to eat out a day. There are three grocery stores nearby Publix, Lowes, and Food Lion. Also, there are tons of local farm markets around so you can get some local produce. Check out Holden Brothers Farm Market for a wide selection of local fruits and veggies.
Costumbres y cultura
Love this place so much you want to live here?!?
I worked with a fantastic realtor to purchase my condo. I live out of town, so she scheduled and attended my inspection and appraisal for me. My experience was fantastic, and she would make your home buying experience amazing too. If you are interested in making Sunset Beach or Ocean Isle Beach your home, Sara Spaugh can make that happen. She can be reached at 740-816-1262 or sara@theRealBeachLife.com
Full disclosure, Sara is my sister. But don't just take my suggestion, reach out to her and you will see she is a great choice to help you purchase a home.
Formas de ahorrar
Check out thrift and consignment stores!
There are lots of consignment and thrift stores in Calabash, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach. If you have some time, search around in these stores for great deals and unique finds!
Costumbres y cultura
Look on Facebook for local events
Facebook groups such as Friends of Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach Bums are great resources to find out about local events. There are farmers markets, craft shows, and outdoor concerts especially during the summer months.