Dog-Friendly Spots on Pleasure Island

It can be tough leaving your furry family member behind when you go on vacation, but that doesn’t have to be the case when you visit the beautiful coastal towns on Pleasure Island in North Carolina. With a variety of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, and activities in our area, your family dog can enjoy a beach vacation too.

Hotels

Pleasure Island offers an abundance of classic beach-style hotels and cottages on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean or with close beach access that are pet-friendly. TheBeacon House Inn Bed & Breakfast is one such hotel that’s located just a across the street from the beach at 715 Carolina Beach Ave N. The Beacon House Cottages welcomes a maximum of two pets in each cottage. Drifters Reef Motel, located in the heart of Carolina Beach also welcomes two dogs per room. Both hotels have pet fees and may have breed and size restrictions, so be sure and inquire when making your vacation plans.

Enjoy Free Summer Concerts Coming to Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area!

Often referred to as one of the military's 'Best Kept Secrets', Fort Fisher is home to the Ft. Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, a carefree family vacation spot for active duty military, reservists, national guard, coast guard, retired military, DoD civilians, and disabled veterans.

Situated a little over a mile south of the Kure Beach stoplight at 118 Riverfront Road in Kure Beach, The Fort Fisher AF Recreation Area plays host to a free summer concert series featuring some of the area's most popular rock, blues, beach, country, dance, and bluegrass bands.

Bring the family by on the second and fourth Fridays this summer beginning June 10th through August 26th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The 2016 concert lineup includes genres for all generations. For more details visit us at www.pleasureislandnc.org

Here's a sneak peak of what this summer has to offer:

• Southern Trouble kicks it all off Friday, June 10, putting their unique style and experience to work on contemporary country, country rock, and rock covers by artists like Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, and many more.

• On June 24th, it's a southern-style British invasion with Liverpool, Carolina's Beatles experience. This 5-man Beatles tribute band hails from Raleigh and entertains fans with favorite Beatles hits like "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," "Ticket to Ride," and "I Need You," as well as songs by Paul McCartney.

• Justin Cody Fox wows audiences with his southern rock and alt country repertoire on July 8th. Justin has shared the stage with greats like David Lee Roth, Cowboy Mouth, Lynyrd Skynrd, and Marshall Tucker Band, just to name a few.

• Party band Bounce! from Burlington, NC gets the crowd on their feet and singing along on July 22nd. From standards like Soul Man and Love Train, to dance favorites like Footloose and Brick House, to 80's rock and pop hits, this band will get you dancing.

• South of K, an acoustic band from the Kure Beach, electrifies audiences with its un-plugged, un-packaged bluegrass brand of musical storytelling on August 12th. Influenced by performers like Balsam Range, Flatt and Scruggs, Lonesome River Band, Blue Highway, and The Infamous Stringdusters, South of K will have your feet tapping.

• Closing out the concert series at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area on August 26th is The Cut, a four-man power popular rock band covering some of the greatest rock hits from the 90s and beyond.

Test Your Pleasure Island IQ!

1. In what year was the high-rise bridge built over Snow’s Cut to connect the island to the mainland?

1959
1962
1964

2. What local dancer is credited with developing and popularizing the dance known as the “shag”?

Chicken Hicks
Shaggie Smith
Rooster Parker

3. Kure Beach takes its name from one of the first families to visit and buy property in the area. It is pronounced “Cure-ee” and the family was originally from:

Minnesota
Denmark
Germany

4. The man, Robert Harrill, who became known as the legendary Fort Fisher Hermit was originally from:

Athens, GA
Gaffney, SC
Lincoln, NE

5. In its heyday during the Civil War, Fort Fisher was known as:

The Gibraltar of the South
The Sand Castle Fortress
The Iron Mermaid

6. When the Astor Hotel burned to the ground in 1985, it was how old?

42 years
69 years
120 years

7. Kure Beach boasts its own natural wonder. What is it?

An artesian well
A coquina outcrop
A rocky sea cave

8. Which hurricane did the most recent damage to the Kure Beach Pier?

Dianne
Fran
Bertha

9. Which Native American tribal group predominately populated the area now known as the Cape Fear Coast, which includes Pleasure Island?

Shawnee
Tuscarora
Blackfoot

10. What is the name of the albino alligator at the Fort Fisher Aquarium?

Jack White
Luna
Elsa



(answers: 1962, Chicken Hicks, Denmark, Gaffney, SC, Gibraltar of the South, 69 years, coquina outcrop, Bertha, Tuscarora, Luna)

Free Day at the Aquarium

Looking for something fun to do with the family on Veteran's Day? Take the kids to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher for an entertaining and educational experience - and best of all, it's free!

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is celebrating Veteran's Day by waiving admission fees for everyone on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. 

Free Summer Concert Featuring Polar Bear Blues

Head to the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area on Friday, June 27th to hear the unique rhythm and blues sounds of Polar Bear Blues as part of the Free Summer Concert Series. These popular concerts are brought to you by the Town of Kure Beach, the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.

They are a ton of fun for locals & visitors, regulars and new-comers, those who want to get up and boogie or sit back and relax, and music lovers of all ages.

Concert is from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm and admission is FREE!

Bring blankets and chairs, a few friends, and a picnic dinner. Please don't bring pets or beverages - there will be drinks available for sale.

Come on our and enjoy the music on beautiful Pleasure Island!

Looking to plan the rest of your weekend? There's always something fun happening in your favorite NC beach towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach - find it all on the Event Calendar!

Fort Fisher Fall Festival - Saturday, October 27th

Head to the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area for some spooky fall fun Saturday, October 27th, 2012 from 10 am - 5 pm. In the evening take a stroll down the Haunted Trail...if you dare!

Free Concert At Fort Fisher - The Mako Band - Friday, September 9th

Come hear the Beach Boogie Blues sounds of The Mako Band, Friday, September 9th at the Ft. Fisher Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach. This popular local band will be playing from 6:30 - 8:30. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs and enjoy a fun evening on Pleasure Island. Beverages will be available for sale.

Learn more about the Free Summer Concert Series and other Pleasure Island happenings on the Event Calendar.

The Mako Band

Fort Fisher State Historic Site Presents “Storms Of Shot and Shell” - June 11, 2011

If you’re looking for some family fun that’s easy on the pocketbook, visit the Fort Fisher State Historic Site on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., as the site celebrates the second Saturday in June with ―"Storms of Shot and Shell", a field artillery extravaganza.

Visitors will see and hear the frequent firing of a full six-gun battery lining the south air strip. They can also meet historian Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., who will debut his new book on Timothy O’Sullivan’s historic photography of Fort Fisher.

Fort Fisher, the largest earthen fortification in the Confederacy, once protected the port of Wilmington and the vital blockade running trade on the Cape Fear River. After two massive bombardments the fort fell to a Union infantry assault on January 15, 1865. With the capture of Fort Fisher, Wilmington’s port – ―the Lifeline of the Confederacy‖ – was closed to foreign trade.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located at 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, N.C. 28449. For more information on the site, call (910) 458-5538 or visit the web site www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/.

"Glory Enough For All" - Special Event At Fort Fisher Historic Site

The year 2011 marks the 146th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War.  To commemorate the Second Battle of Fort Fisher (the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War), the Fort Fisher State Historic Site will stage "Glory Enough For All", an all day event on Saturday, January 15, 2011 beginning at 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. The program will focus on post-war reunions and efforts to memorialize the battle. The event will also serve as the kick-off for the sesquicentennial (150th) commemoration of the Civil War in North Carolina.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located in Kure Beach, NC, at 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South, along US Highway 421 South. For more information call 910-458-5538 or go to www.fortfisher.nchistoricsites.org

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher to Build Kids Playground

The Greater Wilmington Business Journal reports that the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is breaking ground to build an interactive kids playground.  This will be a fun and welcome addition to the Aquarium!

From the GWBJ report:

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is breaking ground on a new interactive children’s playground slated to be open this summer...

Aquarium Director Donna Moffitt said, “We’re very pleased about providing a safe, fun and unique play area in our garden. Using private donations, we’ve been able to hire a local fabricator to create this one-of-a-kind Adventure Reef."

The aquarium is looking for a corporate sponsor to fund the final two phases of the project, a turtle crawl and sea squirt play area. Those two phases total about $25,000.

Kilgore said the aquarium has been planning the project since last summer.

To get more details on this project and to read the full article, please visit: Aquarium installing interactive playground

Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher Boat Ramps Getting Ready for Spring 2010

The Star-News reports today that boat ramps in Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach State Park are currently being overhauled and should be ready for use this spring (2010). 

The public boat ramp at Fort Fisher will have two new ramps with added parking and docks.  Crews are also working to stabilize the shoreline there.  They are hopeful to have one ramp open to the public by March 1st.

The marina at Carolina Beach State Park is set to reopen early this spring after a $2.5 million overhaul including a 42-slip marina, public boat ramp and store. (UPDATE: The Star-News corrected this information to reflect an opening date in August, 2010.)

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is also working to dredge the approaches to two of the ramps at the Carolina Beach public boating facility east of U.S. 421 to make them usable by larger boats.

Pleasure Island boaters have a lot to look forward to this spring and summer!

You can read the full Star-News article here: Area boat ramp projects in full swing

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher - Free Admission for MLK Day

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is offering FREE Admission in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 18, 2010.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of two holidays each year that the aquariums reserve for the public to visit without an admission charge. The other “free day” is Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

The Fort Fisher Aquarium hours are 9 -5 daily.

Visit the Aquarium at Fort Fisher to see alligators, snakes, saltwater and freshwater fish, jellyfish, octopus, sharks, rays, eels, and so much more!

For more information, please visit www.NCAquariums.com/fort-fisher or call (910) 458-8257.

Fort Fisher & Carolina Beach State Parks Show Big Summer Crowds

The Star-News reports that local N.C. State Parks and attractions drew strong summer crowds this year, including Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and Carolina Beach State Park.

Officials credit both the economical advantages of the parks in a challenging financial climate as well as great weekend and holiday weather throughout the season.

Read the full article at:
Local N.C. state parks, attractions draw strong summer crowds

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Offers New Program

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will host a two-day celebration of our amphibian and reptile friends on March 7th and 8th from 9 am to 5 pm.

Visitors to the Aquarium will have an opportunity to see, touch, and learn about our cold-blooded neighbors. Aquarium staff and invited experts will introduce the public to dozens of live amphibians and reptiles including:

• alligators
• snakes
• iguanas
• lizards
• turtles
• albino animals
• and more!

The event is free with regular Aquarium admission. For more information, please visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher online.

Free Admission to the North Carolina Aquarium in Honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is honoring the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday by waiving admission fees for the day.

The 2009 holiday falls on Monday, January 19th. This is one of two holidays that the aquarium reserves for the public to visit without an admission charge.

The Aquarium hours are 9 am to 5 pm.

For more information about the Fort Fisher Aquarium, please visit their website: North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site Presents "Fort Fisher Then & Now"

Fort Fisher State Historic Site on Pleasure Island, NC is presenting:

Fort Fisher: Then & Now

It's not too late to check out this exciting event!

Details:

• What: Fort Fisher: Then & Now
• When: Saturday, January 17th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  
• Where: Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, NC
• Info: Tickets for the 3-D show are $5 for adults and $3 for kids age 12 and under

"Fort Fisher: Then & Now" marks the 144th Anniversary of the 2nd Battle. Highlights of the event will feature a 3-D Civil War Photography Show, artillery & Infantry demos, Wet Plate photography demos, a hands-on children's activity area and period music.

For more information about this event or about the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in general, please visit their website: North Carolina State Historic Sites: Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher Aquarium hosts Aquababies Weekend

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be showing off their baby jellyfish, sea turtles, alligators, sea horses, fish, snakes, and more during Aquababies Weekend!

Details:

• What: Meet baby sea animals
• When: Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd from 9 am to 5 pm
• Where: North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Pack up your youngsters and bring them out to the Aquarium to meet their underwater youngsters! We can't wait to see all these baby sea animals. Special programs will be offered all weekend. What a special event - don't miss it!

Fort Fisher is located at the southern tip of Pleasure Island, NC.

For more information visit the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher website or call 458-8257.

Free Admission at the Fort Fisher Aquarium for Veteran's Day

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be offering FREE ADMISSION for every visitor on Tuesday, November 11th on honor of Veteran's Day.

Bring the whole family and spend a wonderful day learning about our aquatic friends and the Cape Fear Coastal region. You might even get to watch the Alligator feeding!

Fort Fisher is located beyond Carolina Beach and Kure Beach at the southern tip of Pleasure Island, NC.

Enjoy!

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents "Trick or Treat Under the Sea"

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents their annual Halloween celebration, "Trick or Treat Under the Sea."

Details:

• What: "Trick or Treat Under the Sea" at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Pleasure Island
• When: Thursday, October 30th 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Children of all ages are invited to dress up in their Halloween costumes, rake in the candy, and participate in games with prizes, face painting, story-telling, a haunted cave featuring Scotty the Pirate Magician for younger kinds and a spooky trail for older children.

Bring your Halloween bags because children can trick-or-treat among the many booths operated by local businesses and organizations.

Tickets for NC Aquarium Society Members are $5; $6 for the general public; and children under 2 are free of charge. Only umbrella strollers will be allowed in the building for this event. Tickets will be sold on the day of the event from 5 to 8 p.m. Advance tickets are available and include early admission.

For more information, please contact the Aquarium at 910-458-8257 or visit their website at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.