What's New on Island Life NC
Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla
Fishing boats and pleasure craft decorated with thousands of lights present a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. They cruise form Snows Cut to the Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. The boats compete for prizes and add to the wonderful holiday spirit. The flotilla always takes place…
All is Bright at Poplar Grove
Patriot Illumination Presents BIGGER & BRIGHTER!! ALL IS BRIGHT Join friends and neighbors between November 24th (Friday, Opening Weekend) and December 23rd (Saturday, Last Weekend) for a stroll around the lighted grounds of Poplar Grove presented by Patriot Illumination. The event runs Thursday-Sunday, 5-9pm, except for…
Food & Drinks
Toasted Coconut Cake
We often post quick, easy to make recipes. This isn’t one of them. It’s a bit of a process but we’ve been told that this…
Brown Butter Pear Cake
I don’t know about you, but I receive a lot of fruit around the holidays from different relatives and family friends. And I love having…
Graham Cracker Toffee
This recipe is one of our favorites we make every year and the best part is it’s soooo easy! We make a few batches and…
Gingerbread Cookies!
Gingerbread is a favorite cookie, one of the reasons we can’t wait for the Christmas season to come around each year. You can break out…
Elegant Christmas Sugar Cookies
This easy, elegant Christmas sugar cookie recipe is made with basic pantry ingredients. If you’d like, make the dough ahead of time and keep it…
A Christmas Morning Tradition: Monkey Bread
Every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, we assemble Monkey Bread for Christmas morning. When we all spring to life and make…
Continue Reading A Christmas Morning Tradition: Monkey Bread
Festivals And Events
Calabash Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade
The holiday season begins at the Calabash Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, in the business district at Callahan’s of Calabash -…
Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla
December 2 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Free Event Join the Friends of the Maritime Museum for the annual Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla! Yachts,…
Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla
Fishing boats and pleasure craft decorated with thousands of lights present a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. They cruise form Snows Cut to the Carolina Beach…
Corolla Christmas Village
Step into a winter wonderland at Corolla Christmas Village in Historic Corolla Village this holiday season, and experience the magic of sparkling lights, winter delights,…
All is Bright at Poplar Grove
Patriot Illumination Presents BIGGER & BRIGHTER!! ALL IS BRIGHT Join friends and neighbors between November 24th (Friday, Opening Weekend) and December 23rd (Saturday, Last Weekend)…
Southport Winterfest
Start your holiday season in Historic Downtown Southport Start your holiday season in Historic Downtown Southport This year, we welcome back many of our traditional…
Travel
Wilmington Railroad Museum
For more than 125 years, railroading was Wilmington North Carolina’s chief industry. In 1840 the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad was completed and was the longest continuous rail line in the…
Exploring the Islands of NC
The coast of North Carolina is primarily made up of a number of barrier islands all offering a wide variety of Island Living Lifestyles. NC’s Brunswick Islands: At the southern…
Visit The Birthplace of Pepsi – NC!
First time visitors to the town of New Bern should be aware that there is only one cola drink to ask for in this town! The community has a proud…
North Carolina’s Best Kayaking Spots
North Carolina is home to 17 river basins many of which connect to the biggest waterways in the States, such as the Mississippi, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic…
Arts
Wilmington’s Fourth Fridays
Wilmington’s Fourth Fridays Art Walk is a self-guided tour featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, wood, metals, ceramics, mixed…
New Bern ArtWalk
ArtWalk is a free self guided walk to over 30 different stops in the downtown New Bern area to visit stores and galleries. Join downtown…
NC Artist: Ivey Hayes
When you think about vibrant colors, scenes of the North Carolina coast, and melodic jazz rhythms, you think about beloved artist Ivey Hayes. Ivey Hayes…
Coastal Images Of Ken Buckner
Artist, Photographer, and Author was born in Ohio and raised in Michigan. He was educated at the University of Michigan and graduated with honors from…
Life on the Coast
Island Life NC 2023 Gift Guide
Make gift-giving a breeze this season with the help of our Holiday Gift Guide! We’ve curated a selection of items by Coastal NC artists, authors…
MumFest!
It’s time for the second weekend known as MumFeast! Enjoy another fabulous fun-filled fall weekend October 14-15, 2023! A combination of family fun, entertainment, attractions,…
The Haunted Maco Light
If you are infatuated with ghosts and strange phenomena, you don’t have to visit an ancient castle in Great Britain or even an abandoned mansion…
The Graveyard of the Atlantic
North Carolina’s coastline is often referred to as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”, the Atlantic Ocean along the North Carolina coast has been the backdrop…
Halloween Haunted Trail
Phobia Haunted Trail is a haunted house attraction in Leland NC located at 2859 Maco Rd NE Leland NC 28451. Phobia Haunted Trail is now…
Wild Horses of the Outer Banks
For 500 years, the most enduring residents of the Outer Banks, the Wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs, have called this island paradise home. Until recent…
HOME & Garden
Southport Christmas Tour of Homes
Annual Holiday Tour of Homes Southport Historical Society’s Annual Holiday Tour of Homes is scheduled for 12-6 p.m. on Saturday, December 9. Tickets are needed to join this tour and can…
Fall Flowers Make A Stunning Seasonal Centerpiece
There is nothing that brings home the holiday season more than the colors of fall. Take to walk out into your garden to notice the shades of red, orange, yellow &…
Continue Reading Fall Flowers Make A Stunning Seasonal Centerpiece
Who Knows Countertops Better Than A Brazilian?
“The stone is in my blood. It’s part of my genetic makeup. My family has worked in this industry for generations. No one knows quality granite and marble better than Brazilians”.…
Continue Reading Who Knows Countertops Better Than A Brazilian?
Easy Ways To Raise Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Whether your planning to sell your home or just make it look a little more presentable we’ve got some small tips that will maximize your home’s appeal and value. Of course,…
History
A History of Thanksgiving
Thanksgivings are unique, some involve turkeys and stuffing, some include oyster roasts, some have large gatherings of big families and friends and…
Wilmington Railroad Museum
For more than 125 years, railroading was Wilmington North Carolina’s chief industry. In 1840 the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad was completed and…
The Ghost of Nell Cropsey
It’s Halloween and that means it’s time for all things spooky and macabre. Which brings us to one of North Carolina’s most…
Visit The Birthplace of Pepsi – NC!
First time visitors to the town of New Bern should be aware that there is only one cola drink to ask for…
Island Life NC Picks
69th Anniversary of Hurricane Hazel
This year marks the 69th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel, a storm that changed the landscape of the North Carolina coastline forever. The storm tore through the Carolinas annihilating buildings, piers,…
History Of NC’s Low Country
When people think of “The Low Country” they generally think of South Carolina, however, North Carolina has it’s own “Low Country”! Definition of low country from Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary: a low-lying…
Blueberry Harvest By Ivey Hayes
This month we are all about blueberries (yum) and in keeping with that theme we’d like to feature this print “The Blueberry Harvest” by North Carolina’s own renowned local artist…
Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas
The northernmost barrier islands, including Hatteras and Ocracoke islands in North Carolina, are geologically young, having reached their current dimensions and character, less than 5,000 years ago. The South Carolina…
Gardening in the South
Here’s a fabulous book for learning all about… you guessed it Gardening In The South! A gardener’s plant choice and garden style are inextricably linked to the place they call…
Nicholas Sparks’ New Book, Dreamland
Nicholas Sparks’ latest book, Dreamland, is in stock and ready to ship on September 20, 2022, read about it and pre-order the book from the Island Life NC Store Here.…
Coastal Living
Easy Ways To Raise Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Whether your planning to sell your home or just make it look a little more presentable we’ve got some small tips that will maximize your home’s appeal and value. Of course, you…
Learn to Fish for Crabs
Crabbing is a fun and easy way to spend a few hours at the beach. What makes crabbing unique among the different kinds of fishing is how easy it is—it’s a great…
Who Are The Island Men Of Pleasure Island?
The Island Men were formed to help provide the community with a Men’s Group whose members are dedicated to helping support small local charities and numerous children’s educational, civic and athletic activities…
The Beach Zones
 The beach zone extends from the low-tide water level to the “foot” or base of the primary dune. At first it seems to be without life, except for an occasional gull…
