What's New on Island Life NC
Get Your NC Flotilla Party On!
One of the most fun things to do this time of year along the NC Coast are the annual flotillas. It is a chance to participate in fun events and raise a lot of money for local charities! The folks who enter their boats in the…
Wrightsville Turkey Trot Race
 Who doesn’t want to burn some calories in support of building homes before eating your Turkey dinner?! Join the festivities this Thanksgiving at the Wrightsville Beach Turkey Trot. Come dressed in your finest Turkey costume and support a great cause while enjoying a 5K or…
Food & Drinks
Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie
How many turkey sandwiches can one family eat? Instead, turn this year’s Thanksgiving leftovers into something brand new: Turkey Pot Pie! You’ll probably have several…
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole is a tradition in most homes, and there are numerous variations of it. Some have marshmallows, some don’t, some have Pecan toppings…
Southern Oyster Dressing
When it comes to Thanksgiving, some dishes are required eating. Serving anything besides turkey is unthinkable, gravy is a must and cranberries are required on…
Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese
If you ask me, most vegetables are good, but they’re even better when you add things like cheese and candied pecans to them. With all…
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Thanksgiving Margarita
We are enthusiasts of bending holiday traditions to make them more practical. We’re over the mulled wine and boozy punches our families have served up…
How to Roast Fresh or Frozen Whole Turkey
This classic turkey technique is perfect for a first-time cook or a seasoned pro. Watch the video below and read how to roast fresh or…
Festivals And Events
Get Your NC Flotilla Party On!
One of the most fun things to do this time of year along the NC Coast are the annual flotillas. It is a chance to…
Wrightsville Turkey Trot Race
 Who doesn’t want to burn some calories in support of building homes before eating your Turkey dinner?! Join the festivities this Thanksgiving at the…
Cape Fear Festival of Trees
Cape Fear Festival of Trees is one of the area’s oldest and favorite holiday traditions – be a part of the magic! The N.C.…
Surfin’ Turkey 5K & Puppy Drum Run
This Thanksgiving Day get into the 11th Annual Surfin’ Turkey 5K and Puppy Drum Run, hosted by Hatteras Village (more…)
Enchanted Airlie Gardens
A Wilmington tradition since 2005, guests from around the world have visited Airlie Gardens from Thanksgiving to Christmas to take in the sparkling sights and…
Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile
Tipsy Turkey 1 Mile Beer Run – Drink, Run, Drink, Run, Drink, Run, Drink, Run, Party Join the Outer Banks Brewing Station crew for a…
Garden to Hearth
On Wednesday, November 23 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Island Farm, in Manteo, will host its annual “Garden to Hearth” event to celebrate…
The Great Holiday Laser Show
The start of a new holiday tradition! This 35-minute beam show is synchronized with holiday music, and is spectacularly choreographed. Tickets are available for purchase…
Outlander- The Spark of the Rebellion
Join a group of time travelers in the first permanent capital of the colony in New Bern c. 1770s. Newly appointed Royal Governor Josiah Martin…
Battleship Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
Runners, get ready for the trek through downtown historic Wilmington, North Carolina with a Half Marathon, 10K or 5K on Sunday, November 13, 2022! The…
Arts
New Bern ArtWalk
Celebrate Fall during New Bern’s Art Walk on Friday, November 4 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, to participate in the festivities at the local…
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…
Sydney Long: Creative Changemaker
Sydney Long is the brains (and the hands!) behind Sun Vow Jewelry, a collection of laid-back, luxury pieces inspired by the sea. Sydney was born…
The Island Art Of Miller Pope
These local beach prints perfect for decorating a home at the beach. These Giclee museum quality prints by Artist & Author Miller Pope are perfect…
Special Section | Holiday Gift Guide
Gifts For Kids
We have selected a fantastic selection of fun and educational books for children. All with a Coastal North Carolina theme for a variety of ages.
Gifts For Him
We’ve put together a selection of Books, Historical Maps & Nautical charts that he is sure to love. Books on fishing, Coastal NC History and more.
Gifts For Her
A curated selection of Hand made Gold and Sterling Silver Jewelry, Shelling Guides, Sea Glass Rarity Guides & so much more that she’ll love!
By Meg Sea Glass Jewelry
Meg Carter’s handmade jewelry features real beach-found, genuine sea glass with Sterling Silver wire wrappings and charms.
Beautiful Christmas Ornaments
Designed locally and a unique design that can’t be found anywhere else, these ornaments make great Christmas Gifts for all who love the beaches of North Carolina! Hammered Glass with a Sea Turtle or Shell designs or golden Oyster Shell Ornaments.
Sun Vow Jewelry
It is the designer’s dream to share the joy of the sun & sea through design but also to give back to a cause she feels is her life calling: fighting human trafficking. Each piece of Sun Vow Jewelry is handmade with soul, bound with meaning.…
Coastal Christmas Cards
Spread holiday cheer with coastal Christmas cards for all your friends and family both near and far. Send a message with a beachy design and some space inside for a personal note. Designed locally and a unique design that can’t be found anywhere else, these cards…
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 is perhaps one of the most prolific and most well-loved North Carolina artists of his time. His simplistic way of capturing…
Life on the Coast
Holden Beach’s “Olden Holden Bike Tour”
The “Olden Holden Bike Tour” is a great way to get some exercise, see the sights, and learn a little bit of Holden Beach History.…
Try Our Beach Walk Scavenger Hunt
Walking on the beach is a great way to get some exercise, soak up some Vitamin D, and spend time near the beautiful ocean. We’ve…
New Bern ArtWalk
Celebrate Fall during New Bern’s Art Walk on Friday, November 4 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, to participate in the festivities at the local…
Eastern North Carolina Sayings
If you live in the South long enough, you’ll notice we speak a slightly different language. Sure, it’s still English but it’s got a little…
What Are the Seneca Guns?
While not unique to the Carolina coast, the Seneca Guns are certainly most common along our shores. The Seneca Guns are loud booming noises, most…
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
Discovering Tryon Palace: Holiday Home Tours
On November 29th, join Discovering Tryon Palace on a tour of Stanly, Dixon and Commission Houses focused on the decorations and traditions of Christmas past. Matt Arthur, Tryon Palace Living History…
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Historic Home Night Tours
Experience colonial nightlife at the Burgwin-Wright House every first Friday of the Month. Join in the fun on Friday, November 4th, 2022 to tour the historic home after hours. Tour the…
Coastal Christmas Holiday Decor
Merry Christmas Holiday coastal mantel ideas to help inspire you to create own display. There is so much you can do with a fireplace mantel and a beach house or coastal…
Ken Buckner Beach Prints For Home Decor
We found these local beach prints perfect for decorating a home at the beach. These Giclee museum quality prints by Artist, Photographer Ken Buckner are perfect for the island living lifestyle.…
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…
The Fort Fisher Hermit
He was known as “The Fort Fisher Hermit” but his real name was Robert E. Harrill (or Robert Harrell). For 17 years…
Blockade Runners
Civil War Blockade Runners: During the War between the States, the Confederate States of America possessed only a (more…)
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…
Travel
Hidden Beaufort Bike Tour
It’s the perfect bicycle tour to see a unique side of Beaufort. From the pirate, Blackbeard to shipbuilders and historic homes, your local guide will reveal a side of history…
Old Baldy Lighthouse
The Bald Head Lighthouse, affectionately known as Old Baldy, is North Carolina’s oldest surviving lighthouse. (more…)
Island Life NC Picks
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.…
How To Share An Article Or Recipe
If you’d like to share an article or a recipe with a friend just do the following: 1) Click on the Email Icon (looks like a tiny…
How To Hunt for Shark’s Teeth
We all want to leave the beach with a little sun on our skin, a dose of salt and vitamin D and a piece of treasure to take home with…
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…
All About Sea Glass
Sea Glass, also known as beach glass or mermaid tears, is a shard of glass that can be found on just about any coast in the world. The pieces of…
Made By Meg Sea Glass Jewelry
Before starting Made By Meg Jewelry in November 2008, Meg graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Studio Art with a concentration in painting. Unfortunately, jewelry design was…
Coastal Living
Climb Bodie Island Lighthouse
Take a walk through a piece of history at the Bodie Island Lighthouse. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is open to climbing Wednesday- Saturday From April 27th though early Fall. First climb begins…
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…
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…
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 Ocean. Getting…
