Calabash, NC, is a quaint little town known as the seafood capital of the world. Whether you are craving some quality North Carolina seafood or looking for a fun day trip idea from the Brunswick County beaches or Myrtle Beach, Calabash has you covered! These hidden gems in Calabash, NC, will help you uncover fun activities and things to do in this beautiful coastal North Carolina town.
1. Waterfront Seafood Shack
You can’t visit Calabash, NC, without indulging in the infamous local seafood. The Waterfront Seafood Shack is an iconic little seafood stand offering a wide variety of local and fresh catch options.
2. Off-the-Beaten-Path Shopping
Because the town of Calabash is less than 4 square miles, it’s hard to pack in a lot of shopping experiences. For its size, Calabash provides a wide range of unique antique shops, boutiques, a bookstore, and even a store dedicated to Christmas!
Listed below are areas I recommend visiting for some retail therapy:
- Callahans of Calabash
- Callahans is one of those places where it seems just to keep on going! This isn’t necessarily a hidden gem, as it is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Calabash, but is still worth mentioning.
- For some reason, beach towns love year-round Christmas stores, and St. Nick Nacks does not disappoint!
- Calabash Cottages
- There is a cluster of cottages located along Beach Rd SW where you can find a unique variety of shops. Listed below are shopping options within the Calabash cottages:
- Books and Moore
- Calabash Garden Tea Room
- Patriot Cigars
- Coffee Cottage
- There is a cluster of cottages located along Beach Rd SW where you can find a unique variety of shops. Listed below are shopping options within the Calabash cottages:
3. Quiet Dockside Views
Whether you want to take some time for serenity or are looking for the perfect opportunity to watch the sunset, Calabash has some views along the Calabash River. Additionally, check these restaurants along the water for more sunset views: Oyster Rock and Angus Steakhouse, and Seafood.
4. Sunset River Gallery
I love finding stores that not only feature their locals but also highlight the beauty of the area. Sunset River Gallery was a perfect example of this, as the gallery hosts close to 100 different artists featuring several art methods.
Stop in the gallery to explore and interact with the locals’ work and see their perspective on the coastal landscapes in the area. If you are lucky, you may stumble in while an artist is doing a live demo, which is a cool experience!
5. Calabash Garden Tea Room
I stumbled upon the adorable Calabash Garden and tea room while exploring the cute cottages along Beach Dr SW. This tea shop is an explosion of everything pink and girly, with the high tea British garden vibe. The Calabash tea garden is a unique option for a girls’ brunch featuring your typical high tea treats.
6. Vereen Memorial Gardens
Even though the Vereen Memorial Gardens are located less than 3 miles away in South Carolina, I had to add them to this list! I was shocked by the trail system and the beautiful views of the marsh and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Because of the extensive trail system, I wish I had more time to explore. I suggest packing a lunch and spending half the day exploring the trails or participating in some other outdoor activities. Additionally, there are picnic tables and swings to relax by the water.
7. Bonus: Day Trip Pairings (Brunswick County Beaches)
Because Calabash is located along the river, the majority of people typically stay at one of the 6 Brunswick County Beaches. Listed below are my featured blog posts about the Brunswick County beaches and how to plan your North Carolina beach vacation.
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Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about Calabash, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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