Don't let the name fool you: during the day, the Seawitch Cafe is a great place to have a family sit-down meal. If your family includes finicky eaters like mine, rest assured that the chefs are well trained and can whip up a gourmet kids plate like nobody's business. (When that fails, add ketchup. Lots of ketchup.) We have made Seawitch our go-to destination for Mother's and Father's Day because of its proximity to beautiful Carolina Beach and its delicious fare. The dining room reminds us of our favorite seaside restaurant in Mystic, CT with its white-on-white scheme and linens. If you're visiting Carolina Beach with the grandparents, this is a great place to take them for lunch.

Word to the wise: you're best off sticking with lunch and/or early dinner here. While fun, the tiki bar is great for the 21+ crowd only.

While there are a lot of restaurants and night life activities to keep you busy (and the area crowded), keep in mind that you can avoid this beach on major summer holidays and still find yourself having a great time. Younger kids might have the most fun in May and June, when the temps are not so extreme and the crowds haven't started up yet.
Most importantly, the beach is clean, the waves are kid-friendly, and some areas of Carolina Beach are largely residential, so you can find a great bit of sand to settle down into without feeling claustrophobic.

If you're anything like me, extreme frugality is just another facet of your sparkling parental personality. This can be quite the obstacle when planning a beach vacation for a family (of any size). Or, you can be extremely fortunate like me and land on this place by happy accident.

Full disclosure: this is not a luxury lodger by any means. It's downright Spartan. Our lodging included two queen beds, a private bath, tv, and "bare basics" kitchen with plates, cups and a can opener. What it lacks in "window dressing", it makes up for with its unbeatable location and value. We paid $69/night for a suite right on the beach. Literally. We stepped out of our room every day into sand (while passing the small on-site pool). There were a handful of families around, however, the majority of the guests were older couples. No matter - more beach for us!

The hotel is split into various properties. The first, being the main hotel; u-shaped with an interesting, but not annoying, parking lot. Here you will find the friendly and chatty management staff and office. Across the street is a small beach house with its own parking lot, perfect for family gatherings and reunions ... or if you simply want your own private bungalow. Next to that is a set of suites for large families/groups, with private parking below.

Within reasonable walking distance are restaurants, Bank of America, happening night life spots (though we couldn't hear them through the super-thick walls), and your typical beach shops (towels, souvenirs, ice cream). A short drive away is a large Food Lion, with plenty of organic food and sundry items as well as traditional grocery.

Special note: While all guests of the main hotel are given parking passes, this does not guarantee you a spot. If you're going to leave the premises, make sure to check with the manager for alternative parking.

The Belted Goat was our last stop through the village, and I'm not sorry for that. It leaves much to be desired, especially after you & your brood have been strolling around for the better part of a day.
We were looking for a nice place to escape the sun and grab a snack (read: coffee refuel for mom), and that's about all we found. The coffees are great, but not stellar. The food selection at the time was mostly cake - which your kids will find perfectly acceptable. We snagged a couple of overpriced granola bars near the register and called it success anyhow. The bathroom is tiny, making "Let me check your hands!" time more challenging than usual. Unlike other parts of the village, the staff of Belted Goat were uninterested and very put upon.

Special note: This cafe is completely open to the neighboring housewares store (read: breakables! expensive breakables!). If you don't have a slim stroller or other parental device to keep hold of little ones, it's best you eat outside or skip this place altogether.

Located in Fearrington Village is one of the best bookstores in North Carolina. This isn't your big box chain store. This is bookworm nirvana.

McIntyre's has hosted a bevy of celebrity authors such as Paula Deen, Giada de Laurentis and Trisha Yearwood. They also have an active book club and events calender. Before your visit, be sure to check their website or facebook page.

McIntyre's is child-friendly, but younger readers might be left wanting more. This is where a scavenger hunt or chat with a friendly staffer might be in order. While the children's section is conveniently located in the front of store, on your right as you enter, there are scores of books to be discovered here.