Calabash, North Carolina, Is the ‘Seafood Capital of the World’—and the Excellent Place to Retire

North Carolina has its justifiable share of coastal cities, a number of of that are grouped into what’s often called the Brunswick Islands. Situated on the southeastern a part of the state, the area is made up of 5 barrier islands and plenty of communities that sit extra inland—together with the roughly 2,400-person fishing city of Calabash. Although small, Calabash has a reasonably massive declare: It’s been deemed the Seafood Capital of the World, due to a really particular methodology of frying fish and shrimp that includes a light-weight dusting of flour or cornmeal earlier than dunking it in scorching oil.

“Calabash is attention-grabbing. It’s form of a throwback to previous Southern cities, filled with allure and never overly ‘gentrified,’” says Samantha Spalti, the gallery director at Sundown River Gallery on the town. “That being stated, it’s increasing, however quietly.” As Calabash grows and new companies come to city, it continues to draw retirees—which Ty Bellamy, a dealer affiliate at Re/Max Southern Shores, says is pushed by varied elements.

“Retirement in Calabash can imply very inexpensive housing and taxes. For instance, Kingfish Bay Improvement sits proper on the Calabash River and presents housing choices starting from $399,000 and up, with common costs within the $500s,” he explains. “Householders have nice facilities similar to a waterfront park, a riverfront pier with fishing entry, boat slips and a kayak launch, an on-site membership and health middle, a big pool, and entry to close by Sundown Seaside.” Plus, he says, there are many alternatives for fishing, {golfing}, eating, and taking part in pickleball, including that there “aren’t many areas that supply each affordability and [the] laid-back coastal life-style that you simply discover in Calabash.”

Whether or not you’re all for spending your retirement chapter on this a part of North Carolina, otherwise you’re merely all for experiencing the enduring seafood tradition, learn on for find out how to plan the right journey to Calabash.

The place to Keep

The Sundown Inn, Sundown Seaside

Whereas Spalti notes “Calabash doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of lodging,” there are just a few spots within the surrounding space. “The Sundown Inn could be very good. Set again from the seaside, it will get the sunsets over the marsh,” she says.

Rental Properties

Renting a home, apartment, or room on Airbnb or Vrbo is an alternative choice for these visiting Calabash. Don’t be afraid to widen your search, although, properties in close by cities similar to Sundown Seaside, Ocean Isle Seaside, Shallotte, and even Little River, South Carolina. 

Greatest Issues to Do

Go to Vereen Memorial Gardens.

“Simply over the border in Little River, you’ll come to Vereen Memorial Gardens. It’s on the waterway with straightforward strolling and mountaineering paths. There’s a number of shade and picnic tables, and it’s a terrific place for birders. To walk by means of is only a fantastic, calming expertise,” says Spalti. It’s open from daybreak to nightfall, and there’s no admission charge.

Enterprise out on the water.

One among Bellamy’s high suggestions for issues to do in Calabash is to discover the Calabash River waterfront by tour boat or kayak; it lets you expertise “the views, sunsets, and laid-back life-style,” he says. Calabash Fishing Fleet presents scenic dolphin cruises and fishing charters, and you’ll hire kayaks at Summertide Journey Excursions in Sundown Seaside.

Attend an artwork market.

“Right here at Sundown River Gallery, we’ve got two three-day artwork markets yearly: the Vacation Artwork Market in November and the Summer time Artwork Market in July. Of us come from across the space to search out presents; see the brand new pottery, glass artwork, and work; watch artwork demonstrations, and extra,” says Spalti.

Play a spherical of golf.

A part of Calabash’s enchantment as a retirement city is its entry to golf programs. Those that need to hit some balls whereas within the space can ebook a tee time at Crow Creek Golf Membership, The Pearl Golf Hyperlinks, or Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort.

Greatest Purchasing

Sundown River Gallery

These with a watch for artwork will recognize all the items inside Sundown River Gallery. “We now have over 140 native and regional artists in 10,000 sq. ft of area. And we’ve been in a position to curate an providing of wonderful artwork for individuals’s properties, together with smaller items which can be straightforward for people on trip to take house with them. Folks inform us on a regular basis it’s their ‘joyful place,’” says Spalti. “All year long, we provide artwork lessons and workshops, and have paintings by well-known North Carolina and South Carolina artists. Each different month, we characteristic Jazz Evening, a complimentary night of stay jazz and refreshments,” she provides.

Victoria’s Ragpatch

“We additionally love Victoria’s Ragpatch. It’s a girls’s clothes store. There’s one in Calabash and one in Ocean Isle Seaside—on the upscale aspect, very enjoyable stuff,” says Spalti. The boutique sells items from manufacturers similar to Lily Pulitzer and La Mer Luxe.

Calabash Artwork and Curios

When you’re looking for a present for somebody particular or one thing to deal with your self, pop into Calabash Artwork and Curios. “They’ve all kinds of beachy artwork and specialty meals. However one of the best half is that they’ve expanded to incorporate a wine store and have free Thursday evening wine tastings,” says Spalti.

Greatest Eating places

Calabash-style Seafood Eating places

“If it’s Calabash-style seafood [you’re] craving, there are three nice spots,” says Spalti. She recommends the Calabash Seafood Hut, “an old-time busy little restaurant with an outdoor window for when it’s busy,” Waterfront Seafood Shack, and Captain Nance’s Seafood Restaurant, which she explains is “proper on the waterfront with a pleasant deck exterior and lovely view of the marsh.” Bellamy additionally suggests getting your seafood repair at Beck’s Restaurant, the place they’ve been serving up the well-known fried Calabash-style dishes since 1940.

The Authentic Well-known Bagel Dock Café

“For bagels within the morning, the Bagel Dock doesn’t disappoint,” says Bellamy. Cease right here to select up a breakfast sandwich or wrap earlier than heading out to close by Sundown Seaside for the day.

Grapevine

“After all, for dinner you may go extra upscale. Everybody on the gallery loves Grapevine. It’s a Mediterranean-style place with nice salmon, pasta dishes, and a busy bar. Plus, they play tremendous music,” says Spalti.

Calabash Creamery

“For one of the best home made ice cream, you may’t go away Calabash with out visiting the Calabash Creamery,” says Bellamy. Open since 2003, the ice cream store has all kinds of scrumptious home made ice cream flavors, together with birthday cake, blueberry cheesecake, and Southern bourbon pecan.

Greatest Time to Go to

“Within the summertime, you’ll see Calabash at its best. The eating places are bustling and the shops are absolutely stocked, however be ready for a bit wait on the eating places,” says Bellamy. These coming throughout peak season, nonetheless, ought to maintain just a few issues in thoughts. “When you’re coming in summer season, simply be ready for humidity … and site visitors will increase yearly,” Spalti provides.

Like many coastal cities within the Carolinas, Calabash has comparatively nice shoulder seasons. “I really like April and Could—not too scorching, not too chilly—and the seaside is unbelievable,” says Spalti, referring to Sundown Seaside, only a 10-minute drive from Calabash. Bellamy additionally recommends coming in early fall. “It’s the right time to catch locals beginning to chill out after a busy season, have ample recent seafood on the docks, take pleasure in rather less ready time on the boat touchdown, and expertise heat days and a bit cooler evenings,” he says.

Tips on how to Get There

Myrtle Seaside Worldwide Airport (MYR) is the closest main airport to Calabash. It’s about 30 miles away; relying on site visitors, it ought to take between 45 minutes to an hour to navigate between the 2. In case you are flying into the realm, it’s beneficial to hire a automobile. That method, you can too discover the opposite small cities inside the Brunswick Islands area.

Tips on how to Get Round

Having a automobile will likely be paramount to your expertise in Calabash. Whilst you can stroll alongside the Calabash River or the instant downtown space, higher Calabash shouldn’t be notably walkable. Ubers and Lyfts are additionally accessible.