There is certainly no shortage of incredible museums in North Carolina, but it can be tricky to get the little ones as interested as we are in learning. There’s one underrated museum in North Carolina that’s a great kid-friendly museum that the entire family will enjoy, and it won’t take up too much of your day. Pair that with a scoop (or two) of your favorite ice cream and you’ve got yourself one epic day trip in North Carolina.
Welcome to the Museum of Coastal Carolina, a natural history museum over in Ocean Isle Beach.
Museum of Coastal Carolina/Google
From sea to shore, this beautiful museum includes several different exhibits that shed light on our unique coastal environment, maritime history, and so much more.
Ralph Cherubin/Google You’ll also find several exhibits regarding the Civil War as well as Native American influences.
There are several immersive and interactive exhibits that families with kids of all ages will enjoy, including an ocean reef diorama that includes life-sized models of sharks, sea turtles, rays, and other aquatic life.
Ralph Cherubin/Google There’s even an interactive exhibit where you can create your own sea creature and put it in the virtual aquarium! What creature would you create?
The touch tank is always a hit with young wildlife lovers.
Keith Caulkins/Google Here, you can hold some of the most alluring sea creatures like starfish
After you’ve spent a few hours learning all about our coast, it’s time to treat yourself to some ice cream.
Calabash Creamery/Google
Calabash Creamery is located in the next town over, about 10 minutes away from the museum.
Eileen N./Google This local sweet shop has been a neighborhood favorite for 20 years, and you’re about to find out why.
When you want old-fashioned, homemade ice cream, Calabash has got your back.
Thanh Ngo/Google The locally owned creamery makes all of their own ice creams in-house, and the flavors are always changing based on the season.
Traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla are always on deck, but where Calabash Creamery shines is in their talent for creating bold flavor combinations like blackberry cobbler, lemon chiffon, or s’mores.
Calabash Creamery/Facebook Every month, there’s a new flavor featured, which could be anything from chocolate bourbon to tangerine with crushed pineapple. Yum!
Once you’ve assembled your perfect ice cream, enjoy it on the beautiful porch.
Calabash Creamery/Facebook There’s just something about enjoying an ice cream while sitting on a porch rocking chair that just embodies everything about being a North Carolinian.
Be sure to check out the museum’s website for more information including admission and hours of operation. Don’t forget to give Calabash Creamery a follow on Facebook so you never miss out on any specialty flavors!
Museum of Coastal Carolina/Google
Ralph Cherubin/Google
You’ll also find several exhibits regarding the Civil War as well as Native American influences.
There’s even an interactive exhibit where you can create your own sea creature and put it in the virtual aquarium! What creature would you create?
Keith Caulkins/Google
Here, you can hold some of the most alluring sea creatures like starfish
Calabash Creamery/Google
Eileen N./Google
This local sweet shop has been a neighborhood favorite for 20 years, and you’re about to find out why.
Thanh Ngo/Google
The locally owned creamery makes all of their own ice creams in-house, and the flavors are always changing based on the season.
Calabash Creamery/Facebook
Every month, there’s a new flavor featured, which could be anything from chocolate bourbon to tangerine with crushed pineapple. Yum!
There’s just something about enjoying an ice cream while sitting on a porch rocking chair that just embodies everything about being a North Carolinian.
Once you try Calabash’s ice cream, you’ll want to try all of North Carolina’s local creameries! This epic road trip in North Carolina will take you to the front door of some of our favorites.
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Address: Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E 2nd St, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469, USAAddress: Calabash Creamery, 9910 Beach Dr SW, Calabash, NC 28467, USA
