Itching to get away for a beach trip? Wilmington, NC is a quaint waterfront city located off the coast of North Carolina that offers Southern charm with historical buildings, festivals, beautiful beaches, and mouthwatering seafood.
It’s a place that has something for everyone no matter your interests. Here are 11 things to add to your list so you can plan an amazing trip!
This blog post is sponsored by Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau but all opinions are my own.
Things to Do in Wilmington, NC Map
Fun Things to Do in Wilmington, NC
1) Take an Evening Cruise
One of the highlights of our trip was watching the sunset over the water and then, shortly after the full moon rose over the horizon behind us. It was a spectacular! We cruised along the Intracoastal waterway into the ocean with Soundside Adventures on the Carolina Runner and got to see the city from a different perspective on the water.
They offer complimentary wine, beer, or soda to make your cruise even more enjoyable. The sunset tour last 1.5 hours and costs $50 for adults, and $25 for children under 12 years old.
It’s hard to beat a beautiful sunset with wine and good weather. Once a month they offer their moonlight cruise where you can watch the moon rise above the horizon and I can’t recommend it enough!
2) Walk around Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens is a true gem and is one of the best things to do in Wilmington, NC. It’s been in the city for years and holds so much historic value. There are more than 67 acres of land for you to roam to take in the unique flowers, art pieces, and historical sites.
My favorite part is their seasonal butterfly house where you can walk in and be surrounded by flying around by beautiful butterflies flying around you. It’s incredible to experience. Insider tip: They may land on you if you’re sweaty because they love the salt.
Airlie Gardens hosts monthly events such as self-guided bird hikes, concerts, yoga, and more. If you’re visiting during the winter don’t miss out on their famous Enchanted Airlie holiday light show. They spend months getting ready for it so it is sure to not disappoint.
The gardens are open daily from 9am to 5pm and the last entry is at 4:30pm. Tickets are $9 for adults and $3 for children between 4-12 years old.
3) Catch sunrise at Wrightsville Beach
I’m not even an early riser, but this is worth getting out of bed for. We went to Wrightsville Beach before the island woke up and got to take in the most incredible sunrise.
The sky glowed a bright yellow over the horizon, birds flew above us around the pier, and the reflection of the sky was bouncing off the water. It was so incredible to witness! Don’t miss having the beach all to yourself by catching a sunrise (or two) on your trip to Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach!
4) Hike at Greenfield Lake Park
Looking for more adventure? Hit the trails at Greenfield Lake Park to take in scenic views of the water. Their most popular trail is their 3.9-mile loop, it’s considered moderate and has little to no elevation gain.
Many people visit the park for birding, biking, fishing, and relaxation. There are plenty of benches positioned throughout the trail in case you need to take a break from your hike.
5) Satisfy your cravings with Taste Carolina Food Tour
Wilmington has so many amazing places to eat, and this food tour allows you the taste test at some of their top restaurants. Not only do you get delicious food, but each tasting is paired with wine or a cocktail. A food tour with Taste Carolina is a must do on your Wilmington trip.
Our favorite on the tour was Savorez and we ended up going back later for dinner! We did the downtown Wilmington tasting tour and tickets are $75 per person, which includes tastings at 5-6 restaurants.
6) Explore the Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is located in downtown Wilmington and borders tons of restaurants and shops. If your schedule allows, I recommend stopping by the Pilot House after you’ve strolled along the Cape Fear River! It’s a southern cuisine restaurant that packs a ton of flavor into their dishes.
7) Rent a Bike
Riding a bike next to the water is such a fun thing to do in Wrightsville Beach. You can choose to ride on the road next to the water or go down one of the neighborhoods to day dream at all of the large houses. We rented with Wrightsville SUP and it costs $15 to rent the bikes for half a day.
8) Visit The Blind Elephant Speakeasy
The Blind Elephant is located in downtown Wilmington right off of North Front Street. I’m going to admit, I was a little confused when my GPS took me down an alleyway but once I saw the Blind Elephant sign I felt a sigh of relief.
The entrance may seem sketchy but once you get inside its a cool looking hip bar with dim lighting, great cocktails, and low background music. There was even a live pianist playing some tunes to set the mood while we were there. Highly recommend one of their mules! They offer live music regularly and it’s a perfect way to end a night before heading back to your hotel.
10) Go to a Festival
Wilmington hosts multiple festivals per year that makes people flock to the city both local and international visitors. Some of the most popular are:
- North Carolina Azalea Festival – Each spring, the North Carolina Azalea Festival takes over Wilmington to celebrate artwork, gardens, history and culture over the span of five days each April. The festival consists of colorful parades, street fairs, art shows, huge concert acts, Home and Garden Tours and the coronation of the Festival Queen and Princess to celebrate the new season of spring. Some events charge admission and event times vary each year.
- Carolina Beach Music Festival – Head to Carolina Beach each June for one of the longest running beach music festivals in the U.S. and one of the few events you can dance all day long with the sand under your toes on the Carolina coast! The 2023 event specifics are TBA, but tickets are typically $35 and music usually plays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Cape Fear Kite Festival – Professional kite flyers will be showing off their art at the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival in Kure Beach, complete with live music and food trucks. The 2022 event will take place Nov. 4-6. Admission is free, but food and drink will be available for purchase.
- NC Holiday Flotilla –This festival and light show on the water is a great way to celebrate the holidays in Wrightsville Beach. The 2022 festival kicks off at 10 a.m. on November 26 with the Festival in the Park and then the lighted boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free for this event.
11) Kayaking on the Water
If you’re looking for an adventure, kayaking is one of the top things to do in Wilmington, NC. We had a blast on the water in Wrightsville Beach and even saw a dolphin! I almost jumped out of my kayak I was so excited!
There are tons of local outfitters to rent a kayak from and depending on who you choose to rent with, there are multiple routes you can take on the water. We booked through Wrightsville SUP and chose to kayak to the nearby island and get off at the beach to relax for a while before heading back.
The check in process was super smooth and they had us on the water within 10 minutes of our arrival. The single kayaks and paddle boards are each $35 for 2 hours on the water.
Where to stay in Wilmington, NC
The Blockade Runner Beach Resort is full of amenities to keep you busy (or relaxed) during your stay. From the large pool, restaurant, spa, pool bar, gardens, and fitness center, there is plenty to choose from.
Not to mention you can book your activities for your trip through them at Soundside Adventures to experience activities like kayaking/paddle boarding, boat cruise, yoga, surf lessons, and more.
The rooms give a great beach vibe, and if you’re oceanfront you can see a stunning view of the ocean from your room along with the pool and gardens the resort has.
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