Explore the Beaches of Wilmington NC

Written by Susan Lanier-Graham

April 1, 2018

North Carolina | Destinations | North America | Outdoor Travel | Road Trips | Travel

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Wilmington, North Carolina, offers a unique beachfront destination with a historic downtown, vibrant riverfront, and island beaches.

Wilmington, North Carolina, offers a unique beachfront destination with a historic downtown, vibrant riverfront, and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. Voted one of the top destinations by TripAdvisor, with award-winning restaurants, historic inns, scenic beauty, and miles of great beaches, there is something new to discover around every corner.

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Discover Wilmington

Wilmington has an Atlantic coastline and a riverfront, with a picturesque historic downtown, making it an unexpected destination for first-time visitors. The Cape Fear Riverfront, a two-mile boardwalk, is lined with local shops and restaurants.

Wilmington Skyline. Photo courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

You can explore the downtown area, a National Register Historic District spanning over 230 blocks featuring churches, classic architecture, antebellum homes, massive live oaks, and brick-lined streets by horse-drawn carriage.

Live music is popular throughout the historic district, and shopping is great fun in the 200-plus shops and restaurants. The Cotton Exchange is a series of eight restored buildings with open-air courtyards, specialty shops, and eateries.

Cotton Exchange in Downtown Wilmington. Photo by Bill Russ. Courtesy NC Division of Tourism

Plenty of great breweries are part of the Wilmington Ale Trail, where you can create your own tasting experience. It’s no wonder Wilmington was voted “Best Beer Town” in December 2017 by the Carolina Brew Scene. Additionally, Wilmington Beer Week is held each October.

Wilmington’s food scene ranges from casual to upscale, and coastal food is especially popular. Don’t miss PinPoint Restaurant downtown, where the chef serves up what local farmers, fishermen, oystermen, and crabbers provide.

Catfish at Pinpoint Restaurant. Photo by Allie Wilson. Courtesy Wilmington and the Beaches CVB

Explore Carolina Beach

About 30 minutes from Wilmington, Carolina Beach is home to both Carolina Beach State Park and a fun seaside boardwalk. The Carolina Beach Boardwalk has seaside amusement rides, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, outdoor movies, music, and tempting food. A favorite spot is Britt’s Donut Shop, where you can watch them fry up doughnuts and grab one while it’s still hot.

Carolina Beach. Photo by Sheila Nicholson and the Town of Carolina Beach

For a day in nature, head to Carolina Beach State Park, with excellent walking paths and a ranger-led tour. This is one of the only places in the world indigenous to the Venus flytrap, and you can see it in its natural habitat.

Find Nature on Kure Beach

Kure Beach is a natural setting about a half-hour from downtown Wilmington and home to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, as well as a beautiful pier and sandy beaches.

Kure Beach Fishing Pier. Photo by Chris Varner courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

At the southern tip of Kure Beach, the Fort Fisher State Historic Site has a quarter-mile trail and self-guided interpretive exhibits about this Civil War site. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a nice change from a day at the beach and is just the right size to explore for a couple of hours—be sure to find Luna, the albino alligator.

Regarding other animal encounters, sea turtle season starts May 1 and lasts about three months yearly. Volunteers mark and secure nests early in the season, and baby turtles hatch each fall.

Tour Wrightsville Beach

Located on both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, Wrightsville Beach is about 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington. Known for its walkable village, Wrightsville Beach is the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina and continues to be a hot spot for the sport.

Escape to nearby Airlie Gardens, where you can stroll the paths and explore the outdoors. Azaleas bloom in the spring, swans glide across the lakes, and there are bird sightings all year. Sit for a bit and admire the massive live oak trees.

Airlie Garden. Photo by Peter Doran. Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

Enjoy lunch and the afternoon at Dockside Restaurant on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. A tradition for 25 years, Dockside is a prime spot to relax with a glass of wine while watching the boats.

Or, go on a boat yourself. A fabulous way to see more of Wrightsville Beach is to book a Harbor Tour with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. The one-hour boat ride takes a slow tour of the Intracoastal Waterway, allowing you to see the area and learn a bit about its wildlife and history in a relaxing setting.

Intracoastal Waterway at Wrightsville Beach. Photo by Peter Doran. Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

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Plan Your Trip to Wilmington, NC

For the most convenient stay, with easy access to both the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, book a premier Atlantic oceanfront stateroom at Blockade Runner, a boutique resort in Wrightsville Beach. Try supper by the seaside at EAST Oceanfront Dining and let Executive Chef Jessica Cabo, who made it to the final three on the first season of Hell’s Kitchen, whip you up something fresh and local.

Dine oceanside at EAST at Blockade Runner in Wrightsville Beach. Photo by 365 Total Marketing. Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

Getting to Wilmington from Phoenix is easy with flights via Charlotte and Chicago O’Hare year-round. Wilmington is an unexpected blend of history, food, and culture, where the water—whether ocean or river—paints a picturesque backdrop for an idyllic getaway. Learn more at www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com. Be sure to explore Wander for more things to see and do when you visit North Carolina.

A version of this article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of So Scottsdale! magazine.

Wilmington, North Carolina, offers a unique beachfront destination with a historic downtown, vibrant riverfront, and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. It offers award-winning restaurants, historic inns, scenic beauty, and miles of great beaches.

Written by Susan Lanier-Graham

Founder and publisher Susan Lanier-Graham is an award-winning travel writer and author of more than 75 books. For more than three decades, she has explored the world in search of unforgettable “wow moments,” from the jungles of Thailand and the temples of Egypt to wine regions, coastlines, and hidden gems closer to home. Her work blends immersive storytelling with practical insight, helping readers experience destinations more deeply. Based in Spearfish, South Dakota, Susan covers travel, food, and wine with a focus on meaningful experiences. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and is a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS).