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If you ask me, Wilmington is made up of more than Wilmington city limits. When you “go to Wilmington,” you often end up going to Wilmington plus the surrounding areas – which include Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island, Carolina Beach, and more. If you want to stay in one area, that’s completely doable – but I suggest hopping around to see the highlights unless you plan on returning soon. For the purposes of this post, I’ve specified which “area” it’s in, but just keep in mind that all these attractions don’t necessarily have a Wilmington address.
ALSO, the estimated times are for the average person who only wants to see the basics – if you know you have a special interest, take that into consideration. For example, if you plan to read every sign in the Battleship, add an hour! If you want to see every corner and flower in the Gardens, add two hours! Get the idea?
But first –
What to Pack to visit Wilmington, NC
- Sunscreen. Look, even if you don’t go to the beach, you’ll want sunscreen if you go outside for more than five minutes at a time. For which one to buy, the truth is no sunscreen is truly “reef safe” like you’ve been hearing – and the term isn’t even regulated, so I guarantee not every bottle that claims to be reef friendly or safe is. To be sure, checking the label for a host of ingredients is recommended, but Badger sunscreen and ThinkSport mineral sunscreen are two good options. (The ThinkSport comes with a stick which is cool for easy face application!)
- Lightweight clothing. If sunscreen isn’t for you – period – (or if you want to take the next step in reducing the harm to wildlife), make sure to pack thin clothing so you can cover up and stay cool. These water-friendly long sleeves (also a rash guard) and pants are great options for beach days.
- Umbrella. While Wilmington isn’t the rainiest city, I hate going anywhere without an umbrella because the one time I don’t bring it, it rains. So, I opt for a travel-size umbrella and keep it in my car. (I think I actually have three or four strew about my house and family cars!)
- Walking shoes. I absolutely love my Brooks Transcend shoes for walking and running, but I had them specially fit for my feet and gait. My mom prefers flip flops – she even wore them for days at Disney World because “regular” shoes hurt her feet so much. (These were rated highly by consumers, but my mom’s were limited edition.) If you have the time, I recommend going to a local running/walking/shoe store and finding comfortable feet to walk about doing all the things Wilmington has to offer! There ‘s even a Fleet Feet (a popular fitness store) in town that can help.
- Camera. I bring my Canon Mark III basically everywhere, and before that I brought my Rebel (a good starter camera).
- Toilet seat covers. To go/portable – because you never know.
- Hand soap sheets. Another portable item because again, you never know!
- A cooler, canteens, two tumblers, lunch containers, and insulated cans (that I use as water bottles even at home).
Things to Do in Wilmington: THE BEACH
For most people, going to the beach on a beach trip is priority number one, right? But Wilmington itself doesn’t actually have a beach, so you get to pick from a few surrounding options! With that in mind, there are three main choices – so which one should you visit?
Things to Do in Wilmington: Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, or Kure Beach?
Wrightsville Beach is the closest Beach to Wilmington proper (about 10 minutes), so it’s the one most visitors frequent. There is 40 access points across its 4-mile stretch! If you don’t mind paying for parking (from March to October), this beach is lovely and close – most people say it’s the “cleaner” and more “upscale” (aka affluent) of the two pay-for-parking beaches near Wilmington. Parking is $25/day or $5 an hour. And whatever you do, do not park in residential areas, areas with clear signage telling you not to park, or in business lots. Wrightsville doesn’t mess around with fees and tickets.
If you are anything like you me, you regularly forget things you need to go to the beach – like towels! I keep tiny, travel sized microfiber towels in my car for times like that because even if it’s not forgotten at the beach, it’s forgotten camping… Or I spill something, or get rained on. Whatever it is, it’s nice to have portable towels just in case.
Carolina Beach is the next closest beach to Wilmington (about 20 minutes). It’s another pay-to-park beach – the hourly rate is typically $5 and the daily rates are $20. Carolina Beach can be quieter because it’s a little bit further away, and most visitors would rather get straight to the beach and pay a few more dollars. It’s also typically described as more laid back and down to earth. Students from the college (University of North Carolina Wilmington) frequent both beaches (Carolina and Wrightsville) pretty evenly, so if you are going for less college students, the choice between these two won’t matter.
Kure Beach is really the best option if you are going for budget and relaxing. If you take the laid-back vibe of Carolina Beach and tone it down further, you get Kure Beach. It’s the farthest from Wilmington (about 30 minutes), and it has 300 free spaces. Parking gets extremely hectic in the summer, but that can be said for every beach – at least in Wilmington! Why not get free parking too, right? Part of this is due in part to its size – there are 8 access points on less than 1-mile of beach space.
P. S. You may be thinking – “30 minutes? People think that’s too far for free parking?” Listen, from the years I spent in Wilmington I can confidently say many of us consider driving 20 minutes far. I have a friend who moved to Pennsylvania, but he comes back to visit and says “20 minutes to that restaurant? Do we have to go there?” even after living in another city for several years. So, yeah. 30 minutes is pushing it.
If you are looking for a quick beach stop on your trip, considering staying close to Wilmington proper and heading to Wrightsville Beach. If you have more time or a smaller budget, make the trek to Kure Beach. No matter which one you choose, you will have a nice time – they’ve all been voted best beach in some form!
Don’t forget a swimsuit! My mom absolutely loves hers (she has a polka dot one, floral white and raspberry one, and an off the shoulder one), and I love my basic black ones. I also wear these rainbow shorts, and they are quite comfortable albeit “loud.” I got one of mine at a water park last minute because (guess what) I forgot my old one.
Things to Do in Wilmington Proper
After you’ve chosen your beach and had a lovely few hours or days, you’ll want to explore a bit more of the area. In Wilmington alone, there’s history, culture, a Riverwalk, museums, and so much more to see.
Things to Do in Wilmington: USS North Carolina/Battleship North Carolina (2 hours)
In 1937, the USS North Carolina became the first battleship constructed in 16 years. She was the first of ten fast ships to join World War II for the USA, and by 1941 when she was commissioned (i. e. placed into active service), she was considered the world’s greatest sea weapon. She participated in every major Pacific offense and earned 15 battle stars – the USS Battleship North Carolina is truly an incredible historic attraction. P. S. If you’ve noticed the variety of names I’ve referred to the ship as… no matter which one you use, people will know what you mean! Technically, it is the USS North Carolina, but many people say North Carolina Battleship or any of the aforementioned variations.
For fans of history, ships, the ocean, World War II, engineering, or anything related, it’s an incredible ship to have access to in Wilmington, NC. I’ll admit, I am not a fan of sit-down history learning (although I was a fantastic student… in everything. accepts accolades), but I like visiting physical locations to learn history in particular. If you are the same way, have children, or are curious about visiting such an impressive ship, taking a tour would be fun.
Interestingly, the ship is open every day of the year – yes 365 days – because she serves as a memorial. Hours are 8am-5pm with final entrance and ticket sales at 4pm (Christmas Day the ship opens at 12pm). Tickets are $14 for people 12 & older, $10 for seniors (65+) and military, $6 for children 6-11, and free for children under $5. Expect to spend about 2 hours here.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Airlie Gardens (1.5 hours)
Airlie Gardens is a 501(c)-3 non-profit intended to provide the community with a cultural, historical, and beautiful space. They also have environmental programs to preserve the gardens, flora, and surrounding area. What makes it the most fascinating (for me anyway) is the over 500-year-old live oak planted in 1575. It’s survived several natural disasters, colonization, and industrialization. Now, I’ve got a thing for beautiful trees, plants, and the world in general, so I am amazed by this tree (and if you aren’t fascinated, why? Seriously – let me know in the comments!). If you’ve been to New Orleans and enjoy those trees, you’ll enjoy this one.
If trees aren’t your thing, Airlie Gardens has over 67-acres of flowers, gardens, water features, and statues. They even have special events throughout the year like Spring Bloom (an exceptional compromise if you want to see tulips but can’t make it to the Keukenhof Gardens), the Azalea Festival (a city wide event you should definitely check out), butterfly releases, Enchanted Airlie (a holiday light event), and more.
Outside of these strange times, Airlie Gardens offer guided tours to complement your visit, but they do run an extra $9 in addition to the $9 adult admission. Military and residents of the county are $5, while children 4-12 are $3. They are open Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-5pm (last admittance at 4:30pm, but I suggest you give yourself more time than that!). It is closed throughout the months of January and February. You should plan for at least an hour and a half (although I take at least half a day…).
Things to Do in Wilmington: New Hanover County Arboretum (1 hour)
For a free garden option (and a can’t miss experience – seriously, it’s really cool), the New Hanover County Arboretum is a 7-acre wonder of trees and plants! It serves as a “horticultural laboratory” and has many special features, such as a Japanese garden and tea house, rose garden, herb garden, and tropical garden. They are open year-round from 8am-8pm. It’s a smaller garden, so most people should plan for an hour. But, I definitely took longer (I took two and I didn’t even get everything I wanted – partly because I had to run back and forth between me and the camera but anyway).
Things to Do in Wilmington: Riverwalk (30min-half day)
Located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, the Riverwalk is a 1.75-mile scenic boardwalk along the riverfront of the Cape Fear River. There are shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more along this stroll. You can even see the USS North Carolina on the other side of the river! If you visit in the summertime, consider stopping here for the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market with local businesses selling their wares.
The Riverwalk is always open, but because it’s in the heart of downtown you might choose to visit when you can visit other places in the district. The time you can spend here strongly varies. If you strictly stroll down the full walk for some pictures, plan for an hour. Want to stop in some stores? Add at least another half hour.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Downtown & Historic District (1 hour-half day)
This National Register Historic District is one of the largest in the country at 230 blocks. You can easily spend a weekend just in this area of Wilmington because of all the attractions. For example, all three historic buildings discussed below (Bellamy Mansion, Burgwin-Wright, and Latimer) are in this area. And if you are into shopping? You’ve hit the jackpot.
At the turn of the century, cotton was king in terms of crops and the Cotton Exchange is full of history from that time. Nowadays, though, it’s full of shopping and food! From footwear to toys to pet treats, the shops* here run the gamut.
When you finish with the Cotton Exchange, you aren’t nearly done with the unique shops downtown! Black Cat Shoppe – while a bit kitschy – is a fun stop, and they offer the popular Walking Ghost Tour. It’s offered later in the evening and is engaging and fun. Old Books on Front Street is another one of my favorite shops – it’s fun to browse, family owned, funny and engaging, and last time I was there they had huge packs of mystery books for $1! They always have several things I’ve never seen before too, like The Official Doctor Who Cookbook. Another perk? On certain Saturdays, they have a Literary History Walking Tour! Swoon Can you tell I like bookstores? Oh, and keep in mind they have ~flexible~ hours.
Now that my waxing poetic is over, there are plenty of other fun shops you might want to stop at – Cape Fear Rum Cake (if you are an omnivore or vegetarian – they unfortunately don’t have vegan options) or Memory Lane Comics for example. If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, take a stroll (or drive. I don’t judge) through the gorgeous houses in the downtown historic district.
Please note – you may see horse drawn carriages throughout this area, but I recommend you don’t embark on that journey. There has been a lot of controversy around the horses, the care they receive, and more. I won’t speak either way, but take a trolley instead!
In addition to the allure downtown has year-round (that statement is rhyme-y even though it doesn’t rhyme), special events like Riverfest (and the Azalea Festival – yes, it’s town wide. It’s kind of a big thingTM) take over for a weekend filled with street fairs, artisans, crafts, fireworks, live music, exhibitions, and fun.
Parking in the heart of downtown is usually paid. It’s free for the first hour and a half at the 2nd street decks, but $1/hour up to 5 hours. Up to 12 hours, it’s $8, and for 24 hours it’s $10. There are two other decks (Wilmington Convention Center and River Place Deck) with similar, but not equal, pricing. Metered bagging is $1.50/hour. For the full experience, plan to walk around for half a day.
*My favorite store at The Cotton Exchange you ask? Oh, why thank you for caring! It’s Two Sisters Bookery… because of Katie! Who’s Katie? Why, she’s a cat! Katie resides in the store, is uber friendly, and is a beloved staple with her own portrait section. I mean, it’s also just a nice bookstore. But KITTY! Oh, but if you have an allergy, you might not want to stop. I have an allergy, but I have a cat anyway so *shrug*.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Bellamy Mansion Museum (1-2 hours)
Built on eve of Civil War for Dr. John Bellamy, this 22-room mansion is noted for its antebellum architecture, slave quarters, and garden. It shares elements of several architectural styles with guests today exploring the entire mansion, plus some of the best restored slave quarters open to the public in the country. It operates as an informative museum, not just a “pretty house.”
Monday through Saturday they are open from 10am-4pm and Sunday they open form 1pm-4pm. Holidays impact hours, but it is variable. Tickets for adults are $12, military, seniors (62+), and college students are $10, and children 6-18 are $6.
For admission to Bellamy, Burgin-Wright, and Latimer, you can purchase a joint ticket for $30 at any of the houses! Plus, they are within walking distance to each other.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens (1-2 hours)
Built in 1770, this colonial home is the only structure from that era open to the public. There are hundreds of antiques and an acre of gardens split into seven areas – an orchard (pomegranate and fig) is just one example.
Guided tours of the house are offered hourly from 10am-3pm (house closes at 4pm). They are open Monday-Saturday but observe many holiday closings (closed Mondays during this period – you know the one). They also offered a self-guided pamphlet tour of the gardens, so keep that in mind when planning a visit. Tickets for adults are $12, military, and college students are $10, and children 6-18 are $6.
They also offer several interesting specialty tours, such as a night tour about rituals and superstitions, an architecture tour, and a virtual tour.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Latimer House (1 hour)
The Latimer House was built in Victorian 1852 for Zebulon and Elizabeth Latimer. It’s four stories of perfect symmetry, an identical layout on every floor, and over 600 historical relics in 14 rooms. It’s only a couple blocks away from the riverfront and houses the local Historical Society.
Tours are Fridays and Saturdays at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm lasting around an hour. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for military or students, and $6 for ages 6-18. The Historical Society also offers Walking Tours of downtown Wilmington on Saturdays from 10am-11:30am. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students, but you must call ahead to reserve and schedule.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Thalian Hall is another one of Wilmington’s many buildings on the National Register for Historic Places. It was built in 1855 (finished in 1858) and began as a multipurpose space – think library, opera house, and government meeting place. Today, performances are always changing, and people love to see shows here. See what’s showing on your visit.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Museums
Cape Fear, Cameron Art, Wilmington Railroad Museum, & Children’s Museum for little ones
There are so many museums in Wilmington, I’d understand if you only visited a few. Here’s a run down about what each one holds inside its walls!
The Cape Fear Museum collects, preserves, and shares artifacts relating to the history of the Cape Fear region. By that, I mean Wilmington and its surrounding area. There’s even a park outside where visitors can engage in hands-on exhibits and see specially adapted or native plants. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm. On Sunday they open from 1pm-5pm, and on Mondays from Memorial Day to Labor Day they also open Mondays from 9am-5pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, college students, and military, and $5 for children 6-17.
The museum will take at minimum 1 hour, but if you have kids or want to meander, add at least another hour.
The Cameron Art Museum is a hodge-podge of art. The permanent collection holds international, national, and local artists in a variety of styles. Their rotating exhibits are both historical and contemporary. From Tuesday-Sunday, they are open from 10am-5pm. Thursday are special – they are open until 9pm! Adults are $10, seniors, active military, and students are $8, and people ages 19 and under are free.
The time here really depends on what’s being exhibited and if you’d like to peruse the nature trails and art park outside! Anywhere from 1-2 hours is reasonable.
The Wilmington Railroad Museum is ideal for children or people with a special interest in trains (for children, also consider the Children’s Museum of Wilmington). There are model layouts, a real/life size boxcar, caboose, and 100-year-old steam locomotive, 20 operating scale model trains, and a play area to build your own tracks! On top of these visuals, you can learn about the history of railroad in Wilmington and learn about important railroad figures, such as George Pullman. Visit their website for season specific hours.
Expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour here.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Poplar Grove Plantation (1+ hours)
Located within the National Park Service’s Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, Poplar Grove is a historic house, museum, and former sweet potato and peanut plantation. Poplar Grove is one of the better locations for clearly outlining their roots and success from enslaved people, which you can learn more about when you visit. The current house you can visit was built in 1850, and along with the house you can see art studios, a smokehouse, a country store, back grounds, and stables.
Tours are offered intermittently at Poplar Grove, so it’s best to check their tour schedule. Prices are also subject to change. The reason I have 1+ hours is because tours are about an hour – but you can also walk the grounds and do so many other things that there really is no set time to spend here.
In addition to their standard tours, Poplar Grove has monthly paranormal tours ($15/ticket) and tons of special events, such as the Herb and Garden Fair, Summer Harvest Festival, Halloween Brews & Broomsticks, A Merry Little Christmas Festival, and Food Truck Round Up.
My favorite part of the plantation is Abbey Nature Preserve, which technically isn’t part of Poplar Grove anymore. The Nature Preserve has a few brilliant trails perfect for bird watching or light hiking. There’s a lovely wooden walkway across a large pond, an old swing, and an expansive field in one section. Parking and the trailhead are on the north side of the Poplar Grove Manor House.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Blind Elephant Speakeasy
The Blind Elephant is a 1920s prohibition bar smack dab in the middle of downtown Wilmington. If you don’t know it’s there, you’ll probably miss it. It’s won several awards, but I think one of the coolest things about it is the annual Great Gatsby Bash. Unfortunately, I’ve never been. And I don’t really drink… but I do have a slight fascination with anything prohibition and 1920s, so I love that Wilmington has a place like this one. Again, you can spend as little as 20 minutes here or as long as an evening!
Things to Do in Wilmington: Blue Moon Gift Shops (30 minutes)
Blue Moon Gift Shops opened in 1999 and it’s by far the best place to shop in Wilmington if you are looking for local treasures. There are over 100 retailers in the shops offering home goods, art, hand made items, lamps, food, custom ordering, and things you wouldn’t even think of. Stores change sometimes, but every time I have been there’s even an Irish retailer (okay, except the last time, but everything was Christmas-y). They have complimentary gift wrapping and been voted the best gift shop in Wilmington for the last 12 years!
Can you tell I like this shop?
Things to Do in Wilmington: Sustain with Sound
Sustain with Sound is a seasonal concert event, but I felt it was important to include because of its focus on sustainability awareness. It’s a great event for people who love the environment and music. It’s powered UNCW’s Plastic Ocean Project (POP) – and it’s completely sustainable itself. Everything sold is either compostable, recyclable, or biodegradable. Even more impressive, the event is solar powered.
The state of the world has hindered 2020 plans (and it seems 2021), but you can follow along for future years on their Facebook page.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Film Location Tour
Finally, for fans of Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Firestarter, Iron Man 3, or other productions, there are Film Location Tours of varying types – I’m never done these, but you can choose from an overall Wilmington Location Tour or self-guided Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill-specific tours.
If you don’t know, now you know – Wilmington has been called Hollywood of the East or Wilmywood for… as long as I’ve known it. For several years, films and tv shows flocked to film in Wilmington, but it’s halted considerably in recent years. It’s unfortunate, but you can still enjoy some of the past through these film tours.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Jungle Rapids
Jungle Rapids is a fun destination for go-karts, laser tag, and mini-golf. It’s a whole adventure park (there’s even an arcade, mini-bowling, rock climbing, There’s also a water park, but I’ve never seen people there, likely because it’s rarely open. It’s not the place a typical visitor would visit, but for locals of those with kids needing a break, it’s a great option! Even if you are visiting, it’s a fun afternoon activity if you have time.
The fees and hours for different activities vary greatly at Jungle Rapids, so be sure to check them first before planning a visit! Their mini-golf is one of my favorite quick things to do. Just one activity will take maybe an hour, but you can easily spend a full day here.
Things to do in Wrightsville Beach
Things to Do in Wrightsville: Johnnie Mercers Pier
This pier is one that nearly everyone seems to talk about. Honestly, though? It’s just a pier. If you want to fish, sure it’s great. But if you are looking for something cooler, Kure Beach Pier is the oldest on the Atlantic Coast (even still, it’s a pier)! Then again, I don’t fish, so you can make an informed decision based on your interests.
Things to Do in Wrightsville: Wrightsville Beach Museum of History (30 minutes)
For those really into history, Wrightsville Beach has its own museum of history featuring a scale model circa 1910, art, bathing suit timeline, and some other cute features. It’s completely free to visit with hours on Thursday-Friday from 10am-4pm, Saturday from 10am-2pm, and Sunday from 1pm-5pm.
Things to Do in Wrightsville: Holiday Flotilla
During the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, boats of all shapes and sizes “dress up” in holiday lights and parade through the water on Wrightsville Beach. It’s a seasonal event in December*, but it’s worth mentioning if you are planning a trip during the less busy season.
*It’s Saturday, November 25th-7th in 2022!
It does get cold here, so make sure to bring a jacket, whether it’s light or heavy (I usually need heavy jackets, especially with the wind)!
Things to do in Carolina Beach
Things to Do in Carolina Beach: Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Carolina Beach Boardwalk is the classic, old-timey beach vibe area I remember having in California as a child. It’s open year-round (with some exceptions, like the famous Britt’s Donuts), but during the summer months its bustling with squeals and laughter. It’s quieter in the winter, and still enjoyable, especially if you visit during the Island of Lights Festival. In particular, the boardwalk has tons of restaurants, a carnival area with a Ferris wheel (open Memorial Day through Labor Day), an arcade, live music, and shops.
Your non-vegan friends will want to stop at Britt’s Donuts if it’s “in season.” It’s kind of a big dealTM. Britt’s has been opened since 1939 and frequently makes national “top donut shop lists.” The season for Britt’s usually starts around April and ends in September, they are usually open Friday-Sunday, and within that their hours change – you really have to be on the lookout if you want to stop here! They don’t have vegan options, but you can hop over to Latella Gelato and get some vegan gelato while your friends/family wait in the (potentially hours long) line! Aka get in line early.
Another really popular attraction is Tony Silvagni Surf School with lessons taught by the Olymipic Gold medalist and world champion himself. I learned to surf in Northern Ireland, so I can only vouch for the love I’ve heard about.
For food, I have a special love for Pop’s Diner because it’s where my mom and I went when I first got my driver’s license. They have a dedicated veggie burger, but I wasn’t vegan so long ago. I doubt it’s vegan, but it’s a good stop for omnivores or vegetarians looking for an old-school vibe.
As the boardwalk is on Carolina Beach, you can refer to the parking prices above for an idea of how much it will be to just visit.
Things to Do in Carolina Beach: Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park has some of my favorite trails in the area – maybe because I’ve gotten some great photos there! The state park has free entry, and it’s located in a biologically diverse area, which means there’s a lot to see. There are several distinct habitats, including one that holds the elusive* Venus flytrap (good luck finding one, I still haven’t!). There’s also camping, a marina, and towering trees to compliment the excitement of the area.
There’s nearly 9 miles of trails ranging from easy to easy. Yes, I did that on purpose. I usually take my trekking poles – I absolutely love these – with me on hikes, but these trails are easy enough that you might not have to. You might not even need true hiking shoes or socks, but it’s always smart to bring them. I have bad knees, so I would still recommend them because even if you don’t have any issues, they are great to proactively take care of your body. Make sure to take water and/or a day pack (this is one of mine) too.
All the trails are relatively flat and none are longer than 3 miles – although you can join several together for a much longer trek around the park. I highly suggest stopping at the visitor center upon entrance to get a printed map because the trail blazes (markings) can get confusing. Don’t get me wrong – they are pretty clear. But there are so many trails it’s not hard to forget which direction or sign you’ve already seen (unless you are focusing on that, which I don’t).
For seeing Venus flytraps, take the 0.5 mile loop Flytrap Trail (great name, huh? You’d never known what you can expect to see). To see the brackish marsh and more varied landscapes, start with the 3 mile loop Sugarloaf Trail and take the 0.25 mile off-shoot (you’ll turn around and return to Sugarloaf after exploring the water front). There are so many options, it’ hard to go wrong in Carolina Beach State Park.
The park opens year-round at 7am but closing times vary throughout the year (they have a gate, so be careful about pushing your exit if you aren’t camping). In December and January, they close at 6pm, in February and November they close at 7pm, and from March through April and in October they close at 9pm, and from May to September they close at 10pm. Make sure to dress for the weather! I love my 32 Degrees shirts and pants (although I got warm throughout the day). Also for winter, I really loved having my hat.
If you decide to camp, make sure you bring lights! I like this headlamp because it includes a red light, which does not attract bugs. I keep this super bright lantern in my car too, just in case.
*If you want an almost guaranteed sighting of a Venus fly trap, head to Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Garden in the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve.
Food: Wake N’ Bake, the Veggie Wagon (original) – there’s a new one in Wilmington proper
Things to do in Kure Beach (Fort Fisher State Recreation Area)
This section needs to be prefaced by saying, there’s a lot here! Granted, that could be said about several of these things to do… What can I say? Wilmington has a lot to offer 😊 And there’s even more things to do in Fort Fisher State Recreation Area than what is listed here if you are interested!
Things to Do in Kure Beach: Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Museum
As you’ve probably guessed by all the history in Wilmington, this area was vital during several eras, particularly the Civil War. Fort Fisher first started becoming a structured war area in 1861. After several years of normal war operations, the most decisive land-sea battle of the Civil War (in North Carolina at least) was fought here (spoiler: Union troops won).
Prior to colonization, this area was home to the Cape Fear Native Americans and artifacts from their culture are still found here. Early attempts to colonize here were unsuccessful due to conflicts with this wonderful people, but it wasn’t long (1730) before Wilmington was settled just down the road.
Today, there’s almost six miles of beach and trails along the coast of this salt marsh-beach area. It touches both the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River and features a museum, fort complex, and visitor center. Tuesday through Saturday from 9am-5pm the fort is open, excluding most major holidays. Admission is free.
Additionally, the area has several rare species (go to the park office for a plant and animal checklist) such as loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, and the mysterious Fort Fisher hermit (ok, this one isn’t a species but let me tell you about it anyway).
Things to Do in Kure Beach: Hiking
Along the 1.1-mile (one way) Basin Trail, visitors will likely find an abandoned World War II bunker beside the Cape Fear River. In 1955, a 62-year-old man named Robert E. Harrill settled into this bunker after hitchhiking from the mountains of North Carolina. He fed himself by fishing and scavenging, eventually becoming a tourist attraction known as the Fort Fisher Hermit. Visitors would leave donations in his famed frying pan – he lived as a hermit for 17 years until 1972 when he died of a heart attack. Now, I don’t know how this was legal, but the Recreation site wasn’t established until 1986, so he at least didn’t have to worry about that! At the end of the Basin Trail, visitors will also be treated to an observation deck.
Things to Do in Kure Beach: SCUBA Diving
The Condor dive site is a wreckage of the Civil War blockade runner. If you SCUBA dive, this shipwreck is fun to explore because many maritime historians believe she is one of the best-preserved ships of her kind in the world.
Things to Do in Kure Beach: Fort Fisher Aquarium
The Aquarium aims to inspire appreciation and conservation for aquatic wildlife – they actually take care of the animals in their facility unlike some wildlife centers. They actually started as a Maritime Science Center but were renamed and expanded. They have sea turtles, a rescued bald eagle, an albino alligator, sharks, eels, rays… the list goes on! In Fall of 2020, they are even opening a new Asian small-clawed otter habitat. Again, all with the effort of conservation and inspiring love for our fellow beings. They also have themed events throughout the year, such as Halloween Under the Sea.
The aquarium is open daily from 9am-5pm except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Adult (13-61) tickets are $13, seniors (62+) and military are $12, and children (3-12) are $11.
Things to Do in Wilmington: General/Nearby
All the stereotypical beach things (swimming, picnicking, collect shells, read, bike, etc.) and things to do in a town are also available in Wilmington. Kayaking and paddle boarding are particularly popular. Greenfield Lake is a beautiful choice for kayaking thanks to its lush lake surrounded by gardens, wildlife and greenery. Banks Channel and Sturgeon Creek are popular for paddle boarding.
If you want your own kayak (instead of renting) but don’t have the space, I have an inflatable kayak. It’s not bad, but it is difficult to keep straight. I like it because it folds up small and doesn’t take terribly long to inflate/deflate.
Speaking of popular places to go kayaking, Masonboro Island and Sharks Tooth Island are incredible options. You get to kayak across the Intracoastal waterway on the way to the eight-and-a-half-mile protected sand dune that is Masonboro (which I can say after having done it multiple times is both a reward and a challenge). On Masonboro, you can see egrets, black skimmers, and other aquatic life. Be careful to stay on the beachy areas of Masonboro as the other areas are highly sensitive.
Sharks Tooth Island is another rewarding trip. As you might guess from the name, shark’s teeth can be found here with a little luck. In addition to shark’s teeth, countless prehistoric fossils and colonial-era artifacts are prevalent.
If you want to visit either of these islands, I highly recommend going with a tour/group or someone who is well versed in the area and kayaking – especially when crossing the Intracoastal. Large boats utilize this area. Even for Sharks Tooth, timing of your visit matters as high tides can make it a difficult and sometimes impossible journey.
Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
(hereby referred to as “the hospital” or “Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital”)
If you’ve exhausted everything on this list or just really like sea turtles, Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital is just a little bit outside of the Wilmington area (okay, so it’s 45 minutes) in Surf City. The hospital started in 1996 and fought tooth and nail to get where they are today. Today, they care for stranded and hurt sea turtles. Once the turtles are ready, they are released back into the wild! Two of their turtles haven’t been so lucky as to recover – Snookie and Lennie. You can learn all about them (and turtles in residence) on a tour of the hospital. Times vary, but for most updated hours you can usually check their website (or Facebook page!). Tickets are $5 for adults (13+), $4 for seniors and military, and $3 for children (12 & under).
Things to Do in Wilmington: Disc Golf
Disc Golf can be a fun outing to break up your vacation, and Wilmington has four free courses (bring your own discs). Three that are closest to the areas described here are Joe Eakes Park in Kure Beach, Good Hops Brewing in Carolina Beach, and Arrowhead Park in Wilmington. The fourth is in another area nearby and inland, Castle Hayne.
Things to Do in Wilmington: Ferry to Southport
If you are STILL looking for things to do in the area, consider taking the ferry to Southport. It’s a charming town and many consider it a living museum. After a 45-minute ferry ride from Kure Beach, visitors will be able to stroll to the NC Maritime Museum, Old Brunswick County Jail, Old Smithville Burying Ground, shops, and experience more movie sets (it’s not just Wilmington!). Safe Haven and Under the Dome are two popular productions you might recognize.
Tickets for the Fort-Fisher – Southport Ferry are $1/pedestrian, $2/bicyclist, $3/motorcycle, scooter, golf carts, or ATVs, or $7/vehicle. There are several other caveats to pricing but I’m willing to bet most of you won’t be driving a motorcycle with a side car on vacation. Pretty rad if you do though.
Where to Eat In Wilmington and the Area
I’m putting together a list of great places to eat with more comprehensive descriptions, but for now I recommend SeaLevel City Vegan Diner or Panacea Brewing Company in Wilmington.
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I didn’t know there were so many beaches there and loving all the nature places to visit.
There’s tons more, too! These are just the closest.