Sponsored by Wilmington & Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Every year, my favorite moment is the moment I feel the joy when tiny pink and white buds appear on Raleigh’s trees. That’s my signal to start packing our bags for a spring vacation and celebrate the return of warmer months.
It’s not unusual for us to head straight to the Wilmington and Beaches area of North Carolina, as it’s our favorite NC coastal destination. It’s easy to reach from Raleigh, has fewer people, flowers bursting with Spring colors, and warm weather.
Wilmington, NC is a rare combination: historic architecture, beautiful riverfronts, and close proximity to some of the most popular beaches in North Carolina.
We’ve always said, it’s a smaller version of Charleston or Savannah – oodles of Southern Charm with a vibrant, unique North Carolina personality and plenty to do.
Plus, it’s the home of Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill – two very popular TV shows filmed in Wilmington – the Hollywood of the East.
Our spring vacation to Wilmington was in partnership with Wilmington Beaches. You can find more spring ideas and spring inspiration from them here.
Our weekend getaway was focused on Downtown Wilmington. Can you believe it’s the first time we’ve written about Wilmington, North Carolina on our website after years of visiting and living in Raleigh?
These are just a few suggestions for your Wilmington trip. You can swap attractions and activities depending on the weather, your schedule, hotel location and your travel style.
NOTE:We arrived on Friday night and left on Sunday morning. If you plan to visit during the week, make sure to check the hours of business.
We grabbed a quick dinner in town on Friday evening, choosing to have an early night, so we’d be ready for our two big days of exploring.
Consider Rooster & The Crow, the Seabird or Front St Brewery as dinner options. The Indochine Wilmington is another great option, just outside of downtown. However it is also one of Wilmington’s most popular restaurants and can wait up to 3 hours. These gardens are truly amazing!
Stay at Embassy Suites By Hilton, Wilmington Riverfront
The Embassy Suites at Hilton Wilmington Riverfront is often our hotel choice in Wilmington. It’s probably the nicest Embassy Suites I’ve stayed at and felt fresh, modern, and stylishly decorated.
The riverfront location of the hotel is easy to find, and it’s only a 10-minute walk from downtown.
We enjoy their spacious suites, especially welcome when traveling with kids for the extra “time out” space. If you work (or school) remotely, you’ll love the living room/office space.
Your stay at the Embassy Suites comes with a buffet breakfast that has a decent array of offerings including omelet’s made to order, pancakes, grits and pastries.
You can also enjoy two drinks at the afternoon happy hour, which includes standard well drinks.
We were so disappointed that they had to cancel the opening Cloud 9 Rooftop bar The season is extended by one week. This is where you can see the sunset from Wilmington. This is the ideal spot for a stunning sunset view of the river.
We stayed at Embassy Suites Riverfront for 2 nights and would definitely stay there again.
We liked the design of The Ballast Hotel, a block away from the river, as a hotel alternative to Wilmington. However, it was a little more costly. The Aloft and Best Western were also next door to the Embassy and looked good – location wise at least!
Day 1: Downtown Wilmington
Park your car at the hotel, you won’t need it for this day exploring downtown Wilmington. We love to walk everywhere in destinations.
Riverfront Walk, early morning
Walk along the boardwalk that runs alongside the Cape Fear River to enjoy the peacefulness of the morning and less crowds.
The Wilmington Riverwalk is 1.75 mile long. However, we usually do the section from the hotel to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Plus, we walk along it all the time during the day to access some of the downtown area’s favorite historical shops, colorful buildings and restaurants.
You can enjoy views of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, as well as Eagle Island and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge – which is known as the only steel vertical-lift bridge in North Carolina.
Check Spring happenings, as events can be held along the Wilmington Riverfront, including the bustling weekend farmer’s markets.
Wilmington takes a while to get up so make the most of those early hours and enjoy the riverfront area.
Bespoke is always a great place to have a cup of coffee.
Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
A friend of mine recently said that they select cafes to visit on road trips based on how attractive they are. Bespoke, then, would be high on anyone’s list of cafes to visit.
We stop at Bespoke every time we pass through Wimington while on our southbound road trip.
Not just for it’s style, but because Bespoke makes our favorite coffee in Wilmington.
The black and white modern design is refined and elegant and invites you to sit for a while, and you’ll see many locals tapping away at their mobile workstations there.
All of the coffee at Bespoke is provided by Durham’s Counter Culture Coffee and treated with the utmost care this local NC roaster deserves. They have hot chocolates and smoothies for the kids – or chai lattes for your teens!
Bespoke also invites guests to return at night to enjoy their wine and beer bar.
10am: Brunch At The Basics
Brunch at The Basics is a top choice for Wilmington’s best restaurants.
You’ll find a wide variety of Southern inspired breakfast dishes including crab cake benedict, and cajun shrimp and grits, but other breakfast favorites like Mediterranean scrambled eggs, and blueberry pancakes.
Brunch is always a good choice with a delicious Irish or dragon fruit mimosa!
You have two options: reserve your table now or arrive before the 10am opening. We were lucky to be third in line, which quickly grew once we arrived.
We were able to explore more of the area after our filling brunch.
11am (ish), Horsedrawn Carriage Ride in Historic Wilmington
A horse-drawn carriage ride through Wilmington’s historic downtown is a great way to start your Wilmington vacation with children.
This district was dangerously unsafe thirty years ago. You could have bought a house here for around $10,000 – but you’d need cash as no bank was willing to loan money for this run down area high on the hill near the Cape Fear River.
The people gathered to make it a historic area, which allowed them to receive federal money and grants to help restore the buildings. It’s now an expensive and well-sought area to live, with some homes now worth a million dollars!
Black plaquesYou can see what homes are like Over 100 years oldAny new development that is built in downtown Wilmington should blend in with the historic feel.
You’ll learn all of this and more on The horse drawn carriage ride pulled by Jeff and Jake, two rescued horses from Amish County in Philadelphia. Springbrook Farms, a tour company, has saved In their 35-years of operation, 18 draft horses.
Horses are well looked after, given enough rest between rides, but pull way less than they are capable of pulling. Each horse spends only one week in the city and two to three weeks on their farm out on pasture.
The carriage ride takes you along eight routes. We passed the Wilmington home that was 284 years old, which is also the childhood home for President Woodrow Wilson. There, we learned that the Spanishmoss covering the oaks is a part of the pineapple family. This does not cause any harm to the trees.
For the tour, reservations are not required. They depart from the end Market St, near the water, and cost $14 per adult, $6 per child.
NOTE: The 11:15 horse-drawn carriage ride was full so we missed it. While we waited to board the 12 p.m. train, we stopped by a few shops nearby.
Downtown Wilmington: Shopping
I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the local shops in downtown Wilmington. Spend time browsing the shops between your visit to Wilmington attractions. You’re bound to discover something for all members of your family.
The City Market, a historic landmark that has been a retail destination since 1880, is located across the cobblestoned street. There’s a melange of specialty shops as well as art and craft galleries.
City Gypsy Boutique was a favorite of mine. They sell original art from over 30 local artists, fair trade, and boutique products including apparel, accessories and jewelry, crystals and pottery, as well as home decor and other items.
Another shopping area in downtown Wilmington is The Cotton Exchange. It is comprised of eight restored buildings linked by brick walkways. There are several options for shopping in downtown Wilmington. 30 unique specialty shopsRestaurants.
1:30pm: Sightseeing Cruise along the Cape Fear River
Enjoy a relaxing hour on the water while you see Wilmington from the water with Cape Fear River Boats.
We boarded the Captain J.N. We boarded the Captain J.N., a small boat that cruises upriver to the Cape Fear Forks. After turning south, we passed the pastel-colored shops of Downtown Wilmington and the historical buildings of Eagles Island to our right and the Battleship North Carolina to your left.
The captain gave us a brief overview of Wilmington’s history from the early explorers to Modern day ships from all over the world.
We also learned more about the geography and history of the region, including the amazing story of Eagle Island, which was once home to rice fields before river dredging destroyed the industry and turned freshwater into salt.
Before turning around to cruise back, you’ll get a good look at the shipping industry that gives Wilmington the name, Port City.
You might be wondering how the Cape Fear river got its name.
Old merchants would often spot the approaching shallow cape, and would turn their boats around to avoid the shoals. They would note on their charts that it was a Cape to be Worried.
Kilwins Ice Cream
The delicious smell of Kilwins Ice Cream will seduce your children, just like the witch brought Hansel and Gretel into their Gingerbread House.
This will allow them to have all the energy they need for the rest of the day.
We’ve been taking our 14 year old Kalyra to Kilwins since she was two, so it’s a very nostalgic place for us to revisit with each trip to Wilmington.
From Kilwin’s it’s only a ten minute walk to the Bellamy mansion!
3pm: Bellamy Mansion & Museum
I enjoyed exploring the 10,000 sq. Bellamy Mansion is a 22,000 sq.ft. residence with 22 rooms. It was built by primarily free and enslaved black artisans for the Bellamy family in 1859-1861.
I thought it was tasteful to tell the truth about the slave story and to help people understand.
The Self-guided audio tour begins outside the mansion, and then immediately moves to the two-story brick, slave quarters – one of the best preservered ones in the country.
You were able to learn more about the lives of slaves and the hard work they did, from sunup until sundown. The story continued as you entered and began to explore the basement to see the work done by slaves from the inside of the house.
Then, you move up theThere are five levels to the homeTo see the daily life of the Bellamy Family.
I loved the elaborate parlor, which made my welcome room feel small. The tour ends at the Belvedere. It is the small room responsible for natural air conditioning. It captures the natural breeze and sends it down to the rest.
Another favorite was the beautiful magnolia trees at the side of my house in the small, peaceful garden that offers a quiet place to rest and relax under its shade.
You can also join a guided tour for 90 minutes of the Bellamy Mansion. We took about an hour to tour the Bellamy Mansion, and both girls thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is a worthwhile family-friendly experience, and it is one of the most visited Wilmington attractions. We recommend adding this to your itinerary.
Flytrap Brewery at 4 p.m.
You can also walk a short distance to Bellamy House and find a family-friendly beer shop with lots of space for kids. You’ll appreciate a rest in the sun with an ice cold local brew.
Flytrap Brewing, a neighborhood brewery located in the heart of the booming city of Toronto, is a favorite choice. Brooklyn Arts District Historic Downtown Wilmington. You’ll find some local art hanging on the walls!
Flytrap is a specialist in American and Belgian ales. Craig enjoyed his refreshing Belgian Blonde.
They also offer unique natural wines and flavored sparkling water for children. You can check the website for the latest events. They often have food trucks, live music, and artisan markets. This makes them one of the best breweries around Wilmington.
6pm: Sunset on River
Watching the sunset at the riverfront is one of my favorite things in Wilmington. We’ve been doing that with our kids for years.
You can choose to sit at one of the Wilmington restaurants along the boardwalk, or you can just stand on the boardwalk and watch the world go by. You can also take sunset cruises.
It is possible for restaurants to get very crowded so make sure you get there early and book ahead. Some won’t take you in unless you are eating.
We managed to secure a small bar table on the deck at the restored Pilot House so we could enjoy a sunset cocktail. We had to order our own drinks from the bar. However, we were happy to oblige if it meant that we could be included in the beautiful sunset show.
These riverfront restaurants are open for dining. You’ll find menus filled with seafood options, and typical American fare. Due to the popularity of the waterfront, prices may be slightly higher.
We have eaten many times at a longtime Wilmington favorite, Elijah’s Restaurant. They have a very affordable children’s menu.
7pm: Dinner at Platypus & Gnome
What Australian can pass up a restaurant named after a favorite native animal?
Platypus and Gnome is a great place to eat in Wilmington because of its unique restaurant focus. Exotic game meats
Source your meats from sustainable sources. Their can’t miss favorites are wild boar, elk and bison. I LOVED the very extensive gluten free options they had – almost every item on the menu could be adapted.
Craig and I ordered The. Elk burgerThe ostrich sandwich. Kalyra was delighted with her juicy Bacon Bacon burger. There’s a kids menu – even with gluten free chicken tenders.
The smoky wild-boar soup was delicious and unforgettable. Either have a bowl for appetizer or sub it in as your main meal’s side for an extra price.
Platypus even sometimes has kangaroo in the menu – we missed it by a week. You can find more Wilmington restaurants by clicking here.
Day 2: Downtown Wilmington – the Beach
We used the breakfast included in our hotel at Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront this morning.
9am: Seabird Restaurant – Coffee
We were thrilled to find Seabird, a brand new Wilmington restaurant, as a great place to have coffee.
It’s not just a place for great coffee, it’s a popular lunch and dinner restaurant as well. Seabird is located inside a historic building. The restaurant focuses on seasonal seafood using North Carolina-sourced ingredients.
This coastal theme is reflected in the modern, tastefully decorated space that features full-length subway tiles and blue-toned aquatic artwork on the walls. Porthole windows are also found on the swinging doors to the kitchen. Blue upholstered chairs are also included. I loved the addition of a small library to the wrap-around bar.
Seabirds is sophisticated and cozy with warm, friendly service. Baristas who can make a good latte.
Seabird has a limited menu with grits and potatoes, a fried chicken biscuit, and pastries. This could be a good option for a grab-and go quick breakfast.
9:30am: Tour the Battleship of North Carolina
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is a popular attraction in Wilmington for kids. It was one the ten first battleships to join the American fleet during WWII.
North Carolina earned 15 battle stars during World War II and participated in every major naval operation in the Pacific region of operations.
She was considered the world’s greatest navy ship and you can wander through the ship to see the sailor’s and officer’s quarters and mess hall as well as the vast amount of artillery on the expansive deck.
We were unsure whether our two daughters would enjoy touring the North Carolinian battleship. However, they all loved it.
It was a fascinating insight into life aboard a navy vessel, helping us see the difficulties of life cramped below a steamy, smelly deck – and that’s without being stuck in the throes of a fierce battle. NO, THANK YOU! It will increase the respect and admiration that you have for our servicemen.
It’s unbelievable how big it is below deck – you can tour 9 different levels – and we had no idea whether we were bow, stern, starboard or port the entire time. You can use arrows to guide you on the self-guided path.
We couldn’t visit the upper decks due to renovations.
Be sure to walk around the perimeter of the boat on the SECU Memorial Walkway – you may even see an alligator or two in the murky waters! From here, you can also see Downtown Wilmington and the river.
The North Carolina battleship remains one of the most visited attractions in North Carolina.
We spent an hour here, but it’s common for visitors to Wilmington to spend two hours.
11am: Museum of the Bizarre
When we travel, we like to visit unique and quirky museums. Kalyra, our teen, might also find the Museum of the Bizarre interesting. It was!
This small museum is located in downtown Wilmington was a great place to have a good time. You only need about 30-60 minutes but it’s well worth it, especially at such an affordable price.
This curiosity museum focuses exclusively on unusual, collectable oddities.
You’ll find life-sized movie characters, artifacts like Alexander Hamilton’s hair and Houdini’s ouija board, random scribblings from Charles Manson, shrunken heads, bizarre creatures from the Circus like the goat brothers, a cast model of Regan from the exorcist, and a real life cauldron discovered in Pennsylvania that without warning blasts out a fiery steam to make you jump.
A small amount of it is also available. Mirror mazeAnd Laser trail game you can do. Both of them had a lot of fun, especially with the fun music that we danced to as we made our way through the hall of mirrors. (You can watch the video soon!)
This attraction is a must-see for teens in Wilmington.
12pm Lunch: Beer Barrio
Do you love margaritas and tacos? Enjoy a delicious lunch at this Mexican restaurant that uses craft beer. Sunday brunch is also available at Sundays.
You may find a southern flair in these tacos though choices like a catfish po’boy and beer braised beef tacos and pulled pork on your nachos, bowls and burritos.
The food is affordable, delicious, and large for a taco. Plus, most ingredients are sourced locally.
The other star of this restaurant is beer, with a local brew making its way into almost all dishes!
Hayley Jensen, the beer sommelier and Stephen Durley are the owners. They have worked together at some of New York City’s finest restaurants so expect big flavors.
For our extremely fussy tweens, they even had a delicious French Toast dish on the brunch menu!
1pm: Head to Wilmington NC Beaches
Since it’s spring and the weather is warming up, we recommend adding beach time to your list of things to do in Wilmington.
Wilmington is close to two great North Carolina beaches. Our favorite is Wrightsville Beach. But Carolina Beach to the south, which is colorful and very family-friendly, is our favorite. Kure Beach is also nearby.
You can find great food options at every beach location. There are also many beach activities like surfing lessons or paddle boarding.
These posts will help plan your time at the coast, including where to eat dinner before you return home. These are our top tips:
We hope that you have a great spring getaway to Wilmington NC. Leave a comment to share your favorite things to do in Wilmington NC.
We’ll always be returning and love to hear your suggestions, as do all the future readers of this post!
Source: Breaking Travel News