Whether you prefer the beach or historic downtown, Wilmington is a great place to visit any time of the year. With so many different pockets of Wilmington, this guide will provide you with my best places to visit in Wilmington, NC. From the coastal charm to the trendy neighborhoods, Wilmington truly offers a wide range of options for vacationers or day-trippers.
As a Wilmington local, I’m sharing all of my favorite places I love in the area.
Common Questions About Places To Visit In Wilmington NC
Is Wilmington, NC Worth Visiting?
Wilmington is worth visiting for the coastal charm, beautiful beaches, and historical downtown.
What is unique to Wilmington, NC?
Wilmington is unique to other North Carolina towns because of its multiple beaches within close fecinisty and historic downtown dating back to 1739.
Best Month to Visit Wilmington?
The best months to visit Wilmington is from April-June and September-October. You will still get warmer temperatures during these time frames with the miserable heat and large crowds.
Does Wilmington, NC have good beaches?
Wilmington has great beaches with beautiful sands and pretty blue waters.
However, if you are not a beach person, visiting in the Fall and Spring is best to avoid the hot, humid days. If you wish to visit one of the many beaches close by, then summertime is great to soak up the sun and enjoy the serenity of the ocean. Planning your visit truly depends on how you want to explore Wilmington.
Best places to visit in Wilmington, NC: Beaches
Having so many beaches within an hour of Wilmington is a huge bonus! Whether you wish to enjoy water activities such as paddle boarding, surfing, boating, kayaking, or just relaxing on the beach, the world is your oyster. I’ve included a breakdown of the various beaches below.
1. Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville is a popular option with beautiful blue waters and coastal vibes only 15 minutes driving from downtown Wilmington. If you are traveling in the summer, I must warn you that it gets extremely busy.
Parking on Wrightsville
There’s no sugar coating it, the traffic and parking situation is rough. On the weekends during the summer months, parking will fill up in the morning.
Public Parking Costs
- $6 per hour or $30 per day. If you decide to park at the park, then your first 2 hours are free.
Note: To ensure a parking spot close to the beach accesses, I would arrive by 7 am. If you’re not a morning person and do not mind walking, your next best option is to park at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church (excluding Wednesdays and Sundays) or Wrightsville Beach Park and walk over to the beach.
Wrightsville Restaurants and Bars
2. Carolina Beach
Only 15 miles (28 minutes) from downtown, Carolina Beach is known for being a more family-friendly option with amusement rides and fireworks every Thursday during the summer. The charming boardwalk takes you back in time with its restaurants, surf shops, and coffee shops. Don’t miss out on the famous Britts doughnuts!
Parking on Carolina Beach
This beach offers more accessible parking options, but be wary of the privately owned lots as they charge upwards of $12 per hour.
Public Parking Costs
- Hourly parking is $6 and is $25 per day
Restaurants and Bars on Carolina Beach
3. Kure Beach
Kure Beach is a smaller beach town located 18 miles (35 minutes) from downtown. There is a fishing pier with a small boardwalk, which is the only pier you can fish off of on Pleasure Island. There are a few restaurants, but the main attraction (rightfully so) is the beach.
Public Parking Costs
- Parking is $5 per hour and $20 per day
Kure Beach Bars and Restaurants
4. Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher is 20 miles (38 minutes) from downtown. This area is ideal for beach lovers who prefer nature-focused scenery. Even if you decide to go to Carolina or Kure instead, I would still opt to drive around Fort Fisher.
The history of this area dates back to the Civil War. Driving into Fort Fisher is so picturesque with trees canopying over the road and the ocean on the other side. Other attractions around Fort Fisher are the battlefield and the aquarium
Public Parking
- A big plus of this area is that parking is FREE
- If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, then you can drive on the beach for $25 on weekends and $15 during the weekday
5. Topsail
40 miles (1 hour and 7 minutes) from downtown. This option is gaining popularity among locals due to the challenging parking situation on Wrightsville Beach.
Public Parking Costs
Hourly parking costs $5 per hour and $25 for the day. Even though Topsail isn’t as crowded as Wrightsville, come early and be prepared to search for parking in the summer months.
Downtown Wilmington
6. RiverWalk
Downtown Wilmington is such a gem to North Carolina. Dating back to the colonial era, Wilmington was a major city due to its proximity to the Cape Fear River. You will see remnants of this history while exploring downtown and beyond. This quaint town reminds me of a much smaller and low-key version of Charleston. Whether you want a family vacation or a romantic getaway, this post will give you several reasons to visit the area.
Restaurants and Bars
Best places to visit in Wilmington NC: Neighborhoods and Districts
Wilmington has several different neighborhoods that offer an experience completely different from each other. All are within 10 minutes of downtown and allow you to explore areas that typical tourists may not visit. Listed below are the main neighborhoods with their unique attributes!
7. Cargo District
Only 2 miles from downtown, the Cargo District offers a shopping and dining experience unlike anywhere else. Developers of this area took old shipping containers and organized them into a trendy environment that houses local shops, restaurants, and bars. This is a must-see while in Wilmington if you are looking for an eclectic experience. When in the area, make sure to visit their website and social media to stay informed on events during your stay. There is always something going on so it’s hard to keep up with all the happenings!
Bars and Restaurants
- Salita Pizza
- Food Hall
- The Starling
- Fermental
- Alcove Beer Garden
8. SodaPop
The Sodapop district is a small area that revitalized an old Coca-Cola bottling plant with restaurants, bars, and an amazing ice cream shop.
restaurants and bars
9. South Front
This is another small area that has been revamped with trendy shops and restaurants. If you are in the area during the second Sunday of the month, Satellite Bar and Lounge has a great market that I enjoy. Another stop in the area is the Art Works, an art gallery and studio space open to visitors to check out the artists’ work
Restaurant and Bar
10. Brooklyn Arts District
Within walking distance from downtown, the Brooklyn Arts District is an up-and-coming neighborhood with shops, bars, and a pottery studio. This area holds a special place in my heart as my husband and I got married at the Brooklyn Arts Center. This is a great spot to get drinks or a quick bite if you are going to a concert at the Live Oak Pavilion because of how close it is to the venue!
Restaurant and Bars
11. Mayfair
Located close to Wrightsville Beach, the Mayfair is the main shopping area in Wilmington. Here you will find several chain shopping stores, boutiques, and restaurants all within this indoor/outdoor shopping district.
Restaurant and Bars
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THANK YOU
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article by Squeeze with Louise. I’m very passionate about sharing my travel tips and recommendations with you. I would love to know your thoughts on how I can enhance my blog. Please feel free to comment below with any questions regarding this itinerary or general questions about Squeeze with Louise.
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