Even though Wilmington, NC, is a beautiful coastal town that I feel blessed to call home, it is sometimes nice to get out of town and explore one of the several day trips from Wilmington, NC. North Carolina is a true gem, and there is so much to see. Listed below are the best day trips from Wilmington, all within two hours.
Pick a beach!
The beautiful part of being in Wilmington, NC, is the proximity to SO many North Carolina beaches. Every beach has its own vibe and scenery that is unique to itself. Take the time to discover what our Carolina coast has to offer!
Wilmington Beaches
Wrightsville Beach (6 miles from Wilmington)
Wrightsville is the closest beach to downtown Wilmington and is a popular choice for both tourists and locals. Whether a weekend getaway or a day trip from a nearby town, you will not be disappointed with its beautiful blue waters and surf town vibes.
- Wrightsville Beach Things To Do
- Rent paddle boards at Wrightsville SUP
- Take a surf lesson at South End Surf Shop or simply grab a coffee at Sundays (located upstairs at South End) and walk over to the Crystal Pier to watch the surfers.
- Walk the loop (2.45) starting at Wrightsville Beach park, crossing the Banks Channel and Intracoastal Waterway.
Carolina Beach (12 miles From Wilmington)
When traveling to Carolina Beach, you will transport back in time with the old-school boardwalk, retro motels, and charming beach cottages. Carolina Beach truly offers something for families and adults, from amusement rides to a lively boardwalk.
- Carolina Beach Things To Do
- Enjoy the nostalgic boardwalk with amusement rides, Britts donuts, and a vibrant nightlife.
- Take a hike at the beautiful Carolina Beach State Park. This park offers several trails with stunning views and, if you’re lucky, naturally occurring Venus flytraps, which only grow within a 75-mile radius of Wilmington.
- Play disc golf at Good Hops Brewery
PS: If you are looking for more nature options, then check out my guide to the best hikes in Wilmington!
Kure Beach and Fort Fisher (Kure: 15 miles, Fort Fisher: 17 miles From Wilmington )
Kure Beach and Fort Fisher will take you back to a much simpler time. With the cute beach cottages and the quaint boardwalk, the main attraction truly is the beach.
- Kure Beach and Fort Fisher Things to Do
- Eat at Freddie’s restaurant for delicious Italian food. Make sure to make a reservation prior to visiting.
- Visit the Fort Fisher Battlefield and Museum, which is an immersive experience with the Civil War bunkers, an interactive museum, and trails with gorgeous views of the Cape Fear River.
- Walk the Basin Trail that leads you to a WWII bunker, which was a shelter for the infamous Fort Fisher hermit.
- Drive on the beach at Fort Fisher.
Topsail Island (38 Miles From Wilmington)
Topsail Island is a perfect option for a beach getaway close to home. With beautiful blue water similar to Wrightsville and a more preserved beach option, you will not be disappointed!
- Topsail Island Things To Do
- Stroll around Soundside Park
- Visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Rehabilitation Center, which is truly a one-of-a-kind experience to tour the facility where sea turtles from the North Carolina coast are rehabilitated and returned (when possible) to our oceans.
Brunswick County Beaches
Oak Island (33 Miles From Wilmington)
Oak Island is a perfect combination of quaint coastal charm with more beach activities.
- Things To Do in Oak Island
- Visit the Oak Island Lighthouse and climb the 131 steps to the top.
- Walk the Environmental Overlook trail, where you can get beautiful views of the Davis Canal.
- Go to the point for a unique beach day.
Bald Head Island (42 miles From Wilmington)
A day trip to Bald Head Island from Wilmington, NC, is a perfect mini-adventure, as you have to take a ferry to discover one of North Carolina’s last beach towns with a huge emphasis on preservation.
- Things To Do on Bald Head Island
- Climb the 108 steps at the Old Baldy Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina.
- Rent Bikes to explore the preserved island.
- Explore the M Kent Nature Trail or the Bald Head Woods Maritime Forest Preserve to see beautiful live oak trees and other coastal wildlife.
Holden Beach (38 Miles From Wilmington)
I would consider Holden Beach to be the most rural of all the Brunswick and Wilmington beaches. This can be a blessing for someone wanting to take a day trip for relaxation and serenity.
- Holden Beach Things To Do
- Go shelling and find shark’s teeth, sea biscuits, and other beach gems that are unique to Holden Beach, as dredging from the ocean brought up unique shells and fossils.
- Explore the point that is situated on the other side of the ocean that disconnects Holden and Oak Island.
- Relax, as the main attraction on Holden Beach is to unplug and soak in the tranquility of the coast.
Ocean Isle (46 Miles From Wilmington)
From the laid-back beach vibes, delicious food, and proximity to Myrtle Beach, there are truly so many attractions in Ocean Isle Beach for you to enjoy.
- Ocean Isle Things To Do
- Visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina for the marine history of our beautiful coastline.
- Walk the 5th Street nature trail to discover the true beauty of Ocean Isle with .7 miles of trails and views of the intracoastal waterway, marsh, and other coastal scenery.
Sunset Beach (49 Miles From Wilmington)
Sunset Beach is a great summer vacation for those wanting nature-focused activities and proximity to Myrtle Beach for more buzzy attractions.
- Sunset Beach Things To Do
- Walk the Bird Island Nature Preserve for a beach day or to admire Sunset Beach’s conservation efforts.
- Explore Sunset Beach Town Park to get stunning views of the intracoastal as boats pass by.
- Go to the Old Bridge Historical Society to learn about the history of the beach town.
- Visit the Ingram Planetarium for a unique rainy day activity.
Explore Charming Coastal Towns
Southport, NC (33 Miles From Wilmington)
If you are looking to experience the epitome of quaint coastal living, then I suggest making a stop in Southport, NC.
- Southport, NC Things To Do
- Stroll along the Riverfront Park to see views of the Cape Fear River.
- Enjoy local shopping along Moore Street
- Eat at Provision Company for a unique waterfront dining experience
Bonus: You can take the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport to enhance your day trip and admire views along the Cape Fear.
Calabash, NC (51 Miles From Wilmington)
Whether you are craving some quality North Carolina seafood or looking for a fun day trip idea from the Brunswick County beaches or Myrtle Beach, Calabash has you covered!
- Things To Do in Calabash, NC
- Indulge in fresh Calabash seafood by visiting the Waterfront Seafood Shack or Oyster Rock restaurant.
- Explore the Vereen Gardens for 3 miles worth of trails and views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the surrounding marshes.
- Visit the Calabash Garden Tea Room for a unique high tea experience.
Nature-Centered Day Trips from Wilmington
Moores Creek Battlefield (24 Miles From Wilmington)
Moore’s Creek Battlefield was a pivotal battle in the American Revolution, where over a thousand patriots defeated roughly 800 loyalists.
- Things To Do
- Take a hike and enjoy the following trails that soldiers and pioneers utilized during the Revolutionary War.
- History Trail .8 loop trail
- Tarheel Trail .4 loop trail
- Discover why this battlefield was a pivotal moment, as described by historians and other experts.
- Take a hike and enjoy the following trails that soldiers and pioneers utilized during the Revolutionary War.
Lake Waccamaw State Park (40 Miles From Wilmington)
Lake Waccamaw State Park is a perfect day trip from Wilmington for those looking for fun outdoor activities, including walking nature trails, fishing, and paddleboarding.
Urban Day Trips from Wilmington
Southern Pines and Pinehurst (Southern Pines: 134 Miles, Pinehurst: 138 Miles From Wilmington)
You can easily spend the day exploring the unique shops, eating delicious food, and admiring the architecture of both Southern Pines and Pinehurst.
- Things To Do in Southern Pines
- Wander around the various trails in Weymouth Woods.
- Stroll around downtown Southern Pines to find some truly unique shops, including Nomad Jax, Lavender Home Market, and River Jacks.
- Enjoy live music and a selection of food trucks at Red’s Corner.
- Things To Do in Pinehurst
- Play a round of golf, as there are roughly 40 courses around Pinehurst.
- Relax at the Pinehurst Spa.
- Admire Pinehurst’s quaint downtown by shopping, dining at restaurants, or visiting the cutest coffee shop, Agora Bakery.
Raleigh (129 Miles From Wilmington)
If you are looking for a change in scenery from Wilmington, why not head over to the state’s capital, Raleigh!
- Things To Do in Raleigh
- Learn something new at one of Raleigh’s museums. There are so many options to choose from; a couple of popular choices include the Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of Art. If those do not pique your interest, check out Visit Raleigh’s full list!
- Explore the JC Raulston Arboretum’s botanical garden located on NC State’s campus, where you can also learn about landscapes specific to the southeast.
- Wander around the state’s farmers’ market to find local produce, crafts, restaurants, and other handmade goods.
- Admire the change in scenery by visiting one of Raleigh’s quality parks. Listed below are a few great options to choose from:
Thank You
Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about this guide to the best day trips from Wilmington, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
Interested in Other Travel Locations?
Click below to see my articles on places in the following destinations:
This ‘Best Day Trips from Wilmington, NC’ guide might contain affiliate links, meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide you with quality content for free.
Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about day trips from Wilmington, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
