Enter town and check into your home away from home for a long-weekend getaway. Whether you’ve chosen a cozy loft tucked above a brick-lined street or a boutique hotel within sight of the Cape Fear, you’re within a short walk or easy drive of everything you’ll want to experience in the coming days.
Walk over to the Riverwalk for a scenic waterfront stroll, complete with stop-offs for boutiques, art galleries, and markets. Treat yourself to a sweet pick-me-up or espresso from GelaRto, housed inside the historic JW Brooks Warehouse Building, and browse the playful accessories and styles at Lynn and Lou Boutique. As you mosey around, the Riverwalk gives you a premier spot to take in the setting sun’s soft glow and the early weekend buzz that starts to fill downtown Wilmington.
Enjoy a taste of the coast at Seabird, which features fresh-caught seafood in a bright, inviting atmosphere. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
There’s no better place to launch a long weekend on the coast than Seabird, set in a historic building downtown. Owners Dean Neff and Lydia Clopton need only look out to glimpse the water. “It feels like we have a front-row seat to the city, the bustling energy, diverse crowds, and Cape Fear River,” Neff says. “It’s special that this building, which is a living piece of Wilmington’s history, can be used as a restaurant because it means so many people can enjoy it.”
Don’t miss the seafood tower, which Neff describes as “a snapshot of North Carolina.” Filled with raw, cured, smoked, and marinated seafood, this menu item features unexpected ingredients like local snow crab claws and the only Osetra caviar raised in the States. After dinner, cap your night just around the corner at Pie Slayer, where a slice of Chocolate PB Butterfinger seals your first taste of the town.
It’s a fitting start to your long weekend of exploring eateries and natural wonders along the Cape Fear River, downtown, and the surrounding beaches. Here’s how to plan your visit.
Lift your spirits, raise a glass, and reimagine an autumn getaway on the coast in Wilmington & Beaches.
Paddle through the calm waters for a scenic adventure. Wrightsville SUP offers stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes for rent. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
The best part about Friday mornings at the beach: Just before weekend crowds fill the sand, restaurants, and bars, you have space to feel like a local while still getting full-on vacation vibes.
Start your day with a walk down Front Street to The Maroon Monkey, a local coffee shop that can pour your regular cuppa or concoct a seasonal sip, like the pumpkin-tinged Fall Festival, the chilly night-inspired S’mores, the cinnamon bun-imbued French Toast, or the sprinkle-topped Christmas Cookie. They also have locally baked goods like coffee cake and bagels, but if you want to go wild, we recommend their Mega Cinnamon Roll — big enough to share but good enough to keep for yourself.
Summer may be over, but you can still enjoy Wilmington’s waters in the fall. Wrightsville SUP offers stand-up paddle boards, kayak rentals, outrigger canoes, and (for the land lubbers) bike rentals. Book an outrigger canoe tour and glide over Wrightsville’s calm waters as you learn about the wildlife and history of the area. It’s great for all ages and experience levels. If you want to up the ante on your adventure, test your balance at one of the stand-up paddleboard yoga classes or a nighttime paddleboard excursion, illuminated by LED lights on your board.
Enjoy a peaceful walk along The Loop, a 2.5-mile path in Wrightsville Beach. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
After your Big Adventure, refuel at King Neptune. Open since 1947, it’s the longest running restaurant in New Hanover County. Experience true local fare, with produce plucked from nearby farms, seafood harvested fresh from local waters, bread baked around the corner, and beef raised on North Carolina grass. You can’t go wrong with the seasonal specials, but the regular menu’s cream of crab soup, grilled romaine salad, and classic shrimp and grits are a few of the mainstays that keep us coming back.
After lunch, walk The Loop, a 2.5-mile path that rings Wrightsville’s heart. Peer at the water, beach houses, and hop off at any time something strikes your fancy — the Harbor Way Gardens or the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. Follow the map or go fancy free; it’s up to you.
Enjoy paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more at Cameron Art Museum. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
When you’re all looped out, head back to Wilmington to explore the immense arts programs. If you’re around on a fourth Friday, make your way to Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, where venues open their doors after hours to celebrate Wilmington’s rich arts and culture. Stop by the Cameron Art Museum (or CAM) on South 17th Street, where — in addition to the exhibits by regional and international artists — regular events like jazz nights and exhibit openings bring buzz. Thalian Hall and The Wilson Center have prime performances year-round. Check the events calendar for a full list of offerings.
After your evening’s entertainment, get a nightcap at Concorde Espresso Bar. In addition to cocktails, coffees, and teas, they offer sweet-and-savory s’mores kits (think cheeses like gouda and brie for savory, classic s’mores for sweet) delivered to your table along with a personal fire. We like to enjoy a decaf affogato while roasting marshmallows right at the table — the sweetest flight to sweet dreams.
Board The Henrietta and see Wilmington from a new perspective. Cruise past historic icons, feel the river breeze, and soak in the charm of the downtown waterfront area. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
On a lazy Saturday morning, Savorez, a Latin fusion hotspot on Chestnut Street helmed by Wilmington native Chef Sam Cahoon, has just the brunch you need to ease into an adventure-filled day. Order the Breakfast of Champions, comprised of buttermilk fried chicken, fluffy arepa, chorizo gravy, citrus cabbage slaw, salsa fresca, and a single over-easy egg.
Make your next stop Cape Fear Riverboats on South Water Street. Hop aboard The Henrietta for one of their daily sightseeing tours, and you’ll quickly discover why this is Wilmington’s longest continually running boat tour. As you cruise down the historic waterfront past the port’s Battleship North Carolina at Eagle Island and under the iconic Cape Fear River Memorial Bridge, the captain regales passengers with a mix of Wilmington history, facts about the river and its ecosystem, “and, of course, some pirate lore!” Beth Scribner says, the tour company’s president and CEO.
The Henrietta has two levels, so once aboard, you have the choice of watching from the observation deck or the fully enclosed, climate-controlled lower level. “The observation deck is perfect for getting a birds-eye view of the water birds and the sights!” Scribner says.
After a morning or afternoon at the beach, unwind with fresh coastal cuisine and a tropical cocktail at the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
Venture to the southern beaches for lunch. Mere steps from the dunes in Carolina Beach, the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar serves a Calabash-style platter that lets you emphatically cross “fried seafood” off your beach trip bucket list. This combination of fried oysters, fried shrimp, and fried flounder — with fries and coleslaw — checks all the boxes.
Step back in time for a history lesson at Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Check out the exhibits and learn how this seaside fort played a significant role in the Civil War. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
Ready to stretch your legs? Spend the afternoon meandering through Fort Fisher State Historic Site, a Civil War fort in nearby Kure Beach that makes education feel like time travel. The fort once stretched more than a mile along the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean, and present-day visitors can still see the massive earthworks the Confederate Army built to guide the river.
Follow the Basin Trail along marshlands, sand, and boardwalks. Marvel at the serene views while keeping an eye out for wildlife. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
Continue with a walk on the Basin Trail in Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The route begins on Loggerhead Road and winds a little more than two miles through marshland, sand, and boardwalks past the World War II bunker where Robert Harrill, affectionately known to locals as the Fort Fisher Hermit, lived from the 1950s into the 70s.
Fuel up with a burger at Winnie’s Tavern, a local institution. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
You’ll be grateful you spent the afternoon on foot when you see the menu at Winnie’s Tavern, a 62-year-old Wilmington institution. Featured on the Cooking Channel’s “Best Things I Ever Ate,” the third- and fourth-generation owners grill up a burger for every taste. You won’t regret ordering one of the most-requested items: the Trailer Park burger, piled high with a Cajun fried-green tomato, jalapeño pimento cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, iceberg lettuce, bread-and-butter pickles, and chipotle mayo.
Catch a concert under the stars at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, located right on the river. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
For this evening’s entertainment, check the lineup for two of Wilmington’s most beloved stages: Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Both are applauded for their outdoor features; the former is framed by trees and surrounded by a lake, and the latter’s location right on the Riverwalk lends itself to splashy sunset views.
Escape into the tranquility of Airlie Gardens, where natural beauty meets history. Photography courtesy of Wilmington & Beaches CVB
There’s a reason the producers of the Summer I Turned Pretty chose Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters as one of their filming locations: The fireplace lends a cozy feel, natural light streams in through a sunroom with sliding-glass doors, and farmhouse-style community tables make it easy to converse. What to sip while you chat? Try the Columbia Aponte Honey pour-over, made with dried mango and cinnamon.
Your Wilmington weekend wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Airlie Gardens. Recognized for its romantic live oaks draped with Spanish moss, seasonal blooms, and even a grand butterfly house all aflutter with native species, the gardens are a feast for every sense.
Whether you want a sit-down lunch before you hit the road or a quick stop for to-go sandwiches, make The Half your final destination. Housed in an adorable brick building, The Half features creative sandwiches and a selection of locally brewed beers. “The Half has found devoted fans in Wilmington and beyond — and now, I count myself as one of them,” Greensboro resident Anna Grace Thrailkill says, who recently stopped in for lunch before departing Wilmington. “I ordered The Superette and a bag of chips fried in-house, which were seasoned with something reminiscent of Old Bay. After a few bites, I stuffed some of the chips between thick layers of turkey, pickles, and cheese for an extra-satisfying crunch on a sandwich that I’m still thinking about.”
So pack your bags and plot your eastbound route. From an artsy coastal city to charming beach communities, Wilmington and its neighboring towns offer plenty of ways to fill a weekend. Click here to start planning your trip.
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