In my very impressionable early teenage years, I would come home from school, plop down on the couch and watch cable TV reruns of Dawson’s Creek in my family’s living room. My brothers and mom even joined in on the after-school tradition. Capeside was as real to us as our hometown of Memphis, TN. When I stumbled upon the fact that there was absolutely no such thing as Capeside … I was just a tad bit devastated. Luckily, my research into the place Dawson Leery calls home led me to discover the beautiful Southern town of Wilmington, North Carolina. Fifteen years after reading about this port city, I finally paid it a visit!
The Best Things to Do in Wilmington NC, a Complete Travel Guide
I spent three days experiencing many of the delightful things that Wilmington and several of its surrounding coastal towns have to offer. I’m sharing a peek into our trip along with some excellent recommendations of sights to see, things to do, restaurants (and specific dishes) to try while visiting the Wilmington Coast of North Carolina, below!
What To Do in Wilmington NC: Stroll Along the RiverWalk
One of the highlights of a visit to Wilmington NC is to experience its downtown Historic District, filled with delicious restaurants, galleries, charming shops, and oh-so-beautiful architecture at every turn. The bustling downtown streets end at the RiverWalk along the Cape Fear River. A stroll along this scenic boardwalk cannot be missed! You’ll spot local fisherman boarding their boats, barges sailing by, seagulls in the sky and you might even stumble upon one of the best Southern restaurants you’ve ever tried! 
Where to Eat in Wilmington NC
Speaking of restaurants, let me tell you where you can find some of the most delicious Southern-inspired coastal cuisines in Wilmington. We did a lot of research and received several recommendations when it came to where to dine during our weekend getaway. So without further ado …
Crust:
This casual eatery boasts a 90’s atmosphere (Care Bears cartoons were playing on the TV during our visit!) and the best artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches you’ll ever try. It’s a kid-friendly eatery but also caters to adults with signature colorful cocktails.
The Basics:
Delicious farm-to-table Southern comfort food. We ordered Steak topped with Goat Cheese and the tastiest meatloaf I think I’ve ever had. Reservations recommended especially on the weekends.
The Pilot House:
The restaurant is housed in what was once a pilot’s home right on the water. I recommend grabbing a table on the patio with a view of the river and dining on the Sweet Potato Grouper or Shrimp & Grits. Just thinking about how utterly divine both of these dishes were (my mom & I split them both) has me wanting to book a flight back to Wilmington stat.
Michael’s Seafood:
A bit further from town, this seafood spot is a great place to grab lunch on your way to or from the Fort Fisher Aquarium. I absolutely recommend the Captain’s Catch, a sampler platter of steamed oysters, snow crab legs, jumbo shrimp, oysters, mussels and more.
Kilwin’s:
This nostalgic sweet shop whips up chocolate creations for every season. A visit isn’t complete without a bite of fudge and a scoop of ice cream!
Bespoke Coffee:
This hipster hotspot boasts made-to-order “counter-culture” coffee drinks and a collection of artisanal goods to shop while sipping.
Where To Stay in Wilmington NC: Hotel Ballast
Located towards the end of the RiverWalk, and just steps away from the heart of downtown, you’ll find Hotel Ballast. This new to Wilmington Hotel evokes the city’s maritime history throughout its rooms and common areas in a fresh and modern way. The guestroom views of Cape Fear River (especially those at sunset) are incredible. As is Hotel Ballast’ breakfast buffet at Board & Barrel. The Southern-inspired dishes were a unique touch and my picky two-year-old even adored everything she tried – which is saying something!
What to Do in Wilmington NC: Take a Historical Home Tour
If you’re a lover of historic American architecture, Southern antebellum-style, luxurious antiques and home decor in general, then Wilmington is THE place for you, my friend. Wilmington boasts three historic home museums with perfectly preserved architectural styles from the Colonial-era to the Victorian-era.
The Burgwin Wright House and Gardens (pictured above) was built in 1770 and is the only Colonial home in town open to the public. Visitors touring the museum can learn about what life was like in a pre-revolutionary Wilmington while exploring the Georgian-style home and colorful gardens outside.
Bellamy Mansion is another utterly gorgeous Southern home open to the public for tours. When we first drove past this spectacular mansion, it took everything in me to not stop my car amidst traffic and stare out my window. Bellamy Mansion is considered one of the finest examples of Antebellum architecture in North Carolina and invites guests in to learn not only about the home, its former residents, and architecture but also what life was really like here leading up to the Civil War. The slave quarters nearby tell the stories of the free and enslaved artisans who built the mansion to educate visitors on the home’s history and the culture of the time period.
What to Do in Wilmington NC: Cruise Along the Cape Fear River
Does anybody reading this watch Outlander?! Well, I’m a BIG fan. Spoiler alert – in the most recent season, Jamie, Clare and the gang find themselves in North Carolina. Wilmington in fact! They sail out of Wilmington into the rugged landscape beyond to plant roots and settle down. Anywho, it’s not said that they sailed along the Cape Fear River … but I can only imagine that these imaginary characters that I love so dearly did just that! During our tour boat ride up and down the river, I couldn’t help but think of the Frasers and the real-life people their stories were based on, sailing down this river into the heart of America (before it was even America!)
Historical TV fandom aside, a boat ride along the Cape Fear River is a must-see attraction during a visit to Wilmington. We made our reservations with Wilmington Water Tours and hopped on the beautiful blue vessel above for a 50-minute eco-history cruise. Passengers will learn about Wilmington’s port, its history and then sail up the river through unspoiled natural wonders filled with floral and fauna at all seasons. All of the children on our cruise were delighted by the crew’s encouragement to try to spot birds, alligators and more throughout the ride!
What to Do in Wilmington NC: Learn About the City’s History on a Horse Drawn Carriage Ride
This 30-minute Horse Drawn Carriage Ride tour runs daily and departs every 30-minutes from the first block of Market Street. Lively guides offer guests tours of the city, sharing tidbits on Wilmington’s history as your carriage takes you through downtown and past the beautiful historic homes in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Tip: Grab a coffee or sweet treat from Kilwin’s across the street before hopping aboard. If you’re traveling with a child and need to stow a stroller, Kilwins is also happy to do so!
What to Do in Wilmington NC: Visit Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens invites visitors to explore its 67-acres of lush green gardens daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Seasonal blooms line the walking paths and the trails take visitors around ponds and through marshes. You’ll spot several historical structures and statues scattered about this century-old coastal garden. This not only adds to its beauty but gives guests an opportunity to reminisce on a time long since gone by.
Tip: During the summers Airlie Gardens hosts outdoor concerts on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month for only $10 admission.
What to Do in Wilmington NC: See Sea Creatures at the North Carolina Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher sits on the coast of the Atlantic about thirty minutes south of Wilmington. The aquarium is a must-see attraction for families as its aquatic and wildlife exhibits give guests an opportunity to connect up close and personal with creatures under the sea. We had so much fun learning about the marine life that lived in North Carolina’s salt marshes and tidal pools. But the real show stopper was stepping into the aquarium’s two-story ocean exhibit complete with sharks, stingrays, eels and all of the colorful fish you’d find in Finding Nemo. Annie could have definitely stayed all day!
Tip: If you’re traveling with children, be sure to plan a bit of extra time on to your visit to play in the aquarium playground once you exit. There is a food stand with picnic tables nearby selling snacks and light lunch fare.
After your aquarium visit, head on over to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. This 4-mile stretch of undeveloped beach is a 10-minute drive from the aquarium and makes for a beautiful spot to stroll, swim and spend the afternoon.
What to Do near Wilmington NC: See Wrightsville Beach
A trip to the Wilmington Coast is not complete without a visit to the crystal blue waters and sandy shore of Wrightsville Beach. Just a quick ten-minute drive from Wilmington brings visitors to a beachside paradise boasting an endless amount of activity. You’ll find surf shops, paddle board rentals, and even pirate adventure kid’s programs. After just one visit, you’ll see that it’s no surprise that Wrightsville Beach was voted North Carolina’s Best Beach.
Tip: Before you start your day in Wrightsville, grab a cup of coffee at Workshop. This charming cafe whips up a delicious latte and the owner sells her handcrafted jewelry made from megalodon shark teeth found nearby.
Where to Stay in Wrightsville Beach: The Blockade Runner Beach Resort
Wrightsville’s Blockade Runner Beach Resort is a colorful 1960s beachside hotel that is anything but stuck in the past. Today, it is a swanky mid-century modern resort oasis where guests come to stay a while making lifelong memories with their families.
Where to Eat in Wrightsville Beach: East Oceanfront Dining
We visited the resort just for their famous Sunday brunch at East Oceanfront Dining. Even after satisfying our bellies with the restaurant’s delicious Southern-fare, we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave the resort’s beautiful grounds until hours later. With Pawley’s Island hammocks swinging on the grounds, a luscious green space fit for activity and a boardwalk spilling onto the beach, we were more than happy to post up for an afternoon of leisure at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.
What I Wore to Wrightsville Beach:
Last But Not Least, Don’t Forget to Catch the Sunset in Wilmington NC!
Downtown Wilmington’s RiverWalk is positioned so perfectly on the Cape Fear River that each and every evening guests and locals alike are treated to the most breathtaking sunset views along the water. If you can plan ahead, try to reserve a table on the patio at The Pilot’s House right in time for sunset. Trust me, it will make for the most unforgettable of evenings!
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My family had the most wonderful time in Wilmington and our jam-packed itinerary could not have been made possible without the help of Wilmington Coast. Their recommendations and tips for the best things to do in the city (especially when traveling with a toddler) were invaluable. Along with this blog post, the Wilmington Coast website is a great resource to use when planning your own visit.
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And as always, thanks for stopping by the blog!
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xo, alice
