Summer Bucket List
Trip Ideas in Wilmington and Island Beaches
Squeeze every last moment out of your coastal vacation with our bucket list of things to do this summer in Wilmington and our Island Beaches. We’ve highlighted a summer full of places to go, must-try experiences, things to see, dishes to eat and hidden gems you won't want to miss. Discover tried and true classics or experience new things to do.
Tried & True Classics
Wilmington
- Stroll through exquisite gardens at the New Hanover County Arboretum and Airlie Gardens
- Watch the sunset over the Cape Fear River while enjoying dinner downtown at Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill, Elijah’s, Pilot House, The George on the Riverwalk, Steam Restaurant & Bar or Marina Grill
- Visit each of the area’s 18 local breweries along the Wilmington Ale Trail
- Embark on a self-guided tour to see where your favorite movies and TV shows were made, including Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Iron Man 3 and more
- Play a round of golf at an area course like the Wilmington Municipal Golf Course, Beau Rivage Golf & Resort or Inland Greens
- Head to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park for the area’s largest water park, mini golf and go carts
- Take a self-guided tour of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
- Eat at one (or more!) of the Wilmington restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Ceviche’s, Copper Penny, Fork N Cork, Something FISHy, Cast Iron Kitchen and Sweet n Savory
- Take in sights of the Cape Fear River on one of Wilmington Water Tours, Bizzy Bee Water Taxi or Cape Fear River Tours
- Walk, run or rent bikes to explore the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail
Wrightsville Beach
- Take a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga class with Wrightsville SUP
- Experience a birding tour or go shelling on Masonboro Island with Epic Excursions, Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, Bluewater Transport Charters, Soundside Adventures at Wrightsville Beach or La Dee Dah Sunset Cruises
- Catch the sunrise at Crystal Pier
- Find giant Megalodon shark teeth on a dive with WB Diving
- Share your hopes and dreams anonymously by leaving a letter in the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox located at the north end of the beach
- Dock and dine for a meal or happy hour cocktail at waterside marina restaurants The Bridge Tender, Dockside Restaurant, Fish House Grill or Bluewater Waterfront Grill
- Learn to hang ten at one of the surf camps in the birthplace of surfing on the East Coast
- Enjoy a beach picnic with provisions from Robert’s Grocery - don’t forget the famous chicken salad
- Savor a seafood-focused meal while taking in panoramic ocean views at Oceanic Restaurant or EAST Oceanfront Dining
- Practice a yoga flow outdoors at Harbor Way Gardens
- Grab a lunch to-go from Shark Bar & Kitchen during a beach day
- Sip on an international craft beer from Lighthouse Beer & Wine
- Enjoy live music alongside a waterfront meal during the Summer Music Series at Bluewater Waterfront Grill and Oceanic Restaurant
Carolina Beach
- Spot a Venus flytrap along Flytrap Trail at Carolina Beach State Park
- Enjoy boardwalk fun, summer amusement rides and fireworks on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, one of the last remaining vintage boardwalks in the U.S.
- Wait in line and indulge in a classic Britt’s Donut
- Get squiggled at Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats
- Learn to surf with an Olympic Gold Medalist at Tony Silvagni Surf School
- Discover your new favorite brew from the 350+ selection in the Fat Pelican’s walk-in cooler
- Play a round of disc golf at Trinity Disc Golf Course while sipping on a small-batch brew at Good Hops Brewery
- Stroll or rent bikes along the Island Greenway, a 1.2-mile paved path through town
- Learn history while raising a glass with Tasting History Tours’ “History in a Glass” walking and beverage tasting tour
- Enjoy live music on the beach at the Carolina Beach Music Festival held annually in June
Kure Beach
- Rent Kayaks and embark from Federal Point to Zeke’s Island Reserve, one of the three original National Estuarine Research Reserves
- Visit the WWII Bunker, once home of the fabled Fort Fisher Hermit, on a Basin Trail hike at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
- Drop a line from the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, one of the oldest piers on the Atlantic Coast
- Snap a photo under the live oak trees at Fort Fisher State Historic Site
- Charter a dive trip to The Condor, North Carolina’s first heritage dive site
- Spend the afternoon picnicking or playing with the kids at Ocean Front Park & Pavilion
- Play a round of disc golf at Joe Eakes Park
New Favorites
Wilmington
- Visit each of Wilmington’s unique neighborhoods and try new food options like Beat Street in the Cargo District
- Stop for a drink at downtown Wilmington's newest bars and distilleries at Momentum Spirits, located in the Cotton Exchange or raise a glass at The Underfront Company or Banter
- Explore Cameron Art Museum's United States Colored Troops (USCT) Park, the nation's first USCT dedicated park featuring Boundless, a life-size sculpture honoring the USCT who fought for their freedom during the Civil War
- Book a vacation rental at The Strands, downtown Wilmington's newest houseboat community moored at Port City Marina
Stay up-to-date on all things new in Wilmington on the What's New page.
Carolina Beach
- Snap a photo in front of vibrant murals installed by Carolina Beach Mural Project including “Bountiful Butterflies," "Beach Breeze," "Best Day Ever" and "The Kid in All of Us" with more to come
- Pick up a coffee or stop in for a drink at The Vault Coffee & Pour House
- In nearby Kure Beach, say hello to Pip and Scout, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher's newest sea turtle hatchlings rescued from nearby nest excavations in Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher. The sea turtles and will be on display one at a time in the sea turtle conservation exhibit and will help spread awareness and ways to protect these precious sea creatures for generations to come
Discover what's new and what's coming to Carolina Beach here.
Kure Beach
- Visit Pip and Scout, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher newest loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings rescued from a nest excavation in nearby Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher. The sea turtles will be on display one at a time at the loggerhead sea turtle conservation exhibit at the aquarium. At the exhibit, discover ways you can help protect sea turtles for future generations and learn the importance of sea turtles and their aquatic environments
- Head to the Kure Beach's newest restaurant, Riverview Restaurant. Situated along the Cape Fear River, this family-friendly restaurant features fresh seafood, fried po'boys, tacos and incredible sunsets
Find more new and upcoming exhibits, attractions, restaurants and more in Kure Beach here.
Wrightsville Beach
- Embark on an adventure with Epic Excursions newest tour, Oyster Farm Tour & Tasting
- Take a private excursion aboard The Clover, Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tour's newest pontoon boat. Or, check out their newest cruise, Airlie Gardens & Bradley Creek Boat Trip
- Dine at newly renovated King Neptune, a Wrightsville Beach staple and the oldest local restaurant in the county. Stop in for fresh seafood, specials, shareable appetizers and more
Stay in the loop on all things new in Wrightsville Beach here.
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