We have rounded up the top three reasons why you should visit Wilmington, North Carolina this year!
The Beaches
Really, the beaches are reason enough for you to haul your loved one or the entire family to Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach each offer a unique experience and none of them will dissapoint.
Wrightsville Beach is easily the most accessible of the Wilmington area beaches and perfect for your next family trip. The area stays active year round, making it a great off season destination. Dive into adventure with water sports galore or relax and unwind next to pristine clear waters. Need to escape the vacation rental? Head to the beachfront for a vibrant social scene and delicious restaurants.
Carolina Beach boasts a 700 acre state park with a visitor center and nature trails that wind throughout. In addition world class fishing opportunities abound and the area hosts three fishing competitions yearly. The beaches themselves are known for their soft sand and awesome surf and the nationally-renowned beach boardwalk will entertain all ages.
Kure Beach provides the perfect small town backdrop for you to reconnect and explore the area’s natural beauty. Home to the coast’s oldest fishing pier, Kure Beach is ripe with history. Outdoor parks and the aquarium make entertaining the kiddos a breeze.
The History
Wilmington Riverwalk holds the Cotton Exchange, the USS North Carolina Battleship, and the 1914 Murchison Building in its path among other prestigious historic buildings. If you can drag yourself away from the wooden walkway, history waits just steps away! Battleship North Carolina fought in every major naval offensive during WWII and earned 15 battle stars along the way. Walk along the decks and get swept back to 1942 and the history made by this vessel.
Museums, cemeteries, and historic homes are not in shortage and provide plenty to do if the weather prevents you from laying on the beach all day. Highlights include the Burgwin-Wright House Museum, the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design, the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, the Latimer House Museum, Moores Creek National Battlefield, Oakdale Cemetery, and the Poplar Grove Plantation.
Year Round Fun
Don’t let the off season deter you… In fact, many prefer to visit the Wilmington area in the fall to enjoy mild temps and crowd-free attractions. Vacation rental prices drop, leaving more money in your budget to dine out on delicious local seafood and soak up the attractions. If you visit during the fall, plan your stay around one of the many coastal festivals to immerse yourself in the local scene. In addition, the fishing scene remains one of the best on the east coast and the off-season means less competition from other visitors.