Downtown
Wilmington
Riverwalk, restaurants, and historic blocks.
NORTH CAROLINA'S COAST
The Local Guide to
Wilmington & North
Carolina's Coast.
Beaches, small-town charm, family adventures, and the unforgettable coastal moments worth driving for.
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22tested
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a year
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Featured Destinations
Explore the
Best of Our Coast.
From the riverfront in Wilmington to the dunes at Fort Fisher — four towns, fifty miles of barrier islands, and the slow southern coast in between.
Editor's Picks
Inspiration for
Every Kind of Trip.
Field-tested itineraries, local-favorite restaurants, and the kind of unhurried recommendations that don't show up on the first page of search results.
EAT
Brunch in Wilmington: Where to Go Downtown, at Wrightsville Beach, and in Carolina Beach
Find brunch in Wilmington, NC and the beach towns by location and serving time, from Seabird's weekend menu to oceanfront Sundays and Carolina Beach breakfast.
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carolina beach
Island of Lights 2026: Pleasure Island's Holiday Season and New Year's Eve Ball Drop
Plan Island of Lights 2026 in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, with dates for the lake lights, Christmas flotilla, home tour and New Year's Eve celebration.
DO
Merry & Bright at Poplar Grove 2026: Dates, $10 Tickets, and the Drive North
Merry & Bright at Poplar Grove runs Nov. 27-29 and weekends through Dec. 22, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. Plan tickets, Santa, and the drive north.
The Cucalorus Film Festival: A Guide to Wilmington's Four Days of Independent Film
The NC Spot Festival in Hampstead: A Seafood Festival Day Trip North of Wilmington
Wilmington beach rentals: where to search and what to check before booking
Local Flavor
Coastal Dining
Done Right.
Fresh seafood, waterfront views, and a short list of places we keep coming back to.
STAY CONNECTED
Plan better
coastal vacations.
Get updates on things to do and the restaurants worth a reservation across Wilmington.