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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guides
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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.
DO
The Best Time to Visit Wilmington's Beaches, Month by Month
A month-by-month guide to Wilmington's beaches: water temperature, crowds, hurricane season, events, and cost, so you can pick the right week to go.
Read the story
STAY
What a Wilmington Beach Trip Actually Costs in 2026
What a Wilmington beach trip costs in 2026, line by line: lodging, food, gas, parking, and activities, with 2026 figures and budgets for a couple and a family.
wrightsville beach
Airlie Gardens: A Day-Visit Guide to Wilmington's Coastal Garden
Plan a visit to Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC: tickets, hours, the ancient Airlie Oak, the seasonal butterfly house and Bottle Chapel, and the best time to go.
Airlie Gardens Summer Concert Series: Tickets, Shuttles, and What to Bring
Touring 'Hollywood East': Wilmington's Movie and TV Filming Locations
A Sunset Cruise on the Cape Fear: Riding the Henrietta from Downtown Wilmington
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.