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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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
Parking at Wilmington's beaches and downtown: rates, seasons, and rules by town
Parking rates and paid seasons for Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure Beach, plus downtown Wilmington, with the official pages to confirm your dates.
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DO
Sea turtle nesting season on Wilmington's beaches: dates and light rules by town
Sea turtle nesting season dates for Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure Beach, each town's beachfront lighting rule, which ones are law, and the nest counts.
carolina beach
Where to stay in Carolina Beach: oceanfront hotels, boardwalk inns, and the cottage stretch
Carolina Beach lodging: which oceanfront hotel fits your trip, what the boardwalk-era inns are actually like, and how to find your spot on the island.
Where to eat in Kure Beach: the classics worth the drive
Take the Ferry to Southport: Wilmington's Easiest Day Trip
Where to Eat in 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.