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.
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Dogs on Wilmington's beaches: the rules by town and by month
When dogs are allowed on the beach at Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure, the hours in each town's restricted season, the one off-leash window, and what a violation costs.
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Free and Cheap Things to Do in Wilmington, NC
A local's list of genuinely free and under-$10 things to do in Wilmington and its beaches, from the Arboretum to the $7 ferry, with current prices for each one.
carolina beach
The Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta: A Free Race Day on the Yacht Basin
The Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta races Saturday, September 19, 2026 in the yacht basin. Free to watch, plus where to park and how the race day runs.
The Cape Fear Fair Is Gone: Where to Find a County Fair Near Wilmington
Parking at Wilmington's beaches and downtown: rates, seasons, and rules by town
Sea turtle nesting season on Wilmington's beaches: dates and light rules by town
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.