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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towns
towns
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guides
guides
17tested
restaurants
restaurants
04seasons
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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
Why the Battleship's parking lot became a marsh
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA turned a flood-prone parking lot into a tidal marsh. Here's what the Living with Water project did, and what it means for your visit.
Read the story
downtown
Wilmington Riverfest: A First-Timer's Guide to the Riverfront's Biggest Fall Festival
A 2026 guide to Wilmington Riverfest on the downtown riverfront, October 3-4: what fills the street fair, the main-stage music, the Saturday-night drone show, parking, and planning your day.
kure beach
The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Is Closed: What's Being Built and When It Reopens
The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher closed in May 2026 for a roughly $65 million expansion. Why it closed, what's being built, and when it reopens.
A First-Timer's Guide to the Riverfront Farmers Market in Downtown Wilmington
Wilmington Coffee Fest: A Cargo District Weekend, Plus the City's Year-Round Coffee Scene
Ten Margaritas, One Afternoon: Your Guide to the Wilmington Margarita Festival
Local Flavor
Coastal Dining
Done Right.
Fresh seafood, waterfront views, and a short list of places we keep coming back to.
Beach House Burgers
kure beach
Big Daddy's Restaurant
kure beach
Bluewater Waterfront Grill
wrightsville beach
Bridge Tender Restaurant
wrightsville beach
STAY CONNECTED
Plan better
coastal vacations.
Get updates on things to do and the restaurants worth a reservation across Wilmington.