Things to Do Worth the Drive.

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.

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's Riverfront Farmers Market fills the downtown riverfront with local farmers and makers on Saturday mornings. Hours, parking, and what to buy.

Wilmington Coffee Fest: A Cargo District Weekend, Plus the City's Year-Round Coffee Scene

Your 2026 guide to Wilmington Coffee Fest in the Cargo District: the latte art throwdown, the Saturday street fair, tickets, and the city's year-round coffee scene.

Ten Margaritas, One Afternoon: Your Guide to the Wilmington Margarita Festival

A 2026 guide to the Wilmington Margarita Festival at ChowTown on July 18: what general admission and VIP tickets include, the ten-sample tasting, parking, and planning your day.

carolina beach

See Venus Flytraps in the Wild at Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park's Flytrap Trail is one of the few places to see Venus flytraps growing wild. What to look for, when to go, and why you never pick one.

carolina beach

Movies at the Lake: Carolina Beach's Free Summer Movie Nights

Carolina Beach's free Movies at the Lake brings films to Carolina Beach Lake on summer evenings. What to bring, where to park, and how to plan your night.

Where to Hear Live Music in Downtown Wilmington

A guide to live music in downtown Wilmington: the venues worth your night, from Bourgie Nights and The Reel Cafe to jazz and comedy, plus who's playing this weekend.

Fourth of July Fireworks in Wilmington: Where to Watch and Whether You Can Light Your Own

Where to watch July 4 fireworks around Wilmington and its beaches in 2026, plus which personal fireworks are legal on the sand and what breaking the rules costs.

Ghost Ship at the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA: what Wilmington's haunted-deck Halloween actually is

What Ghost Ship at the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA actually is: a below-decks Halloween walk-through, how Batty Battleship Bash differs, and where ghost hunts fit.

Taking kids to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA: honest age-by-age planning

Taking kids to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA in Wilmington? An honest, age-by-age guide to the stairs, summer heat, what to skip, and what kids actually enjoy.

A Night Out in Downtown Wilmington: A Walkable Bar Crawl

A walkable 21+ bar crawl through downtown Wilmington: Front Street first rounds, speakeasy cocktails, a rooftop finish, plus parking and last call.

Visiting the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA: what to know before you go

Plan a calm visit to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA in Wilmington: how it got here, what the self-guided tour is really like, and when Ghost Ship or the race rolls in.

Wilmington beaches: how Wrightsville fits the three-island lineup

How Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach compare on pace, crowds, and logistics, so you can pick the right island for your Wilmington trip.

Wrightsville Beach rules for your first beach day

Parking kiosks, strand bike windows, and surf-zone rules at Wrightsville Beach, with links to the official town pages that stay current.

Conservation and community at Wrightsville Beach

Sea turtles, community gardeners, and town-backed stewardship at Wrightsville Beach. Respectful visitor habits with official nonprofit and municipal sources.

Fishing at Wrightsville Beach: pier walk-on vs. charters

Pier fishing vs charters by Wrightsville: licenses, gear, weather. Confirm NC rules, pier fees, and charter cancel terms on official pages before booking.

Where to walk on Wrightsville Beach: the Loop, the pier, and the museum

Plan a walking day at Wrightsville Beach: the Loop, Johnnie Mercer's Pier, and the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. Confirm hours and pier pricing at official sites before you go.