This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.
We have spent many weekends in Wilmington, NC and each time we have such a different and exciting experience. So, whether you are deciding to stay on land or hit the water, visiting with or without the little ones this itinerary is for you. Book your next vacation and keep these recommendations at the top of your list for your next trip to Wilmington, NC. We had the chance to stay at the Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront Hotel again. Check out my review of the Embassy Suites from our stay in 2020 here! This hotel is located on the Riverwalk and has the perfect view.
Things to do in Wilmington, NC
Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens is absolutely beautiful! The gardens are known for its 67 acres of wildlife and nature, and they have thousands of beautiful azaleas that bloom each spring. If you’re into Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill, then I’d have you know several scenes were filmed at the Airlie Gardens. The butterfly house was something to remember. There is a lot of history to learn about the gardens, so if you have the opportunity to take a guided tour you definitely should.
NC Food Tour
Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours was so much fun. Chris and I had the opportunity to experience our first food tour. Courtney, our tour guide was amazing and was very knowledgeable of each restaurant and its story. We stopped by several restaurants throughout the Historic Downtown Wilmington area. There is a list of 15 restaurants that Courtney picks from, so each tour can have a different experience. Each chef prepares something different that may or may not be on the menu. Throughout the tour, we had the chance to meet chefs and owners, and they shared info about their food and drink pairings as well as some background on their restaurants. Not only did we enjoy delicious savory and sweet foods, but we also did a bit of wine tasting. We got to try The Pilot House, Savorez, Cape Fear Rum Cake, The Vine, GelaRto and The Fortunate Glass.
Moon Cruise
The Moon Cruise was absolutely magical! The Carolina Runner docks directly across the street from the Blockade Runner Beach Resort where they have many activities to choose from with Soundside Adventures. We took off into the Intracoastal Waterway and cruised around the island until we made our way out into the Atlantic Ocean. It was a stunning ride out to the ocean and once we got there, we waited for the moon to rise. Saturday night we got to experience a full moon rise above the horizon. This was a moment that is unexplainable. You just had to be there in the moment to witness how beautiful it truly was.
Soundside Adventures offers kayak and standup paddles tours. Chris and I were really looking forward to the experience but the weather didn’t permit. We are definitely adding this to our list of things to do on our next trip to Wilmington.
Battleship North Carolina
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is an authentic restored World War II battleship. We can’t wait to bring the kids back to visit. You get the chance to explore all levels of the ship. It was such an amazing experience to see the engine room, dining area, and so much more. I enjoyed learning the history of this battleship.
Places to Eat in Wilmington, NC:
Seabird
Our first stop was dinner at Seabird. It is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington, right on the intersection of Front and Market Streets. They are well known for their award-winning pastries and seafood. I had the chicken wings fried in duck fat with okra. It was so yummy! If you love fried chicken, I highly recommend you check out the wings. You can dine with Seabird for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
EAST Oceanfront Dining at the Blockade Runner
EAST Oceanfront Dining is a restaurant located in the Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Wrightsville Beach serving locally sourced fresh foods daily. We made it in time to grab fish tacos and they were some of the best fish tacos we’ve ever had. The warmth from the fish and the crunch in the Coleslaw were a perfect match. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is attached to such a beautiful resort.
Surfberry
I’ve been wanting to try an açaí bowl for the longest time. I finally got the chance when we stopped at Surfberry. It was such a yummy, cool treat for a warm day. Surfberry is a super cute spot in Wrightsville Beach and they have something for the whole family to enjoy. You can’t visit Wrightsville Beach and not stop by Surfberry.
Sweet – N- Savory
My favorite meal of the day has to be breakfast, so I love finding restaurants that have really good breakfast options. Sweet -N- Savory has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which always makes for a cool experience. The breakfast skillet I went with had steak, potato, and spinach. Not only are they known for their savory meals, but they also have yummy desserts. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
These are just a few of the many things to do when visiting Wilmington, NC and the surrounding island beaches. We have one more trip to the beach before cooler months so be sure you are following along.
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