Travel in Wilmington and Carolina Beach – Places to See, Things to Do

Wilmington and Carolina Beach are great places to travel to, and here are a few things to do there! Okay, we didn’t plan much when we arrived in North Carolina. We just showed up and discovered some really cool places. This post shares a few of the highlights with you.

Things to Do in Wilmington

Let’s start with a quick overview of Wilmington, NC:

Wilmington is a port city in North Carolina. It’s known as a gateway to Cape Fear Coast beaches like Wrightsville, with its strong surf, and Carolina, with its long boardwalk. Part of downtown’s Historic District, the Riverwalk is lined with restaurants, galleries and shops. It runs along the Cape Fear River, where the Battleship North Carolina is moored.

Wikipedia

• Walk the Historic District
• Battleship USS North Carolina
• Bellemy Mansion
• Wilmington Marina and Restaurant
• Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar (Good Happy Hour and good Food)

Things to Do in Carolina Beach

Please forgive us, but we knew nothing about Carolina Beach prior to visiting. Here’s the touristy description of the city:

Carolina Beach bursts with vibrant activities and things to do. The fun begins on the bustling, vintage seaside boardwalk lined with pizza, donut and ice cream stands and an arcade. Continue the adventure by renting bikes and exploring the town. Hike a scenic white-sand trail at Carolina Beach State Park that leads to a gorgeous overlook of the Cape Fear River. Cast a line from the wooden Carolina Beach Fishing Pier or on an offshore fishing charter. Hit the surf for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or ride the waves on a float or surfboard. Take the family for a picnic at Carolina Beach Lake or attend a beach music or seafood festival. Whatever you choose, you’ll find fun for all ages that’s unmistakably Carolina Beach.

WilmingtonAndBeaches.com

And wow, this place is great!

We stayed in the harbor and dinghied to town. But the golf carts and ubers are plentiful if you prefer to travel by road. Here are the top places to spend time in Carolina Beach:

• Ida Thai Cuisine
• El Cazador (Pretty darn close to Tex-Mex)
• The Beach!
• The Boardwalk (if you’re okay with crowds)
• Michael’s Seafood
• Island Beverage for Local Craft Beer (and pretty good happy hour)
• Walk the town. It’s just got a cool low-key beachy vibe.