Wilmington, NC: A Classy Beach Town with Great Vibes
I spent Memorial Day weekend in Wilmington, NC, with my husband and we left genuinely impressed. We’d heard it was a nice beach town from friends, and this proved to be 100% true! It’s a classy, walkable coastal city with a charming historic downtown, beautiful beaches nearby, and an outstanding food and drink scene. If you’re looking for a beach destination with real character, Wilmington deserves a spot on your list.
Things to Do in Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Riverwalk
The Wilmington Riverwalk was our first stop on day one, and we kept coming back every evening. It’s a beautiful, easy stroll along the Cape Fear River with great views, fresh air, and plenty of restaurants and bars right along the path. We returned each night to a wine bar we loved — Market House Beer & Wine — for riverside views and a glass of wine. One evening we also got gelato at Gelarto, which was a perfect end to the night.
Battleship U.S.S. North Carolina
Battleship U.S.S. North Carolina was a highlight of the trip, and we visited on Memorial Day, which felt especially fitting. The ship is massive and its history is absolutely incredible. I’d recommend planning to spend at least 1.5 to 2 hours here. It’s worth every minute.
You do not need to buy tickets in advance for this tour, and tickets are very reasonably priced. There’s also plenty of parking, and if you go early enough, there is also a boardwalk around the ship so you can get a better look at the exterior. We wrapped up our self-guided tour around 5 p.m., which was when the ship closed for the day, so we ran out of time to do the boardwalk.
Wrightsville Beach
We went to Wrightsville Beach two days in a row — that’s how much we liked it. The sand is soft, the water is warm (at least compared to the New England beaches I am used to), and it’s conveniently close to good restaurants.
Fair warning: parking is very difficult here. Our first day, we arrived later in the afternoon and it was impossible to find a spot, so we took an Uber. Our second day, we went early — around 9 a.m. — and had no problem getting a parking spot, but the lots were filling up fast. Plan accordingly.
While we were here on Memorial Day Weekend, which made me think the beach would be mobbed, it really wasn’t that bad. We had plenty of space to sprawl and didn’t feel like we were on top of other beach goers – if you go early and claim your spot, you shouldn’t have an issue having enough space. That being said, I can’t say if that’s true on other popular holidays like July 4th.
Other Beaches Near Wilmington
- Kure Beach — one of the more popular beaches in the area, though we didn’t make it there this trip
- Carolina Beach, the Boardwalk & Carolina Beach State Park – this was also on my list of well reviewed beach options
Islands & Nature
- Masonboro Island Reserve — a beautiful reserve that’s great for birding; only accessible by boat
- Sharktooth Island — a fun adventure; also only reachable by boat
Where to Eat & Drink in Wilmington, NC
Wilmington’s restaurant scene is excellent. Here’s a breakdown of everywhere we ate, plus a few spots on our radar for next time:
The Kitchen Sink
The Kitchen Sink was our first lunch stop in Wilmington and a great introduction to the city’s food scene. It’s a casual spot worth checking out, and the interior design was eclectic and cute. We got sandwiches – a meatball sub and a turkey, goat cheese and blueberry sandwich – and lavender lemonade.
We really enjoyed our meal here, and it was a quick, easy first stop to grab a bite before we checked into our hotel.
Ceviche’s
Ceviche’s was our first dinner, and we loved it. We ordered the ceviche sampler and fancy cocktails to start, then we both got fish for our mains. Everything was incredibly fresh, the portions were generous, and the atmosphere was great. It came recommended by a friend who is also a foodie and proved to be a great dinner spot.
Tower 7
Tower 7 was our second-day lunch stop after a morning at Wrightsville Beach, and it was the perfect beach lunch. My husband had a chicken burrito, I got the Ahi tuna tacos, and we split a street corn appetizer.
We washed it all down with a margarita before heading back to the beach. It’s right near the water, so it really is ideal if you want a quick bite during your beach day.
Indochine Restaurant
Indochine was our third-day lunch, and it was excellent. The food was flavorful and the portions were enormous. What makes this place especially memorable is the exterior garden, which is where we ate outside surrounded by lush greenery. It gave the whole meal a really cool, immersive atmosphere. We did have a bit of a wait before getting our table – this place is VERY popular and it’s easy to see why. My husband and I split the Appetizer Sampler and Yum Yum Chicken along with a Thai Basil cocktail.
Seabird
Seabird was the best meal of the entire trip. We ate at the bar, which turned out to be a great choice — the bartender was friendly and made some incredible looking cocktails. My husband and I had wine (they had a great wine selection), so I didn’t try the cocktails, but I was pretty awed by the array of craft cocktails he created.
The service at this restaurant was excellent, as was the interior design. We tried a wide variety of dishes and everything was exceptional. The menu seems to rotate often, likely to provide the freshest options, so you can expect quality here. This is one of the restaurants I’d tell everyone visiting Wilmington not to miss.
Circa 1922
Circa 1922 was our final dinner in Wilmington, and it was a wonderful way to end the trip.
I had the paella and really enjoyed it. It was a satisfying, beautifully prepared dish and was a generous portion. My husband got the fish special, which was also delicious and very fresh. The service was also great here, and they had a great wine selection.
This is a restaurant that’s ideal for a special occasion. In fact, while we were there, there was a celebration of some sort going on. It’s upscale and elegant, making it memorable and special.
You can find this restaurant directly across the street from Seabirds, so it’s easy to find them both on your trip. Just be sure to make a reservation, as this is a popular dinner spot and fills up fast.
Market House Beer & Wine
We ended up here every single evening of our trip. It’s situated right along the Riverwalk, and the views are just right for winding down with a glass of wine. A perfect spot to reflect on the day. I couldn’t find a website for these guys – I got the sense they were a local favorite.
Best Dessert & Coffee in Wilmington, NC
Gelarto
If you want dessert with a view, this was a great stop for a sweet finish to the evening. Gelarto is right in the mix and a lovely treat after a Riverwalk stroll.
I got a cookies and cream gelato and the serving size was generous. It was really good gelato and hit the spot after a hot day. They have plenty of rotating flavor options, so you can mix it up based on your preferences.
The theming in Gelarto was especially cute, with little Vespa seats inside overlooking the Riverwalk. We took ours to go since the weather was really nice and we wanted to take another stroll along Riverwalk, but I just had to snag a picture of the colorful little Vespa seats.
Hidden Grounds Coffee
Hidden Grounds Coffee was one of the most memorable stops of the entire trip — we liked it so much we went twice. This coffee shop has a cowboy and dinosaur theme, and it is genuinely delightful. The interior is very cool, though note there’s no indoor seating. The real magic is outside: a beautiful back patio with lots of great seating, tropical plants, and dinosaurs tucked everywhere you look. It’s a vibe unlike any coffee shop I’ve been to.
The first time we went was on a weekend morning, and the line was long — but the baristas were moving fast and were incredibly friendly the whole time. Worth every minute of the wait. They also had an impressive spread of baked goods. I had a lemon lavender muffin and my husband had a jalapeño cheddar scone.
The coffee menu rotates, so you can expect new and creative options each visit. Our first day, I had a coffee drink topped with sprinkles; the next visit I got one with caramel and coconut. My husband had a cold brew one day, then a coffee with vanilla foam, and on our second visit he ordered a campfire-themed drink topped with toasted marshmallow. If you love a creative, seasonal coffee menu, this is your place. They also have fun merch if you want to take a little piece of Wilmington home.
Drift Coffee
Drift Coffee has several locations across North Carolina, and the Wilmington spot is a solid, relaxing coffee shop with good vibes and quality drinks. I had a chai tea latte and my husband had a cold brew.
It was a great place to get caffeinated and ready for the day. Plus, it was a close walk from our hotel and is conveniently located downtown.
More Wilmington Restaurants & Coffee Shops
These spots are on our radar for a return trip:
- Bitty & Beau’s (coffee shop)
- The Maroon Monkey (coffee shop)
- Cape Fear Smash Burgers
- The Dram Yard
- Rooster & Crow
- Savorez
- Satellite Bar & Lounge
Where to Stay in Wilmington, NC
When in doubt or travelling on a budget, I go with Marriott Bonvoy since the hotels are consistently affordable and clean, and the points add up fast. That’s exactly what I did for this trip since we were splurging on the second leg of the trip in Asheville.
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District, and it was the perfect home base. The location was ideal — walkable to the Riverwalk, restaurants, and the historic district. We chose it for budget and convenience, and it delivered on both.
If you’re looking to splurge or try something with more local personality, there are many stunning boutique hotels to consider as well as spacious and convenient Airbnb options. I had researched several hotels in the area before deciding they were not within my budget for this particular trip, but maybe next time!
Here are a few other Wilmington hotels worth considering:
- The Hive If you want access to your own kitchenette or want the space of a larger suite, The Hive is your best option. This hotel is in downtown Wilmington and has spacious suites that allow for a more home-like feel. This is an ideal place to stay if you’re visiting Wilmington for a longer period of time.
- ARRIVE Wilmington This was my top pick of hotels if budget had allowed. It’s part of a smaller hotel group in some great Southern cities. ARRIVE hotels have really beautifully designed rooms and a relaxing vibe. The location in Wilmington also had a restaurant I was interested in, the Dram Yard, which would be a convenient place to grab a nice dinner if you’re staying at the hotel. We did not eat at the Dram Yard, so I can’t speak to the food here, but it was among those on my list when I researched the area.
- Hotel Ballast This 5-star hotel was a stone’s throw from where we stayed and it was right on the river. It offers convenience and luxury. If you are a Hilton Honors member, you can get points for staying here since it’s part of Hilton’s hotel collection.
- Dreamers BnB This small boutique hotel has charming, well designed rooms. It’s in the historic district of Wilmington, which is a great area to stay.
Final Thoughts on Wilmington, NC
Wilmington is a Southern town that’s polished without being pretentious. It’s a city with real history, beautiful beaches, and a food scene that punches well above its weight. Whether you’re strolling the Riverwalk, exploring the Battleship, or eating your way through downtown, there’s a lot to love here. I’ll definitely be back.
This article is part of my U.S. Cities Series 🇺🇸 Check out my other favorite destinations in the U.S.!
