We started our road trip to the beach on Saturday morning to downtown Wilmington. We stayed the night in Wilmington at Hotel Ballast and we spent the next day in Kure Beach. I will say that our first day was quite chilly and cold (which is why we were wearing sweaters in the pictures) and then the following day it was beautiful outside.

HOW TO GET THERE + TRANSPORTATION

Since Titi and I were only driving from Charlotte, our road trip took about 3 hours. But if you live further away, Wilmington does have a small airport where you can fly directly into town. I do recommend bringing or renting a car while you are here. The nearby cities are a must see and some of the activities are further away from the city such as Wrightsville Beach or the NC Aquarium.   

Hotel Ballast – the lobby and room by the river

SEE THE SIGHTS

Wilmington is the big city in the area, but Wrightsville Beach and Kure Beach are both unique little towns nearby. Here are a few must-see spots and activities:

• Riverwalk & Downtown Shopping: One of the main attractions, that is in the heart of the city, is the Riverwalk. If you get an hour or two, then head down to the river and walk along the Cape Fear River. The downtown area is filled with dozens of charming local business and restaurants that are too cute to miss. While we were out enjoying the town, I ended up finding a few gifts for friends and family that is sure to put a smile on their faces. The day that we were walking on the river it was super cold and chilly (in true Fall Season!).

• Arlie Gardens (Wrightsville Beach): We didn’t get a chance to make it to Arlie Gardens, but from what I’ve seen on social media, it’s a gorgeous place to watch around and enjoy nature at its finest. The gardens feature 67 acres of walking paths, formal gardens, and plenty of historic structures. While events look a little different this year, there is still plenty to do in Airlie Gardens!

• North Carolina Aquarium (Kure Beach): The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher sits right along the Kure Beach, about 30 minutes south from Wilmington. While the aquarium is on the smaller side, it is filled with plenty of exhibits to get up close and personal with the animals. My favorite part was definitely the Aquarium’s two-story ocean exhibit filled with sharks and other animals. If you didn’t know, sharks are my favorite species. During COVID, the Aquarium is requiring tickets to purchased online and for you to make an appointment before stopping by.  

• Cruise Along the Cape Fear River: Between Titi and I, I think this was our favorite thing that we did during the weekend. Even though we took the cruise on a windy, chilly day, it was a ton of fun. On the cruise, you get to learn the history of the Cape Fear Rive, see some of the sites along the river, and soak up the sunshine (if it’s a sunny day that day). Pro tip: bring a jacket because it gets windy on the boat!

• Beaches Galore (Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, etc): One of the main reasons why we stopped by Wilmington was to finally see the beach this year! As predicted, Wilmington beaches did not disappoint and there were plenty to choose from. I will say that Wrightsville beach gets pretty packed (which I’m sure is worst during the summer months). If you want a more peaceful beach, head to Kure Beach or Carolina Beach, which is further south from Wilmington.   

WHERE TO EAT

As you can expect, Wilmington has some amazing food and I’m excited to share where you can find some delicious Southern-inspired coastal cuisines.

• Cast Iron Kitchen: This casual breakfast spot came highly recommended on Yelp, and the food did not disappoint. As per usual, Titi and I ordered the chicken and waffles, since that’s our favorite breakfast meal. It’s currently doing outdoors dining to accommodate the current situation.

• Wake N Bake: On our second day in Wilmington, Titi and I were craving some fresh donuts and some warm drinks (since it was a classic fall morning). If you’re looking for a fluffy baked donut with plenty of icing, then definitely stop by Wake N Bake. Titi wanted to be fancy and get the King (premium donuts) that are icing filled, which ended up being too much donut for him to handle.

• Shark Bar and Kitchen: As I mentioned earlier, I’m obsessed with sharks and this restaurant’s décor did not disappoint. Whoever designed this place is a genius! The menu is perfectly curated and is also shark-themed. When we stopped by, it seems like they had changed their menu (which was a disappointment), but the food was pretty decent. I would recommend for you to stop by. It’s conveniently located right alongside Wrightsville Beach.

• Havana’s: Havana’s a truly a hidden gem! Titi and I stopped by this restaurant after having a rude experience at another down the street. We were so glad afterwards though because this place was truly the bomb! The food was divine, the staff was super sweet, and the drinks were strong.

If you’ve been to Wilmington, North Carolina, definitely share your recommendations in the comments below! I would love to come back during the summer months when you can actually lay out on the beach and get a tan. Maybe next time we can come for a little bit longer than we did this time around.

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