Lighthouses & Ferries

Wilmington & Beaches

The Wilmington area offers something for everyone. There are, of course, beautiful beaches that attract surfers, but there’s also great shopping, dining, attractions, galleries, historical sites and museums.

This narrow cone-shaped peninsula of land was first discovered in 1524 and settled in 1729, so you’ll find a rich history and many antebellum homes in downtown Wilmington on the Cape Fear River. You’ll also find shopping, dining and nightlife at Chandler’s Wharf, along Front Street and at the Cotton Exchange. In April, the city puts on its colorful clothing for the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival.

Directly across the peninsula from Wilmington on the Atlantic side is Wrightsville Beach, a destination for weekend getaways and annual family vacations for generations. Here, island life is distinguished by its village charm and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride or take a harbor cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. Sunning, beachcombing and fishing (both surf and pier) are all popular activities as is surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and sailing.

Both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are located on Pleasure Island, south of Wilmington on Highway 421. Carolina Beach offers an old fashioned boardwalk with ice cream shops and beach gear, a pier and an arcade. Quiet Kure Beach has the oldest continuously operated family owned wooden fishing pier in North Carolina. South of Kure Beach you’ll find Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

For complete vacation planning, contact the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau.

By Pam Watson

added: December 18, 2008

updated: April 20, 2012