Wrightsville Beach Outings
Ok, you have done the beach. And while it was breathtaking, fun, beautiful, you are looking for some more action. There is plenty here!
Airlie Gardens - Airlie Gardens beautiful, worth a visit, it is a 67-acre historic public garden in Wilmington, North Carolina, originally developed in 1901 by wealthy socialites Sarah and Pembroke Jones. Named after the Joneses' ancestral home in Scotland, the grounds evolved from a private Gilded Age estate into a celebrated public botanical attraction. Airlie's history is deeply rooted in the natural landscape and the cultural heritage of the Cape Fear region.
Arboretum - Hidden gem, Established in 1989, the Arboretum was the dream of N.C. Cooperative Extension Director Charles "Pete" E. Lewis, who wanted to create a garden that could guide residents on what to grow in coastal North Carolina.
When a fire occurred at the former Bradley Creek Elementary School, New Hanover County commissioners seized the opportunity. They appropriated $200,000 to transform the site into a home for the Arboretum and Extension office.
After four years of hard work by countless volunteers, the New Hanover County Arboretum formally opened its doors on October 5, 1989. Today, the 7-acre educational greenspace continues to thrive, supported by state and county government, local garden clubs, and dedicated volunteers.
CAM Museum - Tiny but mighty. The CAM is a a beautiful space and the restaurant is yummy. The Cameron Art Museum (CAM) provides a cultural gathering place that enriches the lives of museum visitors and the community through high-quality exhibitions, lifelong learning in the arts, dynamic public programs, and stewardship and interpretation of the collection.
Lumina Station -The shopping village by the beach. Here you will discover a charming collection of locally owned boutiques, distinctive restaurants and lifestyle services that you won’t find anywhere else in Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach. Lumina Station’s beautiful landscaping, whimsical sculptures, storybook bridges and other welcoming features make for a truly unique local shopping experience. You could even find yourself immediately at home in a rocking chair by the fire surrounded by friendly folks happy to give you a smile. Whether you come to shop, dine or relax, you’ll enjoy our one-of-a-kind atmosphere, where good times are a local tradition.
Mayfaire - Mayfaire is a premier shopping destination in Wilmington, North Carolina, offering a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Carolina Beach - Drive 15-20 minutes to experience this beach town featured in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Kure Beach - Another maybe 5-10 minutes from Carolina Beach, Kure beach is one of my favorites. Located just 18 miles from Wilmington, this small-town beach offers signature state attractions, outdoor adventures and hidden gems.
Fort Fisher - This beach is awesome. Free parking, dogs allowed all year round, it’s a drive but it’s worth it if you have time. Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach, North Carolina, is a massive Civil War earthwork fort that protected the Confederacy's last major open port. Today, it features a free-to-visit historic site, extensive nature trails, a sprawling state recreation area. Key attractions includes: Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Often called the "Southern Gibraltar," this was the site of the most decisive Civil War battle in North Carolina. Its fall in January 1865 successfully sealed off the Confederacy's supply lines. Tour the remaining massive earthen mounds, view the reconstructed 32-pounder seacoast gun at Shepherd's Battery, and explore the visitor center's museum, which features artifacts recovered from sunken blockade runners
Downtown Wilmington - I’ll have to do another blog post for all of these but especially downtown. For many visitors, the waterfront downtown region is where the action is in Wilmington, and an extended visit to this area is the highlight, if not the majority, of a great Wilmington vacation. Downtown Wilmington is steeped in history, filled with attractions, and offers all the enticing restaurants and shops of a major city, while retaining its small-town coastal charm.
