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Wrightsville Seaside, NC, has every little thing we love a few seashore and island life – stunning shoreline, limitless water actions, laid again vibe, surf tradition, breweries, cafes, jaw-dropping sunrises and sunsets, and contemporary, scrumptious seafood.
It’s not overdeveloped or commercialized, and there are many issues to do in Wrightsville Seaside that make it an ideal lengthy weekend break.
We’ve traversed up and down the coastlines of east and west coast USA, and we’ve swam and performed on many seashores world wide, so we predict we all know what makes an excellent seashore city!
Wrightsville Seaside is your optimum seashore city. It’s filled with boutiques and native retailers, contemporary seafood within the eating places, calm waters for swimming, and historic points of interest close by.
In case you’ve by no means been earlier than, right here’s what you are able to do in Wrightsville Seaside!
Issues to Do in Wrightsville Seaside NC
By now you might be prepared for a seashore getaway, and I can consider no higher place to spend a seashore day in North Carolina than right here.
However the seashore isn’t all there’s to see, remember to…
1. Go for a motorbike journey across the city
You’ll not remorse buying and selling in your 4 wheels for 2. The enjoyment of Wrightsville Seaside is the benefit and ease of life – what higher strategy to expertise that than by pedal energy?
It saves you the trouble of in search of parking spots and visitors.
Wrightsville Seaside parking may be difficult throughout peak occasions. So why not be a part of the crowds of beaming seashore goers by biking round.
We rented bikes from the Aussie Island Surf Store, the small blue shack on the nook as you come throughout the bridge into the primary seashore avenue, N Lumina Ave.
2. Have a espresso at SUNdays Surf Café
Head south of the primary nook to SUNdays Surf Cafe, positioned above the surf store reverse the Oceanic Restaurant at Crystal Pier overlooking the seashore.
Sitting on the bar right here with my espresso and an acai bowl with views of the ocean out the window, and the servers chatting to their native pals, jogged my memory a lot of my house seashore city in Australia, and I felt fairly nostalgic for it.
I additionally felt joyful that we’d discovered our seashore tribe.
We beloved the surf vibe of this café with boards leaning towards the wall, surf movies on the TV and slogans reminding you to embrace the second.
Over time, we’ve discovered their espresso to be fairly hit or miss, sadly as we beloved it the primary time. WE nonetheless come right here for the smoothies and surfie ambiance. Our present favourite espresso in Wrightsville Seaside space is Drift Espresso earlier than you cross over the bridge into the seashore. In addition they have nice breakfast meals!
3. Get pleasure from seashore time at Crystal Pier
Stroll over from the SUNdays Surf Café to Crystal Pier at The Oceanic, the outdated picket pier stands tall and powerful.
You possibly can stroll out for stunning views of the beachfront and horizon. This can be a nice time so that you can unwind on the seashore.
Go for a swim, acquire shells, play within the sand, learn a e-book. No matter takes your fancy.
Discover time throughout your Wrightsville Seaside journey to return right here for sundowner drinks on the pier. We completely love the restaurant views from right here and costs are fairly affordable given its million-dollar views. The meals can be scrumptious! See extra eating places in Wrightsville Seaside to like.
4. Have lunch at Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
There aren’t that many eating places in Wrightsville Seaside, however one which got here most really useful was Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill, so we needed to test it out.
It’s named after a lifeguard tower, Tower 7, on the Pacific Coast that turned a hidden native favourite surf break – very like this legendary place to eat present in Wrightsville.
Seize a frozen margarita, a serving of guacamole (scrumptious) and a few fish tacos! The right complement to sunny seashore days. My veggie tostada was sensational.
5. Stroll or bike the Wrightsville Loop
The Loop stroll is a 2.5-mile stroll (or journey) on Harbor Island, which is located between the 2 bridges on the town.
You can begin wherever on the loop.
This scenic path takes you alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, Banks Channel and delightful salt marshes – excellent for a pleasant stroll.
My favourite space on this scenic pathway was the part shaded by stunning oak timber.
The Loop passes by The Wrightsville Seaside Historic Sq. and The Wrightsville Seaside Arboretum, a small patch of greenspace to search out your Zen.
In case you’re interested by exploring the native historical past of Wrightsville Seaside and Harbor Island, the Wrightsville Seaside Museum of Historical past provides guided excursions alongside the Loop.
Wrightsville Seaside Park has out of doors basketball courts, tennis courts, seashore volleyball pits and grassy open areas.
Lee’s Nature Park was constructed on slightly peninsula in a marsh. You possibly can hear birds chirping within the park even for those who don’t flip in to benefit from the solitude.
I like to recommend biking alongside the seashore path to the bridge on W. Salisbury St, that means you may end on the Lighthouse Beer & Wine and cycle again over the bridge into the seashore space.
6. Go to the Wrightsville Seaside Museum of Historical past
Whereas on the Loop Stroll, veer off to the Wrightsville Seaside Museum of Historical past that sits on the facet of the trail.
The properties that make up the Historic Sq. are a number of the final survivors of the Nice Fireplace, which roared by way of the island in 1934.
The Wrightsville Seaside Museum of Historical past is free and received’t take quite a lot of time. It provides an fascinating perception into the historical past and development of this seashore city.
A beautiful volunteer greeted us upon arrival and advised us extra in regards to the museum and shared with us the mannequin of Wrightsville Seaside and a number of the vital buildings that line the shore and the way a few of them have modified through the years.
It was insightful to wander by way of the outdated seashore cottage from the 1900s to have a look at what a seashore home again within the day was like.
They’ve undoubtedly modified compared to the large properties that now line the shore.
I loved the swimsuit wall, which gave an perception into how bathing fits have modified through the years. I really like taking a look at pictures of older generations to see how related their life was to mine now.
Subsequent door can be the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Schooling Middle, which is briefly closed till later this summer season.
Through the summer season months, it has a spread of interactive packages that will help you be taught extra in regards to the various ecosystems that make up the Wrightsville Seaside space. Each Tuesday, they’ve a contact tank.
7. Get pleasure from craft beers at Lighthouse Beer and Wine
Time for one more cease in your Wrightsville Loop stroll! Isn’t this a enjoyable strategy to expertise the native tradition?
This cute little blue bottle store shack sits on the precise facet of the highway as you drive over the primary bridge into the seashore city.
What was as soon as a store for making surfboards has now change into a spot to buy your drinks and revel in a pair whilst you wait.
As quickly as I walked into the Lighthouse Beer and Wine’s cute and pure beer backyard with shady timber and picket seating areas, I knew we needed to return right here within the peak summer season season.
THIS is the native vibe I’m speaking about.
Art work adorns the partitions, and strangers and pals stand across the campfires in a keg chatting.
They’ve rotating draft beers, wine by the glass, a wide variety of NC single beers or six packs from the fridge, and stay music.
8. Keep at The Trailborn (previously Blockade Runner Seaside Resort)
The Blockade Runner Seaside Resort is the place we stayed, and it’s probably the most widespread oceanfront resorts. We couldn’t ask for a extra excellent seashore resort than this. At the beginning of 2025 it modified possession and rebranded to Trailborn Surf & Sound. Whereas we now have not but skilled its newness, we really feel assured the identical commonplace of excellence will likely be there AND assure the situation remains to be the best!
Trailborns’s location is prime actual property proper in the midst of Wrightsville Seaside on the narrowest a part of the island.
Meaning you’re a few steps to the ocean and some steps to the sound. You may get a room with a view of both facet.
If you’re touring in a bunch, why not have one group hire the sound facet, and the opposite the ocean facet? That means you may have drinks with views for sundown AND dawn.
This 50-year-old boutique resort has survived a number of hurricanes and was owned by a North Carolinian household.
Its exterior retro look belies the sweetness that you simply’ll discover on the within. The Blockade Runner is welcoming company with a dedication to enhanced security protocols.
A enjoyable, mild tropical décor graces the foyer and rooms, all resulting in the views that entice you to cross the gardens and expansive garden with swinging hammocks and fireplace pits to step onto the pristine seashore.
It’s a stupendous house that additionally has an out of doors pool and bar.
It’s completely suited to the Wrightsville Seaside vibe that claims go sluggish and play – what North Carolina seashore holidays are supposed to be!
In case you’re in search of household seashores in North Carolina to trip at, we love that our youngsters are excited to return and swim within the pool, sit across the fireplace pits, and laze on the hammocks.
The costlier rooms have true balconies you may sit on. Others have false balconies, however you may slide the balcony doorways open and nonetheless have the fantastic views however with out a sitting space.
Two wicker chairs tastefully sat on the home windows for us to sit down and savor the view.
The award profitable East Oceanfront Restaurant – al fresco in hotter months – has contemporary native seafood, lobster, wine tastings, consolation meals, and the favored Sunday Brunch.
We additionally not too long ago stayed on the IHG Vacation Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Seaside and beloved it!
9. Watch the sundown on the South Finish
Experience your bikes or drive the brief distance all the way down to the very south finish of Wrightsville Seaside. Be ready for magic.
Convey a cooler and snacks for those who want to make it an additional particular occasion. There’s not a lot else to say, besides let the pictures encourage you till you arrive for the true factor.
10. Have dinner at Ceviche’s
You can be shocked if you stroll within the door to the little yellow bungalow that’s Panamanian-inspired native favourite Ceviche’s.
The small bar space opens as much as one other eating space, which opens as much as one other small eating space and an out of doors lined patio.
The recognition of this restaurant has seen its sluggish growth into its adjoining buildings.
In case you’re in search of the most effective eating places in Wrightsville Seaside, go right here.
We fell in love with the primary sip of my rum cocktail and chew of my calamari.
Howdy Panama, I now need to go to.
What transpired over the rest of the night was an explosion of contemporary, spicy and flavorful dishes.
My decide was the calamari and the brussel sprouts. And as a long-time calamari fan, I used to be thrilled to see it coated in gluten-free flour, making it out there for me to eat.
The restaurant makes use of taro flour for his or her meals, a Panamanian favourite that provides battered meals an additional crunch
Each Craig and I ordered the fish specials of the night, which had been a celebration! I beloved the Latin American décor and vibe of this restaurant, and the service was excellent.
Oh, after all, the women need me to say their Spanish beignets had been their favourite, and Craig and I loved our Ancho Chocolate Pot De Crème dessert.
Yep. That is the Wrightsville eating expertise you most need to splurge on. You deserve it.
11. Get pleasure from a dawn on Wrightsville Seaside
Choose a spot, any spot, on an limitless white stretch of sand.
You possibly can even watch the dawn from the balcony, or mattress, of your Blockade Runner resort room, similar to we did, verify this out…
Pier and images lovers could want to head to both Crystal Pier on the southern finish or Johnnie Mercers Pier on the northern for his or her dawn pier photographs.
Why not get pleasure from a lingering stroll whilst you watch it rise?
My Tip: Begin at the least 30-minutes earlier than the solar pops its head up. You’ll watch the sky slowly change from deep orange to mild pink. It’s spectacular.
12. Have breakfast at Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar
Well being lovers rejoice! Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar is the place you’ll discover the prettiest, tastiest and most diversely nutritious smoothie bowls within the nation.
I assumed I knew all smoothie elements till we arrived right here and found the dietary blue and creamy tocos.
Similar to SUNdays, I beloved sitting on the rocking chairs as locals got here in to order and had been greeted by identify and caught up on conversations.
Craig and I couldn’t resist sharing a serving of the smashed avo toast with feta and sunflower seeds. We propose you take pleasure in the identical means.
13. Go kayaking the Salt Marshes
We beloved kayaking by way of the salt marshes. Don’t simply restrict your self to the ocean actions, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is a magical place to discover.
You possibly can kayak or go stand-up paddleboarding the numerous completely different channels of the waterways.
We advocate taking a guided tour with Wrightsville SUP – an effective way to learn to SUP from skilled instructors, in addition to be taught extra in regards to the delicate and various ecosystem.
Proprietor (and our information for the day), Jarrod, took us on a meandering path by way of the channels.
We by no means would have discovered our means on our personal, nor would we now have seen the abundance of oysters, periwinkle snails, osprey and different birds flying overhead that he identified.
Out right here, you’re removed from the busy open sound the place boats like to cruise previous. The waters of the marsh are too shallow for them to enter.
We had a windy day, so we determined to kayak as an alternative of stand-up paddle board. After we subsequent go to Wrightsville Seaside, we will certainly soar on the paddle boards to get pleasure from one among our favourite household actions.
You too can hire the paddle boards and kayaks from right here if you wish to exit by yourself.
Wrightsville SUP additionally provides enjoyable issues like SUP yoga and nighttime paddles. See extra data right here.
On our kayaking journey by way of the salt marshes, Jarrod shared with us the significance of the oysters for filtering the water – we may even see this in motion as we paddled by and watched them spitting out the water.
We all know how a lot people love consuming oysters. We undoubtedly don’t need to see this delicate creature that retains this ecosystem so wholesome disappear.
So, for this Wrightsville Seaside marketing campaign, we determined to undertake some native oysters as a means of giving again to the communities we journey by way of.
This cool native initiative helps to revive 50 million North Carolina native oysters (Crassostrea virginica) by the tip of 2020. You too can sponsor some oysters right here.
14. Have lunch at Shark Bar and Kitchen
A transformed dive bar, Shark Bar and Kitchen is now a fantastically renovated two-story restaurant and bar that’s prepared in your Instagram updates.
It provides an off-the-cuff eating expertise highlighting regionally and sustainably sourced seafood, meats and produce.
Yow will discover loads of seafood, from uncooked bar choices to fish tacos, a each day contemporary catch and fried seafood baskets, in addition to burgers, sandwiches and salads.
Our black bean burgers with smashed avo and pico de gallo had been easy but flavorful. And people tater tots – could I’ve one other?
15. Get pleasure from seashore time at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
About 10 pedals from the Shark Bar is Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, a well-liked place on the seashore for individuals to play.
Johnnie Mercer’s Pier (Wrightsville Seaside pier) is the one concrete fishing pier within the state of North Carolina and extends greater than 1200 ft into the Atlantic Ocean.
It prices $2 per grownup and $1 for youths to stroll out onto the pier if you wish to expertise the views of the lengthy stretch of Wrightsville Seaside.
Right here you may have extra seashore time. Loosen up. Soak it up. That is what you’ve labored onerous for.
This is likely one of the finest seashores in North Carolina for households, so you probably have younger youngsters like us don’t overlook all of your seashore toys!
16. Have dinner at South Seaside Grill
South Seaside Grill is located in what was as soon as the primary and solely financial institution in Wrightsville Seaside. The small bar as you stroll in was the place the drive by way of ATM and financial institution vault was.
They’d intensive renovations after the newest hurricane blew by way of right here and left its injury mark.
Right here you’ll discover Southern-inspired, coastal North Carolina dishes which might be regionally sourced from each land and sea. It’s an area hotspot that’s excellent for lunch or dinner and provides sundown views of Banks Channel – soak it up with dinner on the skin lined patio.
Craig loved grilled shrimp tacos, and my meal – the contemporary catch of the day over the Bless Your Coronary heart Salad was contemporary, mild and flavorful.
There are many decisions for the children additionally.
17. Go to USS Battleship North Carolina
Over in close by Wilmington is likely one of the most historic websites within the area, and it’s solely a 10-minute drive from Wrightsville Seaside.
The USS North Carolina has a everlasting house in Wilmington and was one of many first of ten battleships to hitch the American fleet in WWII.
She was thought of the world’s biggest navy ship in her prime, and you may wander by way of the ship to see the sailor’s and officer’s quarters and mess corridor in addition to the huge quantity of artillery on the expansive deck.
It was an interesting perception into life aboard a navy vessel, serving to us see the difficulties of life cramped under a steamy, smelly deck.
18. Search for the lone mailbox
A singular and quirky attraction in Wrightsville Seaside is the lonely mailbox, which lies half buried within the sand dunes on the north finish of Wrightsville Seaside.
A convention for each vacationers and locals is to go away letters within the mailbox – whether or not you need to ship a letter expressing emotions, writing about your journey, or simply anonymously share your ideas, it’s custom to share an undelivered letter right here.
Contained in the mailboxes are greater than 200 journals and stacks of pens and paper so that you can write on, you don’t have to deliver your individual.
This custom has been occurring for over a decade and are a type of ongoing time capsule.
The mailboxes are positioned by Entry #2 (2698 North Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Seaside, NC 28480)
One other extra well-known mailbox in North Carolina is the Kindred Spirit mailbox on Fowl Island (made well-known due to the Nicholas Sparks e-book centered round it.
19. Get pleasure from a Kohl’s Frozen Custard
You is likely to be considering an ice cream would go down a deal with on a heat summer season’s day, however why not attempt a frozen custard as an alternative?
Kohl’s Frozen Custard is a regionally owned enterprise that sells candy treats comparable to cookies, pies, muffins, and custard sandwiches, nevertheless it’s well-known for its frozen custard ice cream.
They make all their frozen custard contemporary and have rotating flavors. Verify the web site to see what flavors they’ve in if you go to.
20. Go online
Wrightsville Seaside was listed as top-of-the-line locations to log on within the USA by Nationwide Geographic.
In case you’ve by no means been browsing, the WB Surf Camp provides surf classes and surf camps in the summertime, providing classes for all ages and ability ranges. They’re additionally sponsored by surf manufacturers, Quiksilver® and Roxy®.
In case you already know the ropes, there are many surf leases alongside Wrightsville Seaside the place you may hire a board.
21. Loosen up in one of many Wrightsville Seaside Bars (or near the seashore)
In case you’re in search of extra bars, listed here are just a few native bars that got here really useful to us by locals and different vacationers:
- Jerry Allen’s Sports activities Bar & Grill
- Wrightsville Seaside Brewery – This spot is simply over the bridge in Wilmington!
- King Neptune Pirate Lounge
- Lager Heads
- Poe’s Tavern
Remaining Ideas
What makes Wrightsville Seaside stand out is its laid again, slow-paced, community-driven surf tradition and life-style – AND its gorgeous location.
Wrightsville Seaside is located on a barrier island solely 4-miles lengthy and a few strides broad. Nicely, possibly a block or two in some sections.
The beachside, after all, meets the Atlantic Ocean and provides you a wild, rugged expertise.
On the opposite facet lies the tranquility of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway – miles of open sound water and slender channels bordered by marshes, swamps, and small islands.
And only a 10-minute drive away, you’ll discover the Historic Downtown Wilmington District on the Cape Concern River. You possibly can simply incorporate a visit to Wilmington in together with your go to to Wrightsville Seaside if you’re staying longer than just a few days (and we advocate you do!).
For us, this was not the primary time visiting this space, so we didn’t enterprise exterior of Wrightsville Seaside, and it was improbable.
If we couldn’t bike to it or drive solely 5 minutes, we weren’t going to expertise it.
As talked about in our information on Wrightsville Seaside vs. Carolina Seaside, it’s top-of-the-line seashore cities in North Carolina.
It’s all about disconnecting to reconnect to simplicity and togetherness. It’s a favourite vacation spot within the USA for older teenagers to go to with pals.
Subsequent time we go to, we would go on one of many Wrightsville Seaside Scenic Excursions or Sundown Cruise over to Masonboro Island, or a fishing constitution, or simply do nothing in any respect and revel in seashore life.
One factor we do know, it’s our favourite seashore city, and one among our favourite locations in North Carolina, interval.
Extra Coastal North Carolina Journey Suggestions
Want extra inspiration for visiting the North Carolina coast? Listed here are another useful guides…
Wrightsville Seaside is included in our finest USA highway journeys listing and on our listing of the most effective North Carolina seashores!
Video: watch our adventures in Wrightsville Seaside
Try our Wrightsville Seaside video highlights. Don’t overlook to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
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