Summer bucket list: 24 things to do in 2024 in the Wilmington area
During the day, families clad in swimsuits will lug beach chairs, coolers, sand toys and towels to spend the days on our local beaches.
At night, they will take in the local sights, shop in boutiques and stores, and sample fare from our local restaurants.
Tourists will soon be among us, enjoying the best food, sites, and events the area has to offer. According to "The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties,” a study prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics, visitors spent more than $33.3 billion traveling to and within the state in 2022.
Domestic and international visitors spent more than $1.05 billion in New Hanover County in 2022, ranking it seventh out of North Carolinas 100 counties for visitor spending. Nearby Brunswick County exceeded New Hanover with nearly $1.09 billion, and Pender County bringing in $189.66 million.
But you don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy all the area has to offer. Here’s your bucket list of 24 things to do in the Wilmington area in the summer of 2024.
More: 10 things to know about tourism along North Carolina's coast
1. Soak up some sun
Slather on the sunscreen, grab your towel, and head to one of our many local beaches. In New Hanover County, Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville beaches offer sun, sand and surf. Brunswick County visitors can enjoy the beaches on Caswell Beach, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle, Sunset Beach, and — if you don’t mind taking a ferry, Bald Head Island. In Pender County, you can build sandcastles and wade into the waves at Topsail Beach and Surf City.
2. Take a cruise
One of the best ways to see the area is by boat, and there are several guided water tours. Whether you’re in the mood for a sightseeing cruise, a sunset cruise, or a nature cruise, Cape Fear Riverboats and Wilmington Water Tours have you covered. Other boat tour operators include Island Time Water Tours at Carolina Beach, Southport Water Tours and Tour H20 in Southport, and Tiki Tours in Surf City.
3. Grab some pub grub
If you are craving something savory to go with your beer, Downtown Wilmington has a bit of everything. Get your nacho fix with the pulled chicken nachos at Front Street Brewery or visit the Copper Penny and try the Hot Roast Pork Sandwich and the 109 Chestnut Chicken — both sampled by Guy Fieri on his Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
More: What’s the secret behind the cult favorite onion rings at this Wilmington pub?
4. Frolic at a festival
The Cape Fear region knows how to do festivals, and while you’ll find them in just about every month of the year, the summer is a great time to get festive. Perhaps the largest of the summer festivals is the N.C. 4th of July Festival in Southport. The events are spread over several days, and the final day includes a parade and fireworks show. Also, check out the N.C. Blueberry Festival in Burgaw, held in June.
5. Cool out at a concert
Starting in May, there are a number of outdoor concerts in the Wilmington area. If you’re willing to travel, you could find one almost every night of the week. The concerts are often hosted by the area recreation departments, and musicians rotate, ensuring a variety of genres to suit any taste. Popular venues for outdoor concerts include Live Oak Bank Pavilion, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, and Middleton Park on Oak Island.
Hidden gems: 9 spots off the beaten path for great entertainment in the Wilmington area
6. Explore your artsy side
Artists want to be where they’re surrounded by beauty, and that’s why so many of them call the Wilmington area home. Art in Bloom, Acme Art Studios, Bottega Art & Wine, New Elements and Parchies are just a few of the galleries in Wilmington. Stop in during the day or check them out after hours at Fourth Friday Gallery Nights. Southport also proves to be a haven for artists, with Ricky Evans Gallery, Franklin Square Gallery, Lantana’s Gallery and Fine Gifts, Artshak Studio and Gallery, and Artisans Gallery on Howe all located right downtown. For those who prefer to peruse paintings and pottery after hours, check out the First Friday Gallery Walk in Southport.
7. Muse in a museum
If you are looking for learning with a side of fun, be sure to check out the area’s museums. The Children’s Museum of Wilmington, located on Orange Street, is a great place offering hands-on, interactive learning. The Wilmington Railroad Museum is must for all train enthusiasts. If you enjoy art, check out the Cameron Art Museum, located on South 17th Street in Wilmington. If coastal culture is more your thing, the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport and the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach can tell you about everything from shells to sea life and more.
8. Play a round
If you're a golf enthusiast, this is the place for you. The Wilmington area boasts some of the best golfing around. With 13 golf courses in New Hanover County, five in Pender County, and more than 30 in Brunswick County, you're sure to find a favorite. Some to check out are the Wilmington Municipal Golf Course, Beau Rivage Golf and Resort, Carolina National, the Thistle, the Pearl, and River Landing Golf Course located near the Pender and Duplin County line.
9. Get hip to local history
If you’re a history buff — and even if you’re not — we’ve got some places you need to visit. Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach is a popular destination offering a look at the site of the Civil War’s largest Amphibious Battle and the remaining earthen fort. Spend a morning or afternoon visiting the grounds of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson, located in Winnabow, which offers a look at a pre-Revolutionary War port, a Civil War-era fort, and the remains of St. Philip’s Anglican Church.
10. Learn local legends and lore
For those who like all things spooky, there are several ghost tours to try. The Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington and the Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour offer a look at Wilmington’s haunted locations. The Ghost Walk of Southport, offered by Old Southport Tour Company, takes you on a lantern-led tour of the city’s most haunted venues, offering a bit a history along the way. If walking's not your thing, you can take a horse-drawn carriage tour through downtown Wilmington or opt for one of several golf cart tours around Historic Downtown Southport.
Grab your sneakers: See what makes the Wilmington area great on these walking tours
11. Relax on the ferry
If you haven’t booked a water tour yet, try the next best thing: a ferry ride. The North Carolina Department of Transportation offers ferry service between Fort Fisher and Southport, and it’s a great way to see the area — and get a glimpse of some things only visible from the Cape Fear River. There’s also another ferry in the area, but this one isn’t operated by the state and runs between Southport and Bald Head Island. Either ride is sure to be scenic and enjoyable.
PHOTOS: Fort Fisher-Southport ferry
12. See a lighthouse
There is no better symbol of North Carolina’s coast than a lighthouse. While most people immediately think of Cape Hatteras, the black and white candy-cane striped beacon in Buxton, Brunswick County boasts three lighthouses — each unique in their own right. The Oak Island Lighthouse — which features a three-stripe color pattern of black, white, and gray — is the newest of the state’s lighthouses, and the area also is home to the oldest, Old Baldy on Bald Head Island. Both offer tours at various times throughout the summer. The third lighthouse, Price’s Creek, is located in Southport on private property along the Cape Fear River. It is not open for tours, but it is visible from the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry (as if you needed another reason to ride the ferry.)
13. Shop ‘til you drop
If you enjoy shopping, you’ll find a bit of everything in the Cape Fear Region. Independence Mall and Mayfaire offer several big name stores, as well as local boutiques. The Cotton Exchange and downtown Wilmington offer an array of boutiques suiting tastes from fabulous to fun to funky. Along the beaches and in downtown Southport, you’ll find several boutiques and unique local shops, and Shallotte also offers the Southport Crossing shopping center with big name retail shops.
14. Sample some spirits
If you want to get your drink on, there are plenty of places to do that. For a casual, laid-back setting by the water, Anne Bonney’s Bar and Grill in Wilmington, American Fish in Southport, and Sharky’s in Ocean Isle all fit the bill. If you’re looking for a brewery where you can find local craft beers, we have several. Here are a few to try: Ironclad Brewery, Edward Teach, Flytrap and Hi-Wire in Wilmington, Good Hops in Carolina Beach, Brunswick Beer and Cider in Leland, Solar Brewing and Lonerider in Oak Island.
15. Search for shells
Scouring the shoreline for the perfect shell can be fun and add that element of treasure hunting to your day at the beach. If you’re lucky, you might find an intact sand dollar, a whole conch shell, or an elusive Scotch Bonnet — North Carolina’s state shell. Stormy seas often reveal the greatest treasures, so many head to the beach as soon as a storm passes (just make sure it’s safe and no curfews are in effect). Holden Beach, Bald Head Island and Masonboro Island are all great places for shell seekers.
16. Paddle around
Whether you're paddling and duck diving through the waves on your surfboard, slicing through the calm waters in a kayak, or enjoying the best of both worlds on a stand-up paddleboard, paddling is a great way to spend the day. (The best part? You're getting a great work out, but you're having so much fun, you don't realize it until the next day.) If you don't have the equipment for any of these, there are plenty of places to rent boards, paddles, and kayaks. If swimming's more your speed, head for calm waters and dog paddle your way around.
17. Sample some seafood
The best thing about living next to the ocean is fresh seafood, and there are several places you can enjoy fresh, local seafood. At Seabird, diners can enjoy fresh, local seafood prepared by James Beard nominated chef Dean Neff, and Catch, which was recently one of 47 restaurants included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list, offers local seafood prepared by two-time James Beard nominee Keith Rhodes. Of course, if you’re looking for Calabash-style seafood, head to where it originated and enjoy fried fish, shrimp and scallops at any number of places.
Southern heritage, global flavors: This Wilmington restaurant made USA TODAY's best list
18. Be chef for a day (or just a meal)
Now, this takes number 17 on our list to the next -- and more advanced--level. In addition to fresh local seafood available in restaurants, there are also markets selling fresh catch right off the boat. Whether you're in the mood for crab, shrimp, fish or scallops, you can find it at our local seafood markets. (If oysters are your thing, come back this fall; remember you only eat oysters in months with an "r" in them.) Some local seafood markets to try are Eagle Island Fruit & Seafood in Wilmington, Mott's Channel Seafood in Wrightsville Beach, Lewis Seafood in Topsail Beach, Surf City Crab Seafood Market in Surf City, Potter's Seafood in Southport, Haag & Sons in Oak Island, High Rider Seafood in Varnamtown, and Old Ferry Seafood in Holden Beach.
20. Get perspective on a pier
Strolling along one of our local piers is a great way to see everything that happening along the beach while getting a bit of exercise. Some may charge a nominal fee for pier walkers, and those prices vary depending on the pier. Some piers to check out are Surf City Ocean Pier, Crystal Pier, Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, Kure Beach Pier, Oak Island Pier, Ocean Crest Pier, and Ocean Isle Beach Pier. Along the Cape Fear River, there is the Southport City Pier, and the area also offers a number of river walks, including ones in Wilmington, Belville, and Shallotte. In addition to providing a nice stroll, piers are also popular with fishermen, which brings us to the next bucket list item...
19. Go fishing
While you will need to make sure you have the proper license before heading out, fishing can be a great way to spend the day. Many folks enjoy surf fishing, which can be done directly from the shore at most area beaches. Fishermen are asked to be cognizant of swimmers and walkers to ensure they don't get caught up in a line, and swimmers and walkers should also steer clear if they see rods and reels in the water to avoid being "caught."
21. Search for treasures
This time, we're not looking for shells. We're talking about things down in the sand, like coins, jewlery, Blackbeard's treasure (old-timers swear it's there), and other items. To find these, you'll need a metal detector. While you can buy these, there are also places that rent them, and many of those are online, so advance planning is needed. Also, be sure metal detecting is allowed in an area before you begin. Many historic sites, preserve, and federal area prohibit the use of metal detectors.
22. Picnic in a park
This time, we're taking a hike in the wilderness, although there may be walking trails. We are talking about places to sit, let the kids play, and enjoy a picnic. In New Hanover County, enjoy Greenfield Park, in Brunswick County, try Smithville District Park or Town Creek Park, and in Pender County try Millers Pond Park. Looking for something more rugged? Grab a backpack, some bug spray, and a water bottle and head to Abbey Nature Preserve, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Brunswick Nature Park, or the Green Swamp Nature Preserve.
23. See the stars
Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night activity or a fun evening with the family, stargazing is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening. The beaches are the perfect spot to lie on a blanket and gaze at the heavens. Grab a blanket, a beverage, a telescope or some binoculars and spend an evening studying the skies. Whether you spot constellations, planets or witness a rare shooting star, it’s sure to be a peaceful evening. If you're looking for a more controlled environment, you can also see stars at Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach.
24. Watch the sunset
Chances are, you've seen a sunset. Maybe you were driving along and noticed some colors in the sky and thought, "Man, that's a pretty sunset." But that's not what I'm talking about; I mean really watching the sun as it sets. Here in the Wilmington area, that means heading to the beach and watching the sky change as the sun drops below the horizon. It almost looks as if the sun is dropping into the ocean. So, pack a picnic or your beverage of choice and head to the closest beach strand to see this marvel as it happens.
The challenge
Now, we've given you our summer bucket list. We hope you will get out of your comfort zone and try at least a few. If you want to be really adventurous, see how many you can mark off your list this summer. If you do them all, you are sure to be busy, and it just may be your best summer yet.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington, NC, in the summer 2024