11 Active Adventures in Wilmington, NC

1. Kayak with Local Outfitters

Start your day on the water with a kayak tour. Mahanaim Adventures runs family-friendly trips along the Cape Fear River to Shark Tooth Island, where you can hunt for prehistoric fossils and shark teeth. More experienced paddlers can join Wilmington Outdoor Adventures on a guided tour to Eagles Island, following tidal currents past old rice canals and osprey nests.

If you’re ready to explore on your own, both outfitters offer kayak rentals, too – complete with paddles, life jackets, and equipment pick-up and delivery.

Just a short drive away, Wilmington’s island beaches – Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach – offer even more ways to get on the water. Join Mahanaim Adventures on a three-hour outing to Shark Tooth Island departing from Carolina Beach, or launch from Kure Beach to Zeke’s Island Reserve. In Wrightsville Beach, Wrightsville Kayak Company and Wrightsville SUP offer kayak rentals and tours to Masonboro Island Reserve, the longest undisturbed barrier island ecosystem in the state.

2. Bike the Trails

Rent a bike from Bike Cycles Shop or City Bicycle Company and explore Wilmington on two wheels. The 11-mile River to Sea Bikeway follows the old trolley line from Historic Downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach, while the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail winds through 15 miles of parks and neighborhoods to the Intracoastal Waterway.

For mountain bikers, Blue Clay Bike Park has 8 miles of off-road trails to test your skills. And if you’d like a guided experience, EZ Electric Bike Rentals offers a three-hour Tour de Wilmington. Departing every day at 1 p.m., the tour explores Wilmington’s neighborhoods and green spaces, with a few fun pit stops along the way.

3. Play Hard at Local Parks

Wilmington’s parks have courses, courts and playing fields fit for all kinds of athletes. Check out the disc golf course at Arrowhead Park, or rally on one of the 24 hard tennis courts at Empie Park. Ogden Park is a hub for baseball, soccer and basketball, while Olsen Park adds volleyball to the mix. Whichever you choose, you’ll find plenty of space to break a sweat!

4. Join a Pickleball Game

Pickleball newbies and pros can jump right in at Greenfield Park, which has six outdoor courts by the lake. For a rain-or-shine challenge, head to Pickle & Taps, the city’s first indoor pickleball facility. Each climate-controlled court has cameras to capture highlights, and the onsite bar is the perfect place to celebrate (or commiserate) after a match.

5. Skate around Town

Whether you’re just learning to drop in or already chasing big air, Wilmington’s skateparks don’t disappoint. Greenfield Grind Skate Park offers 9,000 square feet of rails, hips and ledges. For intermediate or advanced skaters, the deep bowl at Ogden Park’s skatepark provides plenty of challenge and space to practice bigger tricks.

6. Hit the Coastal Fairways

Golfers can choose from championship courses and casual par-3s. Beau Rivage Golf & Resort has rolling hills, lakes and smooth greens surrounded by pine forests, while Porters Neck Country Club is known for wide fairways and tricky bunkers. Designed by Donald Ross in 1926, Wilmington Municipal Golf Course is affordable yet classic. And if you’re short on time, Inland Greens Park & Par 3 Golf Course is perfect for a quick game, with bocce courts and a walking trail nearby.

7. Compete in a Race

With its flat terrain and coastal views, Wilmington is a great spot to chase a PR or enjoy a casual run. In February, the Novant Health Wilmington NC Marathon and Toyota of Wilmington Half Marathon wind from Wrightsville Beach to downtown Wilmington, offering smooth, scenic races along the coast. The Fleet Feet 5K is a downtown route perfect for beginners or runners who want a shorter distance.

October brings the IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina, a world-class triathlon from Wrightsville Beach to Wilmington. And in November, the Parkway Subaru Battleship Half Marathon and accompanying 10K/5K give runners a scenic riverfront experience near the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA.

8. Walk or Jog Along the Wilmington Riverwalk

The Wilmington Riverwalk stretches nearly 2 miles along the Cape Fear River. Run, jog or take a casual walk by the water, stopping at local shops or restaurants along the way.

9. Explore Wilmington’s Nature Trails and Gardens

Wilmington is full of green spaces where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors. Hanover Pines Nature Park offers over a mile of paved paths and a play area for kids, while Greenfield Park’s 250-acre lakeside setting features trails, playgrounds and monthly Greenfield Lake Family Nature Walks. For something more challenging, check out Long Leaf Park’s exercise station and a ninja-style obstacle course.

Take a peaceful garden stroll at New Hanover County Arboretum, a 7-acre oasis showcasing native plant species and a Japanese water garden. Or, explore more than a dozen gardens across 67 acres at Airlie Gardens, where you’ll find live oaks, lakes, art displays and other unique features.

10. Take a Guided Walking Tour

Step back in time with a guided walking tour. The Tour Old Wilmington Historic Downtown Walking Tour and the Wilmington Walking Tours History and Architecture Tour both cover unique districts and landmarks, giving you a sense of the city’s past while keeping your feet moving.

If you’re up for a nighttime adventure, the family-friendly Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington winds through cobblestone streets and alleyways, revealing the haunted history of Wilmington’s historic homes and burial grounds.

11. Find Your Flow with a Morning Yoga Class

Stretch, strengthen and reset at one of Wilmington’s yoga studios. Yoga Salt, Terra Sol Sanctuary and Port City Power Yoga offer a mix of restorative, flow and heated classes – the perfect reset before heading out on your next adventure.