Wilmington is a perfect spot for a family spring break, with plenty to see and do for kids and adults. Paddle along the Cape Fear River on a guided kayak tour, explore museums and iconic World War II landmarks, or let the kids burn off energy at a massive trampoline park. And of course, no spring break is complete without sweet treats from spots like Kilwin’s or GelaRto! With so many options all in one place, it’s easy to plan a coastal spring break the whole crew will enjoy.
Guided Tours
Take the kids on a Shark Tooth Hunting Eco Tour with Wilmington Outdoor Adventures, and kayak to a small island where they can scavenge for fossils and shark teeth. Or, hop aboard Wilmington Water Tours’ Eagles Island Cruise to learn about the area’s history and wildlife. After dinner, join Cape Fear River Tours for a family-friendly sunset cruise along the river, with snacks like popcorn and candy bars available for purchase.
On land, see the city from a new perspective with Wilmington Bike & Brew Tours’ family-friendly History and Haunts Experience. Younger kiddos can ride in a bike trailer or with a parent on a two-person e-bike saddle. For a leisurely ride, book a Springbrook Farms carriage tour pulled by rescued draft horses. You’ll pass historic landmarks and homes while your guide shares stories of Wilmington’s famous residents and visitors.
Parks and Gardens
Stroll the 4.8-mile lakeside path at Greenfield Park, then enjoy the pickleball courts and playgrounds for all ages and abilities. Also, visit the playgrounds at Ogden Park, Empie Park or Long Leaf Park. For an afternoon picnic, grab gourmet meals to-go from 8207 NOMA, or order take-out from downtown faves such as Rebellion NC or Slice of Life Pizzeria. Find even more parks and trails at this link.
Take your kiddos to see the vibrant blooms at Wilmington’s beautiful gardens. Airlie Gardens has 67 acres of winding paths, the giant, 500-year-old Airlie Oak and more than 75,000 blooming azaleas. New Hanover County Arboretum is another fun spot – with an authentic Japanese garden, complete with a pond, colorful koi and a whimsical play area for kids. For something different, check out the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden or Blumenthal Wildflower Preserve, where kids can see Venus flytraps, pitcher plants and other native carnivorous plants up close. Fun fact: Venus flytraps are native only to Wilmington and surrounding areas!
Wilmington Riverwalk
Along the Wilmington Riverwalk, you’ll find stunning views of the Cape Fear River and the city, plus more than 200 shops, restaurants, markets and galleries to explore. Pop into The Black Cat Shoppe and Souvenirs & More to find one-of-a-kind gifts, like nostalgic toys, Wilmington-themed gear and the Wilmington Coffee Passport. Then, swing by Kilwin's, where you can get ice cream in a homemade waffle cone and watch fudge being made from scratch. At the northern end of the Riverwalk, Riverfront Park has gardens, a seasonal water feature, a playground and lots of open green space to run around.
Museums and History
Spring break is a great time for kids to explore and try new things outside the classroom. The Children’s Museum of Wilmington has hands-on exhibits in art, science and culture. Plus, daily programs like Story Cooks, Crafty Kids and Sea Stars are geared toward different age groups. Check out this link for the museum’s daily programming. At the Wilmington Railroad Museum, kids can see model trains, play in a Thomas the Tank Engine area and even climb aboard a real, century-old steam locomotive.
Visit Wilmington’s 230-block National Register Historic District to see historic homes like Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts, Latimer House Museum and Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens, where kids can imagine what life was like for families up to 250 years ago. Then, head to Battleship NORTH CAROLINA to explore living quarters, climb gun turrets and learn about the ship’s role in World War II.
Insider tip: The Burgwin-Wright House is Wilmington’s only colonial-era building open to visitors.
Active Play
Kids can gear up for Nerf wars at Crossfire Indoor Paintball & Nerf Park, or join video game-style action at Battle House Laser Tag, with special morning sessions for kids under 10. Bounce over to Sky Zone Wilmington or Flip N Fly for more than 20,000 square feet of trampoline fun. Sky Zone offers extra activities like a dodgeball cage and trapeze, while Flip N Fly features a virtual reality ride, basketball hoops and arcade games.
For a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, head to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, which has a rock-climbing wall, mini bowling, mini golf, go-karts and a jungle-themed play area for kids 8 and under, plus a water park with thrilling waterslides, a lazy river, wave pool and a Kiddie Splash area for kids 8 and under.
Kid-Friendly Flavors
Grab lunch or dinner with a view at Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp or Pilot House, both right on the Riverwalk with casual vibes and kid-friendly menus. Nearby, Smoke on the Water has an outdoor deck with river views and serves seafood, BBQ, burgers and more. Insider tip: Smoke on the Water is known for its delicious apps – order a few to mix and match and create a sharable feast for the whole table.
If your kids love pizza and pasta, Benny's Big Time Pizzeria is a must-try restaurant. The classic Tony Pepperoni, plus a side of fries or meatballs, hits the spot. In the Cargo District, visit CheeseSmith for gourmet grilled cheeses, then stop by Cargocade to play Mario Kart or air hockey.
For something sweet, treat the whole family to creamy gelato at GelaRto, where kids can sit on Piaggo scooter seats or at the Fiat booth. Or, head to Olde Wilmington Toy & Candy Company in The Cotton Exchange for nostalgic treats from your own childhood. The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Wilmington stacks candy, cookies and fruit into over-the-top shakes. At Wake N Bake Donuts, order colorful, creative donuts for the whole family, plus fair-trade coffee for teens and parents.
Places to Stay
Wilmington’s full-service hotels and resorts offer great views and amenities, such as pools and complimentary breakfast. Make reservations at the Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront Hotel or Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District for pool access and views of the Cape Fear River, or stay at Aloft Wilmington for roomy, loft-inspired suites. For a more homey vibe, choose from Wilmington’s vacation rentals, including The Cove Riverwalk Villas and homes in midtown near bike paths, downtown and the Riverwalk.
Wilmington is packed with plenty of ways to have fun outside and indoors while the kids are out of school. For even more family-friendly adventures, take a short drive from Wilmington to one of our nearby island beaches:
