Spring is here, which means graduation season is just around the corner! If you’re coming to town for the big day, get ready for a weekend full of celebrations: ceremonies, meals, photo-ops and plenty of coastal excursions in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.
This guide has all the insider tips to make planning easier: the hotels and restaurants worth booking early, quick spots for coffee or a bite between events, and fun things to do while you’re here, like strolling the Riverwalk, touring historic homes and gardens or kayaking to a barrier island. Whether you’re staying near campus, wandering downtown or soaking up some sun at Wrightsville Beach, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate your UNC-Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College grad.
Make Wilmington Your Home Base
Where to Stay
Hotels close to UNCW make getting to and from ceremonies simple, no matter what time your grad walks. Choose TownePlace Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, Wingate By Wyndham Wilmington, Staybridge Suites or Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach for a 10-minute drive to campus.
Book a suite at Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton or Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District in Historic Downtown Wilmington, about a 20-minute drive from UNCW, for scenic views of the Cape Fear River. Or, find a “home away from home” for groups of all sizes through Wilmington Vacation Homes.
Insider tip: The best accommodations tend to go quickly for graduation weekend, so this is one reservation worth knocking out early. Be sure to inquire about discounted packages for UNCW students and families.
For additional travel resources and recommendations, visit UNCW’s website.
Where to Eat
Reservation-Worthy Spots
For the big graduation dinner, downtown Wilmington has plenty of restaurants that feel worthy of the occasion. At Olivero Kitchen + Cocktails, sit at the bar and watch Spanish- and Italian-inspired seafood and steaks being prepared in the lively open kitchen, or reserve a table for a more intimate tapas experience. Book a private dining room for up to 14 guests at Seabird, and share Chef Dean Neff’s Seasonal Seafood Tower, which comes loaded with locally sourced shrimp, tuna, black bass and more. If your grad loves Italian food, settle in at Tarantelli’s Ristorante Italiano or Floriana, which have private dining areas for larger groups. Or, visit The Little Dipper Fondue on Front, known for serving sweet and savory fondues in a family-style gathering space.
Closer to UNCW, celebrate with locally sourced seafood dishes at The Sounder or Greek fare at Kipos Hellenic Cuisine. Dig into Southern comfort food (with an Asian-inspired twist) on the huge patio at Covey, a locals’ favorite featured in Season 3 of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
More elevated dinner restaurants:
- G Prime Steak & Cellar
- manna ave. 123
- Origins Food and Drink
- Quanto Basta: Italian Eatery and Wine Bar
- The Pilot House
Insider tip: Graduation weekend reservations can fill up quickly, especially downtown. If your ceremony timing feels tight, it helps to book dinner a little later than you think you’ll need.
Quick and Close to UNCW’s Campus
Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn is a go-to for burritos and Tex-Mex, while Blue Surf Cafe serves fresh, satisfying meals made with locally sourced ingredients. Grab a table at the two-story JohnnyLukes KitchenBar and dig into classic Southern fare. Share “frickles” and other bar bites at Carolina Ale House, which has plenty of tables for big groups. For a true Seahawk staple, stop by Islands Fresh Mex Grill during the daily $1 taco deal from 5-10 p.m. – and don’t skip queso for the table!
When you need a caffeine boost, order a seasonal latte from Social Coffee & Supply Co. or Grinders Caffé. Or, make it a coffee-and-breakfast stop at Drift Coffee & Kitchen in Mayfaire Town Center.
Sweet Treats and Toasts
Pick up specialty desserts like cupcakes, cookies and cakes from Apple Annie’s Bake Shop or stop for an ice cream cone at Boombalatti’s. If you’re in the mood for boba tea (or want to try it for the first time), visit Tap Tea Bar, where you can build your own drink creation or order from the popular “special-tea” menu.
Toast your grad with 1920s-inspired cocktails at C-Suite Lounge in The Cotton Exchange or a glass of wine at Satellite Bar and Lounge. Order a dessert martini at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, catch live music at The Underfront Company or check out these unique spots in the Cargo District:
Fun Things to Do
Kick off your Wilmington weekend with a guided tour that fits your group size. Join a Springbrook Farms Carriage Tour (15-20 people per carriage), stroll the city’s historic streets with Wilmington Walking Tours (up to 20 people), or pedal and sip with Wilmington Bike & Brew Tours (ideal for smaller groups of up to eight).
Snap photos of your grad along the Riverwalk, a scenic, nearly 2-mile walkway along the Cape Fear River. Then, set sail with Cape Fear River Boats (100+ passengers) or Wilmington Water Tours (up to 49), or book a more intimate cruise with Ravens Nest Sailing (up to six guests).
Insider tip: Other great photo-ops include the pondside bridge and gazebo at Long Leaf Park, as well as Greenfield Park’s Fragrance Garden, a hidden gem with perennial flowers, a fountain and deck with views of the lake.
If you have extra time:
- Stroll 67 acres of blooms and wildlife at Airlie Gardens
- Step inside one of downtown’s historic house museums (Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts, Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens or Latimer House Museum)
- Explore the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, the highest decorated American battleship of World War II
Celebrate by the Sea in Wrightsville Beach
Where to Stay
For a full resort experience, Trailborn Surf & Sound offers ocean- and soundside views, plus amenities like a sauna, hot tub and oceanfront garden. Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort is another great option for ocean- or soundside rooms, with indoor and outdoor pools, two large hot tubs and a hammock garden. Book a suite at Shell Island Resort, located at the north end of the island, for private oceanfront balconies and an on-site tiki bar.
If you’re traveling with extended family, reserve a beach cottage or larger home through Intracoastal Rentals - Wrightsville Beach.
Where to Eat
Special-Occasion Restaurants
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, Bluewater Waterfront Grill is ideal for larger groups. Book the Florida Room, which seats up to 18 guests, and try one of the featured seafood dishes, such as jumbo lump crab cakes or Bluewater shrimp and grits. Order seafood and specialty cocktails at Oceanic Restaurant, then snap golden hour pics on the Crystal Pier. Celebrate with coastal Italian cuisine at Trailborn Surf and Sound’s La Duna Paradiso, which has a private dining space for up to 14 guests, and keep the good vibes going with craft cocktails or frozen elixirs at Solstice Oceanfront Kitchen + Cocktails (located inside Lumina on Wrightsville Beach). If your ceremony is in the evening, stop just before the Wrightsville Beach bridge for seafood and steaks at The Bridge Tender. Good to know: Bluewater Waterfront Grill and Oceanic Restaurant do not accept reservations unless you’re booking a private event, so be sure to arrive early or grab a drink at the bar and watch the waves while you wait for a table.
Casual Island Eats
Between beach time and graduation events, refuel with tacos and margs at Tower 7 Baja Mex. After strolling Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, grab a bite at nearby Shark Bar & Kitchen, which has burgers, sandwiches, seafood and sushi options. For fresh seafood specials and water views, try one of Chef Michael’s rotating chalkboard dishes at South Beach Grill, or order the coastal grill with sea scallops and blackened shrimp at Dockside Restaurant, just over the bridge in Wilmington.
Sweet Treats and Toasts
Cool off with frozen custard, a shake or float from Kohl's Frozen Custard, or visit the Wrightsville Beach location of Tap Tea Bar. Earlier in the day, stop by The Workshop for coffee, pastries, frappes or smoothies – just keep the 2 p.m. closing time in mind.
If your group wants more of a beach-bar feel, head to Jimmy’s at Wrightsville Beach or toast under the string lights at King Neptune’s nautical-inspired Pirate Bar.
Fun Things to Do
Stroll along The Loop, a 2.5-mile path through the heart of town, and stop by Harbor Way Gardens for family photos among native plants, flowers and fountains. You can also snap pics of your grad against an ocean backdrop at the Crystal Pier.
See the island from the water on one of these guided adventures:
- Kayak to Masonboro Island Reserve – Explore an undisturbed barrier island with Wrightsville Kayak Company or Wilmington Outdoor Adventures (ideal for smaller groups). Spot wildlife, collect seashells and relax on the pristine shore.
- Take a SUP lesson – Wrightsville SUP hosts up to eight guests at a time for a hands-on paddleboard session.
- Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway – Choose from Soundside Adventures at Wrightsville Beach or Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours (both great for bigger parties), or book a cruise for up to six people with Shamrock Sailing Adventures.
At the end of the weekend, visit the north end of the island to find the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox (managed by the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History). Jot down your favorite graduation memories – watching your grad walk across the stage, exploring the coast and all the little moments that made your trip unforgettable.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach make a beautiful backdrop for such a big milestone. Here’s to a weekend full of good food, great company and memories your grad will carry with them long after they toss their cap!
To keep the celebration going, visit one of our other nearby island beaches, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
