Spring Things to Do

Discover Renewal in Wilmington

From the river to the sea, you’ll find scenic beauty and countless ways to explore Wilmington and our Island Beaches in the spring. Bask in the arts, Southern culture and blooming azaleas during the North Carolina Azalea Festival, or experience Wilmington’s food scene at one of several foodie events. Get active outdoors with nature trails, parks and eco-adventures, or venture out on a historical tour or to see our blooming gardens. Hit the shores for days spent basking in the sun at our island beaches. Plan a road trip to the coast to find a new path to recharge in spring.

Azalea Festival

Seasonal Happenings

Celebrate the turn of the season with one of the area’s most beloved traditions, the North Carolina Azalea Festival. Experience five days of pageantry in April celebrating Wilmington’s exceptional gardens, artwork, rich history and culture through street fairs, juried art shows, concerts, garden tours and family-friendly events. Drawing a variety of runners from all over the country, the Wilmington, NC Marathon Madness 26.2-mile full marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying event. Novices will love the less intense 5K or 1-mile runs along Wilmington’s downtown historic waterfront. From traveling museum exhibitions and arts festivals to live music events and markets by the sea, there is always something to do in Wilmington and Island Beaches.

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Fort Fisher State Recreation Area 4 Wheel Drive Access Beach

Island Time Beckons

Savor some much-needed peace and quiet or gear up for an outdoor adventure to discover hidden treasures along our island beaches. Enjoy miles of walking trails at Carolina Beach State Park including sights of the native Venus flytraps growing wild and blooming along the Flytrap Trail. Get fit with a jog, walk or run on The Loop at Wrightsville Beach, a nearly two-mile scenic trail around the island. Get ready for summer with surfing and paddleboarding lessons from local outfitters along the Intracoastal Waterway or oceanfront. Grab a picnic basket and enjoy an outing at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area along the scenic six miles of protected shoreline.

Visit the Beaches

Wilmington Greenfield Lake

Family Time in Outdoor Spaces

Step into a nature-lover's paradise as you explore area parks and gardens. Stroll through Airlie Gardens' acres of lush gardens and majestic live oak trees. Greenfield Park has over 250 acres of open space to enjoy with the family including the Greenfield Grind Skate Park, boat and kayak rentals and playgrounds. Ocean Front Park in Kure Beach is a large green space with a play area for kids, while parents enjoy the water views. Find a sense of peace at the New Hanover County Arboretum with acres of blooming trees and plants to admire, while the kids enjoy The Kid's Corner where they can explore the StoryWalk and compose their own music on the Butterfly Beat and colorful Pipe Organ.

Explore Parks & Gardens

Kids viewing the Asian small-clawed otters at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Take a Tour

Immerse yourself in the storied past and rich culture of Wilmington and its island beaches, either on your own or with a guide. Explore the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher to see the Otters on the Edge habitat, where a family of four Asian small-clawed otters can be viewed. Earning 15 battle stars and serving in every major naval offensive in the pacific during WWII, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is a must-see attraction. Peruse the 230-block National Register Historic District aboard Springbrook Farms’ guided carriage tour to hear stories behind Wilmington’s stately mansions. Discover what life was like during the colonial and Victorian eras as you ride past homes or stop by on your own for a self-guided tour of the Bellamy Mansion, Latimer House or Burgwin-Wright House. Or, explore the district self-guided on foot or during a walking tour with Tour Old Wilmington.

Embark on Tours

Bluewater Dining Patio

Coastal Fare

Check out a sea-to-table restaurant like Seabird, where James Beard Best Chef nominee Dean Neff captains a community restaurant that celebrates the seasonality of the area's diverse local seafood. Enjoy stunning sunsets as you dine outdoors on the riverfront at The George on the Riverwalk, and Pilot House Restaurant. Try Calabash seafood favorites with a modern twist at Coast Cocktails and Calabash in Carolina Beach. Watch the surfers as you dine on the Crystal Pier at Oceanic Restaurant, or see boats come in as you dine marina-side at Bluewater Waterfront Grill in Wrightsville Beach. Head to Kure Beach to find big Caribbean flavor at Jack Mackerel's Island Grill.

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