Summer Trip Ideas

Concerts at the coast

Spend time this summer in Wilmington and Island Beaches by attending an outdoor concert at Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park, managed by Live Nation. Visit the new urban greenspace with a playground and water feature, shade trees and lush gardens along the Wilmington Riverwalk. Pack a picnic and bring your kids and a blanket to enchanting Airlie Gardens for the Summer Concert Series on the first and third Fridays of each month from May through September. Follow the sound of music to discover local performers and touring bands of various genres, playing most every night during the summer in the heart of Wilmington's historic downtown. Visit the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, one of the most important battleships that served in World War II, for its annual Memorial Day Observance. Celebrate America’s birthday in historic downtown at the City of Wilmington July 4th Family Fireworks with live entertainment, food vendors and a fireworks show on the river.

FAMILY FUN

Make a splash at the water park, featuring a wave pool, lazy river, speed slides and more at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and take a break from fun in the sun to play laser tag or mini-golf. Visit the Children’s Museum of Wilmington where kids can interact with exhibits like the Art Room, Toddler Treehouse and Animal Alley. Parents and kids alike will enjoy exploring the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition H2O Today at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science to learn about how water shapes our lives or meeting a 20-foot-tall giant ground sloth replica, Wilmington’s oldest resident. The little ones will love touring exhibits like a life-size caboose, a century-old steam locomotive and exploring more than 20 operating scale model trains at the Wilmington Railroad Museum, which received the Guinness World Records(TM) certificate for the world’s longest model train.

A DAY ON THE WATER

Explore the Cape Fear River, Intracoastal Waterway and surrounding island waters aboard a daily cruise or private charter. Learn about the area’s history and wildlife on a historic, sightseeing or eco-tour, or relax in the evenings on a sunset cruise. Get on board at our island beaches with a surfing, kayak or stand-up paddleboard lesson or guided adventure with one of the area’s local outfitters. Or, dive a little deeper on a scuba diving adventure with a nearby charter. Explore the area’s best dive spots like historic shipwrecks, reefs and fossil ledges.

ISLANDS IN THE SUN

Make your way to one of Wilmington’s three island beaches for double the summer fun. Enjoy live music and fireworks on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk every Thursday night Memorial Day through Labor Day or dance the day away at the Carolina Beach Music Festival, one of the longest-running music festivals in the country, held each June. For classic seaside family fun, leave time to stroll along the Boardwalk where you’ll find amusement rides, freshly steamed seafood, Carolina barbecue and sweet treats, like the famous Britt's Donuts.

Rock out to the sounds of summer in nearby Kure Beach at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area during the free and family-friendly Summer Concerts at Fort Fisher. Get on your feet as you enjoy musical acts ranging in style from bluegrass and country-rock to big band swing. While you're there, visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, one of North Carolina’s most popular attractions. Discover the island’s rich history at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the site of the Civil War’s largest land and sea battle and explore the newest museum exhibits: “From Slave to Soldier: the African American Experience at Fort Fisher,” which highlights African Americans’ role in Fort Fisher’s story and "A Memory A People Could Not Forget: Lumbee Indians at Fort Fisher," detailing the vital role Lumbee Indians played in building the fort's massive earthworks.

Relax in the sand or play with the kids at Wrightsville Beach, known for its crystal blue waters and spacious beach. Get active and embrace the island lifestyle with plenty of watersports activities. Take a family stand-up paddleboard lesson or try your hand at sailing with a local outfitter. Hang ten in the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina with a surf lesson or surf camp. Learn to sail at island sailing schools offering ASA courses or take a one-hour fun sail with Blockade Runner Surf to Sound Adventure's Sailing School. Kids love to play pirate for a day aboard a themed cruise with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, complete with a treasure hunt.

SERVING UP SUMMER FARE

There’s nothing like fresh cuisine on a summer vacation, and Wilmington has a variety of options for outdoor dining, seafood and more. The downtown River District alone offers more than 40 locally-owned dining options, with restaurants, pubs and cafés lining the Riverwalk, Front Street and beyond. Enjoy Southern coastal cuisine along with river views or savor the fresh catch of the day at an oyster bar or seafood grill. Sip on local brews and craft cocktails at one of the area’s unique bars and breweries, from rustic speakeasies to rooftop terraces.

SUMMER SIPS

Vibrant nightlife makes those long summer nights complete. Cool down with a crafted cocktail on a rooftop and watch the sunset over the Cape Fear River at Cloud 9, or feel refined with cocktails made from the freshest juices, herbs and ingredients at manna ave. 123. Head to island beaches to hear live music in colorful settings like Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar with 360 beach views, Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill where tiki huts and volleyball add to the fun and Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar just steps from the ocean. Soak in beach vibes while enjoying craft cocktails at The Palm Room, cool down with an adult slushie at Jimmy's at Red Dogs and order a local craft brew on tap to complement your gourmet burger at Poes Tavern. Grab an afternoon beer at Satellite Bar and Lounge, Hi-Wire Brewing or Catawba Brewing Co. Sip on local brews at Wilmington's oldest craft brewery, Front Street Brewery, or grab to-go regional beers or global wines at one of the many local bottle shops.