Get away to Wilmington and Island Beaches this summer where you’ll find endless ways to escape the heat. Get out on the water with a variety of activities and excursions perfect for the whole family at a waterpark and three island beaches, or cruise your way to river and sea breezes. Dance the nights away with live music or concerts at one of the area’s many outdoor waterfront venues. Whether you’re looking to enjoy tours, state parks, or watersports, cool off indoors at the aquarium or museums, or just relax oceanfront, make the most of your coastal vacation with an abundance of all-ages activities and things to do.
Memorial Day Weekend
Kick off the unofficial start to summer with our guide to local events and activities the whole family will enjoy. Uncover the destination’s rich military history with a visit to Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, Fort Fisher State Historic Site and other area historic sites to reflect and remember. Then, enjoy fireworks and live music oceanfront or explore the many waterways with area outfitters.
Make a splash in Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park’s wave pool, speed slides or lazy river. Or, take a break from the sun to race go karts, play laser tag or miniature golf. Visit the Children’s Museum of Wilmington where kids can interact with exhibits like the Wonders of Water and Exploration Station. Parents and kids alike will enjoy exploring interactive exhibits at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. Bounce over to Sky Zone Wilmington or Flip N Fly for cool, high-flying trampoline fun. Tour a life-size caboose and explore more than 20 operating scale model trains at the Wilmington Railroad Museum, which received the Guinness World RecordsTM certificate for the world’s longest model train. Take to the water with Wilmington Water Tours’ family-friendly sunset cruise or join Cape Fear River Boats for a sightseeing and history tour.
Enjoy live music and fireworks on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk every Thursday night through Labor Day, or dance with your toes in the sand at the Carolina Beach Music Festival, one of the longest running music festivals in the country June 7-8. For classic seaside family fun, leave time to stroll the Boardwalk, where you’ll find fresh seafood, craft cocktails on the rooftop bar at The Tropical and sweet treats like the famous Britt's Donuts. Get competitive on 18-holes of miniature golf at Putter Pub. Pack a picnic and bring the whole family for Free Movies at the Lake each Sunday through Aug. 31.
Hear live tunes seaside at Kure Beach’s Boogie in the Park, every first and third Sunday through September at Ocean Front Park & Pavilion. Learn about local nesting sea turtles from the experts at Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project with Turtle Talks every Monday June 2 - Aug. 18 at the pavilion. Discover the island’s rich history by walking the trails and check out the Visitor Center at Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Go under the sea at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and register the little ones for aquarium summer camps to learn about marine habitats and a behind-the-scenes look at animal care.
Savor fresh-from-the-sea meals at Oceanic and Bluewater Waterfront Grill while enjoying their weekly waterside live music series. Or, head to Wrightsville Beach Park for the WECT Sounds of Summer Concert Series each Thursday beginning June 12-July. Dive for Megalodon teeth on an aquatic safari or hang ten with a surf lesson or camp. For other ways to get on board, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding with lessons for the whole family. The kids will love to hunt for buried treasure aboard a pirate-themed cruise with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours and adults can relax on a sunset sail with La Dee Dah Sunset Cruises.
There’s nothing like fresh seafood, cool beverages and outdoor dining waterside on a summer vacation. Savor locally sourced seafood at the award-winning Catch. Sip on local brews with scenic river views at Waterline Brewery. Find kid-approved eats at Anne Bonny’s floating bar and grill or indulge in a steamer pot of crab legs, shrimp and oysters on the deck at Smoke on the Water. In Carolina Beach, swing by Havana’s for fresh seafood dishes like fish tacos and Cajun shrimp or see what’s on draft at Good Hops Brewing. Find Caribbean-influenced fare paired with specialty cocktails and peek-a-boo ocean views at Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill in Kure Beach. Or, dine alfresco at South Beach Grill in Wrightsville Beach and nosh on the fresh catch of the day or enjoy handcrafted cocktails on the Crystal Pier at Oceanic Restaurant.
