Themed Vacations & The Offbeat in Wilmington, NC

Solo Getaways

As solo travel continues to gain popularity, this Southern destination offers endless vacation experiences for individual adventurers. Whether you’re a foodie, watersports enthusiast, history buff or someone simply seeking something new that transcends an average beach day, find inspiration for planning the perfect solo getaway.

DISC GOLF

The area boasts two 18-hole disc golf courses. Joe Eakes Park course in Kure Beach features a unique terrain of sand and oak trees. With the longest run measuring 500 feet, this scenic course is suitable for both seasoned and new players. The PDGA-registered Northern Regional Park course, spanning nearly 7,000 feet, is mostly wooded but not overly tight. The front nine holes make great use of the elevation. There's also a free nine-hole course open to the public at Trinity Disc Golf Course on the grounds of Good Hops Brewing Company in Carolina Beach, where you can start or end your game with a local brew in the outdoor beer garden or inside the taproom.

Celebration Vacations

When major moments happen in life, a celebration is always in order – and what better way to celebrate than with a coastal getaway? Whether it’s a babymoon, birthday, reunion or another special occasion, consider planning a Wilmington vacation to commemorate life’s big moments.

Shopping

Discover new and one-of-a-kind treasures while shopping in Wilmington. Find unique boutique shops and dining at The Cotton Exchange, featuring restored buildings connected by brick walkways and open-air. Nearby and just off the Riverwalk, Chandler’s Wharf contains an eclectic mix of shops with gifts, art and more. In the heart of downtown on Market Street, visit The Black Cat Shoppe for quirky gifts and “One Tree Hill” memorabilia and stop by Edge of Urge for handmade and independent designer apparel. Vintage shop ‘til you drop at The Ivy Cottage, one of the largest antique and home décor shops in the Southeast.

Cool & Quirky

As a historic riverfront town surrounded by island beaches, Wilmington is a destination of contrasts. Here, you'll find top attractions as well as lesser-known offerings that explore the area’s quirky side. It’s no wonder TripAdvisor named Wilmington among its top “Towns with Treasure Waiting to be Discovered.” For instance, did you know about our ghost walks and haunted pub crawls, surf and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) camps, pirate-themed cruises, secret mailbox by the sea – and places to see carnivorous plants, endangered sea turtles, sharks, alligators and prehistoric creatures?

Visit The Museum of the Bizarre to view oddities like the Fort Fisher Mermaid, Houdini’s Ouija Board and a unicorn horn. And don’t miss a tour of our famous film location sites, thanks to more than 400+ movie and TV credits.

The area’s past is just as fascinating as its present. The Cape Fear River, which winds its way through Wilmington, was named by early explorers when their ships ran aground and sank due to dangerous shifting shoals where the river meets the sea. Today, these wrecks and waters afford diverse diving and fishing opportunities, as well as nature and eco-adventures.

Coastal Hauntings

Local actors lead nightly ghost walks with tales of ghosts and hauntings in a city considered to be among the most actively haunted in the world. Wilmington has a rich military history, which is honored by the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, once hailed as the greatest sea weapon in the world. Join the popular Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Ghost Hunt and Tour in the fall to catch a glimpse of spirits, including a ghost believed to be one of the sailors who died during a torpedo strike. Kure Beach's Fort Fisher State Historic Site witnessed the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War – and visitors report sightings of a soldier’s ghost still standing guard over the fort today. Another figure known as "the sentinel" or "the watcher of the woods" protects the grounds and forest of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.

Curious for more? Let local guides lead you down centuries-old alleyways littered with stories of lingering restless spirits. Check out the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, as seen on MTV and Discovery Channel. On this 90-minute walking tour of the city’s eeriest homes and burial grounds, hear a rotation of tales about legends like Samuel Jocelyn Jr., who was supposedly buried alive at St. James Church and still haunts the grounds as a ghost. Visitors ages 21+ can join the Haunted Pub Crawl and raise a glass to ghosts in legendary pubs. In addition, explore centuries-old buildings after dark on Tour Old Wilmington’s year-round Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour.

Family Fun

Pirates - Argh!

Did ye know that pirates were among Wilmington and its beaches’ earliest visitors? Aye, it's true! Some even say William Kidd buried treasure on area islands in the late 1600s. At the Children's Museum of Wilmington, kids can dress like pirates and role-play aboard the Ahoy Wilmington! “pirate ship.” In Carolina Beach, set sail on Island Cruises’ seasonal Pleasure Island Pirate Adventure to search for stolen bounty. Kids will also enjoy Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tour's Pirate Island Treasure Hunt tour to Masonboro Island Reserve, an uninhabited barrier island once popular with pirates like Kidd.

Ride the Rails

The Wilmington Railroad Museum rests directly across from where the original Atlantic Coast Line Railroad used to port. In 1840, this railroad was the longest continuous rail line in the world. The museum is great for engineers both young and old and allows you to tour a life-size locomotive. Learn about the history of the development of railroads in the Wilmington area and the careers of famous people who were involved with railroads, such as Thomas Edison and George Pullman.

Romantic Getaway

This romantic riverfront city sets the scene for an unforgettable couple’s vacation. Unwind together while staying in a charming B&B like The Verandas, an AAA Four Diamond Award winner with elegant rooms and Victorian-era grandeur, or a hotel like ARRIVE Wilmington, a stylish spot with modern amenities and the on-site Dram Yard Restaurant.

Visit Airlie Gardens for a stroll surrounded by seasonal blooms, centuries-old live oak trees, sculptures and scenic lakes. Get outdoorsy together by taking a walk or bike ride through Greenfield Park, a 250-acre park that's a refreshing spot of greenery nestled downtown. Discover the city's rich history by embarking on a horse-drawn carriage tour with Springbrook Farms. For a picturesque shopping experience, visit the Wilmington Riverwalk and explore the Cotton Exchange to find the perfect keepsake or art piece to commemorate your special trip. As sunset approaches, depart directly from the Riverwalk on a Cape Fear River cruise.

For an upscale dining experience, visit manna ave. 123 and enjoy dishes from their ever-changing seasonal menu. If you're in the mood for elevated French cuisine in a romantic setting, Caprice Bistro is the perfect choice. For a more casual setting, share a pizza at Benny's Big Time Pizzeria, a farm-to-table Italian restaurant helmed by a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast.