If one thing’s for certain, it’s that millennials love to travel. If you’re in search of a customized and unique vacation experience – no cookie-cutter big brands allowed – Wrightsville Beach has just what you need for a long weekend escape this spring.
Explore by Cruise – In the mood for exploration? Schedule a boating journey with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, a local company that offers a variety of waterway experiences. Vacationers can learn about the region’s past on the history harbor cruise, go on day trips to Masonboro Island to collect shells and spot wildlife, or simply relax while bidding farewell to the setting sun during a sunset cruise. Or discover the shoreline via a sailboat, courtesy of Wrightsville Performance Sailing. Public cruises and private charters will sail you around Banks Channel, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.- Embark on a SUP or Surf Adventure – Learning a new skill is a plus when traveling. And because Wrightsville Beach is known as a premier destination for watersports, you won’t have to look far. What better way to explore the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway than by trying a new sport like standup paddleboarding (SUP) or surfing? Take a SUP lesson or rent a paddleboard from one of the island’s outfitters, like Cape Fear Paddleboarding. Or take to the water by surfboard and experience why Wrightsville Beach was named one of the best surf towns in the world by National Geographic. Sign up for a surf lesson with WB Surf Camp and learn how to ride the waves. Want to watch the professionals? Make sure to attend the Wrightsville Beach SUP Surfing Pro-Am competition happening April 14.
Stay Active – Wrightsville Beach is known as one of the most active islands on the N.C. coast thanks to plenty of heart-pumping activities. Combine beautiful scenery with an energetic workout by kayaking Wrightsville Beach’s various waterways from the sound to the surf. Rentals and tours are available at various island outfitters, like Wrightsville Kayak Company. If you’d rather stay on land, try “The Loop,” – a 2.45-mile trail that circles the island. It begins at Wrightsville Beach Park and continues over bridges with breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway while passing by beach houses, restaurants, shops and bars.- Dine on Coastal Cuisine – There is plenty to choose from at Wrightsville Beach when it comes to delicious food served at trendy, non-chain restaurants. Check out the standout restaurant, 22 North – located right on the island. It offers unique and eclectic Southern comfort food with a daily changing blackboard menu featuring dishes utilizing fresh and naturally abundant seafood the coastal region is home to. The food will make you want to Instagram that plate, pronto!
Go Out on the Town – Wrightsville Beach has a vibrant nightlife scene. Visitors in the mood to party will enjoy Lager Heads – equal parts dive bar and beach bar – and Red Dog’s – a surf and skate hangout since 1975. For a calmer atmosphere with a perfect backdrop of the Intracoastal Waterway – a great locale for group photos – check out Dockside Restaurant or Bluewater Waterfront Grill. Bluewater has live music on Sundays starting in the spring. For oceanfront views, visit Oceanic, the only restaurant on the island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and its recently renovated pier featuring outdoor dining and live entertainment.
