A Weekend in Wilmington Itinerary: The Good 2 Day Getaway!…

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Yearly, as quickly as these tiny white and pink buds begin popping on the bushes in North Carolina, we all know it’s time to plan our weekend getaway to Wilmington.

We go yearly, because it’s only some hour’s drive from our residence and we’re massive seashore individuals.

Wilmington additionally has fewer crowds, flowers bursting with spring colours, and heat temperatures, to not point out an abundance of issues to do.

Wilmington affords a uncommon mixture of historic structure, a stupendous riverfront, and is barely a 10-minute drive to considered one of finest seashores in North Carolina, if not America – Wrightsville Seashore!

We’ve all the time mentioned, it’s a smaller model of Charleston or Savannah – oodles of Southern Appeal with a vibrant, distinctive North Carolina character and lots to do.

So in the event you’re undecided the right way to spend 2 days in Wilmington on a weekend getaway, check out our itinerary under – having been to Wilmington numerous occasions, we predict that is the proper option to spend a weekend.

The Good Weekend in Wilmington Itinerary

We arrived on a Friday night, and left on Sunday afternoon, as we had a 3 hour drive again to Raleigh. Should you go to mid-week, or arrive Saturday morning, modify the next itinerary accordingly to the opening hours of companies.

We grabbed a fast dinner on the town on Friday night, selecting to have an early evening, so we’d be prepared for our two massive days of exploring.  

Should you’ve simply arrived in Wilmington and your stomach is rumbling, think about Rooster & The Crow, the Seabird or Entrance St Brewery as dinner choices.

Day 1: Exploring Downtown Wilmington

Park your automotive on the lodge, you received’t want it for at the present time exploring downtown Wilmington.

We love locations the place we will stroll all over the place!

Cease 1: Riverfront Stroll

Benefit from the quietness of the morning with much less crowds by strolling alongside the boardwalk that traces the Cape Worry River. 

The Wilmington Riverwalk is a 1.75 mile lengthy strolling path, however we sometimes do the part from our lodge to the Cape Worry Memorial Bridge and again reasonably than the entire boardwalk.

Plus, we stroll alongside it on a regular basis in the course of the day to entry a number of the downtown space’s favourite historic outlets, colourful buildings, and eating places. 

As you stroll, you possibly can take pleasure in views of the Battleship North Carolina, in addition to Eagle Island and the Cape Worry Memorial Bridge, which is named the one metal vertical-lift bridge in North Carolina.

Examine the occasions calendar, as occasions may be held alongside the Wilmington Riverfront all year long, together with the bustling weekend farmer’s markets.

Wilmington takes awhile to get up, so reap the benefits of these early hours to have the riverfront space to your self.  

Cease 2: Bespoke Espresso & Dry Items

We like to cease for a espresso at Bespoke! A pal instructed me they choose cafes on their street journeys primarily based on how aesthetically pleasing they’re. Bespoke, then, could be excessive on anybody’s record of cafes to go to. 

The truth is, every time we move by means of Wilmington on street journeys south we cease at Bespoke for a espresso break. 

Not only for it’s fashion, however as a result of Bespoke makes our favourite espresso in Wilmington. 

The black and white fashionable design is refined and stylish and invitations you to sit down for some time, and also you’ll see many locals tapping away at their cell workstations there. 

The entire espresso at Bespoke is offered by Durham’s Counter Tradition Espresso and handled with the utmost care this native NC roaster deserves.

They’ve sizzling candies and smoothies for the youngsters – or chai lattes in your teenagers!

And, Bespoke additionally invitations you to return within the later hours to take pleasure in their beer and wine bar!

Cease three: Brunch at The Fundamentals

One in every of our favourite locations to eat in Wilmington is The Fundamentals, which serves a scrumptious brunch!

You’ll discover all kinds of Southern impressed breakfast dishes utilizing native seafood, together with crab cake benedict, and cajun shrimp and grits, in addition to different breakfast favorites like Mediterranean scrambled eggs, and blueberry pancakes. 

Brunch all the time pairs properly with a scrumptious dragon fruit mimosa or Irish espresso!

Both reserve your desk, or arrive a couple of minutes earlier than the 10am opening. Fortunately, we had been about third in line, which shortly grew after we arrived. 

As we ate a filling brunch, we didn’t have to cease wherever for lunch, which gave us much more time for exploring!

Cease four: Horsedrawn Carriage Experience of Historic Wilmington

A soothing option to discover Wilmington’s historic district with children is to take a horse drawn carriage experience by means of the downtown neighborhood. 

30+ years in the past this district was dilapidated and regarded harmful. You might have purchased a home right here for round $10,000 – however you’d want money as no financial institution was keen to mortgage cash for this run down space excessive on the hill close to the Cape Worry River. 

The individuals got here collectively to name it a historic district, which then gave them entry to federal cash and grants to revive the buildings. It’s now an costly and well-sought space to dwell, with some historic houses now price one million ! 

Black plaques on houses let they’re over 100 years outdated, and something new that now will get in-built downtown Wilmington should mix in with the historic feel and look. 

You’ll study all of this and extra on The horse drawn carriage experience pulled by Jeff and Jake, two rescued horses from Amish County in Philadelphia. Tour firm, Springbrook Farms has saved 18 draft horses of their 35 years of enterprise. 

The horses are nicely cared for, given sufficient relaxation between rides, and all the time pull manner lower than what they’re able to. Every horse solely spends one week a month downtown, and two or three weeks minimal out on pasture on their farm.

The carriage experience follows eight completely different routes. We handed by the oldest residence in Wilmington at 284 years, the childhood residence of President Woodrow Wilson, and discovered that the Spanish moss draping over the oaks is definitely a part of the pineapple household and doesn’t hurt the bushes. 

Reservations are usually not wanted for the tour. They go away from the tip of Market St close to the water, and price $14 for adults, $6 for teenagers. 

NOTE: We simply missed the 11:15 horse drawn carriage experience because it was full. Whereas we waited for the 12 pm departure, we visited a couple of of the close by shops.

Cease 5: Buy groceries in Downtown Wilmington

I used to be shocked by the great native shops in downtown Wilmington. Within the spare moments between visiting Wilmington points of interest, spend time shopping the shops. You’re certain to find one thing for all members of your loved ones. 

Throughout the cobblestoned road from the riverfront stroll is the small Metropolis Market, a historic landmark and retail vacation spot since 1880. There’s a melange of specialty outlets in addition to artwork and craft galleries.

I beloved Metropolis Gypsy Boutique. They promote distinctive artwork from over 30 native artisans, truthful commerce, and boutique gadgets together with attire, equipment, jewellery, crystals, pottery, and residential décor, and rather more! 

One other purchasing district in downtown Wilmington is the Cotton Change, which is housed inside eight restored buildings related by brick walkways and open-air courtyard giving a 19th Century Port Metropolis vibe from when Cotton was King.

There are 30 distinctive specialty outlets and eating places.

Cease 6: Sightseeing Cruise of the Cape Worry River

For a soothing hour of sightseeing Wilmington from the water, board a sightseeing Cruise with Cape Worry River Boats.

We boarded the small Captain J.N. Maffit boat to cruise upriver to the place the Cape Worry forks earlier than turning again south previous the pastel coloured outlets and historic buildings of Downtown Wilmington in your left and, the Battleship North Carolina and Eagles Island to your proper.

The captain gave us a quick overview of Wilmington’s historical past from the early explorers to Modern-day ships from all around the world. 

We additionally discovered extra concerning the geography of the area, together with the fascinating story of Eagle Island which was as soon as crammed with rice fields till river dredging turned the freshwater to salt and destroyed the trade. 

Earlier than turning round to cruise again, you’ll get a great have a look at the transport trade that offers Wilmington the identify, Port Metropolis.

Questioning how the Cape Worry river acquired its identify? 

Previous retailers would typically discover the approaching shallow cape and would flip their boats round, solely to run aground on the shoals.

They’d record on their charts that it was a Cape to be Feared.

Word, you possibly can swap this exercise round and go for a sundown cruise as an alternative, which might even be a beautiful option to spend a night.

Cease 7: Go for Ice Cream at Kilwins

The odor wafting out of Kilwins ice cream is irresistible and can pull in your youngsters identical to the witch dragged Hansel and Gretel into the Gingerbread Home.

That is certain to provide all of them the power they should proceed to take pleasure in the remainder of the day.

We’ve been taking our daughter Kalyra to Kilwins since she was two, so it’s a really nostalgic place for us to revisit with every journey to Wilmington.  

From Kilwin’s it’s solely a ten minute stroll to the Bellamy mansion!

Cease eight: Bellamy Mansion and Museum

I loved touring the 10,000 sq. ft, twenty-two room Bellamy Mansion, constructed by primarily enslaved and free black artisans for the Bellamy household from 1859 to 1861.

I assumed it was tastefully carried out to actually inform the reality of the slave story and assist develop that understanding and empathy. 

The self-guided audio strolling tour begins exterior the mansion, after which instantly strikes to the two-story brick, slave quarters – among the finest preservered ones within the nation. 

You discovered extra concerning the lifetime of the slaves and the again breaking work they did from sunup to sundwon.

That story continued as you entered the home and commenced on the basement stage to see the work the slaves did from inside the home. 

You then transfer up the 5 ranges of the house to see how the Bellamy household lived.

I beloved the flowery parlor room, which undoubtedly made my welcoming room in our home really feel tiny!

The tour results in the Belvedere, the small room that was liable for creating pure air con by capturing the pure breeze and sending it right down to the remainder of the home. 

My different favourite was the beautiful magnolia tree in conjunction with the home within the small backyard providing a quiet peaceable place to relaxation beneath its shady magnificence. 

You may also be a part of a 90-minute guided tour of the Bellamy Mansion. It took us about an hour to tour it ourselves, and each the women actually loved it.

It is a worthy family-friendly expertise and some of the common Wilmington points of interest, and we advocate including it to your itinerary. 

Cease 9: Flytrap Brewery

One other quick stroll will take you from Bellamy Home to a family-friendly brewery with loads of area within the beer backyard for teenagers. You’ll admire a relaxation within the solar with an ice chilly native brew. 

Flytrap Brewing is a well-liked neighborhood brewery situated within the booming Brooklyn Arts District of Historic Downtown Wilmington, named after the venus flytrap plant which is native to this area.

You’ll discover some native artwork hanging on the partitions!

Flytrap focuses on American and Belgian fashion ales, and Craig totally loved his gentle and refreshing Belgian Blonde. 

Additionally they have distinctive pure wines and flavored glowing waters for the youngsters. Examine the web site for up to date occasions as they typically have artisan markets, meals vans and dwell music, making it among the finest breweries in Wilmington.

Cease 10: Sundown on the River

One in every of my favourite issues to do in Wilmington is to observe the sundown down by the riverfront. We’ve been doing that with our children for years. 

You possibly can both sit at any of the Wilmington eating places lining the boardwalk or simply stand on the boardwalk to observe it. (There are additionally sundown cruises you possibly can take).

The eating places can get very busy, so try to get there early and reserve forward. Some received’t take you in except you’re consuming. 

We managed to get a small cocktail desk on the deck of the fantastically restored Pilot Home to take pleasure in a sundown drink.

We needed to get our personal drinks from the bar, which we had been very happy with if it meant they might squeeze us in for this lovely sundown present. 

You might dine at any of those riverfront eating places. You’ll discover menus crammed with seafood choices, and typical American fare. Costs could also be a little bit greater given the waterfront location and recognition. 

We’ve got eaten many occasions at a longtime Wilmington favourite, Elijah’s Restaurant. They’ve a really inexpensive children menu.

Cease 11: Dinner at Platypus and Gnome

What Australian can move by a restaurant named after considered one of our favourite native animals? 

What makes Platypus and Gnome a worthy place to eat in Wilmington is its distinctive restaurant focus which is on unique sport meats.  

Meats are sourced from sustainable sources. Their can’t miss favorites are wild boar, elk and bison. I LOVED the very intensive gluten free choices they’d – virtually each merchandise on the menu may very well be tailored. 

Craig and I ordered the 2 hottest gadgets on the menu: The elk burger and the ostrich sandwich. Kalyra was pleased along with her juicy Bacon Bacon burger. There’s a children menu – even with gluten free hen tenders. 

The smoky wild boar soup was deliciously memorable. Both have a bowl for appetizer or sub it in as your principal meal’s facet for an additional worth. 

Platypus even typically has kangaroo within the menu – we missed it by every week.

Day 2: Downtown Wilmington to the Seashore

We made use of the breakfast that got here with our lodge on the Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront this morning. 

Cease 1: Seabird Restaurant

We had been thrilled to find one other good spot for espresso in Wilmington, Seabird, a comparatively new restaurant in downtown Wilmington. 

It’s not only a place for nice espresso, it’s a well-liked lunch and dinner restaurant as nicely. Seabird is ready in a historic constructing and has a deal with a seasonal seafood menu with substances present in North Carolina.

This coastal focus is mirrored in a tastefully adorned fashionable area with full-length subway tiles, blue toned aquatic art work on the partitions, porthole home windows on the swinging doorways into the kitchen, and blue upholstered chairs.

I additionally beloved the addition of a small library within the wrap-around bar space.

Seabirds is cozy and complicated with a heat pleasant service to match. Most significantly, baristas who know the right way to make a correct latte. 

Seabird has a restricted breakfast menu that features grits and roasted potato bowl and a fried hen biscuit plus pastries. This may very well be a great different for a grab-and-go fast breakfast right here in addition to espresso. 

Cease 2: Tour the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA

One of the common issues to do in Wilmington with children is to tour the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, which was one of many first of ten battleships to hitch the American fleet in WWII.

Throughout World Warfare II, North Carolina participated in each main naval offensive within the Pacific space of operations and earned 15 battle stars.

She was thought of the world’s best navy ship and you may wander by means of the ship to see the sailor’s and officer’s quarters and mess corridor in addition to the huge quantity of artillery on the expansive deck.

With two daughters, we had been uncertain if they want touring the North Carolinian battleship, however all of us loved it. 

It was an enchanting perception into life aboard a navy vessel, serving to us see the difficulties of life cramped under a steamy, smelly deck – and that’s with out being caught within the throes of a fierce battle.

NO THANK YOU! It can increase the respect and admiration you’ve gotten for our service women and men. 

It’s unbelievable how massive it’s under deck – you possibly can tour 9 completely different ranges – and we had no concept whether or not we had been bow, stern, starboard or port your complete time. Arrows will information you alongside the self-guided path. 

We couldn’t tour the higher decks as they had been closed for renovations. 

Make sure you stroll across the perimeter of the boat on the SECU Memorial Walkway – it’s possible you’ll even see an alligator or two within the murky waters! The views of Downtown Wilmington reverse the river are additionally lovely from right here. 

The North Carolina battleship can also be some of the common points of interest in North Carolina.

We spent an hour right here, nevertheless it’s widespread for guests to Wilmington to spend two hours.

Cease three: Museum of the Weird

We like to go to quirky and distinctive museums when exploring a brand new vacation spot as they all the time open doorways for unlikely adventures. I assumed the Museum of the Weird might also be attention-grabbing for Kalyra, our teen. And it was! 

We had fairly fun exploring this small museum in downtown Wilmington. You solely want about 30-60 minutes nevertheless it’s nicely price it, particularly at such an inexpensive worth. 

This curiosity museum focuses on the unusual, uncommon or collectable oddity.

You’ll discover life-sized film characters, artifacts like Alexander Hamilton’s hair and Houdini’s ouija board, random scribblings from Charles Manson, shrunken heads, weird creatures from the Circus just like the goat brothers, a forged mannequin of Regan from the exorcist, and an actual life cauldron found in Pennsylvania that with out warning blasts out a fiery steam to make you bounce.

There’s additionally a small mirror maze and laser path sport you are able to do. We had enjoyable with each of them, particularly the enjoyable music we danced away too as we slowly made our manner by means of the complicated corridor of mirrors. (You possibly can see that within the video quickly!)

It is a nice Wilmington attraction for teenagers. 

Cease four: Beer Barrio

Love tacos and margaritas? Pull up a colourful desk on the sidewalk and revel in this craft-beer infused Mexican restaurant for lunch (Sundays has an all-day brunch menu as nicely). 

You could discover a southern aptitude in these tacos although decisions like a catfish po’boy and beer braised beef tacos and pulled pork in your nachos, bowls and burritos.

The meals is colourful, inexpensive, and unusually giant for a taco! Plus, a lot of the substances are sourced regionally. 

Beer is the opposite star of this restaurant with an area brew discovering its manner into virtually each dish! 

Homeowners, beer Sommelier Hayley Jensen and her husband Chef Stephen Durley have labored collectively in a number of the best eating places in New York Metropolis so anticipate massive flavors and daring experiences. 

They even had a scrumptious french toast dish on the brunch menu for our exceptionally fussy tween eater!

Cease 5: Head to the Wilmington NC Seashores

Should you’re visiting in heat climate, and even on a heat winter’s day, we advocate including seashore time to your weekend journey to Wilmington. 

Wilmington is close to two nice North Carolina seashores: our favourite is Wrightsville Seashore, however Carolina Seashore to the south can also be colourful and really family-friendly. So is Kure Seashore. These are generally known as the three island seashores, and are identified for being higher swimming spots.

Every seashore location has nice choices for meals, and varied seashore actions you are able to do like paddle boarding and browsing classes. 

The shoreline in North Carolina is windswept and rugged, and you may anticipate giant waves because it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a surfer’s paradise!

Or hike in Carolina Seashore State Park

If the climate isn’t enjoying ball and it’s too windy and tough to swim, think about going for a hike in Carolina Seashore State Park, simply 12-miles out of Wilmington.

The park is legendary for being residence to the Venus flytrap, in addition to a 50-foot dune known as Sugarloaf Dune, which was as soon as a navigational marker for river pilots.

There are additionally some beautiful ponds and locations so that you can forged a line in the event you’re a fishing fanatic!

The place To Keep: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Wilmington Riverfront

Our lodge of selection in Wilmington is normally the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Wilmington Riverfront. It’s in all probability the nicest Embassy Suites I’ve stayed at and felt recent, fashionable, and stylishly adorned. 

With a simple 10-minute stroll to downtown, its riverfront location is difficult to beat!

We take pleasure in their spacious suites, particularly welcome when touring with children for the additional “day out” area.

Should you work (or faculty) remotely, you’ll love the lounge/workplace area. 

Your keep on the Embassy Suites comes with a buffet breakfast that has a good array of choices together with omelet’s made to order, pancakes, grits and pastries. 

Additionally they have afternoon pleased hours, the place you will get two drinks, together with commonplace nicely drinks. 

We had been so upset to overlook the opening of their Cloud 9 Rooftop bar for the season by one week.

It’s additionally a main place for a powerful panoramic sundown view over the river along with your favourite craft cocktail in hand. 

We stayed on the Embassy Suites Riverfront for 2 nights, and would fortunately keep there once more!

For different lodges in Wilmington, we favored the look of The Ballast Lodge a block up the river, nevertheless it was a little bit dearer. The Aloft and Finest Western had been additionally subsequent door to the Embassy and regarded good – location sensible at the very least! and for a extra distinctive, Wilmington expertise, attempt the boutique lodge The Entrance St Inn.

You possibly can learn our full overview of the Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront (contains extra pictures!)

Closing Ideas

Throughout our weekend getaway, we centered on exploring Downtown Wilmington and the seashores as a result of that’s our most well-liked option to spend a trip.

Are you able to consider it’s the primary time we’ve written about Wilmington, North Carolina on our website after years of visiting and residing in Raleigh? 

Plus, it’s the house of Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill – two very talked-about TV exhibits filmed in Wilmington – the Hollywood of the East. We love these exhibits and loved searching for movie places as we explored.

That is only a glimpse of what you are able to do in Wilmington. Be happy to swap round points of interest and actions to swimsuit the climate throughout your journey, your schedule, lodge location, and explicit fashion of journey.

We hope this information gave you some inspiration in your weekend journey and helped you intend what to do!

Wilmington Video

You possibly can see extra of Wilmington in our video sharing all of the enjoyable issues we did in Wilmington on our two day getaway.

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