Kathy’s guidebook
My Favorite Beaches
If visiting in warmer weather, be advised that parking can be challenging. Good times for parking access are before 9 a.m., after 5 and at 9 a.m. when parking meters start charging. If you arrive when parking lots are full; I recommend waiting in queue at the entrance. This will likely get you a space faster than driving around.
It is the closest to my home!
Parking fills early; plan accordingly
408 locals recommend
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrIt is the closest to my home!
Parking fills early; plan accordingly
Kure beach is about 10-15 minutes further than Wrightsville.
If you can park close to town center, you will be able to take advantage of bars and restaurants just steps away from the beach. Great swings located along the walk.
84 locals recommend
Kure Beach
Kure beach is about 10-15 minutes further than Wrightsville.
If you can park close to town center, you will be able to take advantage of bars and restaurants just steps away from the beach. Great swings located along the walk.
Restaurants
Savorez
402 Chestnut StWalkable - the most popular restaurant of my guests.
Walkable - Excellent pub fare, Brussel sprouts, Pimento Cheese burger, mac and cheeses, etc. :-)
91 locals recommend
The Fork 'N' Cork
122 Market StWalkable - Excellent pub fare, Brussel sprouts, Pimento Cheese burger, mac and cheeses, etc. :-)
Manna
123 Princess StWalkable - My favorite restaurant. Foodie fare. Special occasion location.
Very popular Thai restaurant. Expect a small wait 6-8 p.m. Sit within the garden if weather allows.
186 locals recommend
Indochine Restaurant
7 Wayne DrVery popular Thai restaurant. Expect a small wait 6-8 p.m. Sit within the garden if weather allows.
The Copper Penny
109 Chestnut StWalkable - pub and grub
Peking Gourmet
120a S Front Stwalkable (just down Orange st)
Reliable Chinese fare.
Excellent Vivian Howard Pizza Joint. Also excellent drinks, appetizers, and pasta entrees.
62 locals recommend
Benny's Big Time Pizzeria
206 Greenfield StExcellent Vivian Howard Pizza Joint. Also excellent drinks, appetizers, and pasta entrees.
Foodie Fare - best when the farms have a wide variety of produce. Check website - was closed for filming of movie - not sure of hours
73 locals recommend
Rx Restaurant and Bar
421 Castle StFoodie Fare - best when the farms have a wide variety of produce. Check website - was closed for filming of movie - not sure of hours
Cousins Italian Deli
7 N 3rd Stwalkable - mostly m-f lunch restaurant
Big Thai Restaurant
1319 Military Cutoff RdMy favorite pad thai in the area
market for fresh, local fish and take out counter (11- 6:30 p.m. )with excellent seafood fare. destination french fries - so good
7 locals recommend
Seaview Crab Company
1515 Marstellar Stmarket for fresh, local fish and take out counter (11- 6:30 p.m. )with excellent seafood fare. destination french fries - so good
CheeseSmith
624 South 17th StreetMess Hall ILM
2136 Hutchison LnGreat for breakfast, brunch and burgers
walkable - ish. Wonderful new-comer to Wilmington. Excellent cocktails, apps, entrees - menu is heavy on seafood - very fresh seafood. A must-try for a visit to Wilmington. Brunch too!
three10
1022 North 4th Streetwalkable - ish. Wonderful new-comer to Wilmington. Excellent cocktails, apps, entrees - menu is heavy on seafood - very fresh seafood. A must-try for a visit to Wilmington. Brunch too!
Walkable must try while in town. Chef-driven menu, interesting cocktails and stellar service by knowledgeable staff Excellent brunch. Reservations highly recommended
41 locals recommend
Seabird
1 South Front StreetWalkable must try while in town. Chef-driven menu, interesting cocktails and stellar service by knowledgeable staff Excellent brunch. Reservations highly recommended
Catch
6623 Market StGreat reputation for local seafood
Fine dining vegan- excellent option for vegans and non-vegans. Must try chocolate cake
The Green House Restaurant
Fine dining vegan- excellent option for vegans and non-vegans. Must try chocolate cake
Best on the Riverwalk - weekend brunch. Will return again again for Brussels and truffle frites
55 locals recommend
The George on the Riverwalk
128 S Water StBest on the Riverwalk - weekend brunch. Will return again again for Brussels and truffle frites
Drift Coffee Shop & Kitchen Downtown
walkable - Good for food too! B/L/Br
Block Taco
120 Greenfield StTacos!!
The Dixie Grill
116 Market StBreakfast fav - arrive early!
Tip - book reservation well in advance. Newcomer to Wilmington Summer 2023, and already well loved. About 15 minute walk. Extraordinary food, bar, service - highly recommend!
Olivero
Tip - book reservation well in advance. Newcomer to Wilmington Summer 2023, and already well loved. About 15 minute walk. Extraordinary food, bar, service - highly recommend!
Great Live Music Venue
under the radar bands, can't beat live music under the stars
69 locals recommend
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheatre Drunder the radar bands, can't beat live music under the stars
Satellite Bar and Lounge
120 Greenfield StSunday night bluegrass
I love to attend classical choral concerts at St. Paul's. They have a fantastic choir. Your stay may coincide with one of their scheduled concerts
St Paul's Episcopal Church
16 N 16th StI love to attend classical choral concerts at St. Paul's. They have a fantastic choir. Your stay may coincide with one of their scheduled concerts
performance center
link to calendar is here: https://www.wilsoncentertickets.com/
41 locals recommend
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
703 N 3rd Stperformance center
link to calendar is here: https://www.wilsoncentertickets.com/
Riverfront Park
North Water Street2 blocks up, 3 blocks over across Market in the Soda Pop district. Live music, tons of TVs for football games.
Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard
2 blocks up, 3 blocks over across Market in the Soda Pop district. Live music, tons of TVs for football games.
Things to do
I love the ferry trip between Fort Fisher and Southport. Great trip for family or kids.
Ferry Road Southeast
Ferry Road SoutheastI love the ferry trip between Fort Fisher and Southport. Great trip for family or kids.
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Rdmagnificent oak trees and other sites
The Arboretum: New Hanover County Co-Op Ext
6206 Oleander DrWilmington's Botanical Garden
Cameron Art Museum
3201 S 17th StGreat art museum with rotating exhibits and special events
Fourth Friday Art Walk - The Arts Council of Wilmington
http://artscouncilofwilmington.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019ArtsCouncilFourthFridaybrochure.pdf
207 locals recommend
Wilmington
Fourth Friday Art Walk - The Arts Council of Wilmington
http://artscouncilofwilmington.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019ArtsCouncilFourthFridaybrochure.pdf
Great vendors- food, bev, body products. Great conversations to be had.
The Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek
5329 Oleander DrGreat vendors- food, bev, body products. Great conversations to be had.
Gorgeous historic theatre great for live events and the cinematique film series.
website here: http://www.thalianhall.org/
101 locals recommend
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut StGorgeous historic theatre great for live events and the cinematique film series.
website here: http://www.thalianhall.org/
arts center with regular events calendar (pre covid)
check out the calendar here: https://www.brooklynartsnc.com/event-calendar/
33 locals recommend
Brooklyn Arts Center
516 N 4th Starts center with regular events calendar (pre covid)
check out the calendar here: https://www.brooklynartsnc.com/event-calendar/
RIVERWALK... My favorite place to walk. Walkable from my home - walk straight down orange st which will dead end onto the Riverwalk. Restaurants, boat tours and the Wilmington ghost tours are all here. The marina and new construction/venues at the end
138 locals recommend
Wilmington Riverwalk
Wilmington Downtown RiverwalkRIVERWALK... My favorite place to walk. Walkable from my home - walk straight down orange st which will dead end onto the Riverwalk. Restaurants, boat tours and the Wilmington ghost tours are all here. The marina and new construction/venues at the end
bars, food truck events, bespoke coffee... cool place to check out
15 locals recommend
The Cargo District
1605 Queen Stbars, food truck events, bespoke coffee... cool place to check out
Riverfront Famers Market
110 Dock StSaturdays - just down the street - one street over (N) on Dock
Local Breweries
- check out online recommendations as well
Flying Machine Brewing Company
3130 Randall Pkwylocal favorite
Flytrap Brewing
319 Walnut Stwalkable, local favorite
Waterline Brewing Company
721 Surry Stwalkable-ish
New Anthem Beer Project
116 Dock Stwalkable, local favorite
Edward Teach Brewing
604 N 4th Stwalkable, local favorite
Pour Taproom
201 N Front Stwalkable, local favorite
End of Days Distillery
1815 Castle StHi-Wire Brewing - Wilmington
1020 Princess StreetWalkable!!!
Pizza next door!!
local coffee
walkable local coffee downtown; second location in historic Quonset hut building within the cargo district - food trucks present on occassion
54 locals recommend
Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
202 Princess Stwalkable local coffee downtown; second location in historic Quonset hut building within the cargo district - food trucks present on occassion
coffee shop - cult following. Shop hires and advocates for adults with disabilities. Owner won 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.
25 locals recommend
Bitty & Beau's Coffee
4949 New Centre Drcoffee shop - cult following. Shop hires and advocates for adults with disabilities. Owner won 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.
Cheeky Monkey Coffee
124 S Front StDrift Coffee Shop & Kitchen Downtown
Dependable coffee with great breakfast/lunch/brunch offerings
my favorite shopping
A Proper Garden
Great for garden theme gifts - along the Riverwalk
There are 3-5 buildings now on the left and right side of Market. Consignment furniture, jewelry, art, garden, ... you name it. Plan on a couple of hours navigating the collections.
21 locals recommend
The Ivy Cottage
3030 Market StThere are 3-5 buildings now on the left and right side of Market. Consignment furniture, jewelry, art, garden, ... you name it. Plan on a couple of hours navigating the collections.
Meadowlark
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