Every other year our family heads to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina for a beach getaway with Ben’s side of the family. Below I’m sharing favorite activities and places to eat around Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach—useful if you’re planning a last-minute summer trip.
This is the first of a two-part series. This post focuses on Wrightsville Beach and its immediate surroundings where we stayed. The follow-up, coming next week, will cover Wilmington spots and ideas for day trips beyond the beach.
We’re fortunate to stay in a beach house owned by my brother-in-law’s law firm when we visit. If you use VRBO, Airbnb, or another vacation rental site, here are some features we value when choosing a place: multiple master bedrooms, separate kids’ rooms with bunk beds, and a bonus room with a sleeper sofa. With young children, having their own room makes it possible for the parents to get a real break.
One other must-have for our family is a private pool. Ours is small but perfect for the kids, and because they’re so young we spent far more time at the pool than on the beach—even though the beach is only a block away. A pool lets you avoid sand all the time and is an easy way to keep the kids entertained.
When you do walk to the beach, pack light if it’s close by: a couple of chairs, an umbrella, towels, sand toys, light snacks, sunscreen and water bottles. A little red wagon makes hauling gear simple. If you’re traveling without young kids, of course bring whatever you prefer—my goal for these trips is to keep things simple so I can relax with my toes in the sand.
For mornings, I love strolling a few blocks into the heart of Wrightsville Beach with Simon in his stroller and stopping at Cafe Del Mar for iced coffee and a muffin or a breakfast burrito. The shop’s unassuming setting under a blue awning makes for an easy, delicious start to the day.
Connected to Cafe Del Mar is Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill. We often order the chips and queso to take back to the house, and it’s also a fun spot for a late-night bite. When the kids are tucked in, Nana and Papa are great babysitters while the grown-ups enjoy tacos and drinks for a little time together.
On weekends, Trolly Stop Hot Dogs is a popular late-night option. It’s busy for a reason—expect a line—but the hot dogs are worth the wait.
Nearby, Robert’s Market is a small grocery that carries local favorites, including Nye’s Cream Sandwiches—delicious ice cream between cookies. They’re a splurge but a memorable vacation treat. My brother-in-law even stashed several in the freezer to hide them from the kids. The Blueberry Pie flavor on a sugar-cookie crust is one of the standouts, and they rotate seasonal varieties.
Another treat we discovered at Robert’s Market is Always Corny popcorn. I picked up the multi-colored caramel variety (the kids thought it was “rainbow” popcorn). It made for a fun surprise snack and an easy, kid-friendly memory.
If you enjoy water sports, rent jet skis or other gear. Our rental house gives access to jet skis at a private dock, so we took them out on Banks Channel. Watching the kids’ excitement made it one of the highlights of the trip.
If you prefer land-based activity, the John Nesbitt Loop is a popular path for running, walking, and biking. It’s an active community route with nice scenery and easy access from many points around the island.
Before you leave the shore, write your name in the sand and take a photo—it’s a simple, classic souvenir. Getting the whole family to cooperate can be a challenge with little ones, but those candid, imperfect shots are the best.
Stay tuned next week for part two, where I’ll share favorite sweet shops, a farm-to-table restaurant, and more ideas in the Wilmington area.
Also check out my Pinterest board for more of our favorite spots in and around Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington.