road trip: Wilmington

ROAD TRIP

10 THINGS TO SEE & DO IN WILMINGTON

BE DAZZLED BY SPRING BLOOMS FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA There’s nothing quite like springtime on the North Carolina coast when spring blooms bedazzle landscapes with azaleas, tulips and other perennials. With 67 acres of formal coastal gardens, Airlie Gardens is a veritable showcase of botanical color. Other stunning gardens with spring blooms include: Greenfield Lake Park which is surrounded by azaleas and ancient cypress trees. The Arboretum of New Hanover County features seven acres of theme gardens. In historic Wilmington, three house museums feature elegantly manicured period gardens: Bellamy Mansion Museum (Victorian), BurgwinWright House (colonial) and Latimer House (Victorian). A horse-drawn carriage ride through Wilmington’s historic district affords a peek into manicured gardens of private residences. Oakdale Cemetery beckons with its landscaped gardens and funerary art. Carolina Beach State Park and Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden feature carnivorous plants, including the rare Venus flytrap which only grows natively within a 75-mile radius. In Wrightsville Beach, Harbor Way Gardens is a quiet oasis of native plants and flowers. The 75th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival (April 6-10) kicks off the season with home and garden tours, a parade and street festival, live music, fireworks, and azaleas at every turn! BE “OTTERLY” CAPTIVATED AT THE N.C. AQUARIUM AT FORT FISHER The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s “Otters on the Edge” habitat features a furry family of Asian small-clawed otters. These high-energy and curious creatures explore their surroundings, swim in their pools and are “otterly” delightful to observe as they discover new ways to play. The otters are on habitat daily from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., though times may vary. While in Kure Beach take in all its natural beauty when you walk along the shoreline of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and hike along its Basin Trail. Breathtaking vistas are also found at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach Oceanfront Park, and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. EXPERIENCE WILMINGTON’S AWARDWINNING RIVERWALK Discover why the Wilmington Riverwalk was voted as the #2 Best Riverwalk in the nation, according to USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice contest. Wilmington’s Riverwalk offers more than 200 shops, restaurants, attractions, theatres, tours, and cruises—all within easy walking distance. Explore on your own with a self-guided App tour or sign up for a variety of guided tours and cruises with themes that range from history to gourmet food, African American history, ghost walks, and more. A stroll along the pedestrian-friendly, 1.75-mile Riverwalk includes new amenities along the northern riverfront that further enhance and complement the vibrant historic riverfront. The city’s North Riverfront Park welcomes visitors with an open-air worldclass concert venue managed by Live Nation. TRY A NEW RESTAURANT OR SAMPLE SEVERAL Several new eateries have opened in Wilmington’s unique neighborhoods. On Wilmington’s Riverwalk, Sauce’d specializes in cocktails, fries, and beautiful sunsets. In the Brooklyn Arts District, Three10 restaurant highlights seafood and vegetable-centric dishes and The Kitchen Sink serves creative soups and sandwiches. In Wilmington’s South Front District, True Blue Butcher and Barrel serves up signature smash burgers with a whiskey bar and butcher shop. The Getaway Café + Provisions in River Lights serves breakfast and lunch in a casual atmosphere. Taste Carolina’s Wilmington Downtown Tasting Tour provides a unique way to sample savory and sweet tastings at 5-6 restaurants.

STAY ORIGINAL AT CAROLINA BEACH Good times and laid-back vibes are in store for visitors to Carolina Beach. As you cruise into Carolina Beach you feel the high energy that radiates from the colorful buildings, boardwalk-lined beach, friendly residents, and vibrant new murals. Art for wALL is a community project that celebrates the area’s diversity and eclectic history through beautiful murals that depict life in Carolina Beach. Eight new murals painted by local artists welcome visitors to the

beach. While you’re on the island, enjoy a stroll along the iconic Carolina Beach Boardwalk and a hike at Carolina Beach State Park Book a scenic cruise aboard Salty Ventures or Island Cruises. Stop by the Veggie Wagon for local produce, jams, snacks and beverages. Savor island flavors at longtime favorite eateries such as Sea Witch Café & Tiki Bar, named one of Southern Living’s “Beach Bars We Love.”

EXPLORE WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH FROM THE WATER With its crystal blue waters and pristine surroundings, Wrightsville Beach is a vibrant community that embraces an active lifestyle. The island is renowned as a top watersport destination with an established surf and SUP culture. Visitors now have more ways than ever to explore Wrightsville Beach from the water. The Blockade Runner Beach Resort operates the Carolina Runner catamaran, a 40passenger boat that provides a water taxi for day-trippers to nearby Masonboro Island, as well as sunset, twilight, fishing excursions and charter cruises. The resort’s Surf to Sound Adventures include water activities and lessons for all ages. Learn to surf and sail with certified instructors; rent or take a guided tour on stand-up paddleboards, kayaks or outrigger canoes. Relax with a variety of yoga options. Another way to explore the island is with a certified naturalist aboard Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours’ Shamrock pontoon boat. Birding, fishing, shell-collecting and sunset dolphin cruises are among their specialties, as well as kids’ pirate treasure and eco-scavenger hunts, water taxi service to Masonboro Island and waterfront restaurants with dockside dining. RAISE YOUR GLASS WITH A LOCAL CRAFT BEVERAGE Embark on a self-guided tasting tour of 20 craft breweries using the online Wilmington Ale Trail to find area breweries, bottle shops and craft beer hot spots. Most of Wilmington’s craft breweries and many bottle shops feature outdoor, pet-friendly beer gardens and patios. Breweries with restaurants include Front Street Brewery, Wrightsville Beach Brewery, Waterman’s Brewing, Bill’s Brewing Co., Flying Machine Wrightsville Beach,and Catawba Valley Brewing Co. Prefer craft spirits? End of Days Distillery is Wilmington's first grain-to-glass craft distillery which has garnered International Consumer Tasting SIP awards for its Port of Entry rum, gin, and vodka. Last fall EOD released its Survivor’s Cut series bourbon—the first legal bourbon released in Wilmington since prohibition was enacted in 1908.

CYCLE ACROSS WILMINGTON Spring is ideal for a leisurely cycling adventure from the river to the sea. Rent a bike or bring your own to sightsee and enjoy spring flora along Wilmington’s 15-mile, mostly off-road Gary Shell Cross-City Trail. The multi-use trail connects Wade Park, Halyburton Park, and Empie Park to the Heide-Trask Drawbridge at the Intracoastal Waterway. The trail

provides bicycle and pedestrian access to recreational, cultural and educational destinations, including: Cameron Art Museum, Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden, Firefighter’s Memorial, Autumn Hall, Lumina Station, the UNCW campus, and more. For shorter excursions, choose the 2.5-mile Loop at Wrightsville Beach Park with spectacular views of marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway, or the 1.2-mile Island Greenway in Carolina Beach that connects the town’s parks. For a unique beach experience, rent a big-tire beach cruiser or touring bicycle from a local outfitter. A truly thrilling cycling experience awaits at Blue Clay Bike Park’s 8-mile, single-track mountain bike trail (that’s right--a mountain trail at the coast!) in nearby Castle Hayne. DISCOVER WILMINGTON’S WWII HISTORY To commemorate contributions by Wilmington to the World War II home-front war effort, on Sept. 2, 2020—75 years to the day after the war ended—Wilmington became the first city in the country to be designated an "American World War II Heritage City." The designation celebrates contributions by Wilmington to the World War II home-front war effort. From the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (a WWII memorial credited with 15 battle stars) and Hannah Block Historic USO (with its WWII homefront heritage lobby display) to Fort Fisher State Historic Site (where WWII soldiers were trained) and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

(where a WWII bunker remains a hidden gem today), the area’s historic contribution to the war effort is evidenced throughout the county. Exhibits at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Wilmington Railroad Museum further interpret Wilmington’s role during World War II. Read more about the military history of Wilmington or craft your own selfguided tour by downloading the WWII Heritage Guide Map. (www.wilmingtonnc.gov/WWII). DINE AL FRESCO & ENJOY THE VIEW From the Riverwalk and rooftops to boardwalks and piers, outdoor dining is a way of life for coastal visitors and residents. Enjoy the view as much as the meal when you dine al fresco at a waterfront eatery with outdoor patio seating. Riverfront restaurants from Chandler’s Wharf to the Port City Marina afford stunning views of Cape Fear River sunsets. Just minutes away, waterfront restaurants beckon at nearby beaches, many with outdoor dining options. Watch the surfers as you dine on the Crystal Pier at Oceanic Restaurant and from restaurants at the island’s oceanfront resorts. Watch boats come in as you dine marina-side at Bluewater Waterfront Grill, The Bridge Tender, and Dockside Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Enjoy outdoor dining in Carolina Beach with gorgeous views from the pier at Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar or the oceanfront decks at Carolina Smokehouse and Hurricane Alley's or marina-side at Stoked Restaurant. Head to Kure Beach to find big Caribbean flavor and rooftop dining at Jack Mackerel's Island Grill. For visitor information and to request a free 2022 Official Visitors Guide, please visit www.WilmingtonAndBeaches.com or call 1-866-266-9690.

KICK OFF YOUR SUMMER WITH SERVICE!

CHECK OUT SOME OF ACTIVATE GOODS SUMMER VOLUNTEER PROJECTS

BURNING COAL THEATRE COMPANY -STRIKE THE SET

Help staff remove sets and lighting equipment from the theatre after final performances. Burning Coal is a non-profit theatre so you'd be helping local art and artists thrive in your community!

OAK CITY CARES - SUMMER SNACK DRIVE

Rally your crew and invite others to contribute to your own independent drive to collect individually wrapped snacks to share with people experiencing homelessness.

OWN YOUR DREAM- SUMMER CAMP ENGAGEMENT

Help with summer camp activities including cooking, dance, STEM, art, fitness and music, so young people have access to learning opportunities. Remove barriers to making their dreams become realities!

NC DOWN SYNDROME ALLIANCE - MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL CLUB

The 321 Squad is for individuals ages 12-15 with Down syndrome to hang out in a social setting. Peer volunteers "buddy up" with participants and have fun. GOOD FOR TEENS!

ALLIANCE OF AIDS SERVICES - OUT RALEIGH OUTREACH

Greet event-goers at the Alliance's tent at OUT Raleigh Pride, encouraging testing, passing out goodies and information, and spreading the word about the Alliance's prevention and support services.

FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NC - COMMUNITY GARDENING Dig in at the community garden to help the hungry! Volunteers will help with gardening tasks include weeding, mulching, pruning, composting and sprucing up the community garden at the Food Bank.

find your new shade

1398 Kildaire Farms Rd., Cary 919.380.2029

(Corner of Cary Prkwy & Kildaire Farm Rd in Cary )

• thehairandfacelounge.com •

we make housecalls

Antique • Modern • Cuckoo Grandfather • Wall & Mantle Pocket Watches Wrist Watches ALL REPAIRS ARE PERFORMED BY OUR CERTIFIED MASTER CLOCK & WATCH MAKER!

2004 South Main Street, #104, Wake Forest (919) 556-8963 Tuesday-Friday 9-5 Saturday 9-1