Wrightsville Beach, just 10 miles east of Wilmington, North Carolina, is the perfect location for a midweek or weekend getaway. While longer vacations are always better, it takes just 48 hours in Wrightsville Beach to make memories to last a lifetime.
Check in at a Beachfront Resort
Checking into your accommodation is the perfect way to start any vacation. The best Wrightsville Beach hotels offer easy access to the sand and ocean views. Treat yourself to a local resort like Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach, Shell Island Resort, or Blockade Runner Beach Resort. All feature the facilities you’d expect from any resort, like swimming pools, onsite bars and restaurants, and fitness centers. Book early through a website like HotelPlanner to lock in the best rates.
Hit the Beach
Image via Flickr by Gerry Dincher
The beach is Wrightsville Beach’s biggest drawcard. Spend time swimming in the water or surfing the waves, which are regarded as some of the best in the nation. Surf fishing is also popular, perhaps because it’s free, unlike fishing off Johnnie Mercer’s Pier. Of course, you can always take it easy relaxing and catching rays on the sands. Arrive early in the peak summer tourist season, as parking is limited.
Enjoy Fresh Seafood at Local Eateries
If your surf fishing excursion is unproductive, don’t worry. Several local restaurants serve the latest catch.
Water views don’t come better than at Dockside Restaurant, a local institution with a friendly vibe and great seafood dishes including shrimp and grits, the fresh catch plate, and your choice of shrimp or fish tacos.
East Oceanfront Dining is a more upmarket choice, ideal for romantic nights out. The inventive menu fuses Californian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Asian influences. If you love lobster, make sure you visit on Fridays, when you can enjoy a live 1.5-pound Maine lobster prepared to order.
Learn About the Local History
Whenever you’re visiting a city, it pays to learn more about its past. Discover the stories of this quiet coastal area at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. This charming museum lives inside the Myers Cottage. Built in 1907, it’s one of the oldest homes in the area. Exhibitions detail the construction of Lumina Pavilion, the impact of countless hurricanes, and the ways people have shaped the city. You can get a sense of what the area looked like in, as the museum also features a scale model of Wrightsville Beach circa 1910.
Shop for Souvenirs
Wrightsville Beach’s retail outlets offer a range of souvenirs to remind you of your vacation or treat someone you love. With a mix of upscale and more affordable stores, there’s something to suit all budgets. Local fashion boutiques and surf stores like Aussie Island Surf Shop, Sweetwater Surf Shop, and Hallelu Boutique offer stylish coastal clothes and accessories. Wrightville Beach Art Company sells unusual nautical-inspired pieces made from recycled goods. The Workshop is another unique spot, offering jewelry featuring fossils found on the owners’ local scuba dives.
A midweek or weekend getaway in Wrightsville Beach is the perfect thing for recharging your batteries. Enjoy your 48 hours in this quiet coastal town and prepare to come back brand new.
alinaf