Anna's Wilmington Guidebook
Sightseeing
Hop across River Rd to enjoy peaceful boardwalk and nature trails perfect for all ages.
Belville Riverwalk
580 River Rd SEHop across River Rd to enjoy peaceful boardwalk and nature trails perfect for all ages.
Hundreds of miles of trails for bikers and hikers along with the coolest kayak launch ever.
13 locals recommend
Brunswick Nature Park
2601 River Rd SEHundreds of miles of trails for bikers and hikers along with the coolest kayak launch ever.
Fun slice of history where you get to explore almost every area of a real battleship. Great view of downtown Wilmington from the ship.
435 locals recommend
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEFun slice of history where you get to explore almost every area of a real battleship. Great view of downtown Wilmington from the ship.
Hop on the ferry in Southport, just down the road. It’s a fun float to magical Bald Head Island where you can eat, explore and relax.
28 locals recommend
Bald Head Island Ferry
1301 Ferry Rd SEHop on the ferry in Southport, just down the road. It’s a fun float to magical Bald Head Island where you can eat, explore and relax.
Only 15 miles from The Hawk’s Nest, Wrightsville Beach is our area’s higher-end beach destination. Arrive early for parking or go in the early evening. Safe, beautiful, a very special place! Runners will love running “the loop”.
408 locals recommend
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrOnly 15 miles from The Hawk’s Nest, Wrightsville Beach is our area’s higher-end beach destination. Arrive early for parking or go in the early evening. Safe, beautiful, a very special place! Runners will love running “the loop”.
Only 18 miles away, Carolina Beach is old school Carolinas. Great boardwalk, swings, summer amusement park.
266 locals recommend
Carolina Beach
Only 18 miles away, Carolina Beach is old school Carolinas. Great boardwalk, swings, summer amusement park.
Just beyond Carolina Beach on the very tip of the peninsula. Gorgeous views, history lessons and even a ferry to Southport you can put yourself and your car on and circle around right back to The Hawkesnest! Super fun excursion.
69 locals recommend
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
1000 Loggerhead RoadJust beyond Carolina Beach on the very tip of the peninsula. Gorgeous views, history lessons and even a ferry to Southport you can put yourself and your car on and circle around right back to The Hawkesnest! Super fun excursion.
This is a spooky little stroll that will take you to some of the coolest old homes near downtown.
34 locals recommend
Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
8 Market StThis is a spooky little stroll that will take you to some of the coolest old homes near downtown.
A little drive south will bring you to the Brunswick County beaches. Ocean Isle is our favorite! There is a great restaurant called Amelia’s for brunch, lunch or dinner.
50 locals recommend
Ocean Isle Beach
A little drive south will bring you to the Brunswick County beaches. Ocean Isle is our favorite! There is a great restaurant called Amelia’s for brunch, lunch or dinner.
A little drive north will bring you to the Pender County beaches. Topsail is wide, wild and free.
80 locals recommend
Topsail Beach
A little drive north will bring you to the Pender County beaches. Topsail is wide, wild and free.
This is the perfect first excursion to help you get your bearings and lots of fresh air. Very reasonably priced for a memorable hour or so on the water in The Cape Fear River.
138 locals recommend
Wilmington Riverwalk
Wilmington Downtown RiverwalkThis is the perfect first excursion to help you get your bearings and lots of fresh air. Very reasonably priced for a memorable hour or so on the water in The Cape Fear River.
Epic Excursions
109 Causeway DrWe absolutely love this company for private boat trips to your own private sandbar.
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie RdThe Arboretum: New Hanover County Co-Op Ext
6206 Oleander DrFood Scene
All the best shops and restaurants along with the gorgeous Riverwalk where Sunsets take center stage.
Southport is a charming town with bustling cafes and shops during the summer.
Wilmington Downtown Incorporated
226 N Front St
Southport
Nearby Neighborhood
A favorite neighborhood on the Cape Fear National golf course. Flanked by shops and restaurants like Shuckin’ Shack and Pizzettas. This is a great area to have dinner on this side of the bridge.
Brunswick Forest Parkway
Brunswick Forest ParkwayA favorite neighborhood on the Cape Fear National golf course. Flanked by shops and restaurants like Shuckin’ Shack and Pizzettas. This is a great area to have dinner on this side of the bridge.
This is where you’ll find the nearest and best grocery store along with a few restaurants and shops.
Starbucks is across the street.
Waterford
This is where you’ll find the nearest and best grocery store along with a few restaurants and shops.
Starbucks is across the street.
The neighborhood is picturesque five minute drive to the landmark Cape Fear Memorial Bridge which drops you into the heart of historic downtown Wilmington. You will love coming and going over this beautiful bridge which affords some of the most spectacular sunset drives home.
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
The neighborhood is picturesque five minute drive to the landmark Cape Fear Memorial Bridge which drops you into the heart of historic downtown Wilmington. You will love coming and going over this beautiful bridge which affords some of the most spectacular sunset drives home.
Shopping
Retail therapy
We love this outdoor mall. Restaurants, movie theater and all your favorite stores.
143 locals recommend
Mayfaire Town Center
We love this outdoor mall. Restaurants, movie theater and all your favorite stores.
Tanger Outlets Myrtle Beach Hwy 17
10835 Kings RdIndependence Mall
3500 Oleander DrFor the Kiddos
Super fun indoor trampoline park for days you want to get out of the sun (or rain!). In the Mayfaire shopping area near Wrightsville Beach.
Flip N Fly - Wilmington Trampoline Park
830 Inspiration DrWe are blessed to have this incredible aquarium in beautiful fort fisher. Maximize the adventure by driving to Southport and taking the Fort Fisher Ferry! It takes only about a half hour to drive there through Wilmington if you’re not up for the ferry.
550 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead RdWe are blessed to have this incredible aquarium in beautiful fort fisher. Maximize the adventure by driving to Southport and taking the Fort Fisher Ferry! It takes only about a half hour to drive there through Wilmington if you’re not up for the ferry.
Battle House Laser Tag
1817 Hall DrFun for big kids and the young at heart.
As our guests you are entitled to use the beautiful fishing pier across the street from the entrance to the neighborhood. Bring your poles, wander down the pathway and come back with your catch! There is a fish cleaning station. Please use before returning to the house!
Hawkeswater At The River
As our guests you are entitled to use the beautiful fishing pier across the street from the entrance to the neighborhood. Bring your poles, wander down the pathway and come back with your catch! There is a fish cleaning station. Please use before returning to the house!
The state park in Carolina Beach visitor center hosts nature walks where you and the kids can learn about the unique carnivorous plants of the area!
245 locals recommend
Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park RdThe state park in Carolina Beach visitor center hosts nature walks where you and the kids can learn about the unique carnivorous plants of the area!
Take a paddle boat around this vast lake and see turtles, birds and maybe even a little alligator friend!
99 locals recommend
Greenfield Park
1739 Burnett BlvdTake a paddle boat around this vast lake and see turtles, birds and maybe even a little alligator friend!
Long Leaf Park Playground & Splashpad
8140 Hugh MacRae RdBeaches
Ocean Isle Beach
Sunset Beach
Holden Beach
Caswell Beach
Oak Island
Carolina Beach
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrKure Beach
Surf City
North Topsail Beach
Traveler advice
Getting around
New Tesla Superchargers- so new they don’t show up on maps!
12 New Tesla Superchargers located at Smithfield’s in Waterford, Leland. Near Harris Teeter.