Rachel's Guidebook
Beach Spot
Carolina Beach
Great spot to walk the beach, drive your Jeep or 4x4 on the beach, or fall asleep by the dunes where cars aren’t allowed!
97 locals recommend
Freeman Park
1800 Canal DrGreat spot to walk the beach, drive your Jeep or 4x4 on the beach, or fall asleep by the dunes where cars aren’t allowed!
Food Scene
Carolina Smokehouse
9 Pavilion Ave SBest BBQ spot on the beach. Sit at the bar on the top deck!
Smoke on the Water
3704 Watercraft Ferry AveFavorite spot of ours! Make sure to grab the poutine fries!
Amazing food and the lights at night are beautiful on the water. People pull their boats right up
46 locals recommend
Fish House Grill
1410 Airlie RdAmazing food and the lights at night are beautiful on the water. People pull their boats right up
Bourbon Street
35 N Front StGet the oysters. Live bands on weekends!
Rebellion NC
15 S Front StGreat food and bar
Oceanic
703 S Lumina AveBest wine and Italian parings nearby. 6 minute drive from the house.
Girls with Dough, Pizzeria and Pub
204 Arcadian RowBest wine and Italian parings nearby. 6 minute drive from the house.
Benny's Big Time Pizzeria
206 Greenfield StBest Pizza and sit at bar!
Pinpoint Restaurant
114 Market StThe bar is great and the food is high end
Great food, Mexican / Spanish influence and great spot to get dinner
115 locals recommend
Havana’s Restaurant
1 N Lake Park BlvdGreat food, Mexican / Spanish influence and great spot to get dinner
Dram Yard
101 S 2nd StBest food in the city! High end, bring your wallet
Mellow Mushroom
4311 Oleander DrBest pizza in the city!
Dockside Restaurant
1308 Airlie RdFood and scene, more of a Friday night bar and boat scene
Cape Fear Seafood Company
Great seafood
Looking to get fresh crab and oysters to grille up on your own, this is the place
8 locals recommend
Seaview Crab Company South Wilmington Seafood Retail Market
6458 Carolina Beach RdLooking to get fresh crab and oysters to grille up on your own, this is the place
Sightseeing
Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park RdHiking or bay side beaches. Can rent kayaks here
Long Leaf Park
314 Pine Grove DrEnjoy a beautiful walk!
Kayak with someone or by yourself. Private lagoons and private beaches to enjoy. You’ll find people walking on the water fishing and soaking up the sun.
8 locals recommend
Paddle NC
1020 State Park RdKayak with someone or by yourself. Private lagoons and private beaches to enjoy. You’ll find people walking on the water fishing and soaking up the sun.
Brought your kayaks? Make sure to drop your kayak and head over to Masonboro Island
11 locals recommend
Trails End Park
613 Trails End RdBrought your kayaks? Make sure to drop your kayak and head over to Masonboro Island
Private island, you have to take a charter boat or kayak there. Amazing to kayak the grasses at noon
Masonboro Island, North Carolina, USA
Private island, you have to take a charter boat or kayak there. Amazing to kayak the grasses at noon
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEEntertainment
Concerts
Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
9 Estell Lee PlBar spot!
Bands on the weekend! You can hear from the beach. Right on the pier. Locals bar
20 locals recommend
High Tide Lounge
1800 Carolina Beach Ave NBands on the weekend! You can hear from the beach. Right on the pier. Locals bar
Satellite Bar and Lounge
120 Greenfield StGreat bar, younger crowd, dog friendly
Reel Cafe
100 S Front StRooftop bar is a great time, good music. Younger crowd
Dockside Restaurant
1308 Airlie RdBoats and brews! Friday night fun next to great restaurants
Neighborhoods
Local spot, relaxing, good BBQ on the beach and boardwalks. Amazing shells and beach walks. Dogs on leash during tourist season. Signs posted. Best dog beach!
266 locals recommend
Carolina Beach
Local spot, relaxing, good BBQ on the beach and boardwalks. Amazing shells and beach walks. Dogs on leash during tourist season. Signs posted. Best dog beach!
Fun environment on the weekend! Awesome food and bar spots!
58 locals recommend
Wilmington Downtown Riverwalk
Wilmington Downtown RiverwalkFun environment on the weekend! Awesome food and bar spots!
Lots to do here. Good tourist spot. Awesome restaurants. Public beaches.
408 locals recommend
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway DrLots to do here. Good tourist spot. Awesome restaurants. Public beaches.
Kure Beach
Very quiet. Even more of a local spot than Carolina Beach.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S