Guidebook for Wilmington
Food Scene
Ambiance and excellent Thai cuisine. Try to reserve one of the outdoor huts if the weather is nice.
186 locals recommend
Indochine Restaurant
7 Wayne DrAmbiance and excellent Thai cuisine. Try to reserve one of the outdoor huts if the weather is nice.
The Basics
319 N Front StGreat Southern cuisine at reasonable prices.
It's so close, and the coffee is always so fresh. People who don't like Starbucks and/or who prefer their coffee not overly roasted will enjoy. There are several locations in and around Wilmington.
28 locals recommend
Port City Java
132 Racine DrIt's so close, and the coffee is always so fresh. People who don't like Starbucks and/or who prefer their coffee not overly roasted will enjoy. There are several locations in and around Wilmington.
Best pub-style food in town. But don't be fooled. This isn't your typical pub food. Delicious.
91 locals recommend
The Fork 'N' Cork
122 Market StBest pub-style food in town. But don't be fooled. This isn't your typical pub food. Delicious.
Sushi. I've been told they have a good vegan menu too.
17 locals recommend
Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet & Sushi downtown
16 S Front StSushi. I've been told they have a good vegan menu too.
Saltier and crispier than Krispy Kreme. Probably the best donuts I've ever had. They're only open from the spring through the fall. Expect a line.
277 locals recommend
Britts Donuts
13 Carolina Beach Ave NSaltier and crispier than Krispy Kreme. Probably the best donuts I've ever had. They're only open from the spring through the fall. Expect a line.
Best burritos in town and a cool salsa bar. They are huge, and delicious. Their slogan is "hot, fast, cheap and easy." I've found this to be true. Very casual.
79 locals recommend
Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn WILMINGTON LOCATION
4002 Oleander DrBest burritos in town and a cool salsa bar. They are huge, and delicious. Their slogan is "hot, fast, cheap and easy." I've found this to be true. Very casual.
Lawson Gray, LLC
622 S 2nd StThe Dixie Grill. One of our favorites for breakfast downtown.
The place downtown for chocolates, ice cream and other confections.
65 locals recommend
Kilwin's Chocolates
16 Market StThe place downtown for chocolates, ice cream and other confections.
Fermental
600 Market StExcellent variety of craft beers and wines.
Amazing fresh smash burgers and tots, along with shakes and vegan fare. Only a short walk away.
33 locals recommend
Mess Hall ILM
2136 Hutchison LnAmazing fresh smash burgers and tots, along with shakes and vegan fare. Only a short walk away.
The Half
Possibly the best sandwiches in Wilmington.
CheeseSmith
Nearby specialty grilled cheese sandwiches and more.
One of Wilmington's best restaurants. I've never been disappointed here.
79 locals recommend
Circa 1922
8 N Front StOne of Wilmington's best restaurants. I've never been disappointed here.
Manna
123 Princess StMaybe Wilmington's best restaurant. Exceptional food, service and ambiance.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful spot for a walk. Located near Wrightsville Beach, this spot is where I'd go for a picnic or to just enjoy nature. There are centuries-old live oaks and a civil war era cemetery. About $10. Pets aren't allowed.
234 locals recommend
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie RdBeautiful spot for a walk. Located near Wrightsville Beach, this spot is where I'd go for a picnic or to just enjoy nature. There are centuries-old live oaks and a civil war era cemetery. About $10. Pets aren't allowed.
One block away, this park is popular among the neighborhood and is a great spot for a picnic or to walk your dog.
Wallace Park
2110 Market StOne block away, this park is popular among the neighborhood and is a great spot for a picnic or to walk your dog.
Have a 4-wheel drive? For $20, purchase a daily pass and drive on the beach at Carolina Beach. Arrive early to beat the crowds at this very popular beach. Locals know this as "The north end"
97 locals recommend
Freeman Park
1800 Canal DrHave a 4-wheel drive? For $20, purchase a daily pass and drive on the beach at Carolina Beach. Arrive early to beat the crowds at this very popular beach. Locals know this as "The north end"
Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park RdEv-Henwood Nature Preserve
6150 Rock Creek Rd NEAbout a 20 minute drive heading west. Free. Lots of trails.
Drinks & Nightlife
Only a few blocks away, this local bar offers a nice bourbon selection.
14 locals recommend
Burnt Mill Creek Billiards & Wine Bar
2101 Market StOnly a few blocks away, this local bar offers a nice bourbon selection.
Good food at great prices and freshly-brewed beer. We love the pulled chicken nachos.
122 locals recommend
Front Street Brewery
9 N Front StGood food at great prices and freshly-brewed beer. We love the pulled chicken nachos.
Best French cuisine in town and has a great sofa bar upstairs. One of our favorite spots downtown for a cocktail.
61 locals recommend
Caprice bistro
10 Market StBest French cuisine in town and has a great sofa bar upstairs. One of our favorite spots downtown for a cocktail.
One of our favorite local breweries. The owners trained in Asheville and are very friendly.
54 locals recommend
Wilmington Brewing Company
824 S Kerr AveOne of our favorite local breweries. The owners trained in Asheville and are very friendly.
Great dive bar, featuring billiards, darts, arcade games, ski-ball and ghosts. Yes, this building is quite old and is supposedly haunted (it's a stop on one of the downtown ghost tours).
37 locals recommend
Blue Post Billiards
15 S Water StGreat dive bar, featuring billiards, darts, arcade games, ski-ball and ghosts. Yes, this building is quite old and is supposedly haunted (it's a stop on one of the downtown ghost tours).
The dive bar of dive bars in Wilmington. This bar has been open for over 75 years. Supposedly, the building was once frequented by pirates, and haunted.
https://www.wwaytv3.com/2013/11/21/building-history-barbary-coast/
16 locals recommend
Barbary Coast
116 S Front StThe dive bar of dive bars in Wilmington. This bar has been open for over 75 years. Supposedly, the building was once frequented by pirates, and haunted.
https://www.wwaytv3.com/2013/11/21/building-history-barbary-coast/
End of Days Distillery
1815 Castle StGreat local distillery, and only about a half mile away!
One of our favorite breweries, with ping pong, cornhole boards, and other games.
28 locals recommend
Hi-Wire Brewing - Wilmington
1020 Princess StreetOne of our favorite breweries, with ping pong, cornhole boards, and other games.
One of the best places to enjoy the sunset. Stunning views, firepits, sofas, and good variety of cocktails. There tends to be a rush right before sunset.
Go to the embassy suites, park in the deck if no street parking. Enter into main lobby, hang a right, then another right to take roof elevators.
58 locals recommend
Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
9 Estell Lee PlOne of the best places to enjoy the sunset. Stunning views, firepits, sofas, and good variety of cocktails. There tends to be a rush right before sunset.
Go to the embassy suites, park in the deck if no street parking. Enter into main lobby, hang a right, then another right to take roof elevators.
Entertainment & Activities
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEGreat aquarium about 35 minutes away. Try to check out the sand dunes and the beautiful live oaks nearby. The dunes at the point are a great place to watch the sunset. If you plan on going to Southport, the ferry is also nearby.
550 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead RdGreat aquarium about 35 minutes away. Try to check out the sand dunes and the beautiful live oaks nearby. The dunes at the point are a great place to watch the sunset. If you plan on going to Southport, the ferry is also nearby.
This is the closest movie theater. The Regal Mayfaire cinema is the nicer/newer cinema, and offers restaurants and shopping.
11 locals recommend
AMC CLASSIC Wilmington 16
111 Cinema DrThis is the closest movie theater. The Regal Mayfaire cinema is the nicer/newer cinema, and offers restaurants and shopping.
Go-carts, laser tag, waterpark, arcade, miniature golf.
138 locals recommend
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
5320 Oleander DrGo-carts, laser tag, waterpark, arcade, miniature golf.
10 Pin Alley
127 S College RdBowling
Shopping
The best shopping center in Wilmington, this outdoor mall offers all of your standard-issue stores and chain restaurants.
143 locals recommend
Mayfaire Town Center
The best shopping center in Wilmington, this outdoor mall offers all of your standard-issue stores and chain restaurants.
Arts & Culture
Only 5 minutes away, this museum offers lots of local information.
87 locals recommend
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
814 Market StOnly 5 minutes away, this museum offers lots of local information.
Bellamy Mansion
503 Market StCameron Art Museum
3201 S 17th StThe only structure in Wilmington from the colonial era. Built on top of the former city jail, circa 1744. Tradition says there's a tunnel from the house to the river.
14 locals recommend
Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens
224 Market StThe only structure in Wilmington from the colonial era. Built on top of the former city jail, circa 1744. Tradition says there's a tunnel from the house to the river.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1437 S College RdHarris Teeter
3501 Oleander DrWhole Foods Market
3804 Oleander DrWalgreens
1361 N Lake Park BlvdFamily Dollar
722 S 17th St