While you’re chopping wood for the fireplace this winter, there’s usually one place everyone seems to daydream about for a sunny escape: Florida.
The ‘Sunshine State’ has always been one of the most reliable getaways with year-round summer vibes and Caribbean-esque beaches, but with that comes crowds at many of the top vacation spots.
It may sound like an oxymoron, but North Carolina is home to some of the most underrated coastlines in the South, or the nation, for that matter.
Netflix may have boosted tourism for the Outer Banks, but flying under the radar is one NC beach city that’s the ultimate place to unwind with great rates and fewer crowds.
Boasting down-harm charm and mild winters, explore multiple islands and the historic city center of Wilmington.
Caribbean Who?! No Passport Needed To Go Island-Hopping
Ever heard of Wilmington? Well, first let’s make sure you’re heading to the right state.
If you head to Wilmington, Delaware, where more flights have been launched as a Philly alternative, you may eat some epic cheesesteaks but you’ll be sorely disappointed with the murky Christina River as your “beach”.
Wilmington, North Carolina, on the other hand, is historic, charming, welcoming, and offers blissful beaches among numerous islands to choose from.
Better yet, you don’t have to take a long ferry ride to reach some faraway blip in the ocean; these islands are slightly off-shore and easy to get to.
The waters are various hues of blue and can be enjoyed year-round, with Wilmington’s mild winters and temperatures hovering in the 60s.
Among the most popular beaches locals rave about is Wrightsville, equal parts gorgeous and accessible as it’s only about 9 miles from downtown.
Named as one of the best stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) destinations by Outside, that’s just one of many popular activities here, along with buzzing waterfront restaurants and scenic cruises.
How far you go up the coast is up to you, but Wilmington is also home to Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
The latter is home to the top-rated Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
Roam The Pretty ‘River District’
If there really were a battle of the Wilmingtons, apologies to Delaware, but you’d lose this battle too.
The River District is a must-visit on your trip to North Carolina’s underrated gem, where you discover photo-worthy Victorian structures, laid-back bars, and scenic boardwalks along the Cape Fear River.
Take a self-guided tour and hop on a horse carriage and click-clack your way through Wilmington’s timeless National Register Historic District intermixed with the city’s more modern attractions like new breweries, trendy restaurants, and museums like Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts.
The River District and downtown go hand-in-hand spanning over 230 blocks, connecting to some other up-and-coming neighborhoods like Soda Pop District and Cargo District, where historic buildings have been given new life with rustic warehouse-style breweries and boutique shops.
The craft beer scene is all the rage here with popular hangout spots like Wilmington Brewing Company, but my personal favorite in the area is Dirt Bag Ales; well worth a day trip in Hope Mills.
How To Get Here And Where To Stay
While it’s been said Austria’s airports have help desks for passengers meaning to fly to Australia, that myth has been cracked.
But hey, with two mid-sized cities of the same name in the same country, it could happen!
Make sure you book your flight to Wilmington (ILM).
ILM has many flights to choose from, including new-to-the-party Avelo and Breeze for cheaper airfare along with the big dogs, American, Delta, and United.
Once you arrive, you can stay at some nice places downtown or head to the coast. Either place makes for a great base.
If it were me, I’d be whipping out my credit card now to book a room at ARRIVE Wilmington, a revamped chic hotel set in one of those historic buildings I was telling you about and less than a 5-minute walk from one of Wilmington’s quirkiest attractions, Museum of the Bizarre.
For a coastal stay, check out Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach around $150 per night with stunning ocean views.
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