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Local Favorites Guidebook

Our team's favorite things to do, coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants around Wrightsville Beach, Midtown Wilmington, and downtown Wilmington.

Outdoor Activities

The Loop

One of our favorite things at Wrightsville Beach — a 2.45-mile paved loop around the island.

Trail

Summer Rest Trail

A 0.7-mile, mostly shaded, paved trail just outside Wrightsville Beach that ends with spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Trail

More Places to Walk or Hike

More trails and hiking spots around Wrightsville Beach.

Trails

Airlie Gardens

Beautiful trails and events.

Botanical garden

Wrightsville SUP

Our go-to for paddleboarding and kayaking — rentals of paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and bikes.

Paddleboard & kayak rentals

Epic Excursions

Boating adventures — island excursions, marsh tours, and private charters.

Boat tours

Soundside Adventures

Our pick for a Wrightsville Beach harbor sunset cruise.

Sunset cruise

Sean's Private Surf Instruction

Surf lessons — private and group lessons, plus summer camps.

Surf lessons

BeUnlimited Yoga

Yoga on the pier — seasonal classes on Crystal Pier at Oceanic, typically April through October.

Yoga

Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market

Mondays from 8am to 1pm at Wrightsville Beach Park. The 2026 season runs May 4 through December 7.

Farmers market
Perfect For

Coffee Shops

Coffee shops all over town.

SUNdays Cafe

A Wrightsville Beach coffee stop on Lumina Ave.

Coffee shop

The Workshop

Espresso, smoothies, and breakfast items in Wrightsville Beach.

Coffee shop

Drift

Coffee, brunch, and lunch in Wrightsville Beach.

Coffee & brunch

Social Coffee & Supply Co.

A coffee shop on Wrightsville Avenue in Wilmington.

Coffee shop

Calico Coffee Bar

In the Landfall Shopping Center, just before you reach Wrightsville Beach.

Coffee shop

Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters

A coffee shop and roastery in Wilmington.

Coffee roaster

Hidden Grounds Coffee

Downtown coffee with dinosaur-themed decor and a spacious outdoor garden seating area.

Coffee shop

Concorde Espresso Bar

Espresso martinis and s'mores by the fire pit, inside The Front Street Inn.

Espresso bar
Perfect For

Boutiques

Tusc

A women's boutique in Mayfaire Town Center.

Boutique

Oliver

Modern denim and clothing for men and women, plus accessories, jewelry, handbags, apothecary, and home, at Lumina Station.

Boutique

Très Bleu

A Wilmington swimwear and women's clothing boutique.

Swimwear & clothing

Island Passage

Women's clothing at Lumina Station, with a second store downtown.

Clothing boutique

Airlie Moon

A gift and boutique shop at Lumina Station.

Boutique & gifts

Beanie + Cecil

A boutique at Lumina Station.

Boutique

Ziabird

Designer clothing and studio-inspired jewelry and accessories from designers around the country, at Lumina Station.

Boutique

Belle Mar Swim

Women's swimwear and resortwear, just outside Wrightsville Beach.

Swimwear

Wrightsville Ave Boutique

Fashion for women and children, with stylists in the store to help pick outfits.

Boutique

Wrightsville Beach Restaurants

Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill

Mexican, right on Lumina Ave.

Mexican

Dockside Restaurant

Seafood and waterfront dining on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Seafood

Ceviche's

Panamanian cuisine near the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge.

Panamanian

King Neptune Restaurant

Seafood, welcoming Wrightsville Beach diners since 1947.

Seafood

South Beach Grill

Seafood on the Wrightsville Beach waterfront.

Seafood

Topsail Steamer

Take-home steam-and-eat seafood.

Steam & eat seafood

Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar

Health food — organic juices, smoothies, and a mostly plant-based menu, inside Robert's Grocery.

Health food

The Half

Sandwiches at Crosspoint Plaza, just before the Wrightsville Beach bridge.

Sandwiches

Midtown & Lumina Station Restaurants

Perla Raw Bar

A raw bar and seafood spot on Ashes Drive.

Raw bar & seafood

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine

Greek and Mediterranean cuisine at Lumina Station.

Mediterranean

Fortuna Cucina Italiana

Italian classics blended with local seafood and housemade pasta.

Italian

G Prime Steak & Cellar

A steakhouse on Eastwood Road.

Steakhouse

Brasserie du Soleil

French cuisine at Lumina Station.

French

Origins Food & Drink

Modern American dining at Autumn Hall.

Modern American

CheeseSmith

Sandwiches, with locations in the Cargo District and the Landfall Shopping Center.

Sandwiches

Moe's Original BBQ

BBQ on Oleander Drive.

BBQ

Indochine

Thai and Vietnamese flavors in a fun indoor-outdoor space with koi ponds, lanterns, and tropical gardens.

Asian fusion

Downtown Wilmington Restaurants

Seabird

Seafood from a James Beard-nominated chef.

Seafood

Dram Yard

New American with a great patio and outdoor bar.

New American

Olivero Kitchen + Cocktails

Italian with homemade pasta.

Italian

Benny's Big Time Pizzeria

Wood-fired pizza.

Pizza

Quanto Basta

An Italian eatery and wine bar.

Italian

Circa 1922

Tapas in a refurbished old bank on Front Street.

Tapas

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market?
Mondays from 8am to 1pm at Wrightsville Beach Park (321 Causeway Dr). The 2026 season runs from May 4 through December 7.

Where can I rent paddleboards or kayaks?
Wrightsville SUP, at 96 W Salisbury St in Wrightsville Beach, rents paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and bikes.

Where can I take surf lessons?
Sean's Private Surf Instruction, at 625 S Lumina Ave in Wrightsville Beach, offers private and group surf lessons and summer camps.

Is there yoga at Wrightsville Beach?
BeUnlimited Yoga holds seasonal yoga classes on Crystal Pier at Oceanic, typically from April through October.

Where can I catch a sunset cruise?
Soundside Adventures runs a Wrightsville Beach harbor sunset cruise, and Epic Excursions also offers sunset cruises.