Story Ideas
Wilmington, North Carolina and Island Beaches is a year-round destination that transcends coastal visitor experiences. Take a stroll on the scenic Riverwalk or through historic downtown, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by breweries, music, unique eats, local culture and unrivaled adventures around every corner. It’s just a short drive from the award-winning riverfront to the oceanfront through Wilmington’s thriving midtown, where you’ll find parks, gardens, museums, a water park and city amenities. Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches are well known for their beloved coastlines, but there is much more to be discovered there from farm- and sea-to-table dining to nightlife to live music. Wilmington and Island Beaches is the perfect place to stray off course for a coastal experience like no other in the city, at the beach and beyond.
Below are just some of the many story ideas we have to offer. For more sample storylines, check out our current pitch sheet. If you would like to hear more about what’s new or need assistance with a story idea of your own, please email cvbpr@wilmingtonandbeaches.com.
WILMINGTON’S AWARD-WINNING RIVER DISTRICT
Wilmington’s rankings and accolades as one of the South’s Best Cities (Southern Living), Top Destinations on the Rise (Trip Advisor) and America’s Best Riverfront and one of America's Best Riverwalks (USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice) keep growing. Renovation and expansion along Wilmington’s nearly two-mile Riverwalk include the Aloft Coastline Hotel located riverfront featuring a rooftop bar built for soul-stirring sunsets (2021) and Riverfront Park & Amphitheater, an urban green space with Cape Fear River views and a large open-air music venue managed by Live Nation (2021). The area is also home to more than 200 shops, restaurants, attractions and cruises within walking distance.
Neighborhood Discoveries
Tour Wilmington’s River District via horse-drawn carriage or hop aboard a river cruise. Themed walking tours focus on history, food/restaurants, film/TV locations, haunted sites and pubs. Nearby, as Wilmington’s River District continues to evolve and expand, other neighborhoods are being revived. The Brooklyn Arts District has two craft breweries, a bakery, ice creamery, bottle shop and cafés. The Castle Street Arts District boasts antique and consignment shops, a used music store and eateries. The most recently developed neighborhood is South Front District, a former industrial area with nightlife and live music at Satellite Bar, which is located next to celebrity chef Vivian Howard's restaurant, Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria. Neighborhood offerings also include Block Taco and Native Salt Cave and Wellness.
ISLAND BEACHES ARE JUST MINUTES AWAY
Just minutes from Wilmington’s award-winning River District are the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach, each with its own coastal vibe. With the ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway and Cape Fear River to the west and marshes in between, our beaches invite surfing, boating, swimming, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding diving and fishing. Two state parks offer nature trails and recreation. Find beach story ideas for Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach.
Road Trip to the Coast
Thanks to easy access via numerous interstates, Wilmington and its island beaches make for the perfect quick-trip destination for road trippers from both North Carolina and nearby states. Spend the weekend at a boutique hotel, full-service resort or charming inn. Dine on the area’s best cuisine in Wilmington’s thriving culinary scene. Stroll through world-class gardens or get in a jog in while taking in scenic beauty along a nature trail or the shore. Explore our coastal city’s storied past in the 230-block National Register Historic District or visit the iconic Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. Whatever experiences you’re looking for, enjoy all that Wilmington and Island Beaches has to offer on your next road trip getaway.
Eco-Adventure, Parks and Gardens
Wilmington and its island beaches claim nine sites on the NC Birding Trail. Nature tours and cruises explore maritime eco-systems, waterways, wildlife and flora. Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area offer nature programs and guided hikes. Airlie Gardens showcases 67 acres of coastal botanical gardens, ponds and the venerable Airlie Oak. Greenfield Park's 190-acres feature a lake, moss-draped cypress trees, gardens, walking trails, paddle boat and canoe rentals. Oakdale Cemetery is known for funerary art, flowers, shade trees and tours.
Hidden Gems
From the river to the sea, hidden sanctuaries are bountiful. The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden is tucked away along the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail while the whimsical Minnie Evans Glass Bottle House inspires at Airlie Gardens. Just beyond the “Welcome to Wrightsville Beach” sign is Harbor Way Garden, a serene botanical gem, while Masonboro Island, an undeveloped estuarine reserve accessible only by boat, is located just off the island’s shore. The Basin Trail at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area leads to a WWII bunker where the legendary Fort Fisher Hermit once resided, while Carolina Beach State Park’s Venus Flytrap Trail is one of the only places in the world the carnivorous plant grows naturally.
Live Music and Nightlife
Spring, summer, winter or fall, live music is at the forefront of a welcoming social scene. From country legends to indie rock groups and symphonic tributes, the variety of musical acts and venues in the area is as impressive as its venues. You’ll find outdoor waterfront venues, concert halls, pubs with local acts and more, with music festivals to suit every taste held throughout the year. Nightlife includes funky beach bars, dance clubs, cocktail and cigar lounges, rooftop and tiki bars, outdoor piers, riverfront and boardwalk stages and intimate listening rooms.
Experiences on the Water
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape Fear River – with lakes, creeks, marshes and sounds in between – there are many ways to experience the area’s waterways. Anglers cast their lines from the surf, piers, fishing charters and head boats. River cruises and island boat excursions, kayak and canoe tours, sailing and fishing opportunities abound. Surf schools provide surfing and stand up paddleboard lessons, and outfitters offer paddling and sailing instruction.
Brews and Spirits
What sets Wilmington’s coastal craft cocktail scene apart is its lack of big-city pretension, strong focus on creativity and unique locations, including killer waterfront views. Embark on a tasting tour along the Wilmington Ale Trail featuring local breweries and bottle shops. Sip on unique takes of classic cocktails at The Blind Elephant, a 1920s Prohibition speakeasy tucked away in a hidden alley. Indulge in award-winning drinks by mixologists, food and ambiance at manna ave. 123 or soak up the sun and waterfront views at Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar and Oceanic Restaurant at two of Wilmington’s nearby beaches.
FIT FOR A FOODIE
Wilmington and its island beaches are in the midst of a dining renaissance with new and unique eateries from river to sea. Make reservations at one of the plethora of farm-to-table restaurants that offer unique Southern fare while putting fresh ingredients first including Rx Chicken & Oysters and PinPoint in Wilmington, Salt Fish Restaurant and Bar at Carolina Beach or EAST Oceanfront and Shark Bar & Kitchen at Wrightsville Beach. In Wilmington, celebrity chefs Keith Rhodes of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Vivian Howard of PBS’ “A Chef’s Life,” and Dean Neff, a James Beard Best Chef nominee, opened their doors on the coast with Catch, Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria and Seabird.
Active Adventures and Wellness
It’s easy to remain active with a jog along Wilmington’s Riverwalk, around the lake at Greenfield Park, through two state parks or on our white sandy beaches. The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail is a 15-mile, off-road multi-use trail that runs from Wilmington to the Intracoastal Waterway. Throughout the year there are 5k, 10k, marathon and triathlon races. Day spas, yoga studios, salt caves, health clubs, golf courses, outfitters, skate parks, disc golf, tennis courts and hiking trails provide a variety of fitness options across the area. You’ll find surf and stand up paddleboard (SUP) schools, sailing, kayaking, parasailing and world tour-qualifying watersport competitions at the nearby beaches.
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Visitors to Wilmington and its island beaches can enjoy an array of festivals, museums, art galleries, craft fairs, performing arts events and historic sites. Wilmington’s Fourth Friday Gallery Nights is held monthly at local galleries. Nearby stages include historic theatres such as Thalian Hall, university auditoriums, outdoor amphitheaters, renovated churches and The Wilson Center, a 1,500-seat performing arts center. From its timeless Victorian and period architecture to the influential Cape Fear River port, Wilmington has deep, historic roots. The destination is known for its National Register Historic District, beauty, charm, Southern hospitality and nautical legacy. Witness a history lesson by land when exploring one of the largest National Register Historic Districts in the Southeast, or by sea at the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
Twist on Holiday Traditions
‘Tis the season, and what better way to get into the spirit than by taking part in classic holiday traditions only found at the coast? Get out of the hectic holiday madness and take a relaxing getaway to Wilmington and its island beaches to experience award-winning restaurants, breweries, museums, live music and holiday activities including festive seaside markets, flotilla parades, decorated homes and enchanted gardens, all with a coastal twist.
