This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.

Wrightsville Beach, NC, has everything we love about a beach and island life – beautiful shoreline, endless water activities, laid back vibe, surf culture, breweries, cafes, jaw-dropping sunrises and sunsets, and fresh, delicious seafood.

It’s not overdeveloped or commercialized, and there are plenty of things to do in Wrightsville Beach that make it a perfect long weekend break.

Wrightsville Beach

We’ve traversed up and down the coastlines of east and west coast USA, and we’ve swam and played on many beaches around the world, so we think we know what makes a good beach town!

Wrightsville Beach is your optimal beach town. It’s full of boutiques and local shops, fresh seafood in the restaurants, calm waters for swimming, and historic attractions nearby.

If you’ve never been before, here’s what you can do in Wrightsville Beach!

Things to Do in Wrightsville Beach NC

Surfing lesson in Wrightsville Beach

By now you may be ready for a beach getaway, and I can think of no better place to spend a beach day in North Carolina than here.

But the beach is not all there is to see, be sure to…

1. Go for a bike ride around the town

We biked up to the north end of Wrightsville Beach,

You will not regret trading in your four wheels for two. The joy of Wrightsville Beach is the ease and simplicity of life – what better way to experience that than by pedal power?

It saves you the hassle of looking for parking spots and traffic.

Wrightsville Beach parking can be challenging during peak times. So why not join the crowds of beaming beach goers by cycling around.

We rented bikes from the Aussie Island Surf Shop, the small blue shack on the corner as you come across the bridge into the main beach street, N Lumina Ave.

2. Have a coffee at SUNdays Surf Café

SUNdays Surf Cafe

Head south of the main corner to SUNdays Surf Cafe, located above the surf shop opposite the Oceanic Restaurant at Crystal Pier overlooking the beach.

Sitting at the bar here with my coffee and an acai bowl with views of the ocean out the window, and the servers chatting to their local friends, reminded me so much of my home beach town in Australia, and I felt quite nostalgic for it.

I also felt joyful that we’d found our beach tribe.

We loved the surf vibe of this café with boards leaning against the wall, surf videos on the TV and slogans reminding you to embrace the moment.

Over the years, we’ve found their coffee to be quite hit and miss, unfortunately as we loved it the first time. WE still come here for the smoothies and surfie ambiance. Our current favorite coffee in Wrightsville Beach area is Drift Coffee before you cross over the bridge into the beach. They also have great breakfast food!

3. Enjoy beach time at Crystal Pier

Crystal Pier

Walk over from the SUNdays Surf Café to Crystal Pier at The Oceanic, the old wooden pier stands tall and strong.

You can walk out for beautiful views of the beachfront and horizon. This is a great time for you to unwind on the beach.

Go for a swim, collect shells, play in the sand, read a book. Whatever takes your fancy.

Find time during your Wrightsville Beach trip to return here for sundowner drinks on the pier. We absolutely love the restaurant views from here and prices are quite reasonable given its million-dollar views. The food is also delicious! See more restaurants in Wrightsville Beach to love.

4. Have lunch at Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill

Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill – a Wrightsville favorite

There aren’t that many restaurants in Wrightsville Beach, but one that came most recommended was Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill, so we had to check it out.

It’s named after a lifeguard tower, Tower 7, on the Pacific Coast that became a hidden local favorite surf break – much like this legendary place to eat found in Wrightsville.

Grab a frozen margarita, a serving of guacamole (delicious) and some fish tacos! The perfect complement to sunny beach days. My veggie tostada was sensational.

5. Walk or bike the Wrightsville Loop

Biking the Wrightsville Loop

The Loop walk is a 2.5-mile walk (or ride) on Harbor Island, which is situated between the two bridges in town.

You can start anywhere on the loop.

This scenic trail takes you along the Intracoastal Waterway, Banks Channel and beautiful salt marshes – perfect for a nice stroll.

My favorite area on this scenic pathway was the section shaded by beautiful oak trees.

The Loop passes by The Wrightsville Beach Historic Square and The Wrightsville Beach Arboretum, a small patch of greenspace to find your Zen.

If you’re interested in exploring the local history of Wrightsville Beach and Harbor Island, the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History offers guided tours along the Loop.

Wrightsville Beach Park has outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts, beach volleyball pits and grassy open areas.

Lee’s Nature Park was built on a little peninsula in a marsh. You can hear birds chirping in the park even if you don’t turn in to enjoy the solitude.

I recommend cycling along the beach path to the bridge on W. Salisbury St, that way you can finish at the Lighthouse Beer & Wine and cycle back over the bridge into the beach area.

6. Visit the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History

Learning local history

While on the Loop Walk, veer off to the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History that sits on the side of the path.

The homes that make up the Historic Square are some of the last survivors of the Great Fire, which roared through the island in 1934.

The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is free and won’t take a lot of time. It offers an interesting insight into the history and growth of this beach town.

A lovely volunteer greeted us upon arrival and told us more about the museum and shared with us the model of Wrightsville Beach and some of the important buildings that line the shore and how some of them have changed over the years.

It was insightful to wander through the old beach cottage from the 1900s to look at what a beach house back in the day was like.

They have definitely changed in comparison to the huge homes that now line the shore.

Making travel educational

I enjoyed the swimsuit wall, which gave an insight into how bathing suits have changed over the years. I love looking at photos of older generations to see how similar their life was to mine now.

Next door is also the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center, which is temporarily closed until later this summer.

During the summer months, it has a range of interactive programs to help you learn more about the diverse ecosystems that make up the Wrightsville Beach area. Every Tuesday, they have a touch tank.

7. Enjoy craft beers at Lighthouse Beer and Wine

One of our favorite spots

Time for another stop on your Wrightsville Loop walk! Isn’t this a fun way to experience the local culture?

This cute little blue bottle shop shack sits on the right side of the road as you drive over the first bridge into the beach town.

What was once a shop for making surfboards has now become a place to purchase your beverages and enjoy a couple while you wait.

As soon as I walked into the Lighthouse Beer and Wine’s cute and natural beer garden with shady trees and wooden seating areas, I knew we had to return here in the peak summer season.

THIS is the local vibe I’m talking about.

Artwork adorns the walls, and strangers and friends stand around the campfires in a keg chatting.

They have rotating draft beers, wine by the glass, a good selection of NC single beers or six packs from the fridge, and live music.

8. Stay at The Trailborn (formerly Blockade Runner Beach Resort)

The Blockade Runner Beach Resort is where we stayed, and it’s one of the most popular oceanfront hotels. We couldn’t ask for a more perfect beach resort than this. At the start of 2025 it changed ownership and rebranded to Trailborn Surf & Sound. While we have not yet experienced its newness, we feel confident the same standard of excellence will be there AND guarantee the location is still the greatest!

The Blockade Runner Beach Resort

Trailborns’s location is prime real estate right in the middle of Wrightsville Beach on the narrowest part of the island.

That means you are a few steps to the ocean and a few steps to the sound. You can get a room with a view of either side.

If you are traveling in a group, why not have one group rent the sound side, and the other the ocean side? That way you can have drinks with views for sunset AND sunrise.

View from above

This 50-year-old boutique hotel has survived several hurricanes and was owned by a North Carolinian family.

Its outside retro look belies the beauty that you’ll find on the inside. The Blockade Runner is welcoming guests with a commitment to enhanced safety protocols.

A fun, light tropical décor graces the lobby and rooms, all leading to the views that entice you to cross the gardens and expansive lawn with swinging hammocks and fire pits to step onto the pristine beach.

It’s a beautiful space that also has an outdoor pool and bar.

It’s perfectly suited to the Wrightsville Beach vibe that says go slow and play – what North Carolina beach vacations are meant to be!

Chilling by the pool Chillaxing on vacation in Wrightsville Beach

If you’re looking for family beaches in North Carolina to vacation at, we love that our kids are excited to return and swim in the pool, sit around the fire pits, and laze on the hammocks.

The more expensive rooms have true balconies you can sit on. Others have false balconies, but you can slide the balcony doors open and still have the glorious views but without a sitting area.

Two wicker chairs tastefully sat at the windows for us to sit and savor the view.

View from our room

The award winning East Oceanfront Restaurant – al fresco in warmer months – has fresh local seafood, lobster, wine tastings, comfort food, and the popular Sunday Brunch.

We also recently stayed at the IHG Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach and loved it!

9. Watch the sunset at the South End

South End Sunset

Ride your bikes or drive the short distance down to the very south end of Wrightsville Beach. Be prepared for magic.

Bring a cooler and snacks if you wish to make it an extra special event. There’s not much else to say, except let the photos inspire you until you arrive for the real thing.

10. Have dinner at Ceviche’s

You will be surprised when you walk in the door to the little yellow bungalow that is Panamanian-inspired local favorite Ceviche’s.

The small bar area opens up to another dining area, which opens up to another small dining area and an outside covered patio.

The popularity of this restaurant has seen its slow expansion into its adjacent buildings.

Delicious food and ambiance

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Wrightsville Beach, go here.

We fell in love with the first sip of my rum cocktail and bite of my calamari.

Hello Panama, I now want to visit.

What transpired over the remainder of the evening was an explosion of fresh, spicy and flavorful dishes.

My pick was the calamari and the brussel sprouts. And as a long-time calamari fan, I was thrilled to see it coated in gluten-free flour, making it available for me to eat.

The restaurant uses taro flour for their meals, a Panamanian favorite that gives battered food an extra crunch

Both Craig and I ordered the fish specials of the evening, which were a celebration! I loved the Latin American décor and vibe of this restaurant, and the service was outstanding.

Oh, of course, the girls want me to mention their Spanish beignets were their favorite, and Craig and I enjoyed our Ancho Chocolate Pot De Crème dessert.

Yep. This is the Wrightsville dining experience you most want to splurge on. You deserve it.

11. Enjoy a sunrise on Wrightsville Beach

Pick a spot, any spot, on an endless white stretch of sand.

You can even watch the sunrise from the balcony, or bed, of your Blockade Runner hotel room, just like we did, check this out…

View from our room at sunrise

Pier and photography lovers may wish to head to either Crystal Pier at the southern end or Johnnie Mercers Pier at the northern for their sunrise pier shots.

Why not enjoy a lingering walk while you watch it rise?

My Tip: Start at least 30-minutes before the sun pops its head up. You’ll watch the sky slowly change from deep orange to light pink. It’s spectacular.

12. Have breakfast at Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar

Health lovers rejoice! Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar is where you’ll find the prettiest, tastiest and most diversely nutritious smoothie bowls in the country.

Adapt smoothie bowls are incredible

I thought I knew all smoothie ingredients until we arrived here and discovered the nutritional blue and creamy tocos.

Just like SUNdays, I loved sitting on the rocking chairs as locals came in to order and were greeted by name and caught up on conversations.

Craig and I could not resist sharing a serving of the smashed avo toast with feta and sunflower seeds. We suggest you indulge in the same way.

13. Go kayaking the Salt Marshes

We loved kayaking through the salt marshes. Don’t just limit yourself to the ocean activities, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is a magical place to explore.

You can kayak or go stand-up paddleboarding the many different channels of the waterways.

We recommend taking a guided tour with Wrightsville SUP – a great way to learn how to SUP from experienced instructors, as well as learn more about the delicate and diverse ecosystem.

Owner (and our guide for the day), Jarrod, took us on a meandering path through the channels.

We never would have found our way on our own, nor would we have noticed the abundance of oysters, periwinkle snails, osprey and other birds flying overhead that he pointed out.

With Jarrod from Wrightsville SUP, photo taken prior to social distancing

Out here, you’re far from the busy open sound where boats love to cruise past. The waters of the marsh are too shallow for them to enter.

We had a windy day, so we decided to kayak instead of stand-up paddle board. When we next visit Wrightsville Beach, we will definitely jump on the paddle boards to enjoy one of our favorite family activities.

You can also rent the paddle boards and kayaks from here if you want to go out on your own.

Wrightsville SUP also offers fun things like SUP yoga and nighttime paddles. See more information here.

On our kayaking trip through the salt marshes, Jarrod shared with us the importance of the oysters for filtering the water – we could even see this in action as we paddled by and watched them spitting out the water.

We know how much humans love eating oysters. We definitely do not want to see this delicate creature that keeps this ecosystem so healthy disappear.

So, for this Wrightsville Beach campaign, we decided to adopt some local oysters as a way of giving back to the communities we travel through.

This cool local initiative is helping to restore 50 million North Carolina native oysters (Crassostrea virginica) by the end of 2020. You can also sponsor some oysters here.

14. Have lunch at Shark Bar and Kitchen

Instaworthy!

A converted dive bar, Shark Bar and Kitchen is now a beautifully renovated two-story restaurant and bar that’s ready for your Instagram updates.

It offers a casual dining experience highlighting locally and sustainably sourced seafood, meats and produce.

You can find plenty of seafood, from raw bar options to fish tacos, a daily fresh catch and fried seafood baskets, as well as burgers, sandwiches and salads.

Our black bean burgers with smashed avo and pico de gallo were simple yet flavorful. And those tater tots – may I have another?

15. Enjoy beach time at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier

About 10 pedals from the Shark Bar is Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, a popular place on the beach for people to play.

Johnnie Mercer’s Pier (Wrightsville Beach pier) is the only concrete fishing pier in the state of North Carolina and extends more than 1200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

It costs $2 per adult and $1 for kids to walk out onto the pier if you want to experience the views of the long stretch of Wrightsville Beach.

Here you can have more beach time. Relax. Soak it up. This is what you’ve worked hard for.

Fun family activity

This is one of the best beaches in North Carolina for families, so if you have young kids like us don’t forget all your beach toys!

16. Have dinner at South Beach Grill

Locally sourced seafood

South Beach Grill is situated in what was once the first and only bank in Wrightsville Beach. The small bar as you walk in was where the drive through ATM and bank vault used to be.

They had extensive renovations after the most recent hurricane blew through here and left its damage mark.

Here you’ll find Southern-inspired, coastal North Carolina dishes that are locally sourced from both land and sea. It’s a local hotspot that is perfect for lunch or dinner and offers sunset views of Banks Channel – soak it up with dinner on the outside covered patio.

Craig enjoyed grilled shrimp tacos, and my meal – the fresh catch of the day over the Bless Your Heart Salad was fresh, light and flavorful.

There are plenty of choices for the kids also.

17. Visit USS Battleship North Carolina

Over in nearby Wilmington is one of the most historic sites in the region, and it’s only a 10-minute drive from Wrightsville Beach.

The USS North Carolina has a permanent home in Wilmington and was one of the first of ten battleships to join the American fleet in WWII.

She was considered the world’s greatest navy ship in her prime, and you can wander through the ship to see the sailor’s and officer’s quarters and mess hall as well as the vast amount of artillery on the expansive deck.

It was a fascinating insight into life aboard a navy vessel, helping us see the difficulties of life cramped below a steamy, smelly deck.

18. Look for the lone mailbox

A unique and quirky attraction in Wrightsville Beach is the lonely mailbox, which lies half buried in the sand dunes on the north end of Wrightsville Beach.

A tradition for both tourists and locals is to leave letters in the mailbox – whether you want to send a letter expressing feelings, writing about your trip, or just anonymously share your thoughts, it’s tradition to share an undelivered letter here.

Inside the mailboxes are more than 200 journals and stacks of pens and paper for you to write on, you don’t need to bring your own.

This tradition has been going on for over a decade and are a sort of ongoing time capsule.

The mailboxes are located by Access #2 (2698 North Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480)

Another more famous mailbox in North Carolina is the Kindred Spirit mailbox on Bird Island (made famous because of the Nicholas Sparks book centered around it.

19. Enjoy a Kohl’s Frozen Custard

You might be thinking an ice cream would go down a treat on a warm summer’s day, but why not try a frozen custard instead?

Kohl’s Frozen Custard is a locally owned business that sells sweet treats such as cookies, pies, cakes, and custard sandwiches, but it’s famous for its frozen custard ice cream.

They make all their frozen custard fresh and have rotating flavors. Check the website to see what flavors they have in when you visit.

20. Go surfing

Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach was listed as one of the best places to go surfing in the USA by National Geographic.

If you’ve never been surfing, the WB Surf Camp offers surf lessons and surf camps in the summer, offering lessons for all ages and skill levels. They are also sponsored by surf brands, Quiksilver® and Roxy®.

If you already know the ropes, there are plenty of surf rentals along Wrightsville Beach where you can rent a board.

21. Relax in one of the Wrightsville Beach Bars (or close to the beach)

If you’re looking for more bars, here are a few local bars that came recommended to us by locals and other travelers:

• Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar & Grill
• Wrightsville Beach Brewery – This spot is just over the bridge in Wilmington!
• King Neptune Pirate Lounge
• Lager Heads
• Poe’s Tavern

Final Thoughts

Wrightsville Beach

What makes Wrightsville Beach stand out is its laid back, slow-paced, community-driven surf culture and lifestyle – AND its stunning location.

Wrightsville Beach is situated on a barrier island only 4-miles long and a couple of strides wide. Well, maybe a block or two in some sections.

The beachside, of course, meets the Atlantic Ocean and offers you a wild, rugged experience.

On the other side lies the tranquility of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway – miles of open sound water and narrow channels bordered by marshes, swamps, and small islands.

View of Harbor Island

And just a 10-minute drive away, you’ll find the Historical Downtown Wilmington District on the Cape Fear River. You can easily incorporate a trip to Wilmington in with your visit to Wrightsville Beach if you are staying longer than a few days (and we recommend you do!).

For us, this was not the first time visiting this area, so we did not venture outside of Wrightsville Beach, and it was fantastic.

If we couldn’t bike to it or drive only 5 minutes, we weren’t going to experience it.

Wrightsville Beach

As mentioned in our guide on Wrightsville Beach vs. Carolina Beach, it’s one of the best beach towns in North Carolina.

It’s all about disconnecting to reconnect to simplicity and togetherness. It’s a favorite destination in the USA for older teens to visit with friends.

Next time we visit, we might go on one of the Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours or Sunset Cruise over to Masonboro Island, or a fishing charter, or just do nothing at all and enjoy beach life.

One thing we do know, it’s our favorite beach town, and one of our favorite places in North Carolina, period.

More Coastal North Carolina Travel Tips

Need more inspiration for visiting the North Carolina coast? Here are some other helpful guides…

Wrightsville Beach is included in our best USA road trips list and on our list of the best North Carolina beaches!

Video: watch our adventures in Wrightsville Beach

Check out our Wrightsville Beach video highlights. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Pin To Save To Pinterest

Източник за тази статия

Наши спонсори са:

Български трактори на добри цени при изключително качество