Every other year our family spends a week at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. We love this stretch of coast and return for the relaxed vibe, easy beach access, and family-friendly activities. If you’re planning a summer getaway to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, here are our favorite things to do and places to eat in the immediate Wrightsville Beach area. This is part one of a two-part series — next week I’ll share more recommendations for Wilmington itself.
We’re fortunate to stay in a beach house owned by family, but there are many vacation rentals in the area through VRBO, Airbnb, and other sites. When choosing a rental, look for a layout that gives everyone space — our favorite house has three master bedrooms, two kids’ rooms with bunks, and a bonus room with a sleeper sofa. Separate sleeping spaces for children make it much easier for parents to relax and recharge.
Another big plus: a private pool. Ours is modest in size but perfect for young kids and short nap-and-swim sessions. With little ones, we found ourselves using the pool far more than the ocean — it’s easier to manage and keeps sand out of everything. If you can, prioritize a rental with a pool even if you’re right by the beach.
When your rental is within walking distance of the sand, travel light for beach days: bring a couple of chairs, an umbrella, towels, sand toys, snacks, sunscreen, and water bottles. A small wagon makes hauling things from car to shore easy. With younger children, minimal gear keeps beach time simple and enjoyable — older kids or no kids at all, feel free to pack more for longer stays.
For a great start to the day, stroll to the small commercial strip near the heart of Wrightsville Beach. My favorite morning stop is Cafe Del Mar for iced coffee and a muffin or a breakfast burrito. It’s a cozy, unassuming spot under a blue awning and the iced coffee hit the spot every morning during our stay.
Connected to Cafe Del Mar is Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill. We love their chips and cheese dip and often take an order back to the house. Tower 7 is also a favorite for a low-key grown-ups’ night: put the kids to bed with grandparents and enjoy tacos and drinks with friends or family.
On weekends, Trolly Stop Hot Dogs is a popular late-night option. It’s a fun, casual treat — expect lines on busy nights but worth it for the local flavor.
Nearby Robert’s Market is a convenient small grocery where we pick up basics. Two must-try treats available there are Nye’s Cream Sandwiches and Always Corny popcorn. Nye’s ice cream cookie sandwiches are a vacation indulgence — small, pricier than typical ice cream treats, but delicious and memorable. We sampled the Blueberry Pie flavor with a sugar-cookie crust and loved it.
Always Corny popcorn is another great find — the colorful “Confetti” bag is a fun kids’ snack and made for a cute surprise treat. The brand has a presence in the Wilmington area, so you may find a storefront as well.
If you enjoy water sports, rent jet skis or other equipment. Our rental included jet skis at a private dock and we spent a memorable afternoon riding in Banks Channel — the kids especially loved it. Rentals are plentiful in the area and a great way to add adventure to your trip.
For fitness and fresh air, try the John Nesbitt Loop. It’s a friendly, active route for running, walking, or biking that lets you enjoy the ocean views and local neighborhoods.
One simple beach tradition we always do: write your family name or a message in the sand and take a photo before you leave. It’s an easy way to capture a vacation memory — even if the kids immediately want to run through it and erase it!
Stay tuned for the follow-up post next week with more Wilmington-area recommendations, including sweet shops, a farm-to-table restaurant we love, and additional family activities. Also check my Pinterest board for other favorite spots around Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington.