Best of Wilmington NC on an Overnight Visit from Raleigh

When we were planning for my parents’ recent three week visit from Australia, a requested experience from them was to visit Wilmington.

We passed through here for a day over a decade ago on our East Coast Road trip from Williamsburg Virginia to Savannah, Georgia, and they loved the feel of the small, historic North Carolina town on the Cape Fear River and wanted to explore it a little deeper.

For their visit this time, we were focused on showcasing the best of Raleigh, including the areas we have easy access to visit on a day trip or quick getaway.

Wilmington is of course one of the best destinations we have easy access to in Raleigh. This charming coastal city offers a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and modern amenities. And we think nearby Wrightsville Beach is one of the best beach towns in the USA (and we’ve been to a lot!!)

Our multi-generational two-day trip to Wilmington was a delightful journey of experiencing the city’s highlights at a leisurely pace, ensuring that everyone enjoyed the trip without feeling rushed. You can check out our things to do in the Wilmington guide for more options for your trip if needed.

Day 1: Exploring Downtown Wilmington

We left Raleigh around 8am for a mid-morning arrival in Wilmington. We wanted to have two full days to explore the area, which meant we only needed to stay one night.

The drive from Raleigh is around two hours depending on traffic and where in Raleigh you are coming from.

Coffee at Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods

Our first stop was Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods, a cozy café known for its artisanal coffee and welcoming atmosphere.

Bespoke is our normal coffee stop when visiting Wilmington and my parents loved its classy and welcoming interior that also had a kind of pirate vibe.

It was a nice slow start to the morning with delicious expertly crafted lattes and cappuccinos, and gluten free donuts!

Tour of Battleship North Carolina

If you’re traveling to Wilmington with older generations, I am certain they will want to visit Battleship North Carolina. While my dad was only a baby during World War 2, it was still close enough to home that it impacted the lives of those around him. Visiting one of Wilmington’s most iconic attractions only deepened my parents’ understanding of this time in history.

The Battleship North Carolina was one of the first of ten battleships to join the American fleet in WWII. It was considered the world’s greatest navy ship, and it participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars.

This World War II battleship turned museum offered a fascinating glimpse into naval history. You can tour 9 different levels and arrows guide you along the self-guided tour. As we explored the ship, my parents shared stories and memories of the era, providing a personal connection to the historical artifacts.

But it’s not just for older generations. Craig and I really love the Battleship as did both of our girls, making it a perfect multi-generational experience in Wilmington.

We were intrigued by the ship’s massive size and the opportunity to explore its many levels and compartments. We all decided that if we had to choose, we’d be in the army. Living in those cramped, hot quarters under the deck, is just not what we’re made of!

Lunch at Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill

I had no plans for lunch in Wilmington, which was great as it meant we kind of just walked past Anne Bonny’s and said, “let’s go in here.”

You couldn’t get any better views since it’s a floating restaurant on the Cape Fear River. It was casual and affordable with a diverse menu for all tastes.

The open air, yet shady restaurant allowed us to enjoy the warm weather without baking and we had beautiful views out to the battleship from where we just came.

My new smartphone, which my father was thrilled to find confirms his suspicions with a quick google search that Anne Bonny was in fact a real pirate lady!

He and Mum were even more thrilled when an alligator popped its head out from behind the pier legs to say G’day. It was their first time seeing an alligator in the wild and our first time seeing one in Wilmington!

The food was just as good – in fact, my mum said her grilled chicken salad was the best meal of her entire three-week trip. My chicken wings were also tender and delicious. Dad loved his hot dog

Anne Bonny’s is a really great place to eat in Wilmington.

Horse and Carriage Tour of the Historic District

This is an easy tour in Wilmington to enjoy with travelers of all ages. Pull up a seat in the carriage and let the knowledgeable guide and a pair of rescued Amish horses take you around Wilmington’s Historic District.

This guided tour provided a relaxing way to learn about the city’s history and architecture through intriguing stories about Wilmington’s past. You’ll see many homes that are over 100 years old – signified by a black plaque.

If you were wise enough 30 years ago, you could have bought a home here for around 30K, which I’m sure you’ve figured out is worth a lot more than that now!

They do not accept reservations as they run tours dependent on how the horses are feeling and what the weather is doing. Check their Facebook page to see current times. Turn up on Market St near the riverfront for the tour. We’ve never had a problem getting on.

If you’re wondering about the wellbeing of the horses, the horses are well looked after, ours were two rescue horses from Amish County in Philadelphia. The tour company, Springbrook Farms has saved 18 draft horses in their 35 years of business. 

Ice Cream at Kilwins

After Dad enjoyed the biggest ice cream of his life at Kilwins in North Hills, he was easily lured off the horse and carriage by the smell of those waffle cones at Kilwins on Market St in Wilmington.

And surprisingly he ordered the large again!! It’s just that good. BTW an Australian large is probably equivalent to an American small.

Check-In at Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

As the day wound down, we checked into our hotel, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront. This was our third stay at this Wilmington Hotel. The spacious suites and modern amenities provided a comfortable and convenient base for our stay.  Having interconnecting rooms with mum and dad made it easy for our group to communicate and gather around the TV to see who won the US Open Golf Championship.

The hotel’s location, right on the riverfront, offered stunning views and easy access to the city’s attractions. It was great to see Battleship North Carolina outside our suite window.

You have time to enjoy the free reception drinks put on by the hotel each afternoon from 5-7pm. It includes two drinks per person and an array of light snacks. There is also the Cloud9 Rooftop Bar, which is perfect for a pre-dinner or after-dinner drink.

Click to read our full review of Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

If you want a more boutique hotel with a more local feel, check out Front St Inn or The Verandas bed and breakfast or see these other top hotels in Wilmington to suit all budgets.

Sunset Dinner at The Pilot House

We visited Wilmington on Father’s Day, so I had reserved a special dinner at the Pilot House, a waterfront restaurant known for its fresh seafood and Southern cuisine.

Thanks to our hotel’s location we could enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverfront to the restaurant and then home again.

Dining on the Wilmington riverfront is one of my favorite things to do because of the serene river views, a gentle, yet happy ambiance, and the most beautiful views of the sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and pink

As my dad said, when we asked them to share their favorites on their final day, “That incredible steak dinner at the Pilot House with that sun setting was a certain kind of magic I’ll never forget.”

It was a perfect ending to our first day in Wilmington.

Day 2: Beachside Relaxation and Nature’s Beauty

Breakfast at the Hotel or The Basics

It’s hard to walk past complimentary breakfast. If you see most free breakfasts in chain hotels, it’s advised to keep walking past.

Not at the Embassy Suites. They have a complimentary breakfast buffet with a wide range of options, including made-to-order omelets and a special dish of the day. On our visit it was a delicious avocado toast (but not gluten free, else I would have ordered it.)

There’ll be something for everyone in your group from pancakes, porridge, bacon eggs, pastries, and fresh fruit.

PLUS, you get panoramic views of the Cape Fear River.

However, I also know how much you may want to experience more of a local breakfast. We recommend brunch at The Basics. Be warned, lines can be long, so get here early. You can book a table 12 hours or more in advance. Drift Kitchen is another great option for light fare.

Morning Walk and Shopping in Wilmington

After breakfast, we set out for a morning walk along the riverfront into Downtown Wilmington.

Shopping was on mum’s list of things to do in Downtown Wilmington so she could take home souvenirs for herself and loved ones back home.

Wander along Market and Front Street in the historic district for a fun mix of coastal décor, contemporary fashion, vintage accessories, gifts stores and homemade stores.

The Old Wilmington City Market, a historic landmark and retail destination since 1880, continues that tradition with a variety of specialty shops and art galleries in an old one-story building with beautiful lofty ceilings and glass skylights. We loved Barouke, a woodcrafters gallery shop, and the eclectic City Gypsy Boutique.

The Cotton Exchange is another favorite small shopping area off Front St. It’s housed within eight restored buildings connected by brick walkways and an open-air courtyard giving a 19th Century Port City vibe from when Cotton was King.

I like the small stores we found in the Hallway Shops as well. There was a gorgeous East African store there with beautiful clothes, gifts, and home décor. And on Market St, Raleighites might recognize Edge of Urge, a favorite local store in North Person St district,

Coffee at Drift Coffee & Kitchen

We often stop in at Drift Coffee in Ocean Isle Beach for morning coffee and had only a few days before tried the new Drift Coffee & Kitchen in Raleigh (and LOVED it), so of course, we planned a coffee stop at their location on Front St, Downtown Wilmington.

Drift is known for excellent coffee (verified by four Australian coffee snobs), and light bites. Their avocado toast and banana bread topped with ricotta, walnuts, and honey, are a must!

Now you’re ready to leave Downtown Wilmington and drive twenty minutes to one of the best places in this coastal region of North Carolina: Wrightsville Beach.

But first…

Visit to Airlie Gardens

On the way to the beach is the stunning 67-acre Airlie Gardens, which feature formal gardens, walking trails, seasonal blooms, centuries-old oak trees, artistic sculptures and peaceful waterways. 

There is no forgetting the 400+ year old, 128ft high, Airlie Oak dripping with Spanish moss and its friends hanging around in the grove! It’s the largest Live Oak in North Carolina and another reminder why this area we live in is so special.

It was fun to watch my mum drop the Spanish moss she picked up from the ground as a “souvenir” faster than a hot potato when I screamed out “Lice!” They do like to make it their home!

There is an easy mile loop trail you can take around the gardens to see the garden highlights.

Apart from the Airlie Oak, don’t miss the

Bottle Chapel, the centerpiece of the Minnie Evans Sculpture Garden, a tribute to the late artist and gatekeeper at Airlie Gardens.

The chapel, the creation of Virginia Wright-Frierson, is a mosaic style piece of art made from – you guessed it – thousands of colorful glass bottles glued together by cement.

Two apple trees frame the arched entryway, and a copper tree reaches up through the open ceiling. If you walk around the chapel, you’ll see a butterfly on one corner, and smaller bottle shapes such as maple leaves and fish.

The 2,700- square foot Butterfly House, home to native North Carolina butterflies. Spend time with them flying around their open-air structure. 

The Pagoda Garden is also nice for views out of the lagoon, a bubbling fountain, trellis walkways, and weeping willows alongside the live oaks.

If you visit in Spring, they have 75,000 azaleas that bloom from mid-March through mid-April and in the summer, they have concerts in the garden. Check their website for events, opening times, and current entrance fees.

Lunch at Oceanic Restaurant, Wrightsville Beach

If you want to show off North Carolina beach life in all its glory, then lunch at the Oceanic Restaurant is a must do!

Situated right on Crystal Pier on Wrightsville beach, this restaurant offers breathtaking ocean views and delicious seafood dishes.

And it was a hit! Mum and Dad loved the food and the panoramic views of the ocean. We couldn’t have asked for a more sparkly day!

On our order was a. burger for Dad and Savannah, a grilled chicken salad from mum and I and shrimp one from Craig.

Considering this and its location, and the full-sized, full-flavored dishes, I found the Oceanic Restaurant well priced. And you can’t beat its beachside parking for diners! This really is one of the best places to eat in Wrightsville Beach.

Afternoon Swim at Wrightsville Beach

There was no way we were going home to Raleigh without having jumped in the ocean. Wrightsville Beach is known for its clean, sandy shores and clear waters, and as mentioned, it is our favorite beach in North Carolina, if not the entire USA.

It’s not just us that thinks so, our Australian parents also said – without prompting from us – that there was “something special about this beach.”

Dad even put a Wilmington beach house at the top of his purchase list for when he wins the lotto. I’ll go you halves Dad as it’s been on the top of my list now for two decades!

Mum and Dad found a shady spot under the pier, while Craig, Savannah and I dove in. It was a little rippy, but the water was heavenly and much warmer than I was expecting from June. That swim alone was worth coming to Wilmington for an overnight stay.

Remember to swim between the flags for the lifeguard’s protective eyes and understand how rips work so you don’t get into trouble! Australian beaches are typically very rippy, so we grew up understanding them. You can get into serious trouble if you don’t.

Coffee at Sunnydays Cafe

Before heading back to Wilmington, we stopped at SUNdays Coffee Shop for a refreshing afternoon coffee.

This charming café, with its beachy décor and laid-back atmosphere, provided the perfect spot to unwind. We love the surfie vibe of this local spot located around the surf shop. Their acai bowls and smoothies here are also great.

With coffee in hand, we began our drive back to Raleigh, regretting that I did not book a room at the Blockade Runner so we could have a night by the beach and my parents could experience the beauty of a North Carolina sunrise right from their private balcony.

But we had a wonderful time together anyway that was a blend of relaxation, exploration, and family bonding.

apart from the Blockade Runner, the Holiday Inn Resort Lumina is another wonderful beachfront accommodation option in Wrightsville.

Final Thoughts on our Overnight Getaway to Wilmington

Our two-day trip to Wilmington, North Carolina, was a perfect family retreat spent exploring historic sites, enjoying delicious meals, relaxing on the beach, and strolling through beautiful gardens.

The leisurely pace allowed us to enjoy each moment fully, making memories that we will cherish for years to come.

This is an easy itinerary for you to follow if you plan on visiting Wilmington for a night and want to combine a little of its top attractions, local highlights, and natural beauty at a leisurely pace. It’s particularly great if you are traveling with grandparents or kids as there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

What best of Wilmington would you add into an overnight stay?