A Local's Guide to the Perfect Day
Rich in surf culture, amazing places to eat, drink and see - Wrightsville Beach is the spot you want to be to experience a true NC beach town.
Wrightsville Beach has been a favorite American beach town for generations. Voted North Carolina's best beach, Wrightsville Beach is known for it's scenic charm, spacious beach, premier water sports, and striking views of the sun rising and setting over the water. Locals enjoy dining at some of the finest restaurants on the NC coast with unmatched views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Enjoy shopping at coastal boutiques and the very popular Mayfaire–Wilmington's premier lifestyle shopping center. Residents also enjoy parks and sports amenities such as the Wrightsville Beach Loop–a three-mile walking and jogging path–kayaking, boating, and fishing.
Read our opinion of the perfect day spent in Wrightsville Beach
8:00 AM - Begin the day with a surf
For the intermediate surfer, beach access 4 is a great spot to start. Access 4 has a rotating pair of sandbars that improve/degrade depending on weather and tide patterns. The surfers that arrive before 9:00 am have little crowd to deal with and won’t have to pay for parking.
Crystal Pier tends to be a more popular and crowded area on the island, so skip the pier and paddle out (or jump on a friend’s boat) and head out past the very south end of the island to the jetty at Masonboro. Masonboro Island is the largest undisturbed barrier island along the southern part of the North Carolina coast. The best swell on the island is typically found on the north end, however, you can usually always find peaks all along the beach with hardly any crowds.
Check out WB Live Surf Report for the day’s current swell, wind and wave conditions.
10:00 AM - Breakfast at Zekes
Located on Harbor Island is a locals favorite health food restaurant - Zeke's Beans & Bowls. Their menu consists of Acai Bowls, Tuna Poke Bowls, Pitas, Fresh Pressed Juices, Specialty Coffees and Smoothies.
Check out their menu here: https://zekes-beans-and-bowls.business.site/
11:00 AM - Visit Airlie Gardens
Only two miles west of Wrightsville Beach, you’ll find the stunning Airlie Gardens. Airlie Gardens consists of 67 acres of gardens, wildlife, over 75,000 azaleas and an oak tree which dates back to 1545. There are trails to discover either by walking or riding the tram. Airlie gardens hosts special events throughout the year including the Summer Concert Series and Enchanted Airlie.
Learn more about planning your visit here: https://airliegardens.org/
1:00 PM - Lunch on the island
Just past the South Banks Channel bridge, you’ll find a quaint little downtown in the heart of Wrightsville Beach with ample restaurants, stores and bars. Stop in Vito’s to grab a slice of pizza or a famous chicken salad sandwich from Roberts Grocery, the oldest retail establishment on the island dating back to 1919.
https://vitospizzawb.com/ | https://accesswilmington.com/directory/roberts-grocery-market-wrightsvil...
2:00 PM - Check out the shopping scene
After lunch stop by Sweetwater Surf Shop to find one of the largest selections of surfboards and wetsuits on the east coast. They also carry boutique and surf-style clothes and rent skim, paddle and surf boards. Hallelu Clothing Co. is across the street and features bohemian and contemporary women's clothes, shoes and accessories. Aussie Island Surf Shop sits on the corner and offers surf, snow, skate, and beach gear.
https://www.sweetwatersurfshop.com/ | https://shophallelu.com/
5:00 PM - It’s 5 o’clock, so grab a drink
Lighthouse Beer & Wine is a locally owned and opporated shop that specializes in hundreds of handpicked wines and over seven hundred different craft beers. Grab a six pack to take back to your beach house or enjoy tasting the local varieties on tap in the Beer Garden. The Beer Garden has plently of outdoor seating, games, and not to mention dog and kid friendly.
6:30 PM - Dinner
Located less than a mile from the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge in Lumina Station on is Brasserie du Soleli. This unique dinner spot is a locals favorite and features an extensive authentic French cuisine. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and offers a full bar and extensive wine lists to complement any meal.
7:30 PM - Where to sleep?
Landmark Vacation Rentals offers two extraordinary Wrightsville Beach vacation rentals. Wright St8 of Mind #113 and Whale House #112 are separate units, but can be rented together to accommodate 21 guests total. These two units are a short walk from the sound, beach, restaurants, shops and Johnnie Mercer Pier. Book your stay below:
Wright St8 of Mind #113 | 5 beds | 3.5 Baths | 11 Guests
https://www.landmarkrentals.com/topsail-vacation-rentals/wright-st8-mind-unit-113
Whale House #112 | 5 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 11 Guests
https://www.landmarkrentals.com/topsail-vacation-rentals/whale-house-unit-112