There’s no better place to be than the beach, and that’s why we know you’ve been looking for the 15 best things to do in Wrightsville Beach NC while you’re spending your vacation there!
Wrightsville Beach is known for being one of the best beaches in the South! This is because it is one of the cleanest beaches and it also has a picturesque view that people come to visit from all over just for the pictures!
Whether you’re running around doing things off of your North Carolina bucket list, or you came specifically for some beach time and fresh air, we know that you’ll enjoy this list while you plan your stay at Wrightsville Beach!
15 Best Things To Do In Wrightsville Beach North Carolina
Wrightsville Beach Museum Of History
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is one of the best activities in Wrightsville Beach!
What makes this North Carolina museum so cool is that when you visit, you are taken through the life of Wrightsville Beach through the people and events that make the town so unique!
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History will walk visitors through years of children enjoying the beach and playing in the surf, and at the same time the museum will walk you through teenagers enjoying their free nights on the piers!
While visiting this Wrightsville Museum, you will also get a walk through the towns history, their past and present all together. You’ll get not only a glimpse of the town through the years, but also a glimpse of the town as it is now!
We know you’ll love this museum experience!
Wrightsville Beach Park
Wrightsville Beach Park is one of the most entertaining things to do in Wrightsville Beach with kids!
If you’re looking for something to do where the possibilities are endless and you want to keep your kids busy for a while, this park is the perfect choice for you!
The playground alone is enough to keep the kids going all day! There are numerous slides, a see-saw, and even a rock blocks climbing tunnel!
This North Carolina park also has various types of courts! You can select between tennis, basketball, and even pickleball! You can have your choice of whatever sport you want to play at Wrightsville Beach Park!
Even more, you can reserve the event stage for big groups, or even the softball fields!
Not only is this one of the best things to do with kids, this is also one of the best free things to do in Wrightsville Beach, NC!
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
If there’s one thing you must do while in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, it’s go fishing! You simply can’t go to one of the coastal states without checking out the fishing piers which is why you have to check out Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier!
If you love fishing, than this will definitely be one of the more fun things to do in Wrightsville Beach!
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier is special to the town’s history because it is the first actual concrete fishing pier in the state of North Carolina! Fishing at this pier gives you a piece of history at the same time! You won’t want to miss out on that!
If you find yourself here and didn’t pack all of your essentials before arriving, no worries! There is a fully stocked tackle shop near the pier that supplies everything your fishing heart may desire! You can also rent a rod for a small fee if you aren’t looking to buy one while you are visiting.
While this is one of the best Wrightsville Beach things to do, make sure you check ahead if you plan on fishing because there is a price that you must pay to fish. You can select between a day pass, or season passes depending on how long you will be here and how many rods will be active in the water!
We know you’ll enjoy your time hanging out by this pier!
Eat Out At Motts Channel Seafood
Now if you want to check out one of the best places to visit in Wrightsville Beach, you MUST check out Motts Channel Seafood!
People in North Carolina come from all over to buy seafood at Motts Channel Seafood and for good reason! After being in the business for over 30 years, they have definitely figured out how to make it worth your while and keep you coming back!
While you’re walking around the dock, you have to check out The Kitchen! There’s no better place for you to get a delicious plate of seafood than right from the fisherman’s dock. You can find everything you need to make the best seared tuna appetizer, or even seared scallops with capers! You can even snag the recipe while you’re there!
If you love seafood, and you love exploring the best the area has to offer, you have to check out Motts Channel Seafood, one of the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach, NC!
Explore Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market
Since June 2009, the Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market has been the place to be on Mondays, which is why we think you’ll want to check it out while you’re in North Carolina!
If you’re not sure what to do in Wrightsville Beach, NC on a Monday morning or afternoon, trust that the Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market is there waiting for you! You can come here just to wonder and check out all of the local vendors, or you can come with a list of stuff you want to find in mind!
At this North Carolina farmers’ market, you can find the freshest, locally sourced produce. You’ll find some of the best produce in the area from vendors that came right out of their own backyard!
You can also expect to find some crafts and unique items that you can only find here! You’re even likely to find crafts that are one-of-a-kind! Those special finds make the best gifts for your friends back home when your trip is over!
This is surely one of the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach if you love to enjoy a morning of blissfully enjoying some local finds!
Visit Crystal Pier
Crystal Pier is easily one of the best places to visit in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and is a great place to have a special event!
This is one one of the coolest free things to do in Wrightsville Beach! If you’re looking for a place to drop your rod and enjoy the view while you wait to catch a fish straight from the Atlantic Ocean, this is it! You can fish here without having to pay for a fishing day pass or season pass.
Of course, you can also come here just to check out the views as this pier stretches most 500 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, giving you the most stunning and picturesque views for you to capture every moment!
You can also book private events here, and it offers the perfect backdrop for wedding photos!
There’s something to be said about beautiful piers in North Carolina, and Crystal Piers needs to be on your list!
Arlie Gardens
While out in Wrightsville Beach, you may want to take a short day trip to Wilmington!
Arlie Gardens is a perfect place to go and enjoy the fresh air and experience something new! One year, they even had a Butterfly House exhibit that housed butterflies native to North Carolina for you to enjoy!
Depending on the time of year, you may also be lucky enough to see their outdoor concert series that takes place during the summer season!
You can also just come to stroll through the gardens! This also happens to be a cool spot for the holidays! If you’re looking for the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach in the winter, you can take a short drive to Arlie Gardens to see Arlie Enchanted, when the garden is full of holiday lights and cheer!
There is a small fee to pay to visit the gardens, however children under a certain age have free admission, so make sure to check ahead before heading out!
Bellamy Mansion Museum
Just a quick drive outside of Wrightsville Beach will land you in Wilmington where you can check out the Bellamy Mansion Museum during your trip to North Carolina!
There is simply no other place to go to to see some of North Carolina’s most precious historic moments than the Bellamy Mansion Museum. You can view artifacts from numerous buildings on the property, as well as inside the mansion.
You can even schedule a group tour for everyone in your traveling group so that you can get the most out of your visit! Of course, you can also do your own self-guided solo tour!
This museum will educate you on architecture of their time, as well as restoration efforts in North Carolina. You won’t want to miss out on this huge piece of history during your trip!
Eat At Oceanic Restaurant
Oceanic Restaurant is the best place to enjoy an ocean-front view while enjoying the most delicious seafood Wrightsville Beach has to offer!
Located at Crystal Piers, this North Carolina restaurant has so much to offer during your stay in Wrightsville Beach!
One of the best things about Oceanic Restaurant is that they have access to the best local fisheries around! The prime location on the piers gives this restaurant access to the freshest and most sought after catches straight from the Atlantic Ocean. Did we mention the ocean-front view?
They also offer special brunch events during special holidays! You can treat your mom to a Mother’s Day brunch with a beautiful view, or even bring your family for a delightful Easter brunch!
There’s also a bit of history that comes with dining out at Oceanic! The restaurant was named after a hotel that was extremely popular to the area and burned down in The Great Fire of Wrightsville Beach in 1934!
We know you will want to plan at least one of your meals at this Wrightsville Beach restaurant!
Visit Lighthouse Beer & Wine
Opening in 1998, Lighthouse Beer & Wine became one of the best things to do for adults in Wrightsville Beach!
While out and about exploring Wrightsville Beach, what better place than where you can find the best beer and wine the town has to offer! As the beer and wine industry shifted over the years, so has Lighthouse Beer & Wine.
They offer great case prices on local wine and even better choices for beer! But what people really come out for are the festivals!
This North Carolina business throws numerous festivals through the year! Some of their popular ones are the Carousel Center Beer and Wine Festival and the Voracious & Rare Beer and Wine Festival! Make sure you check ahead so you can get tickets if you find yourself their during a festival!
We know you’ll love this Wrightsville Beach gem!
Cape Fear Paddleboarding Lessons
If you have ever wanted to learn how to do Stand Up Paddleboarding, you must come take a lesson at Cape Fear!
Whether you have some experience, or have never attempted this even once, you are welcomed to take a lesson at Cape Fear!
You can select to have private lessons, group lessons, or even Ocean lessons where you will learn how to wade into the Atlantic Ocean and how to stay safe while doing it! This would be a great activity to do with a group or your family and would make memories that would last a lifetime!
They have equipment rentals so you don’t have to worry about not having the essentials! You can rent a paddle board, a kayak, or even a bike for a specific length of time, and enjoy your visit!
This is one stop you must make while in Wrightsville Beach, NC!
Take A Sunset Cruise At La Dee Dah
Perhaps you’ve been on a romantic getaway in North Carolina and you’ve decided you want to end the day with a beautiful sunset. If that’s the case, you must book a sunset cruise tour with La Dee Dah!
This cruise is a little more of a splurge as the price to book is roughly $100, but the booking comes with the most beautiful cruise, drinks, and small bites for you and whoever you bring with your booking!
If you have a group, that’s also no issue! You can book a cruise for up to 6 people, and it will still remain your private sunset tour through Wrightsville Beach!
While it’s best to plan ahead, you can still complete a booking until 2pm the day of the cruise depending on how booked La Dee Dah is that day!
We definitely recommend you book a sunset tour during your trip, it’s one of the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina!
Eat At South Beach Grill
You can’t come to North Carolina without testing out South Beach Grill, one of the most popular restaurants in Wrightsville Beach!
South Beach Grill is known for being a perfect southern inspired menu with locally sourced from the sea and land! You can rest easy knowing you are enjoying a meal made from the absolute freshest ingredients that can be found in the area!
They have a perfect menu for enjoying lunch on their patio, or having an fancy dinner with your family or your date for the evening!
Even their drafts on tap are locally sourced from nearby breweries! It’s truly a great way to experience a little of everything Wrightsville Beach has to offer in every aspect of your dining experience!
We know eating at South Beach Grill is one of the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach, so we know you’ll enjoy every course!
Explore Underwater
While in Wrightsville Beach, you can charter a boat with a local diving company and explore what the coast has to offer underwater!
There are numerous ship wreck sites that people come from all over to experience. You can also be lucky enough to dive for hundreds of different types of fossils, including Megladon teeth!
Of course, it’s best if you already have diving experience, but if you don’t, no worries! The local diving companies tend to offer diving certification classes to those that have never dived before, so just make sure you look ahead before booking depending on your experience level and if you need a diving class beforehand!
One of the coolest aspects about these underwater explorations are the beautiful reef structures and the abundant aquatic life that lives just below the surface!
If you’d rather stay above water, you can also book a tour from the surface without the pressure of having to dive!
Visit The Carolina Beach Boardwalk
If you’re visiting North Carolina during the summer, you must visit the Carolina Beach Boardwalk!
Just a short drive outside of Wrightsville Beach, this boardwalk comes to life with amusement park rides and lights all up and down the boardwalk to entertain visitors from all over that are visiting the beach for the summer.
The boardwalk comes to life especially through the Memorial Day through Labor Day season, so plan accordingly to get the most out of your trip!
The best part of visiting the Carolina Beach Boardwalk during the summer is the weekly firework shows!
You’ll love the Carolina Beach Boardwalk during your trip through North Carolina!
There are a ton of things to do in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina!
Whether you love just hanging out at a pier, fishing and taking the day slowly, or even walking through a museum, there’s something for everyone to do!
You can even just come and enjoy the outdoors or take a short day trip to a mansion!
We know no matter what you want to do while you’re in Wrightsville Beach, you’ll have a great time!
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