Besides the weather, there are even truer signs of summerÕs long awaited arrival here in Wilmington, and weÕve compiled a bucket list of just that to ensure you have the best Wilmingtonian summer ever.
With its shoes and shirt optional (even frowned upon) dress code, itÕs easy to label Wilmington NC as Òjust another beach town.Ó But weÕre more than just sand castles and sweet waves brah! WeÕve got some serious activity-ing hidden amongst our ice cream parlors and surfer-ridden shorelines. LetÕs check out the top 10 activities you need to try:
1. Riverfront Farmers’ Market
ItÕs no secret that Wilmington is home to its fair share of awesome Farmers’ markets, you can see for yourself here! Ultimate List of Farmers’ Markets in Wilmington. But the Riverfront Farmers’ Market is a true sign that summer days are finally approaching. As Wilmingtonians break out their eco-friendly food bags and strap on their sandals, local Farmers’, artists, and crafters set up their stalls on the water to welcome a summer filled with delicious foods and family fun.
SEE ALSO: Ultimate List of Farmers’ Markets in Wilmington
2. Port City Brew Bus
The craft beer scene has arrived in the Port City! With barrels of delicious brew popping up all over, including Flytrap Brewing Co., Bombers, Broomtails, and still more, the next logical step was to safely transport the fine people drinking it to guided tours and tastings! Enter Port City Brew Bus. Use this great shuttle service to visit any 3 Wilmington breweries on a Saturday afternoon of your choosing. Plus, one of their buses is named Hoptibus Prime, how can you not want to ride that?
3. Grab a Drink Somewhere Beautiful
Maybe a full on brewery tour isnÕt your style, so letÕs drop it down into a lower gear (bus pun!). Satellite Bar and Lounge is just as the name implies: out of this world. Their killer craft beer selection aside, the live music, dog friendly environment, and tree stump seating decor make it impossible to resist. For the full Satellite experience, head down on a Sunday evening and get down with some of WilmingtonÕs best bluegrass musicians as the sun sets on the downtown scene. For something a little more intimate, Palate Bar and Reserve and Cape Fear Wine and Beer are just around the corner, or you can stop by Lighthouse Beer and Wine on Wrightsville Beach.
4. Howl at the Moon Party
Of course we had to write about this! Summer brings with it warm nights, clear skies, and bright stars, just the way we like it. The Tidal Creek Co-op has found a great way to make the most of these evenings with monthly Howl at the Moon Parties that include live music, games, and free soup for everyone gathered under the silver light. Dates vary (you know, depending on the moon), but check out the rest of the calendar posted in the link above to see whatÕs going on.
5. Carolina Beach State Park
Unlike your typical state park, here youÕll find sandy trails, bridged swamps and marshlands leading to the atlantic. The green canopies are truly stunning, and provide plenty of shade for summertime hiking. The park accommodates a variety of activities, including camping, boating, and fishing, making for a perfect (cheap!) weekend or overnight getaway.
6. See Some (Or A Lot Of) Live Music
As Wilmington grows, so does the live music scene. Really, weÕre getting pretty spoilt for choice. Downtown Sundown is a free (yes free!) concert series that runs from May through August, with some of the countryÕs best tribute bands performing. ZiggyÕs by the Sea really gets booming come summer, combine that with low ticket prices and a consistent mix of local bands and big names, itÕs well worth checking out. Bourgie Nights and the Airlie Gardens summer series crank out some great tunes too, so take your pick!
7. Go kayaking on the Cape Fear River
Voted as AmericaÕs Best American Riverfront, Wilmington has it made sitting pretty next to the Cape Fear. But how about the view from the other side? Rent a kayak or paddle boat and get to riding down the river, exploring Greenfield Lake, and seeing how Wilmington looks from the water.
8. Write in the North End Mailbox at Sunrise
The small island of Wrightsville Beach lays claim to the elusive patch of sand known as the North End. From here, you can wave to the mansions of Figure 8 Island and catch a beautiful sunrise creeping over the dunes to light up the Atlantic. Here, you will also find a beaten up mailbox containing notebooks, letters, and tokens left by travelers along the way. Get yourself to that mailbox by sun-up and leave a little something of your own behind.
9. Go to the Serpentarium
Most people know about the Fort Fisher aquarium, but what about the Serpentarium? Packed with lizards, snakes, and all the inherently cool, scaly creatures you can think of, downtownÕs Serpentarium is a unique afternoon adventure. If youÕre a little less squeamish, head down on Saturday afternoon to join all the residents for dinner. And no, we donÕt mean people.
10. Picnic at Airlie gardens
The gardens are a beloved southern landmark for Wilmington. Dating back to 1886, So grab your cheese and snag your crackers, because itÕs picnic time people. Surrounded by historic oaks, bountiful azaleas, and too many butterflies to fathom, you canÕt help but slip into that dreamy south state of mind while wandering the grounds.
There you have it, our Wilmington summer bucket list. If we missed any of your favorite summer must-doÕs, let us know in the comments, because a bucket list can never be too big! Looking for another local activity to try this summer? Join the 21 Day Eat Local Challenge and experience the joys of local eating in Wilmington! Starts June 1, completely free, and you could win a $250 gift card just by sharing your local adventures on instagram. Count you in? See more details here!