SUNdays is our favorite coffee shop on Wrightsville, highly recommend the smoothies and acai bowls! You can rent surfboards at South End Surf Shop below SUNdays.
Casual Mexican spot with great margaritas and Baja fish tacos. Pro tip: Go in the morning for burritos (we love the sausage and egg, but they do sell out!)
World's best chicken salad. Stop by for beach brews but watch out for open container laws (you can ask Jack about this one)!
A Wrightsville staple - the best hotdogs you can find. Madison's Order: Chicago dog, Surfer dog (+Tums) Jack's Order: North Carolina dog, Wrightsville dog, Chicago dog (+Pepcid)
Casual seafood spot on the island, we love the fried pickles and the Grouper Linda
Grab a crab cake on the pier for lunch (don't skip the hush puppies). Check to see if they are offering yoga on the pier for the best start to the day!
If you are staying in a house and want a dinner in, this is a Wrightsville Beach classic. You can pick your steamer, buy a few beers to cook it in, and roll out the paper for a true North Carolina experience.
Classic North Carolina barbecue - great takeout
Slightly upscale seafood restaurant (Goop recommended)
Delicious steakhouse, it is always buzzing so recommend getting a reservation out on the patio!
Best dive bar on Wrightsville, great for a cheap beer and live music.
You can rent bikes, standup paddleboards and kayaks for an adventurous day
Madison ran the 2.5 mile WB Loop on repeat when the beach was closed during COVID. We prefer running/walking on the beach, but if you need a paved option during high tide, this is it!
Wilmington is just 15 minutes from Wrightsville beach and has an absolutely adorable downtown riverwalk with shops and restaurants, a Battleship tour (for the historically inclined), and is the proud home of One Tree Hill filming locations (tours exist if you are a super-fan). Our favorite Wilmington location is Airlie Gardens (right off of Wrightsville Beach) where you can stroll and take in the gorgeous views of the sound and trees with Spanish moss.