Wilmington Today - 38th Edition - 2022-23

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VOLUME 38, 2022-23 EDITION Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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This river is yours to enjoy.

MARINA | COMMUNITY FARM | VILLAGE CENTER | FITNESS CENTER | PARKS & TRAILS | GENERAL STORE

THE HIGHEST RIVERFRONT ELEVATION in WILMINGTON, NC!

New homes from the $400’s-$1.5M+

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This is Wilmington Today WILMINGTON TODAY Volume 38 | 2022-23 Edition P.O. Box 1542, Wilmington, NC 28402 910-509-7195 TM

OWNER & PUBLISHER Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jenna Curry

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hank you for reading Wilmington Today. As long-time residents, business owners and advocates for the area, we are thrilled to offer you the information in these pages.

To say the very least, our world continues to be shaken up by many factors, from the pandemic to supply chain issues, that have impacted the businesses of southeastern North Carolina. Remember that when it comes to shopping, dining and recreating, a little goes a long way for every single local business you support.

This beautiful publication has been in existence in southeastern North Carolina for 38 years. Wilmington Today has evolved and become a great resource for visitors, newcomers and locals alike, not only in the printed publication you are holding, but also online on our website and via social media.

We know we are fortunate to live in this area of North Carolina. Whether you live here, are visiting or are planning to move here, Wilmington Today will help you discover new sights, taste new foods, find new things to love and meet all the friendly people around town. Don’t stop with the print edition of Wilmington Today. Year-round we create content on our website, WilmingtonToday.com, and promote our online exclusives via our social platforms. So be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get quick access to our weekly posts about Who’s Who in Wilmington Today and all things happening in our area of the world. And please be sure to tell our advertisers that you saw them in Wilmington Today.

We welcome your feedback and suggestions, so don't hesitate to email and let us know your thoughts.

Want to see your photos featured in this book next year? Feel free to email us at info@WilmingtonToday.com with the subject line "Pics for Sections." We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Happy exploring.

Justin Williams

Owner/Publisher Justin@WilmingtonToday.com

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PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

Owner of Wilmington Today, Justin Williams.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Sandi Grigg ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Brian Wilner ART DIRECTOR/LAYOUT DESIGN Teresa Kramer ADVERTISING DESIGN Laura Glantz, Paula Knorr Amy Maxwell, Eliza Dale Niemann CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Pat Fontana, Molly Harrison, Jacqueline Harlow, Lauren Krouse, Teresa A. McLamb, Annesophia Richards, Melissa Slaven Warren PHOTOGRAPHY Matt McGraw, Laura Glantz, Darwin Brandis, Hendy Street, Wilmington and Beaches CVB, Terrah Hewett, Frank Hart, Keith Ketchum, Genie Leigh Photography, NHRMC Airlink, Indigo Silver Photography, Adam Hawley, Megan Deitz COVER PHOTO: Jesus Ortiz captured this image of a beautiful sunset at the Battleship NC. Read more about Jesus on page 98. ©2022-23 A Publication of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

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No portion of this book may be copied, reproduced or used in any way except with the express, written consent of the publisher.

Welcome to Our World

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his book is designed to welcome people to our beautiful area.

For those vacationing here, we’ve pointed out places of interest, restaurants and shops that should be on the “can’t miss” list. If you’re a newcomer here or are thinking of moving to this special part of the world, we’ve provided information on communities, businesses and healthcare to ease your transition.

Historic downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear River is a great place to start your visit. From there, explore our beautiful beaches, each with an ambiance all its own.

Read and enjoy the book. However, if the cover reads “Owner’s Copy,” it has been provided for you only while you’re visiting. Please leave it behind so that others can enjoy it after your visit. this g Interested in your own personal copy of n i rs eav Wilmington Today? We are offering a few different for l for othe k options this year. Visit us online to purchase your boo enjoy. to copy. Or, you can scan the QR code on the front of this book to access this content to keep digitally.

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Who's Who of Wilmington Today

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Business & Growth

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Historic Downtown Wilmington

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Pleasure Island

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Topsail Island/Hampstead

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Wrightsville Beach

Things to do 38

Area Attractions

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Entertainment & Nightlife

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Dining & Drinks

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Golf

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Kids

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Shopping

Cape Fear life

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Communities & Relocation

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Education

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Healthcare

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Salons & Spas

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Weddings & Catering

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@curtsuneson  Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

@sylvialeighc  Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

@neustrength  Wilmington, North Carolina

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Who's Who of Wilmington Today WHO'S WHO OF WILMINGTON TODAY

Want to meet the Who's Who of Wilmington Today? Meet the individuals behind local businesses at wilmingtontoday.com/whoswho

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Chef Dean Neff  Seabird

David Longo  Burrito Shak

Davin Coutu  The Oceanic

Ellen Walker  Wilmington NC Event Coordinator

Greg Westberg  Pour Taproom

Jacob Golubski  Seaview Crab Company

Josh Benson  Innovative Financial Group

Larry Morgan  Bluewater Grill Wrightsville Beach

Nory Simoneaux  Hello Realty

Ryan Strathmeyer  Innovative Financial Group

Shane and Haley Pinder  Chicken Salad Chick

Steven Smith  Airlie Gardens

WilmingtonToday.com

Meet Larry George

Director of Golf & Hospitality at River Landing Located just 35 minutes away from Wilmington in Wallace, NC, River Landing boasts over 1,600 acres of high-end home sites, hotel accommodations, golf courses, wedding venues, and fitness opportunities.

In this “Who’s Who” of the Wilmington area, we get to know Larry George, who oversees River Landing’s two championship golf courses and hospitality operations for the award-winning community.

WT: How did you end up in Wilmington?

Larry George: My father worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was transferred in 1968. I grew up in Wilmington and went to college at UNCW. WT: What is your favorite part about living in the area?

Larry George: I’ve been in Wallace since I started working at River Landing in 2003.

My favorite part of living in Wallace is feeling safe in an ever-changing world.

Right behind “feeling safe” is the traffic – or lack of it!

Come play a round at River Landing with our “Stay and Play Package” and spend the night at the Holiday Inn Express, Club Cottages or Clubhouse Suites, tour one of the beautiful homes for sale, or just become a Member! Host or attend a golf tournament. Take golf lessons.

You can also have the perfect wedding or plan your next meeting at one of our many venues. Plus, our businesses also include Mad Boar Restaurant & Pub and Village Store & Subs, so stop by and have a bite to eat or fill up your vehicle.

We’ve got you covered!

RIVER LANDING 110 River Village Place Wallace, NC 28466 888-285-4171 riverlanding.com

WT: What are 3 words your customers would use to describe you?

Larry George: Honest, caring, and dedicated.

WT: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?

Larry George: Wisdom – was there anyone smarter than Solomon?

WT: What is your average workday like?

Larry George: No two days are the same.

Because I oversee golf and hospitality, I work with many fellow staff members throughout our various departments, the membership, and our owners on a daily basis. If the workday doesn’t go too long, hopefully, I get to play a few holes of golf with my wife, members, and friends, or maybe spend some time looking for wildlife in our beautiful community – especially owls.

WT: What made you choose your profession?

Larry George: Initially, the love of the game, but it doesn’t have too much to do with the golf business. In my case, the golf business has led to a much larger picture in the River Landing hospitality outlets.

WT: What do you enjoy most about what you do for a living?

Larry George: I love people and working hard to improve their game to where they can enjoy it for a lifetime.

WT: What is the most difficult part of your job?

Larry George: Making everyone happy is not hard, but it can be challenging sometimes. Whether they are members, staff, or reps, the reality is some people are happy almost all the time. I’m blessed to have many people who lift me up with their personalities. It’s the ones who are the opposite that make it feel like the most work.

WT: What would you tell someone who was thinking about working with you but was unsure?

Larry George: My belief in God and that Jesus Christ is my savior. Everything and anything someone might perceive as good in me ultimately comes from God; He gets all the glory, not me. I believe I have had the most wonderful life and the credit goes to Him for putting my wife Patty in my life and giving me the best family, friends, job anyone could ask for.

WT: Do you have any future goals for the company?

Larry George: To grow River Landing and all of our businesses. If people only knew of the serenity and happiness this community brings – it’s almost like an addiction!

WT: What are some of the next steps to achieve those goals?

Larry George: Marketing and communicating the message to more people to help them realize how great River Landing is and how life fulfilling it will be for them!

WT: Favorite song out right now?

Larry George: Over the Rainbow – classic and always will be!

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WHO'S WHO OF WILMINGTON TODAY

WT: Where are you from?

Larry George: Savannah, GA

Meet Dr. Dan Duffy

WHO'S WHO OF WILMINGTON TODAY

Owner/Dentist at Live Oak Dental in Wilmington An avid surfer, Dr. Daniel Duffy is a long-standing member of the Wrightsville Beach Longboard Association and Cape Fear Chapter’s Surfrider Foundation. He and his wife Melissa have been happily married for ten years and live in Wilmington with their three children.

When asked what brought him to Wilmington from Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Duffy shared “I went to college at ECU in 2002, did some exploring and came across the Wilmington area. I moved here for a short period between 2008-2012 and then moved right back after finishing dental school at ECU. Get to know Dr. Duffy in the interview below: WT: What is your favorite part about living in the area?

Dr. Duffy: The access to the ocean for all water activities. I grew up in a small beach town and enjoyed access to the ocean my whole life for surfing, fishing, sailing.

WT: What are 3 words that describe you?

Dr. Duffy: Good Vibes Only WT: Favorite quote or mantra?

Dr. Duffy: “People should pursue what they’re passionate about. That will make them happier than pretty much anything else.”-Elon Musk Dr. Daniel Duffy’s private practice, Live Oak Dental in Wilmington, NC specializes in family dentistry, advanced dental procedures, and wellness-based care. Dr. Duffy is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the North Carolina Dental Society.

LIVE OAK DENTAL 2520 Delaney Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 910-762-1772 Liveoaksmiles.com

WT: What is your average workday like?

Dr. Duffy: I see patients between 8 am and 5pm. I own a General Dentistry practice so I can be doing a variety of procedures such as tooth extraction, cosmetic work, root canals or seeing kids as well.

WT: What do you enjoy most about what you do for a living?

Dr. Duffy: Helping people eat better, sleep better, feel more confident about their smile and generally just helping patients feel better about their oral health.

WT: What made you choose your profession?

Dr. Duffy: Knowing that I could own a small business, work 4 days per week, make a good income and help people all at the same time.

WT: What would you tell a potential patient who was thinking about visiting Live Oak Dental but was unsure?

Dr. Duffy: We are a relationship-based dental practice that focuses on providing a great experience and quality dental work. We have a great team, use the best materials and labs, and have the best

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technology available on the market to offer the highest level of care possible to our patients.

WT: Do you have any future goals for the company?

Dr. Duffy: We are currently expanding our current space. My goal is to have 2 doctors at the office to provide care to our patients.

WT: What is the best way for our readers to contact you and support your business?

Dr. Duffy: Make an appointment, come in and see our office, get your teeth cleaned and meet our wonderful team. Our office is located near the Hospital at: 2520 Delaney Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-762-1772 liveoakdentalnc@gmail.com Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Mon-Thurs WT: Favorite Movie?

Dr. Duffy: North Shore WT: Favorite Hobbies?

Dr. Duffy: Traveling, surfing, fishing WT: What would you like our readers to know about you and Live Oak Dental?

Dr. Duffy: Live Oak Dental is committed to improving the lives of our community through world-class dentistry. We do this by providing comfortable, efficient, and quality dentistry in a unique environment.

One of the things that set us apart is the dedication of our amazing professional team. It takes a strong commitment to teamwork to provide you with an experience that is perfect from the moment you arrive until you leave our office with a happy smile.

Business & Growth Wilmington is a hub of healthcare, hospitality, tourism, entrepreneurship and the film industry, with plans for continued growth and expansion.

The South Front District is full of new businesses, restaurants, work spaces, and more.

Wilmington’s growth has moved the city up on the most recent Forbes list of Best Places for Business and Careers to 30th in the country. With a median household income of $53,022 and a cost of living that is 3% below the national average, the city promotes entrepreneurship, education, and a pro-business environment. As a result, employment is solid once more as a number of major corporations call this beautiful coastal city home.

The unemployment rate in Wilmington rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it did in most of the rest of the country. Given the environment of business and growth in the city and throughout New Hanover County, though Wilmington’s unemployment rate is bouncing back as of April 2021, now at a promising 5.5%, well below the national rate of 6.2%. The current labor force in the city is just under 150,000 individuals.

Wilmington’s economic base includes a wide range of businesses and industries. Since job growth is not dependent on one industry in this area, recovery and continued increases in job opportunities are expected to continue over the next 10 years and beyond. Healthcare, hospitality and service, manufacturing, technology and construction and the film industry continue to be key players in the area’s economic stability and future progress.

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HEALTH INDUSTRY DRIVES GROWTH The largest employer in the Wilmington area is Novant Health, which consists of New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC), Brunswick Community Hospital and Pender Memorial Hospital. With over 8,500 employees and a total operating revenue of over $4 billion, Novant Health’s impact on the region’s economy is enormous and continues to grow year after year.

Another large employer in the healthcare field, Wilmington Health, was established in 1971 and has quickly grown to serve the area as a physician-owned primary care and multi-specialty medical practice.

Wilmington Health serves the region from Southport to Jacksonville and has recently expanded in the Wilmington area with new facilities in the growing Mayfaire area, Leland area, Porters Neck and Midtown Park.

TECHNOLOGY, FINANCE, AND MANUFACTURING Industry continues to develop, strengthen, and prosper in the Wilmington area. The combination of an educated and trained workforce, temperate climate, financial incentives, readily available space and excellent transportation by water, rail, highway, and air make Wilmington a great place to build and expand technology and manufacturing facilities.

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

BUSINESS & GROWTH

Story by Pat Fontana

RETAIL ON THE RISE Downtown Wilmington is booming with development, including multi-use projects that feature the convenience of living, working, and shopping in this historic and growing area.

River Place bordering Front Street and Water Street now has 25,633 square feet of commercial space including retail shops

and restaurant and bar space, primarily on the ground floor. Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and larger condominiums fill the upper floors of the building, which overlooks the scenic Cape Fear River.

Another new riverfront development, Pier 33, situated between the Wilmington Convention Center and Thermo Fisher Scientific, features 286 luxury apartments, 22,000 square feet of retail space and a 525-space parking garage.

Pier 33 fronts the new Port City Marina and is within walking distance of Wilmington’s vibrant downtown district and the Riverwalk.

Independence Mall on Oleander Drive has experienced a major overhaul and the addition of an open-air shopping wing. The Collection at Independence now includes a number of new shops and restaurants as it continues to expand with additional retail stores and eateries.

In the Military Cutoff Road area, progress on mixed-use development projects continues, after some delays caused by the pandemic. CenterPoint will sit on the northwestern corner of Military Cutoff and Eastwood Road and will include 90,200 square feet of retail space 30,900 square feet of restaurant space, and 102,300 square feet of medical and office space. The Avenue, on Military Cutoff across from The Arboretum, will feature 196,100 square feet of retail, restaurant and residential space and a 133,500 square foot office building, in addition, Arboretum West, will feature 18,000 square feet of commercial space.

BREWING SMALL BUSINESSES SUCCESS From gift shops to restaurants to breweries, Wilmington’s small businesses are growing and succeeding in an incredibly supportive economic development environment.

The area is fortunate to have many small businesses prospering and contributing to Wilmington’s economic growth, including those in retail, software, marketing, art, communications, law, medicine, food service, theater, accounting, architecture, engineering and fitness, just to name a few.

Microbreweries are a growing industry in Wilmington, with 17 breweries in the area. From the oldest, Front Street

Brewery, which launched in 1995, to Wilmington’s first and only solarpowered brewery, Mad Mole Brewery, these entrepreneurial efforts are paying off for the innovators and for the community as a whole.

WORKSPACES FOR ENTREPRENEURS Business growth in Wilmington depends on large companies as well as entrepreneurial ventures. Supporting entrepreneurs and freelance professionals is an important aspect of the successful business environment here. Providing inviting and innovative workspaces is one of the ways Wilmington encourages entrepreneurship to thrive.

New co-working spaces in downtown Wilmington include Common Desk on Front Street, Genesis Block on Wrights Aly, Blue Mind Coworking on Government Center Drive and a new, female-only space located on Independence Boulevard. Common Desk is located in the renovated, iconic Gaylord Building, and offers a flexible co-working community. Genesis Block focuses on community, collaboration, and creativity, offering business development services as well as entrepreneurial workspaces.

Additional area co-working spaces include Coworx, a shared co-working space for freelancers, traveling professionals and small start-ups, located in the innovative Cargo District. Landfall Executive Suites, conveniently located just off Military Cutoff and Eastwood roads, offers growing businesses an upscale, professional environment. Blue Mind Coworking, on Government Center Drive just off Racine, features a 7,600 square foot co-working space, as well as meeting rooms and event space for entrepreneurs and freelancers.

ILM EXPANSION Wilmington International Airport (ILM) had a record-breaking year in 2019 when it served over one million passengers. Although 2020 started strong, with an additional 7% flying through the airport as of February 2020, ILM experienced some serious challenges during the pandemic in 2020, as did most other aviation-related businesses.

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BUSINESS & GROWTH

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global contract research organization, is the fourth largest employer in Wilmington.

Thermo Fisher Scientific works with pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, academic, government and public health organizations and is a global leader in clinical testing and research.

Alcami is also a significant presence in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. A contract development, testing, and manufacturing organization, Alcami employs over 1000 people and its Wilmington operations account for approximately 35% of its overall business.

Another major employer in the Wilmington area, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), is an alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. Stating that they are boldly innovating to provide reliable carbonfree power to the world, GEH has also signed onto Equal by 30, a campaign devoted to equal pay, equal leadership, and equal opportunities for women in the clean energy sector by 2030.

Technology and finance have combined to inspire many of Wilmington’s successful business ventures. One of the more successful financial technology (fintech) companies is nCino, which was founded by a team of bankers and entrepreneurs. The company has twice earned the distinction of being included in the Inc 500 list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies. Today nCino employs 1700 people globally and continues to grow.

Digital banking platform Apiture has its headquarters in Wilmington, serving hundreds of banks across the country.

Live Oak Bank is among Wilmington’s top 20 employers, supporting the country’s small businesses with loans and investment services. Other major Wilmington employers in the technology and manufacturing areas include Corning and CastleBranch.

BUSINESS & GROWTH

ILM did continue work on its $60 million terminal expansion project and now has a number of expanded ticket counters as well as an expanded outbound baggage system that incorporates more modern equipment. They’ve also added office space and ticket counters for an anticipated fourth airline to serve the greater Wilmington area.

Boasting a robust flight schedule and an easy curb-to-aircraft experience, ILM offers exceptional connectivity across the country and the world with three major airlines. Direct flights are available to twelve major hubs, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington National.

Expansion continues at the facility as well. New concession space, a restaurant and bar, and new amenities such as a service animal relief station, a mother’s area and other modern features are in the works for the third phase of ILM’s expansion plans.

PORT OF WILMINGTON Wilmington sits on the Cape Fear River, just 26 miles from the open sea. It is the perfect spot for a strategic port linking the state’s businesses, industries and consumers to ports around the world. The state’s port system, including inland terminals, serves as a magnet for new business and industry.

The Port of Wilmington, one of the few Southern ports with readily available berths and storage areas for general cargo and containers, is equipped with nine container cranes, a multipurpose bulk/container crane, one gantry crane with a 150-

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ton capacity, one gantry crane with a 100-ton capacity, specialized equipment available to accommodate over dimensional cargoes and 775 refrigerated plugs.

With a ready connection to major interstate highways and rail lines, as well as 150 additional acres available for development, the Port of Wilmington will continue to grow and expand as both exports and imports grow.

RIVERFRONT CONVENTION DISTRICT Drawing tourists and businesspeople alike to the Wilmington area, the riverfront convention district features meeting space, venues for weddings, and renovated hotel space with expanded capacity to meet the growing number of visitors to the city.

The Wilmington Convention Center is the largest on the North Carolina coast. It features exceptional views of the Cape Fear River and adjoining marinas. The 107,000 square foot building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, maintaining an eco-friendly design while capturing the essence of the historic riverfront area.

Also located on Nutt Street downtown, the Coastline Event Center was constructed in the late 19th century for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad (ACL). The center now offers over 10,000 square feet of versatile meeting, banquet and event space and can accommodate groups ranging from 10 to over 700 guests.

Several downtown hotels are newly opened or have been recently renovated, providing plenty of options for convention goers and tourists alike. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, completed in 2018, connects directly to the Wilmington Convention Center. Connecting to the Coastline Center is the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center, recently opened and offering spacious loft-inspired rooms for the business or leisure traveler.

The Hotel Ballast located between Water Street and the Cape Fear River recently completed an $11.5 million renovation project, transforming one of the first member properties of Hilton’s boutique Tapestry Collection.

RIVERFRONT RELAXATION

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SOUTHPORT | OCEAN ISLE BEACH | LELAND

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Whether it’s on the river, downtown or in the many growing areas of the city, construction and expansion projects are breaking ground at a feverish pace in Wilmington. One of those construction projects is the North Waterfront Park on the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington.

Construction on the park, estimated at $31 million, has gone through some revisions and adjustments over the past few years, but the park is finally open for everyone’s enjoyment as of Summer 2021. Located on a 6.6-acre tract of land along the northern downtown waterfront, the North Waterfront Park features plenty of greenspace and lawns, shade trees, trails, gardens, a large plaza, natural areas, a splash pad and playground and a large concert venue and festival space.

Wilmington and surrounding areas in New Hanover County consistently rank in “best of” lists for retirement, lower cost of living, places to work, restaurants, riverfronts and many more, all of which lead to the economic and housing growth the area is experiencing.

TOURISM RETURNS

Wilmington continues to be a major player in the movie and television industry, with over 400 movies and television projects filmed in the region.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios boasts some of the largest sound stages east of Hollywood. The Wilmington location sits on a 50-acre, full-service studio lot that offers 10 stages with 150,000 square feet of column-free shooting space.

Filming projects in 2021 included: Welcome to Flatch, a Fox comedy adaptation of a BBC Three series This Country and the first half-hour series to ever film in Wilmington; Hightown, a Starz opioid epidemic drama series that shifted its production from New York state to Wilmington for its second season; and two feature films, I.S.S. and Static.

The most recent installment of the Halloween series, Halloween Kills, was shot in Wilmington and at EUE/Screen Gems Studios in October 2019. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, who returned as Michael Myers' nemesis, Laurie Strode.

Many visitors to downtown Wilmington saw Curtis in action during the filming.

In 2020 the economic impact of travel and tourism across the country was significantly reduced because of pandemic-related restrictions. In 2020 visitors to and within New Hanover County spent $598 million, a decrease of -22.6 percent from 2019 spending.

The travel and tourism industry directly employed 5,455 people in 2020 in New Hanover County.

The total payroll generated by the tourism industry was $158.15 million with state tax revenue totaling $31.56

million and local taxes totaling about $26.35 million.

Travel and tourism has returned to Wilmington in a big way in 2021 as restrictions are eased amid declining COVID-19 numbers. Fortunate enough to have plenty of open spaces and fresh air to offer visitors, Wilmington has ample opportunities for tourists to relish a safe and enjoyable visit to sites such as Airlie Gardens, Riverwalk, neighboring island beaches and the 230-plus-block National Register Historic District. 

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BUSINESS & GROWTH

MOVIE MAGIC

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Historic Downtown Wilmington Southern hospitality, historic charm, movie stars and modern thinkers. This is Wilmington, a 300-year-old port city that never goes out of style.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

Horse-drawn carriages still click down cobblestone streets, and mossdraped oaks canopy stately old mansions along downtowns 200 historic blocks. Yet, Wilmington has a progressive vibe that captivates tourists, entrepreneurs and even lifelong residents.

Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River, Wilmington presents so many stunning vistas. To the east, the city overlooks sounds, barrier islands and the Intracoastal Waterway. The west borders the busy Cape Fear River. Downtown hosts a scenic, mile-long boardwalk, named The Riverwalk, which skirts the Cape Fear River.

Tour the USS North Carolina, a World War II battleship, or take a scenic cruise. Bump into celebrities working with a movie studio 15 minutes from downtown. Local and internationally known musicians and actors perform at ornate theaters, which are worth a visit for their architecture alone. Contemplate a myriad of works at 20 galleries or step into one of over 100 distinctive shops downtown. Stop and refresh at some 50 delicious downtown restaurants, sweets shops, cocktail lounges and award-winning craft breweries.

Downtown parking decks are centrally located and free for the first hour.

Most city streets host meters, where parking is free after 6:30 p.m. Some venues have their own parking lots or neighbor public lots. A free city trolley traverses downtown, and wide sidewalks welcome pedestrians.

ARTS AND CULTURE Wilmington’s many layers inspire artists who live and work here. As a result, the city is an art lover’s dream spot. Works hang all over downtown in this supportive community where it’s not unusual to see painters putting brushes to canvas along downtown sidewalks.

One of the great things to do when in downtown Wilmington is to take a peek inside the various shops and galleries.

theArtWorks The largest space for artists is in a revitalized part of the original Block Shirt Factory, located at 200 Willard Street in the thriving South Front district, just a mile from downtown. theArtWorks is an art village showcasing Wilmington’s vibrant visual, literary and performing arts. theArtWorks provides art studios, gallery space, Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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FILM INDUSTRY Bump into actors live on location or end up sitting next to them in a restaurant. You never know where celebrities will pop up.

Wilmington is nicknamed “Hollywood East” and “Wilmywood” thanks to EUE/ Screen Gems Studios on North 23rd Street, near downtown, and the annual

Cucalorus Film Festival, an indie favorite.

Iron Man 3 and Sleeping with the Enemy are among dozens of movies that were filmed in and around Wilmington.

Several movies written by popular novelist Nicholas Sparks were filmed on location in the Cape Fear region. Safe Haven continues to draw crowds to its setting in Southport.

Popular television shows were filmed here, too. The impressive palm-treefronted Federal Building on downtown’s waterfront was the location for many episodes of actor Andy Griffith’s popular Matlock television series. The CW Network’s One Tree Hill and Dawson’s

On set in Wilmington

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Creek were produced here. In fact, One Tree Hill fans and former cast members continue to return to Wilmington for reunions that draw people not only from this area, but from all around the world.

To say that fans were committed to the series is an understatement.

Under The Dome and two seasons of Sleepy Hollow were more recent series filmed here. Look for Wilmington in a series starring Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey fame. Good Behavior filmed its second season in Wilmington in 2017. In addition, Swamp Thing, an American superhero horror drama web television series based on the DC Comics character, was filmed here in 2019.

OLD WILMINGTON CITY MARKET The Old Wilmington City Market, which was established in 1880 as a meat and produce market, was considered one of the South’s most beautiful shopping malls. Placards inside and out tell the market's history, as do some vendors who still remember selling and buying food there. Ever colorful, the restored market these days is lined with unusual shops.

A few blocks further south of City Market on Water Street lies the Chandler’s Wharf area. It is another historical treasure with restaurants and shops.

Remember to look up and around everywhere downtown. The area’s late 1980s resurgence and subsequent growth was thanks in part to the expanding

PHOTO BY JESUS ORTIZ

The Riverwalk in Historic Downtown Wilmington

PHOTO BY DARWIN BRANDIS

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

educational opportunities and an event venue with the mission to foster a creative environment for artists and enhance Wilmington’s cultural community through art.

More than 55 artists actively create and sell their art through studios in theArtWorks. The range of mediums for sale includes original fine art, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, photography, glass and unique original art gifts. These studios feature work spaces and mini galleries.

With 9,000 square feet of beautiful gallery space, theArtWorks is a perfect event place for a wedding reception, bar or bat mitzvah, quinceañera, trade show or other special event. theArtWorks also includes classrooms where a wide variety of performing arts classes are taught, including voice, drums and guitar, among other classes.

Visitors may also see a different type of artist in action when visiting the Cape Fear region. Keep your eyes open and you may see some notable faces from the entertainment industry.

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

The Henrietta passes in front of the Battleship North Carolina on the Cape Fear River.

the Wilmington riverfront. All are great boats for enjoying the full Cape Fear River experience through sightseeing and private charters.

There are two types of sightseeing tours: nature tours and historical sightseeing tours. All tours are narrated by the captain and are one to four hours long. Be sure to bring a camera for endless

PLEASURE CRUISING The first documented explorers to visit what would become Wilmington arrived in the 1500s on the Cape Fear River.

Visitors who want to experience all the river’s beauty and offerings need to look no further than those offered by Cape Fear Riverboats. The company offers daily tours March through October, weather permitting and their boats board from their docks on South Water Street near Dock Street. Captain Carl Marshburn, owner of Cape Fear Riverboats, is one of the people who make Wilmington a special place to live. He remains a kind and generous supporter of the city and its less fortunate citizens. His son, Daren, currently manages the day to day business for Cape Fear Riverboats.

Cape Fear Riverboats has three vessels. The Captain J.N. Maffitt has been a Wilmington staple for over 24 years and can accommodate 49 passengers.

The newest addition to the Cape Fear Riverfront is the Henrietta. The Henrietta is certified to carry 118 passengers and has a climate controlled dining room of 84 seats. Captain Carl Marshburn cruised the Henrietta from Alabama to

www.BurgwinWrightHouse.org

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HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

availability of residential space.

Downtown Wilmington sidewalks don’t roll up when the area’s businesspeople close in the evening. Condominium developments and townhomes along with many residential accommodations above businesses help keep the neighborhood vibrant day and night.

opportunities for memorable photos.

Hour-long historical sightseeing cruises are a great way to learn about the area. You’ll hear about the adventures, misfortunes and accomplishments of the unique cast of characters that have, since Giovanni da Verrazzano first surveyed the area nearly 500 years ago, created the city we love today. You also will see the ports from a unique view and witness massive modern day container ships as they load and unload.

Black River Nature tours begin in May, are four hours long and feature an expert on local wildlife, natural history and cultural heritage. This nature tour takes guests 15 miles up the Cape Fear River to the wilds of the Black River, one of the cleanest waterways in the state.

Nature enthusiasts and photographers alike will enjoy the slow-moving, ambercolored waters, framed by spectacular swamp forests highlighted with seasonal wildflowers and old-growth cypress trees.

Guests are welcome to bring their own food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages on the boats to enjoy during the sightseeing tours. Bring a cooler or purchase food, beer or wine at Wilmington’s only floating

restaurant located at “The Barge” — Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill. Afterwards, be sure to grab a scoop or two from Lazy Jack’s Ice Cream Shack right on the Riverwalk.

When hosting a private charter, hosts can choose from three options for food and beverage service: catered dinner with your choice of caterer, bring along your own food and drinks, or order food and drinks from Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill that resides on “The Barge."

patio or see and be seen at a sidewalk café table or an indoor seat by the window.

Fork ’n’ Cork on Market Street, between Front and Second Streets, is one of downtown’s most popular restaurants.

Chef James Smith traded in his hugely popular Patty Wagon burger truck for permanent gastropub digs. His comfort food twists served with impressive, yet

ultra-Panamax container vessels reaching the United States East Coast.

The cranes’ arrival allows the Port of Wilmington to simultaneously service two ultra-Panamax vessels, creating new opportunities for both port customers and the community at large.

The North Carolina Port Authority acquired 150 acres on Cape Fear River’s

affordable wines are like nothing else downtown. Scotch eggs and deep-fried, confit duck legs are famous here, as are creative mac ’n cheese combinations, one layered with brisket. The historic red brick building is so intimate and cozy that you won’t want to leave.

west side for a new International Port to handle more enormous container ships.

The addition will catapult North Carolina into the ranks of the foremost East Coast ports.

PORT OF WILMINGTON

The port is one reason Wilmington is the financial center of southeastern North Carolina. Healthcare and higher education boost the economy, too.

Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center on 17th Street and its associated facilities throughout the area continue to improve, expand and earn recognition.

Just over the bridge in Brunswick County you will find Novant Health Brunswick Community Hospital, one of Brunswick County's top medical facilities.

In addition to the hospital, Novant Health also offers several comprehensive and sophisticated services throughout the county.

The University of North Carolina

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

HISTORIC BUILDINGS There are several spectacular buildings downtown that shouldn’t be missed. Thalian Hall theater, which once served as city hall, stands on Third Street at Chestnut Street, next door to the showy, red brick New Hanover County Courthouse, built in 1892.

Magnificent Bellamy Mansion and gardens are walking distance away on Market Street.

Visitors should be sure to check out the main house, gardens and slave quarters. Another beautiful historic home is the Burgwin-Wright House, one of the few homes remaining from colonial days.

Its amazing Georgian architecture and splendid gardens should not be missed.

Kids marvel at the Museum of the Bizarre, which opened in early 2015. It has an ever growing collection of Civil War items, movie props and local history. Be sure to check out the laser vault challenge and mirror maze, all of which have been featured on Mysteries at the Museum.

BITES, SIPS AND SMILES Wilmington adventures invariably intersect places to eat, drink and enjoy nightlife. Some people visit just to sample the city’s fine restaurants. Chefs prepare a smorgasbord of Southern, contemporary American, Italian, Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare, just to name a few. Fancy attire is not required even at the most high-end restaurants, many of which bill themselves as “upscale casual.”

Sit by the water, hide out on a romantic

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Just south of downtown on the Cape Fear River, the bustling Port of Wilmington loads and unloads ships from around the world. A deep river channel and eight, 100 foot-gauge container cranes enable the port to handle heavy cargo and accommodate the largest ships arriving from the Panama Canal.

Port managers expect annual, doubledigit growth. In 2018 two NEO-Panamax container cranes were added to the Port of Wilmington. Built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), the two new cranes are taller, have longer booms, and accommodate the loading and unloading needs of

HEALTHCARE & COLLEGES

Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park

CFCC has a film studies program and a culinary school that operates a restaurant in the spring and fall.

A NEW ATMOSPHERE ON THE NORTHERN RIVERFRONT

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

Wilmington on College Road is highly ranked both nationally and in the Southeast and has won a number of awards for academic excellence.

The school, with an enrollment of more than 14,000 students, offers 56 bachelor’s degree programs and 36 graduate

programs. Among public institutions nationally, UNCW ranked among America’s 50 Best Value Colleges in 2019.

Cape Fear Community College trains a workforce and inspires entrepreneurial spirit that helps Wilmington grow many small, medium and large businesses.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN Much of Wilmington’s present-day character, especially downtown, derives from a robust, eventful, sometimestumultuous and always-fascinating history.

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HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

Development along the norther riverfront is ongoing. The Embassy Suites by Hilton opened in 2018 with 186 rooms overlooking the river plus Steam Restaurant & Bar and Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar. Other recent developments include Aloft, Pier 33 Apartments and Flats on Front. In the summer of 2021 North Waterfront Park, a 6.6-acre urban park opened and features an amphitheater managed by Live Nation, a playground and splash pad, green space, trails, gardens and trees.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

“The Barge” — Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill

Explore When Strolling Downtown Wilmington visit the following businesses:

The Cape Fear region’s first explorer, other than Native Americans and pirates, was Giovanni de Verrazzano. In 1524, the Italian, at sea for France, set anchor near the Cape Fear River’s mouth. He described the area as “open country rising in height above the sandy shore with many fair fields and plains full of mighty great woods…as pleasant and delectable to behold, as is possible to imagine.” Some of his men encountered friendly Native Americans on shore, but strong “Northern winds,” possibly from what coastal North Carolinians call “a nor’easter” storm, made the mooring unsafe, forcing the party to leave.

The following year, Spain sent a ship, and in 1526, ships carrying 600 settlers arrived from Hispaniola (now Dominican Republic). One of the ships was lost on the shoals, so the group stayed only long enough to build a new one. When it was done, they sailed for Winyaw Bay in what is now South Carolina.

In 1561, King Phillip II of Spain decreed Spain would make no more attempts to colonize Florida, as the area was known then. Subsequently, Queen Elizabeth I decreed the right of the British to conquer and occupy land “not actually possessed of any Christian prince or people,” opening the door for English colonization. In 1629, the Cape Fear area was incorporated as the Province of Carolina.

A group from the Massachusetts Bay

Colony sent William Hilton in 1662 to explore the area for settling. He reported favorably, and in 1663, the group arrived, but were dissatisfied with the land and left a few months later.

In 1664 settlers from British Barbados arrived to establish Charles Town, 20 miles upstream from the ocean on the west bank of what is today named Cape Fear River.

By 1667, a multitude of problems, including Native American conflicts, mosquitoes, pirates and inadequate supplies forced the settlers to abandon Charles Town and migrate south, where they founded Charleston in South Carolina.

SHIPBUILDING Initially settled in 1729 and subsequently known as New Carthage, New Liverpool and Newton, the town was incorporated as Wilmington in 1740 in honor of Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington and patron of Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston (possibly an early form of political patronage?).

During the formative years, Wilmington became an important port, shipbuilding center and processing location for lumber, pine products and cotton. At various times during the 1700s, Wilmington was North Carolina’s capital.

The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

Anne Bonny's Bellamy Mansion Burgwin-Wright House Cape Fear Riverboats Elijah's Fork N' Cork Museum of the Bizarre Pilot House Platypus & Gnome Pour Taproom The Bryand Gallery The Husk The Little Dipper Yosaké

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PHOTO BY JESUS ORTIZ

theArtWorks

on 243 ships built during the war. The North Carolina Port Authority was created and Wilmington’s port expanded significantly.

RAILROAD MOVES SOUTH Development continued until 1955, when Wilmington was struck a nearly paralyzing blow by the movement of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad’s corporate headquarters to Florida.

Three hundred families and much of downtown’s underlying economic strength departed. Downtown’s decline was further exacerbated by economic growth in outlying areas, especially around modern shopping centers. Mom-and-pop shops closed and seedy bars opened. Downtown Wilmington seemed at its end. 

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

By 1760, the population reached 5,000.

In 1765, one of the American Colonies’ first successful armed resistances to the British-imposed Stamp Act took place in Wilmington. Five hundred men, well fortified from having planned their rebellion in local taverns, forced the stamp collector to resign. Thusly, Wilmington was drawn into the American Revolution, and by early 1781 British forces occupied the city. Late in the year, Lord Cornwallis arrived to lead the British to Yorktown, Virginia, where they were defeated.

During the years following the Revolutionary War, Wilmington prospered as an important port, and at one point was the largest city in North Carolina. However, after the turn of the century, the city began to decline because of infrastructure problems, river navigation difficulties, land transportation obstacles and various other problems.

With the advent of steam-powered vessels and the railroads, Wilmington bounced back, and by the 1840s was again an important port city for the export of cotton, lumber, naval stores, rice, flax and peanuts.

CIVIL WAR HALTS TRADE When the Civil War began, much of Wilmington’s export trade was curtailed because of Union blockades. The port remained active thanks to the infamous and crafty blockade runners bringing supplies to the Confederacy at night from England and the Caribbean.

By 1864, Wilmington was the only Confederate port still open, but in 1865 Fort Fisher fell, the city was occupied, supply lines were closed, and the Confederacy was defeated.

Following the Civil War, Wilmington grew socially and economically as a major port and railroad center. By 1910, the city lost the distinction of being the state’s largest, as tobacco and textiles fueled inland urban growth.

During the First World War, Wilmington’s shipbuilding and cotton export trade boomed, making for a truly Roaring Twenties. However, good times did not last long. The 1929 stock market crash and subsequent depression hit the city hard.

World War II rekindled prosperity.

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PLEASURE ISLAND

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk features beach access, restaurants, bars, arcade, rides, and, new in 2022, a 95-foot Ferris wheel.

Pleasure Island Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher Located on a sliver of land between the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean, Pleasure Island is home to three beautiful beach villages, Fort Fisher Historic Site and a branch of the North Carolina Aquarium. More than 7 miles of sandy beaches offer ocean swimming, surfing, kayaking, sun worshiping and, of course, people watching.

Story by Teresa A. McLamb

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CAROLINA BEACH Development of Carolina Beach began before the Civil War, and it has grown into a year-round town and tourism center.

Joseph Winner, whose descendants still live and work on the island, is credited with the first development in 1857.

A vibrant, centralized commercial center includes everything from hardware stores to restaurants and is easily walkable. Fishing charters leave regularly from the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin. Regular events and a farm market are held at Carolina Beach Lake.

Accommodations range from hotels to luxury oceanfront homes to condos to small inns. Outdoor adventurers will appreciate the camping areas in Carolina Beach State Park, which runs along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape

Fear River. Remnants of sand dunes can be found in the forest, as can the elusive Venus’ flytrap plants.

The town’s award-winning boardwalk has been renovated and expanded to cover several blocks along the oceanfront, where it adjoins mid-rise hotels and rental cottages. Shops, pubs and an arcade line the boardwalk, and outdoor concerts and other events are regularly held there.

While all of Pleasure Island enjoys access to the water, access by power boat is only available in Carolina Beach. Private and municipal marinas include Joyner Marina at 401 Marina Street, which rents slips including those with electricity, water and pump-out connections. The fuel dock can accommodate boats up to 100 feet.

The town’s municipal marina — often referred to as the Yacht Basin — at Carl Winner Avenue and Canal Drive has a limited number of mooring balls and tie-up cleats for short-term use. A public boat launch for small craft is located at the mouth of the harbor near Snow’s Cut bridge. There is also public launching from Carolina Beach State Park, where fuel, restrooms, showers and a small store are available.

KURE BEACH

PHOTO BY TERESA KRAMER

FORT FISHER The southernmost tip of Pleasure Island begins with a small residential community followed by the former home of Fort Fisher Army Airfield and Fort Fisher Air Force Station, Fort Fisher Historic Site and Museum, the adjacent oceanfront recreational area and then North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. At the tip of the island, the state ferry system regularly runs a car ferry across the river to Southport. A small parking lot and launch site is just beyond the ferry landing. From there, it’s a pleasant kayak voyage to Zeke’s Island and environs.

Because of its strategic position at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Fort Fisher provided critical defense of the Port of Wilmington during the Civil War. Built in 1861, Fort Fisher was the largest earthen fortification in the Confederacy.

Downtown - 910.228.5247 122 Market Street, Wilmington, NC Carolina Beach - 910.441.3675 102 Cape Fear Blvd., Carolina Beach, NC

PLEASURE ISLAND

Alongside the town’s distinctive centralized fishing pier, one of the oldest in the United States, is an outdoor performance and event pavilion on the waterfront. Festivals, markets and events are staged in the area.

This town developed several years after Carolina Beach when Danish-born sea captain and ship’s chandler Hans Anderson Kure (pronounced cure-EE) began buying land at Federal Point. He eventually amassed some 900 acres according to published reports.

Kure Beach prides itself in being almost entirely residential, although it has a small number of well-known restaurants and pubs, a post office and a disc golf course.

It is home to the Underwater Archeology Branch of the North Carolina Office

of State Archeology, which maintains extensive records on everything from dugout canoes to the iron-hulled blockade runners and steamboats that once carried cargo along the East Coast as well as up the river to Wilmington.

Accommodations in Kure Beach include small inns and cottages, many constructed in the 1950s, as well as large luxury homes.

Carolina Beach State Park offers hiking trails along the Cape Fear River as well as camping and fishing.

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PLEASURE ISLAND

Vessels called Blockade Runners carried critical supplies to Wilmington and were protected by troops stationed at the fort.

When the fort fell after one of history’s most massive amphibious assaults on January 15, 1865, its defeat led to the eventual end of the war.

Visitors may tour the remains of the fort’s landscape, gigantic earthworks and the well-appointed museum. Periodically there are living history re-enactments that include replicas of bivouacs with costumed actors carrying out daily activities of a typical 1860s military unit.

Especially popular with visitors are guided tours, infantry demonstrations and cannon firings.

Fort Fisher also played a role in World War II, serving from 1940 to 1944 as a firing range for Camp Davis, which was located about 30 miles north of Wilmington in Holly Ridge. A runway for flight training was also located on the site, and its remnants are often pointed out in guided tours.

After touring the fort, a romp on the beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is in order. Its white sand public beach is complemented by a modern shelter with restrooms and changing facilities. Parking is free.

There you’ll find the entrance to one of North Carolina’s four National Estuarine Research Reserve sites. The 1,635-acre reserve is an important shorebird feeding habitat, a turtle nesting area and an ecologically diverse treasure. Accessible by foot, off-road vehicle or small private boat only, the area is made up of three islands and a complex of lagoons, tidal flats and marshes.

Nearby is Fort Fisher Aquarium, which invites visitors to its touch tank of local marine life as well as a mesmerizing 235,000-gallon Cape Fear Shoals saltwater exhibit. The 24-foot-deep replica of an offshore reef affords two-story, multilevel views of sharks, stingrays, groupers and moray eels.

ENJOYING THE BEACHES As in all of North Carolina, Pleasure Islands’ beaches are open to the public.

Access is, however, through designated openings or walkways, not across private property. During the summer season, lifeguards are on duty in designated areas only. Animals are not allowed on the

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Pleasure Island lifeguards are on duty Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend.

beach during the tourist season, except for certified service dogs. During the offseason, dogs on leashes may be allowed for limited hours. Check with the beaches to get the latest information

MUSIC FESTIVALS For more than a quarter of a century, Pleasure Island has celebrated the Seafood Blues and Jazz Festival in the fall. Sponsored by the chamber of commerce with help from more than 200 volunteers, the event promises to return with the same stellar performances as have been enjoyed in the past. Over two

days, newcomers and headliners perform to an audience of dedicated fans enjoying good food and drink from local vendors.

Check pleasureislandnc.org for updates.

THE MAGIC OF SEA TURTLES Around the world, sea turtles return to the place of their birth to lay their eggs.

Pleasure Island is no exception. Dozens of turtles leave the ocean to lay their eggs along the shoreline. Loggerheads, leatherbacks, Kemp’s ridley and green sea turtles lay thousands of eggs in holes they dig along the shore in early spring. A few weeks later, often on a full moon night

in June or July, these tiny eggs hatch in a phenomenon called roiling.

A dedicated team of volunteers seeks out nests, marks them for protection and monitors them until hatching. Quartersized hatchlings seek out the light of the moon and the sound of the ocean to beat a path to the sea. Volunteers are there to help them along.

It is vital to survival of the turtles that they are not disturbed. You can learn more about sea turtles at regular summer Turtle Talks in Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park and Carolina Beach State Park. There are also turtle displays and educational programs at N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

When visiting Carolina Beach, Kure Beach & Fort Fisher, be sure to check out these local spots!

Smoke on the Water On the Cape Fear River at 102 Cape Fear Boulevard, Chef James Smith’s newest offering includes wood-fired meats, such as apple cider–brined ribs smoked over apple wood, brisket rubbed with a peppery/brown sugar spice blend, and smoked over hickory and mesquite for 14 hours. Chef/Owner Smith (of Fork ‘N Cork fame) pays tribute to local seafood with steam pots, oysters on the half-shell and blackened shrimp tacos. Reservations are accepted, and they’re recommended for sunset seatings.

Burrito Shak Burrito Shak is a family-friendly, quick-dining restaurant where they utilize fresh ingredients in all of their menu items. It’s a combination of everything owner David Longo and his family love: flavorful food, beach vibes and family. The founding Burrito Shak is located just 10 miles from the beach, so they knew that giving their menu and decor a coastal vibe was a must. Visit

the newly opened Surf City location or the original Hampstead location.

Other locations include Wilmington, Swansboro and Jacksonville. Burrito Shak was voted #1 Tacos in North Carolina, beating 63 fellow competitors in an elimination-style taco tournament.

Burrito Shak has a created a solid reputation for excellence and an evergrowing loyal customer base. Their mission is to share the taste of highquality, fresh-Mex cuisine in a familyfriendly atmosphere, and now they are excited to offer a path for other entrepreneurs and food lovers to achieve success through their franchising platform.

Fork ’n’ Cork Chef James Smith first gained recognition with his wildly popular burger truck named The Patty Wagon.

When he traded in the truck for permanent gastropub digs on downtown Wilmington’s Market Street, fans got a full taste of his comfort food with a twist.

His famous burgers as well as brisket and meatloaf sandwiches still populate the menu (gluten-free buns available), but think gastronomic experience rather than typical pub food at this oh-so-comfy restaurant. His newest location right in the heart of Carolina Beach is located at 102 Cape Fear Boulevard. 

The North Gazebo at Fort Fisher State Historic Site offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

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PLEASURE ISLAND

As for beach swimming, the Carolina Beach/Kure Beach strand has about seven miles of inviting white sand and ocean swells.

In season, lifeguards are on duty in limited areas during the day only. Both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have numerous public beach accesses, many with parking, some with restrooms, and the entire strand is open to the public.

Other than service animals with vests, dogs are not permitted on the beaches during the tourist season, and off-season they must be on a leash.

A little farther down the road is the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area with its white sand public beach, modern shelter, restrooms, changing facilities and, during the summer season, a concession area. Parking is free. Park staff offers educational programs and talks.

Here you’ll find the entrance to one of North Carolina’s four National Estuarine Research Reserve sites. The 1,635-acre reserve is an important shorebird feeding habitat, turtle nesting area and an ecologically diverse treasure land for coastal nature buffs. Accessible by foot, off-road vehicle or small private boat only, the area comprises three islands and a complex of lagoons, tidal flats and marshes.

The New Hanover County Parks and Recreation Department maintains a pedestrian beach access, 4-wheel-drive vehicular dune crossover and public boat access with free parking a short distance from the ferry landing.

LOCAL SPOTS NOT TO BE MISSED

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Our mission is to share the taste of high-quality fresh-mex cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients in a family friendly, coastal vibe.

Kick Back at One of Our 2 Local Shaks

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Hampstead

Surf City

 15489 US-17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 319-0243  Hampstead@burritoshak.com 

 2761 NC-210 Unit B Surf City, NC 28443 (910) 803-2382  SurfCity@burritoshak.com 

WilmingtonToday.com

 BurritoShak.com 

Topsail Island/Hampstead A bit north of Wilmington lies Topsail Island, a 26-mile long sanctuary for turtles and humans, rich with history and ready to welcome visitors of all ages and interests. Known as “Top-sul” to the locals, the island sits just beyond the quaint mainland community of Hampstead.

Story by Pat Fontana

PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY

TOPSAIL ISLAND/ HAMPSTEAD

TOPSAIL’S ENCHANTED HISTORY Topsail Island is home to Topsail Beach, Surf City and North Topsail Beach, three distinctly different towns, each with plenty to do, see and enjoy throughout the year. The island boasts an intriguing history, dating back to the adventures of the seas in the 1500s.

As the story goes, pirate ships lurked off the coast waiting for merchant vessels to pass through the area. Often, only their top sails were visible from

the island, so the name stuck. While the legend may or may not be true, the island does still have an extensive and fascinating history.

Pirates associated with the island include the infamous Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, along with a pirate named Sears who established a trading post on the mainland. Sears also operated a pole barge for ferrying people to the island.

His trading post and ferry landing are now known as Sears Landing.

More recently, the U.S. Navy took

over the island to launch Operation Bumblebee, a secret guided missile testing program that lasted from 1946 to 1948. The main concept for today’s supersonic flights was tested and proven on Topsail Island. Many of the missile observation towers used by the Navy can still be seen on the beaches.

Roads, a fresh water supply, a bridge and other improvements were made as the military directed research operations from nearby Camp Davis in Holly Ridge on the mainland.

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Shortly after Operation Bumblebee concluded, another significant event made history on the island. In 1949, in the midst of segregation policies throughout most of the rest of the country, an integrated group of people from the Wilmington area formed a development corporation and established Ocean City Beach, a place that offered beachfront home ownership to Black families during a time when Black people were not supposed to own property, let alone vacation homes on such an attractive and enticing location.

Topsail Island, as one of the more heavily nested areas along the North Carolina coast, has been designated as a turtle sanctuary. The turtle nesting season runs from April through August, so it’s important for visitors to keep lights off the beach during this time.

Artificial lights can confuse the mother turtle looking for the ideal nesting spot as well as her babies as they try to find their way back to the sea.

Loggerheads love the warm, sandy beaches and may nest three to five times each year. Each time the mother turtle will deposit an average of 120 eggs per nest. Those eggs will incubate for about 60 days before the hatchlings break out and work their way across the sand to their new home in the Atlantic Ocean. A few leatherbacks and green turtles will also find their way to the island to nest each year.

Look for the mother’s turtle tracks in the early morning when walking along the beach. Volunteers from the local turtle hospital who are trained to watch for new nests each season will also be out searching for turtle signs early each day. Later in the summer, the baby turtles’ tiny tracks can be seen heading in the opposite direction as they start new lives in the warm, salty water.

TOPSAIL BEACH On the south end of the island, Topsail Beach is a quiet town of comfortable homes, a few shops and a seasonal skating rink that features historic

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Topsail Island’s Jolly Roger Pier extends 850 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and offers visitors a chance to catch fish and spectacular beach views.

PHOTOS BY ADAM HAWLEY

TOPSAIL ISLAND/ HAMPSTEAD

A TREASURED TURTLE SANCTUARY

wooden floors. Home to about 500 permanent residents, Topsail Beach is the smallest community on the island.

Many of the homes in this area are available for rent during the summer months and there is always plenty of room on the southern island beaches.

Topsail Beach is also home to the Missiles and More Museum, which offers a fascinating look at artifacts from Camp Davis, active during World War II, as well as Operation Bumblebee.

The museum is located in the original

arsenal building, now known as the Historical Assembly Building. Visitors can see rocket models and view videos on how the rockets were launched.

One exhibit features the groundbreaking Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) who served at Camp Davis during World War II. Visitors can also see displays of local pirate lore, a large seashell collection and native flora and fauna. Each October, the Autumn at Topsail Festival is held on the grounds of the Assembly Building and features

SURF CITY

HAMPSTEAD The unincorporated town of Hampstead is only 15 miles north of Wilmington on U.S. Highway 17.

A growing community, Hampstead sits in the heart of Pender County and is conveniently located between many points of attraction in the area, including the beaches of Topsail Island and Wrightsville Beach.

Hampstead offers affordable homes in a wide range of sizes and locations, including many that front

bills itself as the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas. As fishing and boating are very popular along the waterway and across the bridge on the island, there is usually always fresh seafood available, often straight off the boat that brought it in from the sea.

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH While Hampstead, Topsail Beach and most of Surf City are located in Pender County, on the north end of the island lies North Topsail Beach, an Onslow County community. Almost 900 people live in North Topsail Beach year-round and many more come in each summer, during the height of the rental season.

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center founder and former director Jean Beasley.

TOPSAIL ISLAND/ HAMPSTEAD

Who doesn’t have some fun in Surf City? Perched in the middle of Topsail Island, Surf City offers more than 30 beach accesses, boat ramps, an ocean pier and a lovely waterfront town park.

This town of about 2,000 permanent residents is most proud of its new 65foot high bridge that was honored with an N.C. Department of Transportation Mobi award for its innovative design.

The new, sweeping bridge replaced the aging swing bridge that had linked the island to the mainland for over 60 years.

Soundside Park in Surf City welcomes visitors and residents alike with boat access to the Intracoastal Waterway, picnic areas and a playground for the little ones. Walking paths lead to the pedestrian lane of the new bridge, for an especially breathtaking view of the water and the island. The park is also the site for the Surf City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, delighting families each December with a celebration that includes live music, local food vendors, kids’ activities and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Surf City spans across the water to the mainland. Featuring a growing shopping area, locally owned restaurants, a new town hall complex and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, the mainland side of Surf City is a destination in itself.

Mainland Surf City also connects with the community of Hampstead on Highway 17.

the Intracoastal Waterway. Connecting to Wilmington via Highway 17 and the N.C.-140 connector, Hampstead offers the comfort of a small town and the convenience of nearby shopping and attractions.

From farmers to fishermen, Hampstead features a delicious range of food options. Farms in the area produce quality goat cheese in addition to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Many of these home-grown products can be found at the Poplar Grove Farmer’s Market, perfectly situated on the southern edge of Hampstead just at the Wilmington border.

Seafood is also a popular item in many Hampstead restaurants and in seafood markets. Hampstead actually

PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY

an arts and crafts court as well as food, entertainment, and fun for kids of all ages.

SEA TURTLE SANCTUARY Spotting sea turtles is easy at The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center just off Topsail Island on Tortuga Drive. The facility is a result of fund-raising efforts that were helped along by many residents of Topsail Island and the surrounding area as well as by visitors who vacation there.

The volunteer staff cares for and rehabilitates injured loggerhead and other turtles before releasing them back into the sea. Watching the rehabilitated turtles as they are released is a thrill.

Founder and former director Jean Beasley, who retired in 2021, was the 2007 recipient of Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year award.

Volunteers protect and monitor the many nests sea turtles dig in the sand each year. Some rehabilitated turtles are fitted with tracking devices before being released back into the ocean. That way, researchers can track their movement and learn about their habits.

This description tells just a wee bit about the huge impact this facility has made on sea turtle protection. Learn more, including how you can help, at www.seaturtlehospital.org.

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One of eight towers standing on Topsail Beach — vestiges of 1947 military research project.

onto the side of the building!

North Topsail Beach is the northernmost tip of an exciting, relaxing and totally enjoyable island where visitors and residents can soak up the sun, search for shark’s teeth, pick up unique shells and discover a sanctuary that is like no other in the state.

Burrito Shak

the mainland, North Topsail Beach offers several public beach access points and a newly renovated town park. At more than 1,000 feet long, the fishing pier is one of the longest on the North Carolina coast. Now called Seaview Pier, and once known as Salty’s Pier, the spot includes a restaurant housed in what was once a recording studio, which explains the 20-foot guitar shingled

TOPSAIL ISLAND/ HAMPSTEAD

A few locally owned restaurants dot this smaller community, which stretches about 10 miles along Island Drive and New River Inlet Drive. Part of North Topsail was once known as West Onslow Beach, but the name was changed when the town incorporated in 1990.

Featuring its own high-rise bridge that connects the community to Sneads Ferry on

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WHEN YOU’RE IN THE TOPSAIL AREA BE SURE TO VISIT Burrito Shak Burrito Shak is a family-friendly, quickdining restaurant where they utilize fresh ingredients in all of their menu items.

It’s a combination of everything owner David Longo and his family love: flavorful food, beach vibes and family. The founding Burrito Shak is located just 10 miles from the beach, so they knew that giving their menu and decor a coastal vibe was a must.

Visit the newly opened Surf City location or the original Hampstead location. Other locations include Wilmington, Swansboro and Jacksonville. Burrito Shak was voted #1 Tacos in North Carolina, beating 63 fellow competitors in an elimination-style taco tournament.

Burrito Shak has a created a solid reputation for excellence and an evergrowing loyal customer base. Their mission is to share the taste of high-quality, fresh-Mex cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere, and now they are excited to offer a path for other entrepreneurs and food lovers to achieve success through their franchising platform. 

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Wrightsville Beach

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

PHOTOS BY UNIQUE MEDIA AND DESIGN

Wrightsville Beach is a barrier island wonderland featuring glorious beaches, great restaurants, dream homes and luxurious condos, all just minutes from the city of Wilmington. Ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 feet wide, this nearly four-mile stretch between Mason and Masonboro inlets features sound-to-sea views all along the way. Even better, Wrightsville Beach is a mere 10 miles from downtown Wilmington.

The off-season’s small-town feel swells when tourists and part-time residents return in spring, summer and early fall. Around 3,000 people live here permanently, but the population hits 30,000 during warmer months. Plenty of accommodations await, from by-thebeach motel rooms to oceanfront “sand castles.” The island is almost completely developed.

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SURF’S UP — MOST OF THE TIME

SAILING THROUGH HISTORY

Wrightsville Beach is a surfing hotspot.

Pros and beginners rush here with surfboards, paddleboards and body boards. Arrive early to find parking, especially on weekends, otherwise you might drive around for hours in search of a space. Don’t pull into home driveways or condo lots. Your vehicle will be towed from private spaces.

Wrightsville Beach was not always the plush vacation and residential area it is today. Early on, when the state of North Carolina owned the island, the area was named New Hanover Banks.

Back then, an inlet separated the island into two segments. Shell Island, to the north, kept its name as evidenced by the present-day Shell Island Resort, which

is surrounded by extravagant homes and large condominium communities.

Between 1791 and 1841, the island was private property, uninhabited and visited only by hunters, fishermen, and sailing enthusiasts. The island’s first structure was the Carolina Yacht Club headquarters.

Built in 1853, it’s America’s third-oldest yacht club. Some past members were involved in the Civil War, when blockade runners worked nearby waters. Three blockade runners supposedly foundered on the island.

Following the Civil War, an oyster shellsurfaced turnpike linked Wilmington and Wrightsville Sound. Wilmington Seacoast Railroad tracks followed in 1887. They stretched from the city to the Hammocks, a piece of land west of the beach. That land is now named Harbor Island. A footbridge connected the Hammocks with Wrightsville Beach, and development increased. Another yacht club, several hotels and some beach cottages were built.

In 1889, railroad tracks extended across the Hammocks and Banks Channel to the beach. Visitors from Wilmington began to flock to Wrightsville Beach in summer.

In 1899, with 40 to 50 mostly seasonal residents, the Town of Wrightsville Beach was incorporated. Unfortunately, later that year, a hurricane destroyed it.

SURGING AHEAD

RECREATION If you love boats, don’t miss Wrightsville Beach’s annual November Holiday Flotilla Day in the Park followed by that evening’s colorful Holiday Flotilla Boat Parade. People from around the region flock to see the light-festooned boats that cruise the waterways around town. This two-day event focuses exclusively on holiday activities.

Wrightsville Beach is not all about boats. Jazz concerts, a Bark in the Park pet day, bocce ball and volleyball tournaments, the Loop fitness trail encircling the inner island, a kayak and canoe trail through the sound and marshes, and other offerings from the Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Department keep residents and visitors active and happy.

WATCH YOUR STEP. THE SEA TURTLES ARE NESTING As you stroll Wrightsville Beach’s white-sand shore, be mindful of an endangered species that lives here. The nonprofit Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project educates visitors and residents about sea turtles that visit the island.

You may see their tracks during nesting season. Before leaving the beach, fill any holes you dug in the sand and remove all trash. Turn off outdoor lights and keep indoor lights from shining on the beach at night, since lights disturb nesting turtles and hatchlings. Don’t use flashlights or flash photography at night on the beach.

The number of sea turtle nests identified in 2016 matched an alltime record for Wrightsville Beach. A total of 15 loggerhead sea turtle nests resulted in 1,382 hatchlings released into the Atlantic Ocean, thanks to the corporative efforts of the visitors and residents.

In the 2017 nesting season, 10 loggerhead nests were found and 878 hatchlings were successfully released into the ocean.

Call (910) 612-3047 to report sea turtle activity, injuries or strandings. If everyone cares, sea turtles will thrive.

And don't miss out on free turtle talks every Tuesday evening in summer at the Coastal Federation, located at 309 S Salisbury Street Wrightsville Beach. For more info visit wbstp.org.

LOCAL SPOTS NOT TO BE MISSED When visiting Wrightsville Beach, be sure to check out these local spots!

Coastal Massage & Spa When Coastal Massage & Spa opened near Wrightsville Beach, they envisioned a professional, friendly spa experience in a warm, private, and peaceful setting.

Creating a spa that would cater to a clientele who expected and appreciated the best of the best in quality, care and expertise.

In 2018 they opened a brand-new, 3,000-square-foot facility at Grand View Apartments equipped with a private bridal suite for wedding parties, bachelorette weekends or pampering sessions for 6 to 10 people. Large mirrors and locally crafted plushy seating make a great place for fun and group photos.

Guests at Coastal Massage & Spa enjoy nine treatment rooms, locker rooms with showers, a steam room, a sauna, HydraFacial and relaxation space enriched with beautifully appointed

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WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

The town was soon rebuilt. The rail line became an electric trolley in 1902, and by 1907, 8,700 passengers from Wilmington, New York and other cities rode the “Beach Trolley” to the shore. The stunning Lumina Entertainment Hall was built at the end of the trolley line in 1905. Costing $7,000, a whopping sum in those days, Lumina comprised 12,500 square feet.

Three floors hosted various activities including a ballroom, bowling alley and shooting gallery.

Lumina grew several times. A huge movie screen was erected 50 feet out into the surf. In 1910, 600 electric outdoor lights made Lumina visible from miles away. By 1930, Wrightsville Beach hosted 110 residents, but in 1934 a fire destroyed more than 100 cottages and the Oceanic Hotel. Again, the town rebounded. A year later, a new road linked the mainland to Wrightsville Beach.

The population jumped to 1,500 by

1945. Alas, tragedy struck again. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel blew in winds of 125 to 140 miles per hour and a 12- to 14-foot storm surge. Hazel wiped out upwards of 250 houses and damaged 500 more, but Wrightsville Beach would not be squashed. More homes were constructed in Hazel’s wake. The seven-story Blockade Runner Motor Hotel opened in 1964.

Unfortunately, Lumina deteriorated.

A special era ended when the hall was demolished in 1973.

Shell Island Resort was built in 1984. Mother Nature, however, did not surrender. Hurricanes Bertha and Fran in the 1990s damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, leveled dunes and destroyed two fishing piers. Wrightsville Beach rose yet again. Damages were repaired, and the new concrete, hurricane-resistant Johnnie Mercer’s Pier was built.

Wrightsville Beach Museum of History displays artifacts, photos and exhibits tracing the town’s past. A 12-foot model depicts Wrightsville Beach in 1910.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

Standup paddleboarding is a favorite pastime for locals and visitors. Motts Channel and Lees Cut offer beginners a calm place to get their feet wet.

treatment tables, soft linens, gentle music and a wide variety of signature treatment offerings. The spa is decorated to entice relaxation in a high-end, luxurious setting. The interior of Coastal Massage & Spa was designed to blend coastal elegance with a calming color palette, soft textures and luxury finishes such as quartz countertops, glass tile and frosted windows and doors.

Brides and grooms really benefit from these services before their wedding day, since the final preparation can be hectic.

The spa caters to clients seeking all massage techniques and is one few spas in the area that offers couples massage.

Coastal Massage & Spa offers waxing services and eyelash extensions in addition to massage and facials. For those who prefer leaving decisions to the experts, skin care specialists will conduct a customized facial based on an individual’s skin type and skin care goals that will leave you refreshed and glowing.

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Oceanic Restaurant at The Crystal Pier The Oceanic Restaurant has been rooted in Wrightsville Beach’s history for over 40 years, and the adjoining historic Crystal Pier for over 40 more. When first built in 1939, the pier was the longest wooden pier in the Atlantic Ocean. Even to this day, it is the only wooden pier in Wrightsville Beach, expanding 475 feet into the water. The location of the Oceanic is close to where Lumina Pavilion once stood, the entertainment venue popular in the early 1900’s as a destination for tourists and Wilmington residents for local entertainment, dancing and summer activities. Located on South Lumina Avenue, this iconic restaurant sits three stories high, with seating and panoramic views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean from each floor. The restaurant was recently renovated, offering modern touches and coastal charm, while also providing a look back at Wrightsville Beach history as you enter the restaurant. The restaurant also serves as an oceanfront event venue with

access to use the Crystal Pier for receptions and ceremonies.

Enjoy live music on the pier from local musicians on Thursdays and Sundays, all while you dine or enjoy a variety of cocktails at the pier bar. The location of the restaurant also happens to be a favorite location for surfers, and you can often catch the sights of dolphins and sailboats on the water. Grab a drink while sitting at The Jetty Bar, which has a robust selection of wines, cocktails, and beers and overlooks the ocean, with views of Wrightsville Beach’s orange hued sunsets.

The Oceanic serves lunch and dinner daily, with a well-known beachside brunch on Sundays, complete with champagne cocktails and bloody marys. The Oceanic is known for their coastal cuisine and dedication to fresh, local and seasonal dishes.

Seafood dishes range from crab cakes and dip, to sushi-grade Ahi Poke bowls, to your traditional Southern “Calabash-style” platters and chef-inspired features served daily. While visiting, be sure to start off

your meal with one of their local favorite appetizers, such as the Jumbo Lump Crab Dip, Lobster Shrimp Bruschetta or Sunkissed Shrimp. Several seasonal salad entrees are available for those looking for something on the lighter side, with different toppings changing from fried oysters to shrimp. Steaks, chicken and pasta dishes, such as the Pan-roasted Chicken are also crowd-pleasing dinner options.

The Oceanic has a fully stocked bar, with a variety of rotating local craft beers, an extensive wine list and a selection of cocktails. For those looking for a picnic dinner on the beach or heading home after a long day in the sun, you can pick up a to-go menu which includes large, family-style to-go platters. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Brunch is Sundays, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Oceanic has a private parking lot located adjacent to the restaurant with handicap parking and accessibility. There is direct access to the beach via stairs on the pier or via the walkway next to the restaurant. For those on their family vacations, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir, postcard or t-shirt to remind you of your memorable trip.

The Bento Box The Forum Shopping Center on Military Cutoff near Wrightsville Beach hosts The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen, Wilmington’s premier sushi restaurant. Although recognized for sushi, The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen is also tops for authentic Asian food. From Thailand to Tokyo, the dishes are all prepared with locally sourced, all-natural or organic ingredients when available. The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen sake bar boasts one of the largest sake selections in Wilmington and is the first sake bar in the Carolinas to have premium cold sake on draft.

Sit at the sushi bar to watch the masters at work. Consider the signature Delicious Roll, made with either spicy tuna or salmon and seaweed salad topped with avocado, wasabi tobikko, sesame seeds, tempura crumbles and two Bento Box signature hot sauces. The Totally Tuna suits those watching their carbs. Tuna, avocado, wasabi tobikko and sesame soy sheets are wrapped in a thin cucumber and served with spicy ponzu sauce. Choose numerous rice-less and vegetarian rolls. Gluten-

free soy sauce is available. All rolls are delicious, but better yet, ask owner/chef Lee Grossman to prepare something “Omakase” meaning “Chef’s choice” in Japanese.

You will want to try all the different Asian street foods available on the menu. Vietnamese ginger beef is a beef tenderloin and vegetable stir-fry in ginger sauce. Pickled sweet red onions and crispy potato straws crown the mix, or try the gluten-free oh-so-crispy Japanese fried chicken, marinated in sake, ginger and soy sauce and dusted with potato starch. Oftentimes, diners choose several dishes and share them to enjoy all the many flavors.

Save room for a the chocolate potstickers for dessert. Each deep-fried wonton package holds a warm, melted, handmade Belgian dark chocolate truffle. A delicious caramel dipping sauce comes on the side. You may order just one truffle, but why would you?

The restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday and Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday 4 to 10 p.m. Chef closes on Sunday so he and the staff can have quality family time 

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

Bluewater Waterfront Grill Bluewater Waterfront Grill overlooks a beautiful marina just over Wrightsville Beach’s Causeway Bridge, what locals call “the first bridge,” as you approach town.

The sprawling, two-story restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating, offers casual American food and friendly service.

Being so close to the shore, seafood is, of course, a specialty. Start meals with a classic shrimp cocktail or coconut shrimp with dark rum marmalade dipping sauce. The sandwich menu lists crab cake sandwiches, fish tacos and burgers. When soft shell crabs are in season, look for them deep-fried and in a sandwich. Delicious.

Entrees touch land and sea, with baby back ribs, grilled rib-eye steaks, citrus-glazed scallops, roasted oysters, a fried seafood platter and a mixed grill featuring mahi, salmon and shrimp. Daily specials are other good bets.

A full bar serves all sorts of cocktails and beer. Wine is poured by the glass or bottle. Reserve beautiful private rooms with stunning views, especially at sunset, for parties, special occasions or business meetings. Bluewater is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week.

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Area Attractions With so many attractions worth visiting in Wilmington and the surrounding area, visitors could stay busy for weeks exploring what makes this place special. Both indoors and outside, there is something for everyone here.

PHOTO BY JESUS ORTIZ

Battleship North Carolina

AREA ATTRACTIONS

WATER PLAYS A KEY ROLE From spectacular sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean to the relatively tranquil Intracoastal Waterway, the majestic Cape Fear River to the lakes and ponds that are ubiquitous in southeastern North Carolina, we live, work, play, fish, swim, surf, snorkel and relax in close proximity to the water.

There are a number of ways to gain an understanding of the role water plays in the economy.

A good place to begin is to see what can be found in historic downtown Wilmington.

BATTLESHIP USS NORTH CAROLINA One way to understand the role water plays is to visit Wilmington’s most noticeable attraction, the Battleship North Carolina, which sits across the Cape Fear River from downtown’s Riverfront Park.

North Carolina is beginning its 60th year here and is even more beautiful than before, having gone through a major restoration to prepare it for the celebration of its 50th

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anniversary in Wilmington that took place in 2011.

USA Todays’ 10Best enlisted a panel of North Carolina travel writers and photographers to nominate their favorite state attractions in 2018. The battleship was voted the second best attraction in North Carolina by 10Best readers.

Completed in 2018, the new cofferdam and half-mile long, 10-foot wide memorial walkway surrounding the ship enable visitors to see the ship’s entire hull for the first time.

Scheduled by the Navy to be scrapped, a successful statewide campaign to save the North Carolina began in 1958. In 1961 the ship was moved from New Jersey to its present location.

The third in a line of naval vessels dating back to 1820 that were commissioned in North Carolina, the ship participated in every major battle in the Pacific during World War II and won 15 battle stars before being decommissioned in 1947.

Those who have toured the battleship are surprised that gunners were able to operate in the cramped quarters in the gun turrets. How anyone could sleep in the stacked bunks is another mystery.

The battleship serves as both an attraction to be toured and a memorial to North Carolinians who served in the military

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T R A M P O L I N E

P A R K

Get ready to jump, fly, spin, and soar at Flip N Fly! We are Wilmington’s largest and premier indoor trampoline park and entertainment facility. Our 28,000 square foot state of the art facility with wall-to-wall trampolines uses the safest shock spring technology system, making it safe for the whole family! From Olympic trampolines to trick walls, a professional ninja course and slackline, we have plenty for you to play. Visit our website to see all of the fun, including specials and events!

DUNK HOOPS DODGEBALL AERIAL SILKS AND LYRA OLYMPIC TRAMPOLINES FOAM PITS TRAPEEZES SWINGS ARCADE

Purchase tickets and book parties at FlipNFly.com Located in Mayfaire Town Center | 830 Inspiration Dr. Wilmington, NC 28405

910.679.5050 | info@flipnfly.com

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during WWII, especially the more than 10,000 who died in service to their state and nation.

A new North Carolina was christened in 2007 and commissioned right here in Wilmington on May 3, 2008. This fourth North Carolina is one of the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack nuclear submarines of the Virginia class.

Airlie Gardens near Wrightsville Beach is beautiful all year-round.

theArtWorks

month Wilmington and New Hanover Arts Council Gallery Walk, from 6-9 p.m.

Open additional hours for special events and by appointment.

AIRLIE GARDENS Established in 1901 on the east side of Wilmington near Wrightsville Beach, the exquisite Airlie Gardens features breathtaking formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, lakes and the 468-year-old

AREA ATTRACTIONS

At 38,000 square feet and with approximately 900 area parking spaces, theArtWorks is the largest space for artists and event venue in the area.

The facility is located in the vibrant SouthFront District of Wilmington, at 200 Willard Street just a mile from downtown. theArtWorks is an art village showcasing Wilmington’s vibrant visual, literary and performing arts. theArtWorks provides art studios, gallery space, educational opportunities and an event venue with the mission to foster a creative environment for artists and enhance Wilmington’s cultural community through art.

More than 50 artists actively create and sell their art through studios in theArtWorks. The range of mediums for sale includes original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, glass, pottery, metalwork, decorative arts, literary arts and music.

The gallery and studio artist galleries are open on Friday 11-6 and Saturday 11-5 as well as the fourth Friday of the

Airlie live oak. Over 100,000 azaleas and countless camellias bloom throughout the winter and spring, making the gardens a colorful, year-round horticultural delight.

New to Airlie Gardens is the Butterfly House, which should be a must-see for all visitors. Stepping into this fabulous addition is sure to lift the spirits of all who enter it. Airlie Gardens should be seen throughout the year to fully appreciate the beauty of the seasonal changes.

Very near Airlie Gardens is the fascinating New Hanover County Arboretum, exhibiting seven acres of plants that grow in the region along with emerging trends in plants for this locale.

With a large staff of trained volunteers, the Arboretum provides suggestions and advice on plants suited for the coastal environment.

MUSEUM OF THE BIZARRE

Bellamy Mansion

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Museum of the Bizarre is located on Orange Street and was featured on the TV show Mysteries at the Museum. The museum, which opened in early 2015, has an ever-growing collection of Civil War items, movie props and local history items. And that’s before you get to all of the bizarre oddities.

See the Crystal Skull of Knowledge,

the Fort Fisher Mermaid, Alexander Hamilton’s hair, Goat Brothers heads, a Bigfoot imprint, Houdini’s Ouiji board, a chupacabra hand, unicorn horn, mirror maze, laser vault challenge, serial killer wall and more.

Each Halloween, Museum of the Bizarre puts on a spooky haunted house that’s a must-see for fright fest lovers.

Museum of the Bizarre is also a great bargain: Admission is just $3.

STROLL THROUGH WILMYWOOD Visitors enjoy seeing the real locations and actual sets where some of Wilmington’s biggest movies were filmed.

Iron Man 3, and We’re the Millers, along with a host of others, are among the dozens of movies shot on location in Wilmington.

Following the success of locally filmed Safe Haven in 2013, two other movies based on novels by Nicholas Sparks, The Longest Ride and The Choice, were filmed in Wilmington.

Fans are also interested in seeing where the cast and crew of Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill spent their time. In fact, the cast of One Tree Hill still enjoys visiting Wilmington for reunions that draw fans of the show from all over the country.

Other recent series and movies filmed here include: Good Behavior, Swamp Thing, Reprisal, Halloween Kills, The Georgetown Project, The Lost Boys, USS Christmas, Scream, Hightown, I.S.S., Static, Along For The Ride, Delilah - Season 1 and Welcome to Flatch - Season 1, among many others.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS

the Army Corps of Engineers at a cost of $80,000. It operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and served as the off-duty destination of hundreds of thousands of armed forces personnel that trained in the area. Four charitable organizations affiliated with the USO and a host of volunteers kept it running. At the height of World War II, attendance reached 63,000 per month, with such events as big band dances, plays, music recitals and weekly radio broadcasts featured.

The City of Wilmington purchased the building when the USO ended its full-time operations. Over the years, the building’s use has evolved so that today, it serves as a major cultural resource for New Hanover County.

Classes are offered in a variety of visual and performing arts disciplines, and the building is home to the Orange Street Potters. The building also hosts crews for movies, television shows and commercials. In addition, rehearsal space is provided to local nonprofit theater companies, and plays are staged in the auditorium.

Managed by the Thalian Association since 1994, the building is listed in the

SPECTACULAR THALIAN HALL Wilmington’s absolute gem, Thalian Hall, is now 163 years old, and looking grander than ever after a much-needed facelift completed in time for the theater’s 150th anniversary celebration.

New seats, new lights and a new heating and air conditioning system are among the renovations that make Thalian Hall so much more pleasant to visit and enjoy.

The centerpiece of the renovation is a beautiful chandelier, affectionately named “Alice” in memory of the wife of the person who donated it. It earns an ovation from the appreciative audience when it is raised before each performance begins.

Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour during the daytime so that they can see why regular theater patrons are so excited about the renovated facility.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

The oldest restored museum house in southeastern North Carolina is the Burgwin-Wright House, which was built in 1770. John Burgwin, a merchant, planter and treasurer of the colony of Carolina, erected the house on the foundation of an old jail. Temporarily occupied by Lord Cornwallis before his fateful departure for Yorktown, this splendid Georgian-style house contains authentic furnishings and is surrounded by seven beautifully terraced gardens.

Demonstrations of colonial open hearth cooking are presented in the kitchen one Saturday per month.

The largest and most visible house museum is Bellamy Mansion, a spectacular example of antebellum architecture built between 1859 and 1861 by enslaved artisans and carpenters.

The property, occupied by Dr. John Bellamy, his wife and nine children, consists of the 22-room mansion, the beautifully restored gardens and recently reconstructed carriage house.

Slave quarters, among the most intact in the South according to architectural historian Catherine Bishir, have been restored and are an important part of the home’s history.

Bellamy Mansion now focuses on history and the design arts, with several changing exhibitions and special events each year.

Any visitor to downtown Wilmington should take the time to stroll through the downtown area. There are historic homes throughout downtown, many with plaques on the front showing when they were built. Take the time to stroll up and down the streets to see the varied architecture. Third, Fourth and Fifth Streets are lined with one interesting home after another.

HANNAH BLOCK USO Opening in December 1941, the USO Club at Second and Orange was built by Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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National Register of Historic Places. It is now known as the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center and was renamed to honor one of Wilmington’s most distinguished civic leaders and World War II veterans.

CAPE FEAR RIVER SIGHTSEEING TOURS

AREA ATTRACTIONS

A boat cruise on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington is a wonderful way to spend the day.

Cape Fear Riverboats offers two types of sightseeing tours: nature tours and $12 historical sightseeing tours. All tours are narrated by the captain and are one to four hours long. Be sure to bring a camera as there are endless opportunities for memorable photos.

Historical sightseeing cruises are an hour long and are a great way to learn about the area. You’ll hear about the adventures, misfortunes, and accomplishments of the unique cast of characters that have, since Giovanni da Verrazzano first surveyed the area nearly 500 years ago, created the city we love today. You also will see the ports from a unique view and witness the massive size of modern day container ships as they load and unload.

Black River Nature tours begin in May, are four hours long and feature an expert on local wildlife, natural history,

Flip N Fly

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and cultural heritage. This nature tour takes guests 15 miles up the Cape Fear River to the wilds of the Black River, one of the cleanest waterways in the state.

Nature enthusiasts and photographers alike will enjoy the slow-moving, ambercolored waters, framed by spectacular swamp forests highlighted with seasonal wildflowers and old-growth cypress trees.

New Henrietta The newest addition to the Cape Fear Riverfront is the new Henrietta. The new Henrietta is certified to carry 118 passengers and has a climate controlled dining room of 84 seats. Captain Carl Marshburn and his son, Daren, cruised the new Henrietta from Alabama to the Wilmington riverfront.

FLIP N FLY Jump. Swing. Climb. Flip. Fly. Does an indoor park with 28,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines sound like fun? How about trick walls, trapeze swings, a ninja course or black light dodgeball with your closest adrenalineseeking pals? Flip N Fly isn’t just a place to go, it’s Wilmington’s destination for high flying, no-fear fun. Let the little ones safely zoom around in their own kids court while you and the other big kids let loose and take flight.

HISTORIC CHURCHES Scattered throughout the downtown area are a number of historically significant churches. Among these is Chestnut Street United Presbyterian Church.

Built in 1858, the church has had a number of noted African-Americans as members.

Constructed during the 1860s, Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was used by Union forces as a stable. It burned in 1894 and was replaced by the present church.

Saint James Episcopal Church has the most historic congregation in Wilmington; its parish was established in 1729 and the original church was built in 1751.

Used by the British as a stable during the Revolutionary War, the original building was razed in 1839. The current structure was built in 1840 and used as a hospital by the Union forces during the Civil War. On the east and north sides of the church are the old burial grounds where notable persons of the period are interred.

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, built in 1869, was the first Episcopal church for African-Americans in North Carolina.

Temple of Israel, a unique Moorish style structure, was built in 1876 and is the oldest Jewish synagogue in North Carolina. The Temple is one of fewer than 30 congregations that endure in its original 19th century structure.

Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1908 in the Spanish Baroque architectural style.

With a congregation dating back to 1760, the present First Presbyterian Church was built in 1928, replacing three structures built in the 1800s and destroyed by fire.

Having roots tracing back to as early as 1690, the First Baptist Church congregation was organized in 1833 and the church building was completed in 1870. The 197-foot spire was blown down by Hurricane Fran in 1996 and immediately replaced.

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Entertainment & Nightlife ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

Visitors and residents have enthusiastically encouraged and supported artistic endeavors all throughout Wilmington’s history. Their willingness to pay to see live performances lets us enjoy a variety of entertainment options.

Thalian Hall is one most distinctive historic buildings in Wilmington.

MAJESTIC THALIAN HALL The oldest venue in the cultural scene is that venerable jewel, Thalian Hall.

One of the oldest and most beautiful theaters in the nation, Thalian Hall was built between 1855 and 1858 to satisfy both the cultural and governmental needs of the city.

It originally served as a combination opera house and a seat for local government, with a library thrown in for good measure. When the theater opened on October 12, 1858, it seated 950 people.

As a major stop on the national touring circuit, Thalian Hall hosted well-known entertainers including Lillian Russell, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Phillip Sousa, Maurice Barrymore and Sir Henry Lauder. After the turn of the century, the facility was renovated and updated for electricity, but by the thirties, with the decline in traveling road shows, activity

at Thalian Hall dwindled.

Thalian Hall had a few close calls with demolition during the thirties and forties, but the citizens always rallied to its support. The theater was restored to its turn-of-the-century splendor in 1973, and activity increased under the direction of the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. During the eighties, with funds from the city and state plus contributions from citizens, $5 million was raised for an 18-month renovation and expansion project.

AN ABUNDANCE OF ANNUAL EVENTS Thalian Hall hosts more that 650 events per year, including concerts, stage plays, popular musical attractions, a children’s theater and Cinematique, which presents artistic films. Beautiful renovations were completed in 2011.

New seating, new lighting equipment and a new HVAC system make an evening in the theater much more comfortable and enjoyable now.

One addition worthy of special note is the fabulous chandelier that was donated to the theater. It's affectionately named Alice, and the audience cheers every time the chandelier is raised before a performance.

A newer addition is the exterior lighting, which was turned on for the first time on February 28, 2013.

Designed by the same company that lit the Washington Monument, Statue of Liberty and the White House, the system uses 32 energy efficient fixtures that consume approximately the same amount of energy as two household microwaves. The beautiful historic building is now much more visible at night.

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ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE The most recent major renovation was completed in February 2015, when the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre was completed. The space, previously known as the Studio Theatre, has now been redone with stadium seating, digital film equipment and state of the art light and sound equipment. The new theatre will be used for film half the time and for live performances the rest of the time.

NC’S COMMUNITY THEATER When Thalian Hall was constructed, Wilmington was a bustling and growing city with an active theatrical group, the Thalian Association, dating to 1788.

The goal of the founders was to bring arts education and performing arts to the growing city. Continuing to this day, the organization now known as Thalian Association Community Theatre celebrated its 229th anniversary in 2017. The organization’s contributions to Wilmington’s cultural scene are substantial.

Its importance was recognized in 2007 when it earned the honor of being named the Official Community Theater of North Carolina.

Signs announcing that designation are proudly displayed on major roads leading to Wilmington.

Each year, Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions — musicals, drama and comedies — on the Main Stage of Thalian Hall. Through the years,

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thousands of local actors, directors, choreographers, conductors, musicians, designers and technicians have developed their craft while enjoying the opportunity to work with Thalian Association.

CHILDREN SHARE THE LIMELIGHT Young thespians are given the opportunity to perform also; children ages 7 to 10 can participate in workshops throughout the year. The Thalian Association Youth Theatre, founded nearly 40 years ago, stages five productions annually on the Second Street Stage at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, each showcasing the talents of youngsters ages 7 through high school seniors.

Thalian Association’s activities are not limited to theater productions. They present the Orange Street Arts Fest in May each year. They also manage the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the city of Wilmington, making space available for classes in a wide array of artistic disciplines.

Performing and visual community arts groups can rehearse, perform, display and teach their various art forms at little or no charge thanks to Thalian Association’s management of the community arts center.

UNCW STAGES EVENTS There are additional theatrical venues away from downtown too.

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, outstanding University Theatre productions are presented in conjunction with the UNCW Theater Department.

In September 2006 the university opened its new $32 million, 104,830 square foot academic and performance facility, the Cultural Arts Building, which includes two theatres, the Main Stage and Beckwith Recital Hall.

Other locations used by various theatre groups include the Scottish Rite Temple on South 17th Street, the Minnie Evans Art Center on the campus of Ashley High School and Murray Middle School on Carolina Beach Road.

Live theater is not the only artistic discipline celebrated in this area. Many other endeavors are recognized and nourished by public and private groups, especially by Wilmington’s own Arts Council.

OPERA HOUSE THEATRE Lou Criscuolo, a former Broadway performer who never shied away from a theatrical challenge, founded Opera House Theatre Company. He died on December 13, 2014, at age 80, one month before he was due to be honored with a well-deserved lifetime achievement

SO MANY MUSIC CHOICES No self-respecting city situated between a river and sandy beaches would be complete without music and nightlife, and Wilmington has more than its share of both to offer. For the most part, music and nightlife in

the downtown area are intertwined.

Restaurants, bars, lounges, cafés, clubs and theaters offer a wide variety of musical genres including cool and smooth jazz, rompin’ stompin’ blues, rock, Hawaiian, country and western, indie rock, Caribbean and pretty much everything else.

In 2021 Wilmington's newest live music venue opened on the Cape Fear River at the northern riverfront. The Live Oak Pavilion is an uncovered venue that has a capacity of about 7,000.

DOWNTOWN DRAWS CROWDS Thousands of college students from UNCW and Cape Fear Community College descend on the downtown music scene with regularity and frequency, fueling the tremendous popularity of live music. Tourists, Marines from Cape Lejeune and regular residents create a lively situation. On-street parking places can be harder to find in the evening than in the daytime, but several conveniently located downtown parking decks and lots are available 24

hours a day.

Because of North Carolina’s unique and somewhat outdated liquor laws, the popular music scene is a bit more complex than in many other cities.

If a music venue — for example, a restaurant and lounge — derives most of its revenue from food, there are no restrictions on accessibility.

However, if a music venue gets most of its revenue from liquor sales or offers no food, it must function as a private club. Not to worry though, you can buy a membership, effective in three days, for a very nominal sum, and you can be admitted immediately as a “guest” of a member. Some of the jumping downtown venues, including those known as dance clubs, usually offer rock or some variation thereof.

Throughout the greater Wilmington area, the nature of the music scene is similar downtown except for the large clubs. Many of the entertainers and groups appearing downtown also appear at other locations around the city or in suburban and beach venues on other nights. 

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ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

award for his contribution to local theater.

Criscuolo came to Wilmington in 1983 to appear in the 125th anniversary show at Thalian Hall. He moved to Wilmington and started Opera House the following year. Since that time, Criscuolo mentored many talented local performers. He was much beloved and revered by those who benefitted from his wise counsel and support.

Opera House Theatre Company continues under the able direction of Criscuolo’s daughter, Alice Sherwood.

Opera House produces five shows each year. It’s safe to assume that this professional theater company will collect a sizable number of Wilmington Theater Awards for the performers and productions they stage.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRY ESPY

DINING & DRINKS

Bluewater Waterfront Grill

Dining & Drinks When you’re hungry, you’ll find plenty of restaurants where you can indulge your cravings.

Southern traditions, world flavors, local ingredients and imaginative chefs abound in the Cape Fear region and surrounding beaches.

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The area has been a culinary paradise since the first explorers saw footlong oysters and wild grapes along the shoreline some 500 years ago.

Wilmington’s port city status brought edibles and influences from around the globe. Rich soils and so much fresh seafood provided added bounty that shaped an eclectic cuisine like no other.

The local foods cooperative Feast Down East makes sure chefs have premium ingredients from area farms. Staff and volunteers connect cooks and devoted growers, assuring diners flavorful ingredients — organic and sustainably raised. Can’t decide what to eat? Mix it up.

Creative chefs are rooted in classics, but they’re known for inventing irresistible combinations. And it’s not just them.

Master bartenders stir the perfect Old Fashioned or creative martinis. Breweries

pour nationally recognized craft beers, and wine flows from award-winning lists.

No worries if you’re not an oenophile.

Seasoned sommeliers guide you.

Casual and fine-dining establishments pepper the landscape, but no need to dress up or break the bank at either. The buzz-phrase here is “upscale casual.”

Khaki pants are fine even at the fanciest restaurants, and affordable prices are everywhere. Beautiful weather most days of the year means you can dine outdoors in gorgeous settings. Choose sidewalk café tables or a pier extending over the sea. Sit on a riverside deck and watch boats cruise by at sunset. Relax, feel at home and remember to save room for dessert at these restaurants, where the food is always good, the prices are great and you’ll leave satisfied.

WILMINGTON DINING PinPoint Downtown Wilmington’s PinPoint restaurant showcases fresh seafood and local produce in a delectable menu that changes according to what’s in season.

PinPoint was named one of 2019's Top 10 Restaurants in the South by Southern Living.

PinPoint is named after a tiny Chatham County, Ga. , community that’s rich in coastal Gullah food and culture. PinPoint’s cool grey tones compliment a striking oyster shell

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Fresh, steamed NC oysters

PinPoint

The Pilot House

chandelier over the intimate rear dining area. Changing artwork decorates exposed brick walls. Hardwood floors and rough wood accents confirm the casual atmosphere. Sit at the friendly bar or enjoy a communal table feel at a long banquette. One of the best spots is by sunny tall windows up front. You may sit outdoors, too.

Start with oysters on the half-shell.

Check the list to discover each day’s fresh selections from near and far. Try the beauties baked with distinctive Southern slants. Rockefeller-style here means wilted greens, Benton’s bacon and Pernod. Out with friends, family or both? Order cocktails and share scrumptious snacks. The octopus and pickled shrimp lettuce wraps get crunch sfrom fresh radishes and subtle zing from green garlic ranch dressing.

Delightful soups might bring local

COURTESY OF THE PILOT HOUSE

For years tourists have traveled to the southeastern coastal areas of North Carolina to take advantage of North Carolina’s delectable seafood products. This region's relatively warm ocean waters, strong tidal currents and proximity to rivers and creeks create the ideal environment for producing high-quality shrimp, fish, crabs, oysters, clams and more.

Despite the availability of fresh, locally caught seafood, many vendors are relying on seafood products sourced outside of North Carolina and sometimes even outside of the country. These imports can cause a hardship on hard working fishing families and communities along North Carolina’s coastal areas.

Fortunately, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recognizes the importance of fresh local seafood. The agency shows off the state’s seafood industry at events, tradeshows, and online via its Got to Be NC Seafood program. Visit gottobenc.com to find out where to buy local seafood, produce, specialty products, and where to locate farmers markets and roadside stands.

Ask for locally caught or sourced North Carolina Seafood products from retailers and restaurants, and be sure to look for the Got to Be NC Seafood logo.

COURTESY OF PINPOINT

DINING & DRINKS

LOCAL FOOD

rutabagas sweetened with fresh pears and enriched with crème fraiche and pumpkin seed oil. Celery lends crunch to roasted Brussels sprouts salad with toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese and tarragon buttermilk dressing. You could continue the seafood theme into dinner, opting for local grouper with N.C. sturgeon caviar, roasted maitake mushrooms, parsnip purée, seared greens and the gentle zip of Meyer lemon.

Seafood, however, is not the only choice. A flat iron steak might arrive porcini-crusted alongside buttermilk whipped potatoes, asparagus gratin,

Named one of 2019’s Top 10 Restaurants of the South

DINING & DRINKS

tomatoes, crispy mushrooms and kombu butter. Vegetarian selections are never afterthoughts. Think gnudi, those gnocchi-like dumplings made with ricotta cheese and tucked between local butternut squash, apples, chestnuts and sage, with glistening balsamic brown butter bringing everything together.

And talk about local. Wrightsville Beach sea salt garnishes butterscotch pots de crème for dessert.

A full bar serves numerous wines, craft beers and delightful cocktails.

Dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. every day. Sunday brunch is served 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get classic grilled flat iron steak and eggs with hash browns and toast. Indulge with brioche French toast, available gluten-free, with almond sabayon, blood orange and maple syrup. Nothing cures a Sunday morning hangover better than the halfpound Pinpoint burger topped with bacon, pimento cheese, grilled onions, chili aioli and bread and butter pickles on a sesame brioche bun, with porcini mushroom fries on the side.

PinPoint serves food deeply rooted in southern tradition and foodways.

The menu changes daily and features the local bounty from Wilmington’s farmers and fisherman as much as possible.

114 Market St. (Downtown)

Reservations: 910-769-2972 PinPointRestaurant.com

Dinner nightly at 5:30 | Sunday Brunch 10:30am - 2pm

The Pilot House The Pilot House opened in 1978 and was the first restaurant in then newly-restored Chandler’s Wharf, a significant section of Wilmington’s port city industrial past. Initially, only salads and sandwiches were dispensed from a service window to customers who sat outdoors. Lots more delicious things have happened since an on-site kitchen was added in 1988.

The restaurant specializes in Southern regional cuisine, traditional and with contemporary flair. Fromscratch dishes showcase fresh, local ingredients. Everything from “down home cooking” to Cajun to Lowcountry and other coastal cuisines inspire chefs.

For lunch, arugula, goat cheese and roasted red pepper embellish a fried green tomato sandwich on a toasted Mexican telera roll. The shrimp and grits dish includes kielbasa sausage, mushrooms, scallions and collards on fried grits cakes.

Shrimp and grits is also on the dinner menu, as well as everything from lobster macaroni and cheese to cioppino to filet mignon and herb-crusted rack of lamb.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIJAH’S

DINING & DRINKS

Elijah’s

Elijah’s

Platypus & Gnome

and balsamic vinaigrette. Pan-seared Southern Pecan Chicken Cutlets are seasoned with pecans, brown sugar, cider vinegar, fresh thyme and butter.

The restaurant has a full bar menu that includes wine, beer and delightful cocktails. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday throughout the year. The restaurant, deck and private rooms are available for weddings and other special events for groups of 30 to 300. Reservations should be made well in advance for special parties.

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COURTESY OF PLATYPUS & GNOME

COURTESY OF THE LITTLE DIPPER

The Little Dipper

Platypus & Gnome Platypus & Gnome is gaining traction in the Historic Downtown food scene as they head into their fourth year. Come in and relax for lunch or dinner in the downstairs dining room by the grand picture windows where the bustle of downtown is an enjoyable backdrop to your meal. If you’re feeling a bit more cozy, grab a table or sofa in the mezzanine. The staff is always happy to entertain you and your four-legged friends outside on the patio. The building may feel familiar, as it has

been home to Front Street News and Café Phoenix, but owners Matt and Mary Danylec have perfectly blended their world travels with local history.

The name is quirky and the experience is unlike any other in Wilmington. With the help of Chefs Aquileo HerreraSantiago and Corey Rogers, Matt has created a menu with something for everyone — fabulous salads, specialty burgers and unique entrees. Recent additions to the menu include Sesame Crusted Tuna, Chimichuri Water Buffalo and Marinated Ostrich Steak Sandwich. Though one of the biggest draws is exotic meat, they have included vegetarian, vegan and allergy friendly options as well.

With a seasonal menu rotation and weekend entrée specials, Platypus & Gnome can explore mixing Southern comfort and modern cuisine infused with international flavors. Specials are based on whatever tasty exotic meat, wild game, or fish seems most inspiring. Recent weekend specials have

DINING & DRINKS

included local Blackened Red Snapper with cucumber-pineapple salsa, Lamb Chops with Coconut Curry Sauce, and Kangaroo in cherry peppercorn demiglace. If you’re not feeling quite so adventurous, P&G has plenty of staples so good they’ve never come off the menu.

Platypus & Gnome isn’t just great food, but also an excellent bar, boasting an extensive and expertly curated wine list and pouring plenty of local craft beer. Come visit Jake and Chelsea as they mix some of the best Specialty Cocktails. Stop in for daily food and drink specials and live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and for Sunday brunch. Look for their food truck around town, serving a limited menu, for now, including Platyburgers, seared tuna sandwiches and more.

Elijah’s Elijah’s is an American seafood grill and oyster bar that has been a mainstay in Historic Downtown Wilmington since 1984. Its building on Chandler’s Wharf was originally a maritime museum.

Ship models, nautical artifacts and paintings depicting maritime history remain on display.

A large deck facing the Cape Fear River and the pedestrian boardwalk named The Riverwalk is a wonderful spot for people-watching while enjoying drinks, lunch or dinner. Seafood is the kitchen’s primary concentration. The famous creamy, cheesy, hot crab dip was requested for a North Carolina’s governor’s inauguration. Oysters come on the half shell, steamed, fried and Rockefeller-style. A Carolina Bucket is an abundant mix of steamed clams, mussels, shrimp, crab legs, sausage, new potatoes and corn on the cob.

Seafood platters, grilled or fried, are buffets on a plate.

Find New York strip steaks, vegetable linguine, sesame chicken, stuffed pork chops and filet mignon every day. Friday and Saturday are prime rib nights.

For dessert, sorbet flavors depend on seasonal fruit while old-fashioned apple pie is a mainstay year-round.

Lowcountry Cheesecake is part bourbon pecan pie, part creamy cheesecake, all finished with luscious ganache. The full bar serves beer, wine and cocktails.

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The restaurant is open daily for lunch, beginning at 11:30 a.m. , and dinner year-round.

The Little Dipper Located in historic downtown Wilmington, The Little Dipper offers a twist on dining that has to be experienced. Since 2005 The Little Dipper has been making fondue of all

Downtown - 910.228.5247 122 Market Street, Wilmington, NC Carolina Beach - 910.441.3675 102 Cape Fear Blvd., Carolina Beach, NC

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types and flavors right at the table. With at least one shared burner in the middle of the table, this restaurant creates an atmosphere where friends and family come together to share.

There are 17 different choices of homemade dipping sauces for meats, vegetables and seafood. The menu is set up for three courses, including cheese fondue. Of course, you must top the meal off with some delectable chocolate fondue. The only hard part about dining at The Little Dipper is deciding whether you want fresh strawberries dipped in milk chocolate or bananas dipped in a dark chocolate and peanut butter blend.

Fork ’n’ Cork Chef James Smith first gained recognition with his wildly popular burger truck named The Patty Wagon. When he traded in the truck for permanent gastropub digs on downtown Wilmington’s Market Street, fans got a full taste of his comfort food with a twist. His famous burgers as well as brisket and meatloaf sandwiches still populate the menu (gluten-free buns available), but think gastronomic experience rather than typical pub food at this oh-so-comfy restaurant.

The intimate, 36-seat space is all red brick, dark wood and artsy stained glass wall hangings. Scotch eggs and deepfried, confit duck legs are famous here.

Fans adore the mac ’n’ cheese creations.

Sometimes short ribs or brisket gets tucked between the cheesy pasta layers. Carbonara mac ’n’ cheese with shrimp, peas, mushrooms, pancetta

Pour Taproom

and parmesan cream sauce cushions a warm, runny egg yolk. Mini beef Wellingtons are made in house.

Sunday brunch is a must at Fork ’n’ Cork when you consider lobster pot pie that combines tender lobster chunks with corn, baby potatoes and fennel in a champagne cream sauce. For brunch, you also might encounter Texas-style barbecue brisket, two sunny-side-up eggs and Creole mustard cream sauce crowning a hefty buttermilk biscuit alongside home fries. Chef Smith likes surprises.

Polished wood wine racks hold nice but affordable labels. Cocktails might mean bourbon on the rocks, a spiked Bananas Foster milkshake or a Bloody Mary bar. Find craft beers here, too.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

If you are staying near Carolina Beach, be sure to check out the newest location of Fork N' Cork at 102 Cape Fear Boulevard in Carolina Beach.

COURTESY OF FORK ’N’ CORK

Fork ’n’ Cork

COURTESY OF POUR TAPROOM

COURTESY OF SMOKE ON THE WATER

DINING & DRINKS

Smoke on the Water

 201 N. Front Street, G-101, Wilmington, NC

Pour & Pay by the Ounce.

(in the unique 1911 Murchison bank building)

It’s a Downtown Beer and Wine Festival EVERYDAY!

TUES $3.50 Lagers, $8 Margs WEDS 1/2 off wine & Cider Thurs $4 Pints on ilm brews

Beer Festival Everyday

TUES 7PM: WED 7PM: Mu Trivia si SAT 8PM: Live c Bingo Music

Offering a variety of craft beer, ciders and wine for you to pay by the ounce

910.769.1980 • pourtaproom.com/wilmington 70 Taps | Featuring ILM & NC Based Breweries Stouts, Porters, Sours, and Ciders Rich Reds & Crisp Whites in 120 sq.ft. Bank Vault Full Service Cocktail Bar Full Menu with Lunch & Dinner Options TVs | Adult Game Room w/ Darts, Shuffle Board, Pool, & Foosball

Hours: Sun.-Thurs.

11am-11pm Fri. & Sat. 11am-1am

PourTaproomILM.com

910.769.1980

Mon-Wed 11am-10pm | Thurs 11am-11pm Fri & Sat 11am-1am | Sun 11am-9pm

 

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DINING & DRINKS

Smoke on the Water To be sitting waterfront at sunset is one of coastal North Carolina life’s most precious moments. Friends make the view even more delightful, especially when they’re gathered around a crackling fire enjoying craft beer or cocktails and thinking smoked ribs for dinner. This is nightly scene at Smoke on the Water, a new restaurant tucked into a quiet cove of the Cape Fear River.

Chef/owner James Smith is one of Wilmington’s most well-known cooks.

Smith became famous for the juicy burgers and hand-cut fries he served on his Patty Wagon food truck. That led to his downtown restaurant Fork ’n’ Cork, where the burgers and more of Smith’s comfort food with a twist are served alongside great wines. Smoke on the Water extends Smith’s knack for comfort food with just enough flair.

“It’s about food that people want to eat and come back for,” he said.

“Smoke” alludes to wood-fired meats, whether apple cider-brined ribs smoked over apple wood, or brisket the Texan rubs with his own black peppery, brown sugar spice blend and smokes over hickory and mesquite for 14 hours.

But “smoke” some days refers to the misty haze that shrouds the Cape Fear River some mornings. It’s a view commercial fishermen know all too well. That scene in mind, Smith offers steam pots full of jumbo N.C. shrimp or mixed seafood. Get oysters on the half-shell, a fried seafood platter or blackened shrimp tacos with smoked tomatillo salsa and avocado lime crema.

Smoke on the Water feels like a riverfront home. Sip cocktails on Adirondack-style chairs that furnish the huge wrap-around porch. Eat at tables outside or choose the enclosed patio on chilly evenings. The huge central indoor bar feels like one big outdoor gathering in spring and summer, when the weather warms enough to open garage doors. Arrive early, sip a drink, share a plate of tassowrapped shrimp “corndogs” and settle in to beat the crowds due at sunset.

Smoke on the Water is open 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Reservations are accepted, and they’re recommended for sunset seatings.

YoSaké YoSaké offers outstanding sushi alongside a full Pan-Asian menu that diners have been enjoying for years.

Decorated in a memorable and fabulous

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COURTESY OF HOPS SUPPLY CO.

Hops Supply Co.

Tokyo vogue decor, YoSaké is a place where you feel transported and well treated.

Chef Erin Wiley, Sous Chef Tristan Dias and Sushi Manager Jessica Rabbit work together to create daily sushi specials and Pan-Asian fare from locally sourced and organic farms. Some of the town’s favorite dishes include Shanghai firecracker shrimp and steamed pork dumplings. Don’t forget to allow time to try one of their signature cocktails (like the pomegranate ginger mojito) or sample from their impressive selection of sakes.

Henry’s American Food When you’re in the mood for classic, made-from-scratch American fare, treat yourself to lunch or dinner at the

Chicken Salad Chick

COURTESY OF CHICKEN SALAD CHICK

Pour Taproom The craft beer game can be risky. You might throw the dice on an untested pint with an intriguing moniker, only to be unhappy that it’s too hoppy. No more, says Pour Taproom. In this Downtown Wilmington watering hole, you can try a few ounces, then switch it up if you want a different sip. No regrets, no risk, just a new way to enjoy a variety of beer and wine while supporting local and regional innovative craft brewing. Winwin.

COURTESY OF YOSAKÉ

DINING & DRINKS

Yosaké

neighborhood favorite, Henry’s, in Wilmington at the corner of Shipyard and Independence Boulevards. Henry’s dishes emphasize local and seasonal ingredients, an effort recognized by the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s Goodness Grows seal in North Carolina.

They offer chef-inspired daily features throughout the day, and various salads, sandwiches, soups and luncheon plates during their popular lunch. Henry’s Shrimp and Grits and Wilmingtonian Burger with pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes are among local favorites.

Dinner brings homemade meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes, local vegetables of the day and savory gravy.

Seafood choices include jumbo shrimp

Hops Supply Co. You’ll have some decisions to make at Hops Supply Co. Wheat, lager, IPA, gose, ale, amber, cider or stout? Bottle or draft? Do you want local North Carolina craft beers or a hand-crafted cocktail? And don’t forget wine! Then there’s the food. Hops Supply Co. is billed as an American gastropub. As hops are the heart of flavor for beer, their local seasonal ingredients are the soul of the culinary inspired American fare. Keeping it fresh, flavorful and at times, unexpected, are the goals HopsCo will continue to hit with their first-class service, menu, and bar. A view of the open kitchen from tables and comfy booths near window walls remind diners of more choices.

Hops Supply Co serves up plenty of scratch-made dishes for you to pair with your favorite beer! Dine for lunch and dinner during the week or Brunch Unplugged on the weekends to hear some local talent play some tunes. Not long after it opened, diners voted Hops Wilmington’s best new restaurant in 2013. Lunch and dinner are served every day at the Oleander Drive spot in mid-

town Wilmington. Brunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Hops Supply Co host a number of weekly events including Service Industry Night on Mondays and Trivia Night on Wednesdays. Head to Hops Supply Company and kick back on the patio with a cold beer in hand!

Pipeline Poke Inspired by the good vibes and healthy eats on Hawaii’s North Shore, Pipeline Poke brings fresh Hawaiian cuisine to Wilmington. Build your own poke rolls, bowls and plates with choices of protein, flavors, toppings and addons at this quick-service restaurant in Autumn Hall on Eastwood Road.

Wilmington, NC 1131 A Military Cutoff Road Open Monday-Saturday 10:30am-7pm

Chicken Salad Chick Chicken salad and sides are made from scratch every day. Their menu items can fit a variety of dietary needs including gluten free, high protein, low sugar and several others. Offering a full catering menu in both boxed lunches and buffet style as well as family meals.

FRESH SUSTAINABLE FRIENDLY

PIPELINE-POKE.COM

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DINING & DRINKS

and herb grilled salmon. Fettuccini with grilled chicken and mushrooms, hanger steak and hearty pot roast are always in demand. “Two-Handed” sandwiches and several entrée salads are also excellent options. Henry’s has a full bar with featured drinks throughout the week, including $3 local craft beers on Monday, and half-priced wines on Wednesday.

Henry’s has a new stone patio, with lounge seating and fire pits, perfect to catch a bite and drink after work.

Head over to Henry’s for brunch on Sundays and enjoy bellinis and mimosas, or their signature and popular Seaside Grown Bloody Mary, that is garnished with shrimp and pickles, and available spicy. The menu includes brunch features, such as the Tempura Chicken and Waffles along with their most popular lunch selections. Brunch starts at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

The Pine Room at Henry’s is a charming space for intimate gatherings, such as board meetings, rehearsal dinners, showers and holiday or birthday celebrations. If looking to host an event offsite, there is a wide selection of party platters for catering.

Carolina Ale House You’ll immediately know the Carolina Ale House theme when you walk in the door. Two giant, flat-screen TV’s and 46 others broadcast sports throughout the family-friendly restaurant. In between are all manners of sports memorabilia from local and state teams. Watch all the games at booths, bar tables, an inside bar and a beautiful outside bar and patio.

The menu fits the fun, game-day feel at this South College Road restaurant. Bar bites range from Buttered Pretzel Sticks to Five-Cheese Spinach Dip to Frickles™.

Their commitment to freshness is seen with their chicken wings, which are fresh, never frozen. These are offered fried, grilled, or prepared with a Signature Dry Rub, and with your choice of wing sauce, including: BBQ, Honey Buffalo, Buffalo, Habanero BBQ, Garlic-Parmesan, and Five Alarm. The extensive menu features shareable appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, salads, and desserts.

Our new Epic Burger: Double stacked burger, cheddar, crispy smoked bacon, crispy onion strings, lettuce, tomato, bbq sauce, toasted potato roll. Our Crystal Coast Shrimp is Crispy shrimp, tossed in sweet and spicy sriracha aioli, perfect for both sides of your palette. Or order up a chargrilled choice ribeye with house mashed Yukon Gold potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables. The kid’s menu features little cheeseburgers,

Carolina Ale House

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chicken tenders, cheese quesadilla and more. Every Tuesday is Kid’s Night featuring kid’s meals for just 99 cents with the purchase of an adult entrée starting at 5 p.m.

The handcrafted dishes at Carolina Ale House means no one will leave hungry.

Choose a beer from one of their 38 taps or get a handcrafted cocktail, always made with fresh ingredients. They are open from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. every day. ALE YEAH. Blue Surf Café Whether you surf waves or walk the beach, you will feel right at home here.

Chef Jon Webb crafts coastal flavors with a Southern twist, which will delight you morning, noon and night.

Sink your teeth into signature dishes such as the maple bacon waffles for breakfast, the meatloaf sandwich for lunch or the Mojo Pork or Mahi entrée for dinner. They provide quality and inventive dishes at a reasonable price with an updated menu every spring and fall. Enjoy your food on the porch with a glass of wine or a beer and soak in the vibe as you...Surf. Eat. Repeat.

Oceanic Restaurant at the Crystal Pier The Oceanic Restaurant has been rooted in Wrightsville Beach’s history for over 40 years, and the adjoining historic Crystal Pier for over 40 more.

When first built in 1939, the pier was the longest wooden pier in the Atlantic Ocean. Even to this day, it is the only wooden pier in Wrightsville Beach,

COURTESY OF OCEANIC RESTAURANT AT THE CRYSTAL PIER

Oceanic Restaurant at the Crystal Pier

COURTESY OF CAROLINA ALE HOUSE

DINING & DRINKS

Each day their refrigerator is stocked with Quick Chicks that are easy to pick up containers of all 13 flavors of chicken salad and sides in both small and large sizes. Each season offers new desserts, limited time offers on special flavors and much more.

expanding 475 feet into the water.

The location of the Oceanic is close to where Lumina Pavilion once stood, the entertainment venue popular in the early 1900s as a destination for tourists and Wilmington residents for local entertainment, dancing and summer activities. Located on South Lumina Avenue, this iconic restaurant sits three stories high, with seating and panoramic views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean from each floor. The restaurant was recently renovated, offering modern touches and coastal charm, while also providing a look back at Wrightsville Beach history as you enter the restaurant. The restaurant also serves as an event venue with access to use the Crystal Pier for receptions and ceremonies.

Enjoy live music on the pier from local musicians on Fridays and Sundays, all while you dine or enjoy a variety of cocktails at the pier bar. The location of the restaurant also happens to be a favorite location for surfers, and you can often catch the sights of dolphins and sailboats on the water. Grab a drink while sitting at The Jetty Bar, which has a robust selection of wines, cocktails, and beers and overlooks the ocean, with views of Wrightsville Beach’s orange hued sunsets.

The Oceanic serves lunch and dinner daily, with a well-known beachside brunch on Sundays, complete with champagne cocktails and bloody Marys.

The Oceanic is known for their coastal cuisine and dedication to fresh, local and seasonal dishes.

Seafood dishes range from crab cakes and dip, to sushi-grade Ahi Poke

Discover new flavors!

Heart for Hospitality

Family owned & locally operated, our local restaurants feed your every craving.

We focus on locally sourced, regional food. Come check out our latest culinary creations and flexible dining options in Wilmington & Wrightsville Beach. » LMRest.com

Photo: Matt Ray Photography

A Wrightsville Beach historic landmark, situated on the Atlantic Ocean and connected to the Crystal Pier. Offering unobstructed panoramic views of the ocean from all angles, pier dining & bar, and fresh coastalinspired dishes. Unique private event spaces, Sunday brunch, and live summer music as well.

Photo: Edge Koladish

Fresh, local seafood favories and traditional American fare.

Situated on the Intracoastal waterway, we offer breathtaking views of the marina and sunsets, summer music on the patio, and flexible event spaces for celebrations.

Photo: Matt Ray Photography

Photo: Jack Upton

Photo: Rose Trail

Photo: Edge Koladish

Your local gastropub, serving up the best craft beers to compliment our culinary-inspired American fare. A laid back, relaxed environment, with award-winning weekend brunch, a selection of barrel-aged bourbons, craft cocktails, wines on tap, and Sunday live music.

Food, Sports, and Fun for the whole family: fresh housemade dishes, awardwinning wings, mouthwatering burgers, daily food and drink specials, menu available late, Tuesday Kid’s Night, 38 drafts on tap, outside patio, and catch all the games on 50 TV’s. ALE YEAH!

OUTDOOR DINING, ONLINE ORDERING, and DELIVERY are available at ALL of our restaurants!

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QUICK. Crafted..

COASTAL.

Fresh & Fast

B SCAN ME

Our mission is to share the taste of high-quality fresh-mex cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients in a family friendly, coastal vibe.

Made from scratch, chef-inspired Fresh Mexican cuisine, served up in a laidback beachy atmosphere.

Kick Back at One of Our 3 Local Shaks

Locally Owned | Fresh Ingredients | Premium Beers

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Hampstead

Monkey Junction

 15489 US-17 Hampstead, NC 28443  (910) 319-0243  Hampstead@burritoshak.com

 5916 Carolina Beach Road Suite #150 Wilmington, North Carolina 28412  (910) 399-5895  MonkeyJunction@burritoshak.com

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COURTESY OF BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL

Bluewater Waterfront Grill

shrimp. Daily specials are other good bets.

A full bar serves all sorts of cocktails and beer. Wine is poured by the glass or bottle. Reserve beautiful private rooms with stunning views, especially at sunset, for parties, special occasions or business meetings. Bluewater is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week.

Burrito Shak Burrito Shak is a family-friendly, quick-dining restaurant where they utilize fresh ingredients in all of their menu items. It’s a combination of everything owner David Longo and his family love: flavorful food, beach vibes

PHOTO BY LAURA GLANTZ

Bluewater Waterfront Grill Bluewater Waterfront Grill overlooks a beautiful marina just over Wrightsville Beach’s Causeway Bridge, what locals call “the first bridge,” as you approach town. The sprawling, twostory restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating, offers casual American food and friendly service.

Being so close to the shore, seafood is, of course, a specialty. Start meals with a classic shrimp cocktail or coconut shrimp with dark rum marmalade dipping sauce. The sandwich menu lists lobster rolls, fish tacos and burgers.

When soft shell crabs are in season, look for them deep-fried and in a sandwich.

Delicious. Entrees touch land and sea, with baby back ribs, grilled rib-eye steaks, citrus-glazed scallops, seafood lasagna, a fried seafood platter and a mixed grill featuring mahi, salmon and

DINING & DRINKS

bowls, to your traditional Southern “Calabash-style” platters and chefinspired features served daily. While visiting, be sure to start off your meal with one of their local favorite appetizers, such as the Jumbo Lump Crab Dip, Oysters Rockefeller or Sunkissed Shrimp. Several seasonal salad entrees are available for those looking for something on the lighter side, with different toppings changing from fried oysters to shrimp. Steaks, chicken and pasta dishes, such as the Lumina Roasted Chicken are also crowdpleasing dinner options.

The Oceanic has a fully stocked bar, with a variety of rotating local craft beers, an extensive wine list and a selection of cocktails. For those looking for a picnic dinner on the beach or heading home after a long day in the sun, you can pick up a to-go menu which includes large, family-style to-go platters. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Brunch is Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oceanic has a private parking lot located adjacent to the restaurant with handicap parking and accessibility.

There is direct access to the beach via stairs on the pier or via the walkway next to the restaurant. For those on their family vacations, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir, postcard or t-shirt to remind you of your memorable trip.

and family. The founding Burrito Shak is located just 10 miles from the beach, so they knew that giving their menu and decor a coastal vibe was a must.

Other locations include Hampstead, Wilmington, Surf City and Jacksonville.

Burrito Shak was voted #1 Tacos in North Carolina, beating 63 fellow competitors in an elimination-style taco tournament.

Burrito Shak has a created a solid reputation for excellence and an ever-growing loyal customer base.

Their mission is to share the taste of high-quality, fresh-Mex cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere, and now they are excited to offer a path for other entrepreneurs and food

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The Husk The Husk opened downtown in 2011 and has been a locals’ favorite ever since. This casual atmosphere is the perfect spot to relax — either start your night here laughing with old friends or end it here with new ones. Featuring an open courtyard with a full-service bar out back, this is the perfect gathering place for a group. Or, if you prefer, hang out inside with friendly bartenders watching your favorite sports team.

The Bento Box Sushi Bar & Asian Kitchen The Forum Shopping Center on Military Cutoff near Wrightsville Beach hosts The Bento Box, recognized as Wilmington’s premier sushi restaurant.

Although The Bento Box Sushi Bar & Asian Kitchen is frequently recognized as the best sushi restaurant, it’s also tops for authentic Asian food from Thailand to Tokyo, all prepared with locally sourced all-natural or organic ingredients when available. The Bento Box sake bar boasts one of the largest sake selections in Wilmington and is the first sake bar in the Carolinas to have premium cold sake on draft.

Sit at the sushi bar to watch the masters at work. Consider the signature Delicious Roll, made with either spicy tuna or salmon and seaweed salad topped with avocado, wasabi tobikko, sesame seeds, tempura crumbles, and

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PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill This is the most unique restaurant in Wilmington, as it’s the only floating one.

Situated on a barge along the Riverwalk downtown, Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill specializes in Calabash-style seafood, shareable appetizers and classic burgers and sandwiches. You can enjoy a perfect view of the sunset over the Cape Fear River while taking advantage of their full bar, which features frozen cocktails, local draft beer and wines.

Anne Bonny’s has a pet-friendly, open-air atmosphere and offers live music and locally famous giant soft pretzels. Be sure to check out this popular one-of-a-kind dining spot.

Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill

two Bento Box signature hot sauces. The Totally Tuna suits those watching their carbs. Tuna, avocado, wasabi tobikko and sesame soy sheet are wrapped in a thin cucumber and served with spicy ponzu sauce. Choose numerous riceless and vegetarian rolls. Gluten-free soy sauce is available. All rolls are delicious, but better yet, ask owner/chef Lee Grossman to prepare something “Omakase” meaning “Chef’s choice” in Japanese.

You will want to try all the different Asian street foods available on the menu. Vietnamese ginger beef is a beef tenderloin and vegetable stir-fry in ginger sauce. Pickled sweet red onions and crispy potato straws crown the mix. The oh-so-crispy Japanese fried

The Bento Box Sushi Bar & Asian Kitchen

chicken, marinated in sake, ginger and soy sauce and dusted with potato starch, is gluten-free, as are many items on the menu. Oftentimes, diners choose several dishes and share them to enjoy all the many flavors.

Save room for a chocolate potsticker.

Each deep-fried wonton package holds a warm, melty, handmade, Belgian dark chocolate truffle. A delicious caramel dipping sauce comes on the side. You may order just one truffle, but why would you?

The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Chef closes on Sunday so he and the staff can have quality family time. 

COURTESY OF THE BENTO BOX SUSHI BAR & ASIAN KITCHEN

DINING & DRINKS

lovers to achieve success through their franchising platform.

Food From Tokyo to Thailand Celebrating 16 Years!

Craft Cocktails and Extensive Sake List

The Bento Box is the culmination of Asian street food with traditional dishes from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Korea.

The focal point of The Bento Box is the sushi bar where guests can interact with Chef Lee Grossman and his team of talented chefs to create a unique dining experience. Chef Lee spends time traveling the world to bring new recipes and Asian street foods to Wilmington. Knowledgeable foodlovers agree that The Bento Box offers the best sushi and sashimi in Southeastern NC.

Freshest Sushi in Wilmington

5: Closed Most Major Holidays

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Golf More than 50 public and semi-private courses, plus a selection of private ones, make the Southeastern North Carolina area a golf haven.

GOLF

Beau Rivage Golf and Resort

Golf aficionados who live in southeastern North Carolina enjoy a major advantage over players who live in many other parts of the country. We see sunshine most days, with annual temperatures averaging between 52 and 74 degrees. Courses remain open so you can play even in January or February, when daytime temperatures average in the mid-50s.

Greens fees vary according to the season, location, exclusivity, course difficulty and desirability, but always represent good value. For 18 holes, you

can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to more than $100, plus cart fee; the average is $35 to $50.

Packages are often a good deal and they’re relatively easy to find, as are senior discounts and special group rates.

Feel like a challenge? Head for one of the top-tier courses designed by worldrenowned pros. Maybe you’re more in the mood for a relaxed round, driving your cart along winding paths through a picturesque plantation. How about navigating sand dunes and skirting water hazards just for the fun of it? All of these options are

available at relatively modest fees.

Regardless of your level of skill, you can find a course to your liking, in your price range, within a reasonable driving distance.

The courses we’ve detailed here welcome visitors and normal rules apply; proper attire (no jeans, cutoffs or T-shirts) is required, and metal or ceramic spikes are not allowed.

Some of our favorite public or semiprivate courses are characterized below, and we’ve given you yardages from all the tees, as well as details on slope and rating. Enjoy.

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GOLF

Beau Rivage Golf and Resort 649 Rivage Promenade Wilmington (910) 392-9021 (800) 628-7080

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort is an awardwinning Wilmington golf facility (voted Best Golf Course by StarNews ShorePicks 2018, Encore Magazine 2018) that has become a popular tee time destination for players from across the country. As the only course in Wilmington with onsite guest suites, Beau Rivage is known for its excellent stay and play packages as well as a fantastic course for daily public play. Beau Rivage provides an unmatched golf experience that also offers visitors overnight accommodations at a location convenient to the historic river district in downtown Wilmington as well as the beautiful surrounding beaches.

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort is where players can make their escape from the flat terrain of the region and enjoy a refreshingly unique round. Occupying the highest point in the low-lying coastal city gives Beau Rivage some unexpected elevation changes and a major dose of character. Winding its way through a housing development, wildlife preserves, and wetlands, the course has a startling

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variety of holes. So many things make Beau Rivage memorable, from the meticulous landscaping, sprawling clubhouse and full practice facilities, to the unconventional layout that has no look-alike holes, to the hawks, foxes and alligators that one might encounter. The course also drains very quickly, a blessing in an area that can receive a lot of rainfall in a short amount of time.

Amid wooded hills and aesthetically designed lakes, Beau Rivage’s 18-hole championship layout (rated 4 Stars by Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play) ranks among the finest on the coast. Carved out of long-needle pine forests, “The Beau” incorporates rolling dunes, undulating valleys, deep bunkers and plenty of water in-play from estuaries of the neighboring Cape Fear River. Attacking flags from the rough and pine straw can be a perilous undertaking. With countless tight doglegs and narrow, bending Bermudagrass fairways, the golf course will certainly test one’s accuracy off the tee. Best of all, Beau Rivage’s manicured tif-Eagle greens are renowned for consistent smoothness, speed, and true roll. With all the ups and downs, blind approach shots, ample natural hazards and slick putting surfaces, Beau Rivage offers even the avid player a challenging round. It knocks in at

6,527 yards with a 72.9 course rating and a 138 slope, accurate indicators of the golf course’s ability to yield low scores yet also bedevil players each time they come to play.

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort also offers two hard-surface tennis courts, an outdoor Olympic swimming pool with a 65-foot tiki. Tiki bar, signature “19th hole” Veranda Bar & Grill, a conference room, a business center and an elegant ballroom on the top floor of the clubhouse overlooking the course and grounds.

Aside from golf and lodging, Beau Rivage provides an unforgettable coastal setting for destination weddings, big banquets, corporate meetings, and other special gatherings. The convenience of on-site suites, versatile banquet facilities and resort amenities just steps away create limitless ways to customize events at a quiet, secluded retreat between the Cape Fear and the Atlantic.

Head Professional: Greg Pitts Superintendent: Keith Noxon Blue Tees: 6,527 yards, 72.9/138 White Tees: 6,064 yards, 70.5/135 Gold Tees: 5,583 yards, 68.3/128 Green Tees: 4,901 yards, 65.2/121 Red Tees: 4,517 yards, 68.2/118 

Kids There is no better place to have fun with your family than the Cape Fear region. Whether you are here on a fun getaway or are fortunate enough to live in this beautiful coastal area year-round, you will find much to see and do together. Featuring an abundance of kid-friendly attractions and activities, the area provides many services to keep your kids healthy, happy, educated and entertained.

KIDS

Whether it’s running on the beach, taking the stage or splashing at Long Leaf Park's splash pad, the Cape Fear area affords endless opportunities for children of all ages to have fun.

FUN-FILLED EVENTS In addition to the many wonderful staples mentioned in this chapter, kids will enjoy a range of one-time events throughout the year. The North Carolina Azalea Festival, the hallmark event of the spring, features a lot of fun activities for kids, including a parade and children’s area within the street fair.

In early October, children will love the activities at RiverFest, such as the pirate treasure hunt and costume contest, fireworks, skateboard contest and

children’s zone. Additionally, Halloween celebrations abound in Wilmington.

Battleship North Carolina’s Batty Battleship Bash is always fun for children.

THEATRE FOR KIDS Wilmington is extremely fortunate to have the Thalian Association Youth Theater (TAYT), which offers theatrical training and performance opportunities, with most auditions open for children ages 7 through high school seniors. TAYT

remains dedicated to “the enrichment of arts education for our community’s youth.”

Children may choose to be involved on stage as actors or back stage as part of the technical production team. Five productions each year are held at the Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, in the Hannah Block Historic USO building. The TAYT productions are regularly honored with Wilmington Theater Award for Best Children’s Production.

TACT Academy offers an opportunity

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for young people to create and explore the arts in a non-audition based setting for students ages 4 through high school. Designed to help students better understand theater in all its facets, an array of classes, taught by a large group of talented instructors, enables students to discover their strength, learn new skills and build self-confidence within a nurturing atmosphere. TACT Academy offers fall and spring semesters with a showcase for students at the end of each session. The classes are held at the Hannah Block Historic USO Building and at First Baptist Activity Center on Independence Boulevard. The classes are affordable and scholarship opportunities are available.

KIDS

GORGEOUS AIRLIE GARDENS With breathtaking formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, lakes and a 467-yearold live oak, Airlie Gardens has something to offer the entire family. Children will especially enjoy the Tranquility Garden, a 2,700-square foot native butterfly house.

Tregembo Animal Park

Rock salt

Southeastern NC’s Oldest Zoo With Over 130 Types of Animals

From April 15 to October 15, hundreds of butterflies can be seen flying around this open-air, screened structure.

During the summer, Airlie hosts a concert series on their beautiful Oak Lawn on the first and third Friday of every month. Visitors can pack a picnic or buy food from the on-site concessions and enjoy live music.

Another fun seasonal event is Enchanted Airlie, when the gardens are transformed into a festive holiday light show beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving and running until just before Christmas.

CHILDREN’S GARDENS Very near Airlie Gardens is the fascinating New Hanover County Arboretum, exhibiting seven acres of plants that grow in the region. Kids will delight in the Children’s Garden, where everything is built on a kid-size scale.

The Children’s Garden features a cottage, a colorful plant and flower garden, and a seating area. Bring plenty of quarters so kids can feed the fish in the koi pond.

The Arboretum is also open daily and year round. Admission to the Arboretum is free.

JUMP. SWING. CLIMB. FLIP. FLY. Does an indoor park with 28,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines sound like fun? How about trick walls, trapeze swings, a ninja course or black light dodgeball with your closest adrenaline-seeking pals? Flip N Fly isn’t just a place to go, it’s Wilmington’s destination for high-flying, no-fear fun.

Let the little ones safely zoom around in their own kids court while you and the other big kids let loose and take flight.

PLACES TO PLAY Fun for the whole family!

5811 Carolina Beach Rd Wilmington NC  tregembo@yahoo.com

|  910-392-3604  TregemboAnimalPark.com

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Long Leaf Park

The greater Wilmington area boasts 36 city and county parks and 17 neighborhood parks, plus many green spaces and biking trails. With such a wide variety of parks available, there is no excuse not to get outside and stay active.

Long Leaf, one of the oldest and bestknown parks in midtown Wilmington, offers a playground, several picnic

shelters, ball fields, a seasonal splash pad and a tranquil pond. On the north end of town, the 125-acre Ogden Park includes playgrounds, walking/ jogging trails and baseball, football and soccer fields. Halyburton Park, on the southwest side of Wilmington, has a 1.3-mile walking and biking trail where undisturbed plant collections can be observed. In addition to playgrounds and picnic shelters, Halyburton has a community building where children can visit reptiles and fish and take fun and educational classes.

Hours vary by park and season. A fee is required to reserve picnic shelters.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES If you have children ages 5 or younger, you'll love the Fit For Fun Center located on 10th Street near historic downtown Wilmington. The center is designed to promote interaction between you and your child through age-appropriate activities including an art room, water tables, home-made play-dough, a ball pit, slides, tunnels, ride-on toys, dress up stations, a train table, a play kitchen and more. The center's outside space offers a fully fenced playground and room to run. Weekly activities include bubbles, parachute play, musical instruments, obstacle courses and more. You and you're little ones will love every second. Entry fee is $5 per child/ per session 

SHOPPING

Shopping The Cape Fear region is blessed with an array of riches. In addition to scenic beaches, a huge historic district, wonderful weather, friendly people, low taxes, modest housing prices and superb medical facilities, there is also an abundance of places to shop.

A huge number of stores in the area offer handcrafted, beautiful merchandise.

The painters, artists and sculptors who live here, and there are many of them, display their wares in shops and galleries all around the area. If you can’t relocate to southeastern North Carolina today, at least do yourself a favor and sample as many of the retail establishments as you can. You’ll be glad you did.

DOWNTOWN’S UNIQUE SHOPS You can meander downtown along the streets in Wilmington’s Historic District to browse the art galleries and local shops in abundance there.

Most of the stores are independently owned and feature out-of-the-ordinary merchandise.

Antiques, vintage clothing, crafts, pottery, wall hangings, original art, new and vintage furniture, aromatherapy, beachwear, handdipped candles, books and jewelry are on display. You’ll be fascinated by the variety, and you won’t get bored, that’s for sure.

Front Street, Water Street, Market Street and several side streets are the best shopping places downtown. From Ann Street and Chandler’s Wharf on the south end of the Riverwalk to The Cotton Exchange at the northern end, you’ll have more than enough places to explore in a day.

Moving north from Chandler’s Wharf, be sure to go into Old Wilmington City Market since the building itself is worth the visit. Built in 1879, the block-long brick and stucco arcade houses kiosks, specialty shops and boutiques offering wonderful treasures, exotic woods, plants, jewelry, clothing and works by local artists.

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THE FORUM Apple Annie’s Bake Shop For confection perfection and bread baked beautifully, you will never be disappointed with a delicious delicacy from Apple Annie’s Bake Shop.

AR Workshop AR Workshop is a boutique DIY studio that offers hands-on classes for creating custom, charming home decor from raw materials.

Audiology Of Wilmington Offering the latest technology in hearing instruments and evaluations to keep you connected to the world of sounds around you.

SHOPPING

Baldini For Men Years of made to measure expertise, allow Baldini For Men to help you choose the right fabrics and style for perfectly fitted suits and shirts.

Beauty Bar Boutique Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a high-end salon with an urban edge filled with talented stylists to coif your hair into their next masterpiece.

Bento Box Bento Box is the culmination of Asian street food. The menu offers food from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and China. It is designed to encourage sharing.

Blue Hand Home Global finds with a breezy feel, the unique furniture, everyday luxuries and interior designers at Blue Hand Home are crafted to captivate.

Boombalattis Crazy delicious homemade ice cream (24 traditional flavors, four to six vegan flavors) made on site. Hot fudge sundaes, milkshakes, cold brew coffee and coffee shakes.

California Closets California Closets is dedicated to custom storage solutions for the home, with an emphasis on closets and shelving.

Chopt Creative Salad Co. Order up a destination salad, hearty warm bowl or custom craft your own creation for lunch or dinner.

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Club Pilates True to the original Method, Club Pilates provides Reformer-based group Pilates classes for a variety of fitness levels.

Coastal Properties More than just a real estate agency, Coastal Properties offers clients confident service as a lifestyle firm.

CORA Physical Therapy They offer individualized treatment for orthopedic, injury, neuromuscular or neurologic recovery plus post-therapy programs to keep the momentum going.

Dunkin’ Donuts The fast, friendly service you expect from the Dunkin’ Donuts brand in a new store design with TV, WiFi and outdoor seating.

Epic Food Company Casual, modern eatery serving an eclectic menu of breakfast, sandwiches, bowls, smoothies and more.

Fleet Feet Sports Runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts will find the right fit at this activewear shop with a “Fitlosophy” of friendly service.

Home Again Perhaps the most fun you’ll have shopping for home furnishings, a browse through this upscale consignment showroom will surely get you smiling with a great find at an even better price.

Hutchens Law Firm Only an attorney can give you legal advice when you are buying, selling or refinancing property, and the Hutchens Law Firm is an industry leader ready to advocate for you.

Jewel Recycle JewelRecycle is North Carolina’s trusted buyer of precious metals, fine jewelry, diamonds and more.

Jimmy John’s Your Freaky Fresh, Freaky Fast® sandwich shop serving up tasty sandwiches in 30 seconds – that’s Freaky Fast.

K-Bueno Mexi-Q Grill With mouthwatering recipes, fresh ingredients, weekly specials and excellent customer service, KBueno Mexi-Q Grill is a favorite in the Wilmington restaurant scene.

Ki Spa Restore your balance, soothe your soul and relax your body with organic, earth-friendly services administered by a professional staff.

Lumina Gem Specializing in new and estate jewelry brands like Yurman, Rolex and Tiffany at up to 50% off, Lumina Gem has all the offerings you expect of a full-service jewelry store.

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OPEN

MON-SAT 9-9 SUN 11-6

Luxe Nails Sip a rosé while you get a perfect pink and white or other Instaworthy mani pedi at this full-service nail salon with upscale décor.

NewRiveRPotteRy.com

Meadowlark Hot new designer clothing and accessories for discerning women, plus stylists to help assemble effortless styles are all found here.

Merrill Lynch The team at Merrill Lynch believes that understanding what matters most to you is critical to successful investing and will design a comprehensive plan.

Nest More rustic retreat than traditional retail, Nest is an inspired mix of home furnishings, accessories and gifts with a team of designers to help you bring it all home.

SHOPPING

60,000 Sq. Ft. of...

Shopping FUN!

Osteria Cicchetti Known by locals as the “OC” and revered as the top spot for authentic Northern Italian fare, a meal here will feel like a trip to the Tuscan countryside.

Pure Barre For a challenging total body workout using a ballet barre to sculpt muscles, build strength and boost confidence, look no further than Pure Barre.

The UPS Store The UPS Store network is the world's largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers.

Tres Bleu Très Bleu is a fun and friendly women's boutique. They hand select the most stylish labels from NYC, LA and Miami that fit perfectly with our coastal vibe.

True Blue Butcher and Table The one and only place to butcher your meat and eat it too, True Blue is a full-service butcher that serves a menu of American dishes with a global twist.

Vestique Trendy and affordable women's clothing and accessories.

Vicious Biscuit Award-winning, made-from-scratch biscuits, beignets, eggs, grits and more await at Vicious Biscuit in The Forum.

This new brunch hotspot packs in the Southern hospitality and joins sister locations in Charleston and Charlotte.

(1 Mile N. of 1-40)

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Raleigh Downtown Wilmington

Carolina Beach

5744 Market St. • HWY 17

Market Street

Jacksonville College Rd.

WILMINGTON

Winestore For those who are tired of wading through the wine aisle, Winestore offers a pleasurable experience even before the cork is popped.

5744 Market St.

1 Mile North of I-40 Overpass

Zia Boutique From curated classics that take you from work to play, to easy pieces that embrace a laid-back beach vibe, you’ll find your style at Zia.

PERIWINK INK, STATIONERY & COFFEE

New River Pottery

filling 8,500 square feet with their unique offerings. Blue Moon Gift Shops is a premiere shopping destination for locals and tourists alike. Located off Racine Drive, convenient to midtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, Blue Moon features a treasure trove of locally made items. Blue Moon has a unique selection of furniture, home decor, art, clothing, jewelry as well as their Strawberry Moon Market, which offers a variety of local gourmet food items. The focus of Blue Moon

remains on showcasing the handcrafted work of talented local artisans and entrepreneurs. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for in stock, they offer custom ordering, and as an added convenience, gift wrapping is complimentary. These small touches make Blue Moon stand out. Prepare to spend some time browsing Blue Moon for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

SHOPPING

A brand-new, woman-owned business in Grand View Shopping Center. If you're coming or going to Wrightsville Beach, it's well worth your time to swing into Grand View Shopping Center, just off the drawbridge on the right. In this center, Periwink Ink, Stationery and Coffee is a delightful combination of coffee shop and stationery boutique, all with a focus on supporting femaleowned businesses and coffee growers.

While sipping expertly made drinks, browse among witty cards, stickers, notebooks, planners, wrapping paper, candles, jewelry and much more.

COURTESY OF NEW RIVER POTTERY

COURTESY OF BLUE MOON GIFT SHOPS

Blue Moon Gift Shops

NEW RIVER POTTERY If you have never been to a home decor superstore, New River Pottery on Market Street will blow you away!

With 60,000 square feet of store space, everything you can imagine for home decor is there for your shopping needs. This includes outdoor furniture, plant and flower pots, canvas prints, indoor and outdoor pillows, wreaths, flags, frames, windchimes, birdhouses, artificial trees, rugs, ribbon, nautical decor, seasonal and holiday decor and much, much more!

BLUE MOON GIFT SHOPS Blue Moon Gift Shops has been voted the area’s “Best Gift Shop” again and again due to their excellent customer service and unmatched selection of more than 100 artisan and retailers Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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ART IN BLOOM

SHOPPING

Art in Bloom is a new gallery located in a renovated horse stable originally built by the Quinlivan family of farriers in 1910. Art in Bloom, at 210 Princess Street, offers both indoor and outdoor exhibition space for nationally and internationally recognized artists.

A true 21st century art gallery, Art in Bloom combines the historical charm of the building with the latest in technology. The original heart-pine ceiling and brick walls of the building mix with interactive computer screens and Wi-Fi to display both digital and physical art.

THEARTWORKS The largest space for artists is located at 200 Willard Street, just a mile from downtown. TheArtWorks is an art village showcasing Wilmington’s vibrant visual, literary, and performing arts. TheArtWorks provides art studios, gallery space, educational opportunities, and an event venue with the mission of fostering a creative environment for artists and enhance Wilmington’s cultural community through art.

More than 50 artists actively create and sell their art through studios in theArtWorks. The range of mediums for sale includes original fine art, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, photography, glass, and unique handmade gifts. The studios feature work spaces and mini galleries.

With 9,000 square feet of beautiful gallery space, theArtWorks is a perfect event place for a wedding reception, bar or bat mitzvah, trade show, or other special event.

DDT OUTLET Just north of Wilmington, up US Highway 17, you will see the big shark on the right welcoming you to the DDT Outlet in Hampstead. Specializing in name brands for less, you will find beautiful indoor and outdoor furniture, lots of artwork, throws, tabletop pieces, wall decor, sea shells, books, pottery, area rugs and much more. And of course many different nautical themed decorations. Be sure to also check out the indoor resale mall in the back of the building, “Our Yard, Your Sale”, an indoor resale mall with over 70 vendors!

D. BAXTER’S LAMPS A wonderful lamp shop on Oleander Drive has been in business since 1993.

They specialize in two things, lamps

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D. Baxter’s Lamps

COURTESY OF D. BAXTER'S LAMPS

Away from the downtown Wilmington area is Independence Mall on Oleander Drive and Independence Boulevard. Anchored by Belk, Dillard’s, Dick's Sporting Goods and JC Penney, the newly renovated shopping center features a variety of stores with indoor enclosed entrances and outside entrances.

Visitors will find a mixture of traditional and contemporary paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, fabric, and objects found during the renovation of the building: horse shoes, bottles, papers, wagon parts, utensils, glass, and ceramics, circa 1910-1920.

TheArtWorks

and framing.

Customers throughout southeastern North Carolina have come to rely on D. Baxter’s for their expertise in repairing lamps and helping people choose the right shade for lamps that need a replacement. Thousands of happy customers have purchased their products and services.

In addition to top quality repairs for lamps and chandeliers, they have an enormous selection of frames.

They also have people with the talent to do a superb job of matting and framing all types of artwork, diplomas and other objects that people want to display.

D. Baxter’s has by far the largest selection of new lamps, replacement shades, finials and pulls in the area.

COURTESY OF THEARTWORKS

INDEPENDENCE MALL

They can produce a lamp out of most anything; people with a favorite vase or sculpture that they would like to turn into a lamp can have it done here.

They also refinish brass and silver and expertly repair porcelain and glass.

ECLIPSE ARTISAN BOUTIQUE Eclipse Artisan Boutique on Racine Drive spotlights the handmade oneof-a-kind work of over 200 local and regional artisans. Eclipse showcases original paintings, jewelry, hand-blown glass, custom-built furniture, sculpture,

SHOPPING

COURTESY OF ECLIPSE ARTISAN BOUTIQUE

Eclipse Artisan Boutique

pottery, photography and alpaca bedding, setting it apart from a traditional gallery.

Each piece is displayed beautifully with a well-planned flow throughout the artisan boutique, inviting customers to explore and enjoy an array of items that are ever changing.

To further enhance the customer experience, Eclipse offers custom orders and complimentary gift wrapping.

In celebration of the local art community, Eclipse regularly hosts featured artist meet and greets and artist demonstrations. Eclipse has caught on as a favorite art gallery with the community earning the distinction of Best Art Gallery five years in a row.

Visit Eclipse and you will see why customers call it “a celebration of the imagination.”  Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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Communities & Relocation More people each year are choosing to relocate to the southeastern corner of North Carolina from many other parts of the country. This area is a desirable, premier location for retirees, corporate relocation and expansion, entrepreneurs and those seeking a better quality of life. New houses are being built, existing homes are selling, and the real estate and construction industries appear to be enjoying robust recovery and growth once again.

COMMUNITIES & RELOCATION

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

The Cape Fear Riverfront area in north Wilmington

There are so many distinct communities in the Greater Wilmington area that it’s not possible to list all of them. We will mention a few that are continuing to develop in three basic areas: Brunswick County, which includes Southport and Leland; New Hanover County, which includes Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach; and Pender County, just north of Wilmington.

We’ll begin with Brunswick County, which experienced a 43.5 percent population growth during the ’90s and is one of North Carolina’s fastest growing counties.

Today numerous relatively new developments and neighborhoods exist in Brunswick County, primarily along

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North Carolina N.C. highways 133 and 211 from Southport and along U.S. Highway 17. A number are gated communities, sometimes called resorts, and quite a few have golf courses.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY Although New Hanover County geographically is the second smallest county in North Carolina, it’s far from the smallest in residential development.

One of the fastest growing areas in the county is along River Road, which has been rerouted to facilitate some of this development. Not so many years

ago, the only developments between Carolina Beach Road and River Road were The Cape, Beau Rivage Plantation and Echo Farms Golf and Country Club.

Today, thousands of homes have been built or are planned for this burgeoning corridor along the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington to Pleasure Island, with prices ranging from the $200s to the millions.

Proximity to beaches and services makes this area particularly attractive.

Wilmington’s airport, the New Hanover Regional Medical Center and all the health facilities and medical offices around it, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach are all a short

T he city's close.

T he river's closer.

Single-family, luxury, townhomes and 55+ living along the river.

Floorplans by 9 homebuilders from the high $300s - $1M+ @RiverlightsNC

RiverlightsLiving.com

|

(910) 405-1234

|

109 Pier Master Point, Suite 100

|

Wilmington, NC 28412

Newland is the largest private developer of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com

NNP IV-Cape Fear River, LLC (“Fee Owner”) is the owner and developer of the Riverlights Community (“Community”). Fee Owner has retained Newland Real Estate Group, LLC (“Newland”) solely as the property manager for the Community. North America Sekisui House, LLC (“NASH”) has an interest in one of Fee Owner’s members. Homebuilders, unaffiliated with Fee Owner, Newland, NASH, or their affiliates (together, the “Released Parties”) are building homes at the Community. The Released Parties are not co-developing, co-building, guarantors of, or otherwise responsible for, nor shall they incur any liability as a result of, any of the obligations or representations made to buyers by any homebuilder or other third party. Fee Owner’s responsibility with respect to the Community is limited to certain infrastructure improvements (e.g., roads, sewer, etc.) and such obligations run solely to persons buying real property directly from Fee Owner. Buyers of homes waive, to the fullest extent allowed under the law, any and all rights, claims, causes of action and other rights whatsoever against the Released Parties arising from their purchase of a home or services, respectively, in the Community from homebuilders or other third party. Not an offering of the sale or lease of real property to residents of any jurisdiction where prior qualification of out-of-state real property is required unless the Community has been so qualified or an exemption is available. Any prices, sketches, renderings, and specifications contained herein are proposed only and subject, without notice, to change or withdrawal at any time. The maps contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on current development concepts, which are subject to change without notice. © 2020 NNP IV-Cape Fear River, LLC. All rights reserved. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

drive away. The area’s largest shopping centers are reachable in 15 minutes or less, making it easy to find whatever might be needed.

COMMUNITIES & RELOCATION

RIVER BLUFFS A beautiful new community continues to take shape in a wonderfully convenient location. Situated along the high bluffs of Castle Hayne, River Bluffs is a new, low-impact community offering 3,000 feet of navigable river frontage.

Wilmington’s airport, historic downtown, arts and entertainment, major medical facilities and destination shopping are just minutes from the gated entrance of River Bluffs.

River Bluffs presents a luxurious coastal waterfront lifestyle with a considerable number of community amenities. Completed in 2017, the River Club offers a warm, inviting restaurant and lounge with riverfront views. The River Bluffs Marina Complex features 141 boat slips, 20- to 30-foot water depth, and floating docks to take full advantage of the community’s riverfront location. Davis Square offers a wide range of amenities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, a children’s playground, general store, post office and a café. The organic farm, located just outside the community entrance, grows certified organic produce available at the River Club and general store. One of the amenities just opened at River Bluffs is

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already receiving excellent reviews.

Porches Café is open to the public as well as residents of River Bluffs Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Chef Erin Wiley uses fresh, local bounty to create irresistible salads and sandwiches. Wiley has earned big respect from top Wilmington chefs. She was part of the success of some of the city’s best restaurants, including Rx and Pembroke’s.

River Bluffs features Southern architecture reminiscent of riverfront homes in historic Wilmington, Charleston and Savannah. Styles include garden homes, coastal cottages, Floridian villas and custom designs.

The Cape Fear River wraps around the property in a way that affords many opportunities for water access or simply enjoying the views. At completion, River Bluffs will include approximately 750 home sites within the 313-acre community. During Phase 1, 221 home sites will be built over 88 acres. Home sites range from one-fourth to onethird acre with prices for house and lot spanning from $304,500 to $800,000 plus. More than one-third of the community’s land (over 100 acres) has been preserved for walking trails, open green space, and a dog park.

Developed on a philosophy of sustainability and environmental preservation, River Bluffs is certified as a Low Impact Development (LID) based on its water re-use, rainwater harvesting and storm water control techniques. The community is designed to preserve existing rolling terrain,

native hardwood forests, coastal plants and high bluffs overlooking the river.

LID communities enjoy improved water quality and the notable absence of storm water ponds.

Burrows Smith, managing partner in River Bluffs Development Group, is a native of Wrightsville Beach. His real estate construction and development experience in the area spans several decades and notable projects include Masonboro Landing, Masonboro Forest, Landfall, Porters Neck and Dockside Restaurant.

RIVERLIGHTS Riverlights is one of the newest communities to come to the waterfront in Wilmington. While this quickly growing neighborhood offers gorgeous homes, it is also designed around nature and an outdoor lifestyle. Nestled on the banks of the Cape Fear River, Riverlights provides convenient, wellness-centered living within 5 miles of historic downtown. Greet the sun with a morning paddle, walk or bike along the community trails, or enjoy dinner or shops with neighbors and watch the sun set over the river.

Embrace a life that shines bright — and let the master-planned community of Riverlights guide you home.

There are 5 miles of trails, 6 parks, a zero-entry lap pool, the Lake House, a fitness center and a 38-acre lake — plenty of opportunities for families.

Their information center is open 7 days

a week with model homes available to tour. The price range in this splendid community is from the mid $300,000 to $1,000,000+. Give them a call at 910239-3456 or stop by the information center at 109 Pier Master Point, Suite 100, Wilmington, NC.

DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON Downtown Wilmington continues to enjoy an upsurge in people living there as new condo developments spring up. This increase in downtown residency is a great part of what is fueling the strength of the downtown area.

A fair amount of residential construction has occurred on the north side of downtown where the new headquarters building for PPD Corporation opened in 2007. Add to this the continued renovation of old homes and the growth of living quarters above shops and offices, and you have a recipe for a vibrant downtown Wilmington.

Many more buildings are in the planning stages. New hotels and new mixed-use buildings that will include residential spaces are being discussed

since there is a need for additional housing downtown.

The continuing renovation, building, and investment in the downtown area are encouraging. New restaurants and marinas are now open.

NEW NEIGHBORHOODS GALORE Getting away from downtown, new neighborhood growth is taking place all over the city and outlying areas.

Much of it is concentrated along several corridors: the east side near Wrightsville Beach, especially along Eastwood Road; the southeast side along Carolina Beach Road down to Pleasure Island; and the northeast side along Market Street through Ogden.

On the east side of the city near Wrightsville Beach, quite a few new residential communities have developed.

One of the communities that continues to develop is Landfall, with gated entrances on both Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads.

PORTERS NECK AREA An area that continues to see very rapid growth surrounds the intersection of Porters Neck Road and Market Street.

Porters Neck Plantation and Country Club is on the Intracoastal Waterway about four miles north of Wilmington.

Porters Neck is another of New Hanover County’s upscale developments.

The 18-hole golf course at Porters Neck was designed by Tom Fazio and has been named “the #1 coastal course” in North Carolina by Golf Digest. Among the amenities at Porters Neck are a clubhouse, two large pools, seven lighted hydro-clay tennis courts, a fitness complex and a boat ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Forest Creek is a newer gated neighborhood in Porters Neck Plantation.

Nestled among majestic oaks and beautiful magnolia trees, this quiet community features more than 20 classic home designs ranging from 2,200 to 3,500 square feet.

Members can enjoy all Porters Neck Country Club privileges, plus private walking paths, open green space and lighted streets.

Several huge apartment complexes are

COMMUNITIES & RELOCATION

Premier Home Builder SPecializing in Wilmington and tHe Surrounding areaS 910.550.1167 | BILLCLARKHOMES.COM | LEGACYHOMESBYBILLCLARK.COM Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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and Corning, two of the area’s larger employers, can reach their offices quickly thanks to the new bypass. As a result, several communities in Hampstead are now nearly built out. New communities include Salters Haven at Lea Marina, Wyndwater, Hope Creek and Sparrows Bend. Up closer to the Surf City area, there's Summer House on Everett Bay and Waterside.

Bill Clark Homes

BUSINESSES TO KNOW When it comes to home building, buying, remodeling and decorating, these businesses are ones to look for.

D. BAXTER'S

COMMUNITIES & RELOCATION

rising near Porters Neck and are adjacent to Marsh Oaks, a lovely community comprised primarily of single-family homes. The apartments, mostly rental, are in the building phase now with just a few ready for current occupancy.

Another new apartment complex built just north of Porters Neck Road, and a huge shopping complex that includes

Walmart as its anchor is continuing to develop on Market Street just south of Porters Neck Road.

EXPANSION NORTH New housing developments have spread into Pender County, just north of Wilmington. People who work at GE

Once your house is designed and you’re settling into your new home, you may find that new furnishings are needed. An item that can make a huge difference in how a room looks is lighting.

Customers throughout the tri-county area have relied on D. Baxter’s for the company’s expertise for many years.

D. Baxter’s, located on Oleander Drive in the Anderson Shopping Center in Wilmington, does a beautiful job repairing lamps and light fixtures of all types.

In addition to top quality repairs for lamps and chandeliers, they have an enormous selection of frames. They also have people with the talent to do a superb job of matting and framing.

D. Baxter’s has by far the largest selection of lamps, replacement shades, finials and pulls in the area. They can produce a lamp out of most anything.

They also refinish brass and silver and expertly repair porcelain and glass.

BILL CLARK HOMES Bill Clark Homes of Wilmington spans four counties along the southeast coast of the beautiful beaches of North Carolina.

With a reputation built over 40 years, it’s no wonder that Bill Clark Homes has become a staple builder in the Wilmington area. The company prides itself on building quality homes at an affordable price for families. Bill Clark and his sons have built a company that allows them to provide for their communities. 

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There are not many things that are more rewarding than seeing children who are excited about learning.

Education EDUCATION

For many who live in southeastern North Carolina, life is all about continuing to learn and grow. On the Cape Fear coast, educational opportunities are all around us. Whether it's formal classes, learning through play or a variety of unique enrichment opportunities, you’ll find an extensive menu of learning experiences here.

We have swim classes for six-month-old babies and gymnastics for crawlers. We have Mommy and Me activities and classes geared just for toddlers. We have great public schools, independent or private schools, charter schools, specialty schools, home schools and more. We have incredible and diverse higher education institutions and continuing education programs for anyone at any age. We have free or modestly priced lessons for people who want to try painting, photography, woodworking, gardening and a host of other activities. And we have our historic locale, the rivers, the sea, the wildlife and all the lessons they have to offer us — for free.

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PRE-K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLS For parents who wish to send their children to private schools, there are several that offer education from pre-K through grade 12, and others that offer pre-K or K through grade 8. Many are faith-based. Most are located in New Hanover County, Shallotte, Leland and Southport.

D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, UNCW's K-8 Public School and GLOW Academy The Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW), an all-girls public charter school, opened its doors in 2016 with its first 6th grade class of 100 girls. A new class of 6th graders is added each year until GLOW is fully enrolled from 6th through 12th grade in the 20222023 school year. Currently, GLOW is home to 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th, 10th graders for the 2020-2021 school year. At our school we work hard to create a unique single-gender public charter school environment that focuses on rigorous college preparatory education and the personal skills necessary for a successful college experience leading to graduation.

The school culture challenges students to live a balanced life that develops confidence and compassion, critical thinking and personal responsibility.

EDUCATION

NEW HANOVER SCHOOLS New Hanover County has the 12th largest public school system in the state with more than 26,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. The system includes three pre-K centers, 25 elementary schools, seven middle schools, four traditional high schools, four early college, career and technical high schools and two alternative schools.

Over the years, the NHC School System has received numerous national and state awards and has been recognized for its academic programs and professional development.

Not part of the New Hanover County School System are five state-funded, tuition-free, public charter schools open to all North Carolina children. Cape Fear Center for Inquiry in Wilmington (K-8) focuses on promoting a student’s abilities to think and create in personally meaningful ways through an inquirybased, integrated curriculum. The

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Wilmington Preparatory Academy (K-8) is a year-round, official Core Knowledge School. The curriculum is highly structured, based on the idea that new knowledge builds on what student’s already know, so they are offered a coherent sequence of specific knowledge that builds year by year. The Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW) is Wilmington’s first singlegender charter school with a focus on preparing students for successful college admission, college graduation and citizenship through life.

PENDER SCHOOLS Increasingly, young families with children have been attracted to Pender County primarily because of its innovative and proactive school system.

The district has pioneered in using virtual world technology for staff development and video games in the classroom.

Pender County residents recognize the importance of a school system that offers opportunities for all children.

The Pender County School District comprises eight elementary schools, five middle schools, one K-8 year-round school and four high schools. There is a mix of suburban and rural communities in Pender County, one of the fastest growing in the state. A total of 9,900 students are enrolled in the country’s 18 schools.

BRUNSWICK SCHOOLS Twenty schools fall under the Brunswick County Schools umbrella encompassing pre-K through grade 12, all running on a traditional school calendar with a total enrollment of 12,534. The official breakdown is ten elementary, five middle and five high schools, although Waccamaw School has students in kindergarten through eighth grade, actually making it a combined elementary and middle school.

The system includes traditional curricula, alternative education programs and an Early College High School. The latter affords students the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree in four to five years.

HOME SCHOOL In North Carolina, homeschooling is a legal option for a parent or other responsible party to provide a child with academic instruction at home or other setting rather than in a formal school.

Eligible students are children (ages 6 to 17) in a grade equivalent to at least kindergarten and not higher than 12th grade. The number of students has grown each year for many years.

The most recent information available is for the 2018-19 school year. New Hanover County reported 1,452 schools serving 2,194 students. Pender County had 683 home schools with 1,100 students.

Brunswick County has 1,121 schools educating 1,685 students.

Requirements and other information are available through the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

LEARNING CAN BE FUN The Cape Fear area offers various kinds of educational activities for children from toddlerhood through high school age. A host of enrichment programs supplement the activities taught in the schools and are especially helpful at a time when so many school arts and science activities have been eliminated or dramatically curtailed. At the following facilities, learning is all about fun and exploration Thalian Association Youth Theater Wilmington Phone (910) 251-1788 thalian.org Wilmington is extremely fortunate to have the Thalian Association Youth Theater (TAYT), which offers theatrical training and performance opportunities, with most auditions open for children ages 7 through high school seniors. TAYT remains dedicated to “the enrichment of arts education for our community’s youth.” And what a great place for talented kids to grow — right in the heart of “Wilmywood” with its thriving film industry and nurturing arts community.

Children may choose to be involved on stage as actors or back stage as part of the technical production team. Five productions each year are held at the

Airlie Gardens 300 Airlie Road Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone (910) 798-7700 airliegardens.org During the summer months you are invited to take part in a butterfly release at Airlie Garden's Butterfly House exhibit.

An educator will be in the Butterfly House to inform visitors about the butterfly life cycle and Airlie’s current housed species of native butterflies. Visitors will then get to experience a butterfly release in the

Butterfly House! In case of rain, an educator will be in the classroom and guests will still be able to observe butterflies. Butterfly releases are free for Airlie members and included with garden admission. No preregistration is required, just check in at the ticket desk upon arrival.

For the ninth year in a row, Airlie Gardens is excited to host their annual art exhibit.

This year’s exhibit, "It's Owl Good," will take place within the gardens from July through December. Airlie Gardens has chosen 10 artists or teams of artists to decorate, paint and otherwise adorn oversized 4-foot-tall fiberglass owl models as part of the exhibit.

These owls will be placed throughout the grounds for guests to enjoy as part of their garden experience. The exhibit is included in general garden admission and free for Airlie Members.

HOST OF PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Many cultural organizations offer programs that enable adults to pursue their interests at reasonable costs. The Cameron Art Museum’s Museum School offers several art courses, including art history, drawing, painting, print making/ mixed media and photography courses for beginners as well as those who want to improve their skills. Additionally, beginning and experienced writers can learn from local authors through the creative writing workshops. Through the healthy living program, the CAM offers an introduction to T’ai Chi and yoga classes.

Many people who move here from other parts of the country are very interested in learning about the plants native to

EXCELLENT HIGHER EDUCATION Whatever you’re seeking, be it a technology certificate or an advanced academic degree, you may be surprised to find it’s probably available in our area.

We have one major university, two private colleges and two community colleges that offer hundreds of programs for your choosing.

UNC WILMINGTON In the fall of 2019, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) boasted a record-setting enrollment of 14,785 undergraduate and 2,714 graduate students registered in five distinct areas: Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, Business, Education, and Graduate studies.

The university offers 56 bachelor’s degrees, (including the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program in coastal engineering), 36 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees.

The university invested $400 million in campus construction and renovation to include Veterans Hall, two new residence halls, the Central Parking Deck and Dobo Hall, fully restored following damage

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Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, in the Hannah Block Historic USO building. For information and class reservations, call (910) 341-7860. The TAYT productions are regularly honored with Wilmington Theater Award for Best Children’s Production.

TACT Academy offers an opportunity for young people to create and explore the arts in a non-audition based setting for students ages 4 through high school. Designed to help students better understand theater in all its facets, an array of classes, taught by a large group of talented instructors, enables students to discover their strength, learn new skills and build self-confidence within a nurturing atmosphere. TACT Academy offers Fall and spring semesters with a showcase for students at the end of each session. The classes are held at the Hannah Block Historic USO Building and at First Baptist Activity Center on Independence Boulevard. The classes are affordable and scholarship opportunities are available.

this area. Based at the New Hanover County Arboretum, New Hanover County Extension offers a Master Gardener program to educate plant enthusiasts about research-based, sustainable gardening.

Between 40 or 50 people enroll in this rewarding program each year and complete 40 hours of classroom instruction followed by 50 hours of volunteer service.

Pender County Extension offers a Master Gardener program in January each year.

Graduates of the program volunteer to appear periodically in places such as Poplar Grove’s Farmers Market and the Blueberry Festival in Burgaw where they help others answer their gardening questions.

Brunswick County also offers a Master Gardeners program. Their association provides an informational Newcomers packet to residents to help make the transition to gardening in a subtropical environment a little easier. The programs in all three counties counties are part of the NC State University and A&T State University Cooperative Extension that has been “empowering people and providing solutions” for 100 years.

by Hurricane Florence in 2018. UNCW’s renowned Center for Marine Science includes a state-of-the-art facility on the Intracoastal Waterway at Myrtle Grove.

UNCW moved from the Regional Universities category to National Universities in US. News & World Report’s rankings of colleges and universities, ranking 92nd among Top Public National Universities on the publication’s list of Best Colleges 2020. The university also ranked 8th nationally on the U.S. News list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and 6th nationally among Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.

UNCW also offers family-friendly programs including arts activities, athletic and recreational events, and MarineQuest science outreach and summer camps.

EDUCATION

CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) strives to provide educational opportunities and training for the Wilmington area. CFCC provides diverse academic, vocational and technical instruction for students who want to acquire new skills, expand their career options or keep pace with ever-changing occupational requirements.

Cape Fear Community College serves more than 23,000 students each year and is the sixth largest among North Carolina’s 71 community colleges. In addition to its main campus in downtown Wilmington, CFCC also has a campus in Castle Hayne and centers in Burgaw and Surf City in Pender County.

Over 160 programs of study in a wide range of occupations and hundreds of job training opportunities are available for low tuition fee. CFCC also offers a twoyear college transfer curriculum that meets requirements for admission to four-year institutions in the University of North Carolina System. A Career and College Promise program for qualified high school students is also available. CFCC offers twoyear associate degrees in Engineering, Arts, Fine Arts, General Education and Science.

Diplomas and certificates are also available in many disciplines.

BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE A public, two-year school, Brunswick

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Community College (BCC) is accredited to award associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Some 30 formal courses of study are offered, along with a wide array of continuing education and distance learning classes. Individuals have access to more than 300 online courses through BCC’s Ed2Go program. Additionally, there are 14 associate degree programs that allow students to transfer credits to a four-year college. The college also offers eligible high school students a High School Pathways (Career and College Promise program that provides tuition-free seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities.

Located on the college’s main campus, the Brunswick Interagency Program provides comprehensive education and vocational services designed for adults with developmental disabilities.

Also associated with BCC is the Brunswick Educational Transition Center, which serves residents whose first language is not English. Through its New and Expanding Industry Program and its Small Business Center, BCC works closely with area business and industry to tailor skills training to their needs.

MORE COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES Christian faith-based values provide the foundation for the University of Mount Olive’s mission, environment and curriculum. One of its seven campuses is located in Wilmington. This private, four-year college offers 40-plus majors; it offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts and professional studies as well as an MBA program. The University of Mount Olive has small classes, flexible scheduling, many online courses, and one night per week academic programs specifically designed for working adults.

Another private institution of higher learning in Wilmington is Miller-Motte College, which is one among a chain of Miller-Motte colleges throughout the Southern United States offering certificates, diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees in a variety of career-oriented disciplines. The local campus curriculum is known especially for its Massage Therapy, Cosmetology, Esthetics Technology, and Microcomputer Applications Network Administration. Online opportunities are available for bachelor programs in

Allied Health Management and Business Administration.

CONTINUING EDUCATION Thanks to many academic, healthcare and cultural institutions, there are a cornucopia of learning opportunities that go beyond diplomas and degrees. You can find a class on just about anything you desire. Besides an enormous pool of public offerings, plenty of instructional courses are available through private businesses and nonprofit and professional organizations.

Both community colleges and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington publish catalogs listing their continuing education, public service and personal enrichment studies. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW has an extensive and diverse menu of educational experiences.

Cape Fear Community College’s Continuing Education Department provides a broad range of training programs and classes that prepare individuals for employment, update knowledge and skills of those already employed, and open doors of opportunity to others. For those who want to take college courses for personal development rather than working toward a degree, diploma or certificate, CFCC admits students as Special Credit or Lifelong Learners. Post-secondary transcripts are necessary for admission and students must meet all prerequisites and placement testing requirements.

North Carolina Wesleyan College’s Adult Studies are nonresidential, baccalaureate degree programs designed to meet the educational needs of adult learners. The Office of Adult & Professional Studies allows mature women and men to tailor their degree work to meet personal, career and life goals. Because mature adults are highly motivated and capable of self-directed learning, adult learners can take advantage of 8-week, hybrid and online classes, as well as opportunities for earning credit through alternative options such as CLEP and DSST testing.

Also, an amazingly wide variety of activities, programs and classes are available through the New Hanover County Department of Aging’s Senior Resource Center, Brunswick Senior Resources and Pender Adult Services. Print and online newsletters contain specifics about each offering. 

Healthcare The Cape Fear region continues to attract a large number of high-caliber medical practitioners who want to live and practice in the greater Wilmington area. Outstanding healthcare services, providers and facilities are among our greatest assets. Rapid population growth, real estate development, new businesses and the influx of retirees have spurred major healthcare expansions. The region’s largest hospital, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, provides a comprehensive and sophisticated array of services.

Novant Health operates this 800bed teaching hospital, regional referral center and UNC School of Medicine branch campus. The facility provides a broad range of medical specialties with some of the state’s finest physicians, nurses and staff. It offers a Level II trauma center and other specialty services include adult, neonatal, and pediatric intensive care; neurosurgery; pediatric surgery; open heart surgery;

vascular surgery; and oncology services.

Novant Health also provides Emergency Medical Services (EMS), critical care ground and air transport through VitaLink and AirLink, outpatient diagnostic services at multiple imaging locations and outpatient rehabilitation.

Novant Health Medical Group locations provide primary care, specialty services and urgent care throughout the region.

Novant Health is a not-for-profit,

three-state integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to our communities. The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,800 physicians and over 35,000 employees that provide care at more than 800 locations, including 15 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. Headquartered

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NOVANT HEALTH NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

in Winston-Salem, Novant Health is committed to making health care remarkable for patients and communities.

The South 17th Street campus in Wilmington includes: Novant Health Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital 910-667-7360

Expert women’s and children’s care includes an all-private room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Women’s & Children’s Hospital also has the only pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric surgery program in the region. The hospital also features a children’s sleep disorders center and epilepsy monitoring unit. Novant Health Nunnelee Pediatric Multispecialty Care continues to expand the specialty services it offers children close to home at its Autumn Hall location and the Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

Some of the specialties include pediatric cardiology, cleft and maxillofacial surgery, endocrinology, hematology, neurology and pulmonology. Local leadership is working with UNC to improve access to high-quality pediatric specialty care across the region through Novant Health UNC Children’s.

Novant Health New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital

HEALTHCARE

910-667-7835

The hospital helps patients recover mobility and independence through inpatient treatment. The hospital’s 3,000-square-foot gym offers a place for therapy for patients suffering from stroke, chronic conditions, and traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Outpatient therapy is provided at Novant Health Rehabilitation Center locations on Oleander Drive, Market Street and off Shipyard Boulevard.

Novant Health New Hanover Behavioral Health Hospital 910-667-7787

This psychiatric crisis stabilization hospital offers inpatient psychiatric programs for adults with mental health disorders, older adults and those with cooccurring substance abuse disorders.

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Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute 910-667-3000

The Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute is fully accredited and the only comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and support of cancer patients in southeastern North Carolina.

The center combines outpatient treatment so patients can access the care they need in one convenient and comforting place.

Multidisciplinary programs are offered for multiple types of cancer to help patients get started on their treatment faster.

Novant Health Surgical Pavilion 910-667-7000

The Novant Health Surgical Pavilion houses 26 operating rooms, where the talented team of medical professionals employ some of medicine’s most advanced surgical equipment. This includes the da Vinci robotic surgical system, which allows surgeons greater visibility and precision when performing complex minimally invasive procedures.

Novant Health Neurosciences Institute Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events. Novant Health is scheduled to open a completed neurosciences patient tower

on the 17th Street campus in 2022. This 108bed facility will house the comprehensive stroke center and includes dedicated neuro operating rooms and interventional suites. This neurosciences tower will be a destination for the entire region where patients will receive specialized care for strokes, aneurysms and other neurological needs.

Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute Our institute offers the area’s only openheart surgery program, houses a Coronary Care Unit and a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, as well as cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology and cardiovascular labs.

Trauma & Emergency Medical Services 2131 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28401 910-667-7000

The Emergency Services Department includes a Level II Trauma Center and Emergency Departments at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health Emergency Department Scotts Hill, Novant Health New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital and Novant Health Pender Medical Center.

Trauma and Emergency Medical Services also incorporates Novant Health Mobile Integrated Health, which includes Novant Health New Hanover EMS and Novant Health AirLink/VitaLink critical care

PHOTO COURTESY OF NHRMC AIRLINK

AirLink provides critical care transportation and is staffed by experienced and Board Certified Critical Care Paramedics and Registered Nurses.

transport teams, which provide advanced pre-hospital care and transport.

Other facilities and services include: Novant Health New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital 5301 Wrightsville Ave. Wilmington, NC 28403 910-667-8100

Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center

151 Scotts Hill Medical Drive Wilmington, NC 28411 910-662-9000

240 Hospital Drive NE Bolivia, N.C. 28422 910-721-1000

The full-service, stand-alone emergency department offers 10 treatment rooms, a critical care room, an onsite pharmacy, lab and diagnostic services.

Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center is a 74-bed hospital offering emergency care and a wide range of services in medical, surgical, imaging, rehabilitative and maternity.

Novant Health Pender Medical Center

novanthealth.org/ch/browse-doctors

507 Fremont St. Burgaw, NC 28425 910-300-4000

The hospital offers residents of Pender County and surrounding communities a convenient and friendly place to receive care and treatment. It offers a range of services including emergency care, surgery, imaging, infusion therapy, and skilled nursing.

Novant Health Medical Group

Offers dozens of locations across the region and more than 280 physicians providing the following specialties and services: cardiology, family and internal medicine, gastroenterology, endoscopy center, general surgery, surgical oncology, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics and pediatric specialties, psychiatry, pulmonary and sleep medicine, rheumatology, endocrinology, sleep services, urgent care, urology, hospitalist

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The Orthopedic Hospital offers highly specialized orthopedic services and features specialty trained orthopedic nurses, therapists, technicians and surgeons who are board certified or eligible in orthopedic surgery. The hospital has specialists in hand and shoulder, foot and ankle, sports medicine and joint replacement. Additionally, this hospital offers an emergency department open 24/7.

Novant Health Emergency Department - Scotts Hill

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOVANT HEALTH

care, women’s health services midwifery, vascular surgery.

and

Novant Health Wilmington Medical Park

HEALTHCARE

1415 Physicians Drive Wilmington, NC 28401 910-662-9500

The three-floor, 62,300-square-foot building, formerly named NHRMC Heart Center — Outpatient Services, offers a centralized location for patients to meet with cardiologists and advanced clinical practitioners and access cardiac imaging and rehabilitation services in one convenient location.

Bariatrics Program 910-667-7170

The weight-loss surgery program has extraordinary success rates, backed by our quality designations and outcomes. Every year we help patients lose weight, improve their health, and reduce their need to take medications for chronic health conditions.

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Novant Health Imaging 910-667-8777

Diagnostic services include a PET/ CT scan for diagnosis of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. The addition of a 128-slice CT also helps improve diagnostic imaging services. Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, CT, Ultrasound and Digital Mammography are also offered to provide residents with advanced diagnosis and treatments. The facilities also offer a screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, a dangerous condition that can lead to sudden death. Multiple convenient locations are offered throughout the region.

Novant Health Home Care 910-259-1224

Home Care serves patients across the region who are recovering from a hospitalization or managing a chronic condition.

Novant Health Express at Walgreens – Leland 319 Village Road NE Leland, NC 28451 910-721-1197

In partnership with Novant Health Oceanside Family Medicine – Leland, Novant Health Express at Walgreens – Leland cares for patients ages two and older Novant Health Oceanside Family Medicine & Convenient Care – Brunswick 5145 Sellers Road Shallotte, NC 28470 910-754-4441

The Convenient Care Clinic serves patients on a walk-in basis to assist with minor illnesses and injuries. Routine care including annual physicals, vaccines and lab tests give your provider opportunities to address small problems before they become larger

Novant Health Express Care locations: 510 Carolina Bay Drive, Suite 110 Wilmington, NC 28403 910-662-6700 1333 S. Dickinson Drive, Suite 140B Leland, NC 28451 910-662-6600 7910 US Hwy. 117 S. Rocky Point, NC 28457 910-300-4500

Urgent care treatment includes care for the assessment and treatment of wounds, sprains, strains and illnesses. Care teams can also treat beach-related issues, such as jellyfish and stingray stings, sunburn and heat exposure. Immunizations and sports physicals are also offered.

DENTAL SERVICES The Wilmington area has many dental facilities serving all disciplines.

Pierpan Family Dentistry 17097 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 910-270-1222

MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Legions of freestanding clinics and medical offices of all descriptions and sizes are an integral part of our health and medical care infrastructure.

Rehabilitation, surgery, urgent care, orthopedic and specialty centers, teen health, diagnostic clinics, infusion therapy, public health, dialysis and imaging are among the many support services.

And, supporting the support services is another industry — retail businesses including pharmacies, opticians, prosthetic devices, surgical garments, home medical supplies and so forth. You’ll easily find chiropractors, massage therapists, herbalists, acupuncturists and others who practice Naturopathic Medicine, Chinese Medicine and biofeedback. Many businesses in our area focus on natural remedies, nutrition, holistic health, wellness, organically produced foods and healthy lifestyles. Wilmington even offers holistic chiropractic care and acupuncture.

The Wilmington area has excellent retirement and progressive care communities, which appeal to many of our seniors. Also available are assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care facilities.

In-home services, both medical and nonmedical, are available in all counties, as is hospice care. Adult day care centers are located only in Wilmington, but they accept out-of-area participants. 

NEW STATEEOFFTHEEART FACILITY

CEREC SAME DAY PORCELAIN CROWNS

Personalized, Complete Dental Care for the Entire Family

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SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT

HEALTHCARE

Located in Hampstead just north of Wilmington is Pierpan Family Dentistry.

Husband and wife team Drs. Henry and Monica Pierpan, who received their D.D.S. degrees from UNC School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, head this outstanding family practice.

Dr. Henry is passionate about providing his patients with high quality, state-ofthe–art dental care. He completed his surgical residency for implant placement in Washington, D.C., in 2007 and is a fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He also is a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves and serves as a Dental Corps officer at Camp Lejeune.

Dr. Monica’s goal in her practice is to treat every patient as family. She strives to be gentle and caring while providing the highest quality of dental care. She is a member of the Port City Study Club, which is committed to dental excellence in all areas.

Pierpan Family Dentistry provides preventative care for young and old with the goal of keeping a patient’s teeth and mouth

free of disease that can lead to tooth and gum loss. Their talented dental hygienists have proven their ability to prevent further erosion in those suffering from gingivitis and other periodontal disease.

Since 2006 Pierpan Family Dentistry has provided implant services for their patients, including surgical placement and restoration to help replace missing teeth.

They were the first office in this area to use a Cone Beam Dental CatScan to help in diagnosis and placement of implants.

This state-of-the-art technology enables patients to replace missing teeth with a more natural feel, preserving bone and helping patients chew with confidence.

Pierpan Family Dentistry accepts most dental insurance plans and provides a means for patients to apply for credit through a dedicated private dental financing provider.

INVISALIGN

ZOOM WHITENING



Hampstead

910.270.1222

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Jacksonville 910.353.3551

TVS TO WATCH DURING TREATMENT

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Salons & Spas

SALONS & SPAS

PHOTO BY INDIGO SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Few things are more relaxing than a massage, facial or hair style from a fine salon.

Keeping fit and fantastic in southeastern North Carolina should be relatively easy since so many activities are available.

However, most of these activities have consequences that need to be addressed since most take place outdoors under strong sunlight or on and in the water.

Swimming, golfing, gardening, fishing, boating, surfing and sightseeing are just a few of the pursuits that many of us enjoy.

Unfortunately, all of them create the need for special care for our hair, skin and body.

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There is a solution close at hand — after a good workout and time spent outdoors, enjoy a soothing massage, facial or spa treatment. You’ll be wise to give your body, mind and spirit the care they deserve.

We’re lucky that we have wonderful facilities uniquely suited to take care of our needs. And in an area with a host of weddings, pageants, proms, parades, festivals, balls and graduation parties, in addition to outdoor activities, women have excellent excuses for frequent salon visits.

Consider spending a few hours or an entire day being pampered and nurtured.

Because spa services are designed to promote relaxation, we recommend you leave your children, tablets and smart phones at home.

Maybe you’d like to have a relaxation massage, body polish, microdermabrasion or steam heat therapy. Why not throw in aromatherapy for good measure?

To maximize your experience, try a facility that is widely recognized as among the best places in the area for all your hair and skin care needs.

COASTAL MASSAGE & SPA Coastal Massage & Spa is an awardwinning seaside spa that has become a favorite among locals and visitors to the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach areas. Founded in 2012, their offerings include individuals, couples and groups

exercise in the water, in the gym or in the great outdoors. Want classes in yoga or Pilates? We’ve got them. Looking for total body conditioning systems or a personal trainer? We’ve got lots of them.

Need help with prescription exercise or cardiovascular programs? We’ve got these, too.

TAKE ACTION

was designed to blend coastal elegance with a calming color palette, soft textures, and luxury finishes such as quartz countertops, glass tile, and frosted glass windows and doors.

TRY FITNESS CENTERS One of the best things a person can do for their hair and skin is to be physically fit. A good way to do so is to take advantage of the area’s many excellent fitness centers and health clubs.

Don’t necessarily join the club that is closest to you. It is much more important that you feel comfortable and confident in the skills of the facility you join. Stop in for tours and meet the personnel who work in them.

Get the feel for a place before committing to a membership. We recommend taking advantage of free trial periods when they’re available.

Around here you can find a wide variety of facilities, everything from cozy small fitness centers for women only to large, sophisticated, state-ofthe-art, freestanding health clubs, with lots of places in between. If you’re not into serious strengthening or heavyduty workouts, you can find less arduous activities on the menus of most fitness centers, but particularly at the area’s senior centers, YMCA, YWCA or local recreation centers. With a little effort, you’ll find just what you’re looking for; after that, it’s only a matter of time before you’re looking and feeling terrific.

Among the great variety of fitness activities to choose from are the usual and the not-so-usual selections. Depending on your interests and skills, you can

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SALONS & SPAS

massage, facials, bodywork treatments, on-site massage and spa day sessions.

Owner Theresa Anne Stevens, a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, offers a high-end and luxurious spa experience in a private and peaceful setting. The treatment rooms are enriched with beautifully appointed treatment tables, soft linens, gentle music and a vari­ety of signature offerings.

All massages are customized to the client’s unique needs and include a choice of aromatherapy, soothing soft eye pillow and a cozy heated table. For some a massage is a guilty pleasure, but the sixmember team of licensed therapists at Coastal Massage & Spa looks at massage from a healthcare perspective. In addition to relaxation, massage can also provide effective pain management and treatment for a range of conditions.

Clients choose from a variety of facials or allow the on-site skin care specialist to conduct a customized facial based on an individual’s skin type and skin care goals.

Another signature product from this spa is the Wrightsville Beach Message in a Bottle Gift Certificate — unique, handmade bottles with the gift certificate placed inside and attached to a cork lid.

Coastal Massage & Spa is on Wrightsville Avenue in their new location at Grand View Apartments, just before the causeway that leads to Wrightsville Beach, and is easily reached from downtown and Figure Eight Island.

The new 3,000-square-foot spa opened in May 2018 and features nine treatment rooms, a locker room with showers, a steam room, a sauna, HydraFacial, relaxation space and a bridal suite for private events and bridal parties.

The interior of Coastal Massage & Spa

What keeps skin looking as youthful as possible? Avoiding the sun by wearing sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher at all times, including during this area’s winter months.

If you’re outdoors gardening, enjoying the beach, playing golf, eating at one of our great waterfront restaurants, walking downtown or any of the things that take us outdoors, reapply the sunscreen often.

Another thing that helps keep skin healthy is hydration. During the summer’s hot and humid months, drink plenty of liquids. If you feel thirsty, you’re not drinking enough — thirst is a sign of dehydration. And remember, alcohol is dehydrating. Enjoy your cocktails, but drink plenty of water too. 

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The Cape Fear region’s fabulous locations, boundless beauty and very affordable prices are sure to make any occasion special. No wonder so many couples choose to tie the knot here.

Experience genteel Southern afternoons at an antebellum mansion or a 67-acre garden ablaze with azaleas.

Imagine exchanging vows on the deck of a ship slowly cruising down the historic Cape Fear River.

Thinking something else far from ordinary? No problem. Get married on a golf tee or in the aqua glow of a massive saltwater aquarium full of enchanting underwater life.

The Battleship North Carolina normally is seen guarding Wilmington’s downtown, but it is also an awesome, solemn place for a wedding ceremony.

Traditionalists find plenty of majestic old churches and little chapels.

And what’s more romantic than exchanging vows at sunset by the shore? Just say “I do” to private islands, oceanfront resorts and beach houses large enough to accommodate the entire family.

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN A perfect wedding ceremony deserves a great toast. In the Cape Fear region, revelers may raise glasses everywhere from a down-home, backyard Carolina barbecue to an elegant, formal dinner at a luxurious beach house.

Intimate affairs happen at charming, historic venues. No matter the spot, onsite services and caterers fill the bill.

Plan a sensational party here for any reason: graduations, family reunions, holiday fun, or a birthday ice cream social. It’s also fine to have a party for no reason at all.

Restaurants, hotels and event spaces, especially those with water views, suit anniversaries and birthdays as well as they do conferences, business meetings and charity events. Outdoor venues are also on the list.

Beautiful wooded parks work for

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PHOTO BY MATT MCGRAW PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDDINGS & CATERING

Weddings & Catering

weddings, picnics, children’s parties and church activities. Don’t forget the deck of the mighty Battleship North Carolina.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW Gatherings large and small are treated to spectacular waterfront views at two Wrightsville Beach locations.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill restaurant stands on the Intracoastal Waterway and has private rooms large and small. The second-story banquet room’s picture windows broadcast breathtaking sunset views.

Oceanic restaurant is an unforgettable beachfront setting on South Lumina Avenue. Dining rooms face Atlantic waves. Outdoor tables line a long wooden pier extending out over the ocean.

A SPECIAL BACKDROP: THE CAPE FEAR RIVER Riverwalk Landing is another complete banquet facility in historic downtown.

Various spaces overlooking the Cape Fear River accommodate groups of 25 to 200.

Indoor rooms and outdoor spaces afford beautiful views, and the expansive deck at sunset is especially striking.

Elijah’s and The Pilot House restaurants provide custom menus. They are happy to work with the planners to deliver exactly what the clients would like. The restaurants have a more than 30-year record of reliable service.

SPECIAL PLACES FOR WEDDINGS & RECEPTIONS Beloved blues define seaside weddings, but dreamy undersea worlds add special magic at Fort Fisher’s North Carolina Aquarium. Both ceremonies and receptions are possible — for up to 2,000 people — alongside the aquarium’s spectacular sea life, much of it in a 235,000-gallon aquarium.

The complex offers spacious galleries, stunning views and an unforgettable atmosphere, all just steps from the Atlantic Ocean at Fort Fisher. Special-

Chelsea Allegra Photography

Matt Ray Photography

Treebird Photography, Fiore Fine Flowers

Much more than something Blue & Find a venue as beautiful as the love you and your fiancé share when you choose one of our waterfront venues for your dream wedding. Whether you are looking for a stunning backdrop for your ceremony, or sunset views for your reception, our exceptional culinary team and experienced event staff will help you craft and coordinate your perfect wedding.

CONTACT OUR SALES & EVENTS TEAM: |P| 910.599.1337

Keep all of our family-owned coastal restaurants in mind for your upcoming events!

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Venue & Catering: Bluewater Waterfront Grill. Photograph: Chelsea Allegra Photography. Flowers: Designs by Dillon. Rentals: Party Reflections. Specialty Rentals: White Birch Rentals.

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FOOD TO ORDER

For ceremonies both large and small, the bride and groom may choose to be married under a beautiful live oak adorned with azalea bushes. There is also a park-like setting on the 16th hole with a view of ponds and a brook for up to 250 guests. Guests reach the colonialstyle clubhouse after traveling along a long, winding road lined with beautiful poplars, where the reception will be held.

BEAUTY & RELAXATION AT COASTAL MASSAGE & SPA When Coastal Massage & Spa opened near Wrightsville Beach, they envisioned a professional, friendly spa experience in a warm, private, and peaceful setting.

Creating a spa that would cater to a clientele who expected and appreciated the best of the best in quality, care and expertise.

In 2018 they opened a brand-new, 3,000-square-foot facility at Grand View Apartments equipped with a private bridal suite for wedding parties, bachelorette weekends or pampering sessions for 6 to 10 people. Large mirrors and locally crafted plushy seating make

a great place for fun and group photos.

Guests at Coastal Massage & Spa enjoy nine treatment rooms, locker rooms with showers, a steam room, a sauna, HydraFacial and relaxation space enriched with beautifully appointed treatment tables, soft linens, gentle music and a wide variety of signature treatment offerings. The spa is decorated to entice relaxation in a highend, luxurious setting. The interior of Coastal Massage & Spa was designed to blend coastal elegance with a calming color palette, soft textures and luxury finishes such as quartz countertops, glass tile and frosted windows and doors.

Brides and grooms really benefit from these services before their wedding day, since the final preparation can be hectic.

The spa caters to clients seeking all massage techniques and is one few spas in the area that offers couples massage.

Coastal Massage & Spa offers a variety of facials as well. For those who prefer leaving decisions to the experts, skin care specialists will conduct a customized facial based on an individual’s skin type and skin care goals that will leave you refreshed and glowing. 

Reliable caterers provide just-right food and ambiance to order. Chefs prepare fine meals, fancy or casual, in any setting, whether for home entertaining, beach condo meals or parties of all sizes.

Besides food, caterers decorate, set up, provide bartenders and beverages if requested, then serve and clean after the event is over. Many will arrange outdoor events, including rentals of tents, chairs, tables and other accessories. Boat lovers may use caterers for onboard parties or club socials (by the way, Cape Feararea sailing and boating groups accept members).

Once the budget, event space and number of guests are set, consult with caterers. Even the smallest get-together can entail a great amount of work; don’t hesitate to call on a pro for assistance.

GOLF COURSE WEDDING Beau Rivage Golf & Resort has a beautiful ballroom that can accommodate 220-seated guests and 350 standing.

Within the facility are several sites for the ceremony itself.

910.343.0480 | 2 Ann Street Wilmington, NC | RiverwalkLandingNC.com Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

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WEDDINGS & CATERING

events staff tends to every detail, ensuring that romantic moments meet or surpass expectations. The Aquarium’s multiple venues allow weddings that are intimate as well as grand. Guests from 60 to 2,000 are handled with ease.

From sea to land, the Cape Fear area is awash in vivid color, especially in spring when azaleas, japonica camellias, daffodils, tulips and dogwoods bloom at Wilmington’s rambling Airlie Gardens, another gorgeous site for weddings.

Spring is lovely but the garden, established in 1886, is always delightful. Settings are diverse. Consider formal grounds, water views, whimsical sculptures or a gigantic 469-year-old live oak draped in silvery Spanish moss.

The Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, a work of art made from hundreds of colorful bottles, is also among the event site options. The Pergola Garden, the most popular site for weddings, is another grand choice for a memorable event.

Airlie Gardens is available for afternoon or evening weddings, rehearsal dinners and other special events from March through October.

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The Place Locals Love To Explore & Visitors Love To Discover.

Lumina Station

shop

dine

relax

1900 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 SHOPPING VILLAGE BY THE BEACH

luminastation.com

TM

Sunset on the Battleship MEET THE ARTIST

VO LU ME

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ON 3 ED ITI 20 22 -2

Jesus Ortiz, Cover Photographer

Q noahj_or

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

Born in Mexico, I am now based in Wilmington and work as a photographer and a cook at Indochine restaurant. I bought my first Nikon d90 in 2006, but never used it until my son, Noah, was born in 2013 and we moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Wilmington. As Noah started to grow and change, I used my camera to save the memories of him forever. I began to study the camera and editing software and eventually upgraded to a more professional camera, giving the old one to Noah. I started taking landscapes and experimenting with the different perspectives and colors that are part of my signature style. I am grateful to God, Noah and all of the family and friends who have supported me in my career as a photographer — because of them I am doing what I love to do.

Advertiser Directory Airlie Gardens.................................................... 910-798-7700..................... 43 Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill.............................. 910-399-7212..................... 23 Beau Rivage Golf & Resort............................... 910-392-9021.............. 64, 96 Bellamy Mansion.............................................. 910-251-3780..................... 19 Bento Box Sushi Bar & Asian Kitchen............. 910-509-0774..................... 63 Bill Clark Homes................................................ 910-550-1167..................... 79 Blue Moon Gift Shops....................................... 910-799-5793..................... 73 Bluewater Waterfront Grill.............................. 910-256-8500.............. 59, 93 Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens................. 910-762-0570..................... 19 Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity....... 800-211-2001..................... 14 Burrito Shak....................................................... 910-319-0243.............. 28, 60 Cape Fear River Boats, Inc............................... 910-343-1611..................... 21 Carolina Ale House........................................... 910-791-9393..................... 59 Chicken Salad Chick.......................................... 910-613-6605..................... 57 Coastal Massage & Spa.................................... 910-208-4161........ IFC, 37, 91

Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.................................. 910-667-3532................... IBC New River Pottery............................................. 910-791-7522..................... 72 NC Department of Agriculture........................ 252-331-4773......................49 Oceanic at the Crystal Pier............................... 910-256-5551............... 59, 93 Pierpan Dentistry.............................................. 910-270-1222............... 32, 89 Pinpoint Restaurant.......................................... 910-769-2972......................51 Pipeline Poke...................................................................................................57 Platypus & Gnome............................................ 910-769-9300......................53 Port City Young Professionals......................... 910-469-1400......................15 Pour Taproom................................................... 910-769-1980......................55 River Bluffs......................................................... 910-623-5015........................3 River Enterprises............................................... 910-251-8600......... 51, 53, 95 Riverlights.......................................................... 910-405-1234......................77 Riverwalk Landing............................................. 910-343-0480......................95

D. Baxter's.......................................................... 910-791-8431.............. 75, 80

Smoke on the Water......................................... 910-833-5069............... 25, 55

Eclipse Artisan Boutique.................................. 910-799-9883..................... 75

Thalian Association Community Theatre....... 910-251-1788......................44

Elijah's Restaurant............................................ 910-343-1448..................... 53

theArtWorks...................................................... 910-352-7077......... 16, 74, 94

Flip N Fly - Wilmington Trampoline Park........ 910-679-5050..................... 39

The Bluffs on the Cape Fear............................ 910-383-2820......................11

Fork N' Cork....................................................... 910-228-5247.............. 25, 54

The Bryand Gallery........................................... 910-547-8657......................23

Hops Supply Co................................................. 910-833-8867..................... 59

The Forum......................................................... 910-256-2211......................71

Innovative Financial Group.............................. 888-241-1470.................... BC

The Husk............................................................ 910-763-4950......................23

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark.............................. 910-550-1167..................... 79

The Pilot House Restaurant............................. 910-343-0200......................51

Little Dipper Fondue on Front......................... 910-251-0433.................... 53

Tregembo Animal Park..................................... 910-392-3604......................68

LM Restaurants................................................. 919-851-0858 .............. 59, 93

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce............... 910-762-2611......................15

Lumina Station.................................................. 910-256-0900..................... 97

Wilmington Sharks............................................ 910-343-5621......................47

Museum of the Bizarre.................................... 910-399-2641..................... 41

Yosake' Downtown Sushi Lounge................... 910-763-3172......................56

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