Outdoor Activities
Here is a list of some of our favorite activities for a nice day!
Within walking distance of The Caddy Shack, Long Leaf Park has a never ending list of things to do! You can walk around the 1.55 mile path, play tennis, basketball, baseball, or sand volleyball, setup your ENO in the trees, pick up some sushi at Masa for a picnic, take your kids to the playground or splashpad, and so much more.
For just $5-9 per person, you can walk around the gorgeous landscaping Airlie Gardens has to offer! If you visit around Christmas time, Chanted Airlie is a must see. Check out their website for more events in their incredible gardens!
Located right by the first bridge, this is a perfect spot to rent stand up paddle boards (~$35), kayaks (~$35-55), and bikes (~$20) and explore all around Wrightsville Beach. Be careful! The current can get strong through certain parts of the waterways so make sure to go against the current first.
Wrightsville Beach Park is a great place to go for family fun or for a good workout. With basketball, tennis and pickleball courts as well as a large field for other sports/hobbies and a playground, the activities are limitless. This is also a great place to park (You do have to pay to park March 1st-October 31st) and then walk the 2.45 mile beach loop which takes you across both bridges.
The Wilmington Riverwalk is a great place to walk and view everything on the river, including the Battleship, and stumble into some of Wilmington's wonderful restaurants, shops and museums.
Beach volleyball is a locals favorite here in Wilmington! This 10 court facility is a great spot to hit around while eating incredible food and sipping on awesome beers (Wave Break is Blair's favorite!). Be sure to check their calendar for open play as they has league play every day of the week.
This is a great place to go and stretch your legs. Carolina Beach State Park has many trails for hiking, biking, and just taking in nature. As you wonder through this park, you will see all it has to offer from camper cabins to tent/RV sites to fishing spots, Venus flytraps, a boat ramp, and more. Visit their website for more camping, activity and amenity details!
Jungle Rapids has it all! It's a great place to go for putt putt, go carting and they have a water park with large slides. Tired of being out in the sun? Escape to their indoor arcade with lots of games, laser tag, rock climbing, and the list continues!
The Wilmington beaches are some of the nations favorites! Wrightsville is known for being a more relaxed and dry beach. Carolina Beach is for the more rowdy/fun crowd and you can even buy day pass to drive on the beach at Freeman Park or reserve a camping spot right on the beach. Kure Beach is mostly vacation rentals and very family friendly.
Indoor Activities
If you are a little too sun burnt, or the weather decides to rain on your parade, there are still so many indoor activities Wilmington has to offer!
This is a state-of-the-art indoor golf experience featuring golf simulators, craft cocktails, and a lounge area. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a round of golf, or other fun simulated games, with friends and family!
This awesome art museum is situated on a historic 9-acre site with beautiful gardens and grounds. The museums permanent collection includes works by regional artists, as well as pieces from around the world. The museum's mission is to promote the arts and create a space for cultural exchanges, education, and inspiration
The Fort Fisher Aquarium features a variety of exhibits showcasing marine animals from the local area and beyond, including sharks, jellyfish, sea turtles, and more. Visitors can also enjoy interactive exhibits, educational programs, and behind-the-scenes tours to learn more about the fascinating world of ocean life.
This museum's exhibits explore the history, science, and culture of the Cape Fear region. It features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and collections that showcase the diverse history and natural environment of the area.
Flip & Fly is an indoor trampoline and ninja park in the Mayfaire area. You can enjoy trampolines, foam pits, obstacle courses, dodgeball tournaments, fitness classes, and more in a safe and clean environment.
This fun museum is a hands-on, interactive museum designed for children aged 0-10 and their families. The museum's exhibits and programs encourage learning through play and exploration. Children can explore a variety of exhibits including a pirate ship, a medieval castle, and a farm-to-market exhibit.
Movie Theatres
Escape Rooms
Bowling
Furry Friend Fun
Wilmington is very dog friendly and has a plethora of places for you to go and enjoy time with your pups. From parks, to beaches, breweries and restaurants, keep reading to find some of our favorite place to go with our sweet lab, Culver!
Within walking distance of The Caddy Shack, Long Leaf Park is the perfect place to take your dog to get out some energy. There is a large and small dog park which almost always has a couple dogs there to play with. There is also a 1.55 mile loop as well as lots of places to stop and sniff.
The Wrightsville Beach loop is a great place to go for both you and your dog to enjoy a nice 2.45 mile walk taking you across both Wrightsville Beach bridges. You can park at the Wrightsville Beach Park which does require you to pay to park March 1st-October 31st.
This is a massive state park with lots of different trails to explore with your pup. There is also beach access towards the back of your park if you would like enjoy being by the water.
Smith Creek Park is a beautiful and well-maintained park located towards the Ogden area of Wilmington. The park features a large playground, picnic areas, and a walking trail that winds through the wooded area. The highlight of the park is the large pond, which is perfect for fishing or letting your dog swim (BE CAREFUl of algae growth. Algae can grow during warmer months if the water is stagnant which can be harmful for dogs)
This bar was opened specifically for our furry friends! There is a large bar for humans to order drinks as well as plenty of water bowls for all the dogs to enjoy. After paying a daily/monthly/annual membership fee and completing the dog checklist which can be found on their Dog Park Rules page, dogs can run around the entire indoor and outdoor facility.
Want to take your dog to the beach for a swim in the ocean or just a walk in the sand? Freeman Park is the perfect place any time of year! Dogs are allowed on leash April 1st - September 30th and they are allowed off leash October 1st - March 31st.
Restaurants
Most restaurants with outdoor seating allow you to bring your dog and have dog bowls available. Some of our favorite eateries to bring our dog are:
As you are planning your trip to Wilmington, please be aware that dogs are NOT allowed on the beach from April 1st - September 30th. In the off season, this is a great place to go to walk with your dog on leash and park for free from October 1st - March 31st.
Breweries and Bars
Almost all breweries and bars are dog friendly here in Wilmington and also provide dog bowls. You do have to keep your dog on leash but you will most likely see other dogs at these locations. Some of our favorite spots to take our dog with us are: