Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Wrightsville Beach

Chad_Talton / Getty Images

Key Info

Official Website

Details

Beaches, Recreation, Sightseeing Type
2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

4.6

Overall

Scorecard

Value

5.0
Facilities

4.5
Atmosphere

4.5

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

Wrightsville Beach is located just 10 miles east of the Historic District, and it receives high praise for its wide ribbon of sand, which is easily accessible and lined by hotels, vacation homes, restaurants, bars and shops. There are even restrooms and showers at several beach-access points. Since the beach is situated several dozen miles from the Gulf Stream, it offers travelers warmer, almost transparent waters.

Recent travelers hail Wrightsville Beach for its clean sands and peaceful ambiance. They also appreciated the lifeguards, though some warn the surf can be rough, especially in the hours after a storm.

The beach is free to access year-round. You'll find a handful of paid parking lots near beach-access points: Beach Access 4, located at 2398 N. Lumina Ave., and Beach Access 36, located at 650 S. Lumina Ave., are some of the largest lots. Still, it's advisable to snag a spot before 9 a.m. to beat the rush. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information, visit the Town of Wrightsville Beach's website.

Hotels Nearby

Thing to Do
Hotel

Residence Inn by Marriott Wilmington Landfall ...

2.5 Miles Away
3.0-star Hotel Class

Hilton Garden Inn Wilmington Mayfaire Town Center ...

2.9 Miles Away
3.0-star Hotel Class

Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach ...

1.7 Miles Away
2.5-star Hotel Class

See all hotels in Wilmington, NC »

More Best Things to Do in Wilmington, NC

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#1 Riverwalk No trip to Wilmington is complete without a stroll along its mile-long Riverwalk. This wooden boardwalk that borders Cape Fear River is lined with popular restaurants and bars – and punctuated ... Read more » P A Thompson / Getty Images

#2 Historic District The 230-plus blocks that comprise Wilmington's historic district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and they contain everything from mansions to museums, as well as a ... Read more » Pgiam / Getty Images

#3 Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach is located just 10 miles east of the Historic District, and it receives high praise for its wide ribbon of sand, which is easily accessible and lined by ... Read more » Chad_Talton / Getty Images

#4 Airlie Gardens Wilmington's 67-acre Airlie Gardens are enchanting. Not only do the gardens feature the flora and fauna native to this corner of North Carolina, they also contain a butterfly house ... Read more » Brett Cottrell / Photo Courtesy of New Hanover County

#5 Battleship North Carolina Back when Battleship North Carolina was commissioned in 1941, the ship was thought of as "the world's greatest sea weapon," and it turned out to be just that by ... Read more » red_moon_rise / Getty Images

#6 Bellamy Mansion Museum This gorgeous 1800s Greek Revival mansion housed the Bellamy family, from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th century. The property contains 22 rooms, gorgeous gardens and restored slave quarters – and ... Read more » Pgiam / Getty Images

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Along Cape Fear River, visitors can stretch their legs on the one-mile Riverwalk. P A Thompson / Getty Images

The Bellamy Mansion Museum is among a number of antebellum properties in Wilmington's Historic District. Pgiam / Getty Images

Many visitors to Wilmington spend a day or two at nearby Wrightsville Beach. Chad_Talton / Getty Images

The Airlie Gardens feature 67 acres worth of North Carolina flora. Brett Cottrell / Photo Courtesy of New Hanover County

This battleship glided through the Pacific Ocean and fought a number of offensives during World War II. These days, it's docked in Wilmington and open for tours year-round. red_moon_rise / Getty Images

The tour guides at the Bellamy Mansion Museum make its 22 rooms come alive, with stories about the home's architecture and Bellamy family. Pgiam / Getty Images