Summertime calls for the perfect family-friendly vacation full of relaxing, rejuvenating and spending time together. Whether you plan to spend all day on the beach, lounging at a resort or exploring the natural wildlife, a vacation to Wrightsville Beach is sure to please the entire crew.
Island Accommodations
Kick back at one of Wrightsville Beach’s oceanfront resorts to experience amenities parents and kids alike will enjoy. Relax in the oceanfront garden and play cornhole with the family on the spacious lawn at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, where every room offers scenic views of the ocean or sound.
Opt for a stay at the recently renovated Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort, which features guest rooms complete with ocean or harbor-front views and some redesigned with bunk beds and storage cubbies to better accommodate families and all their gear. Kids will delight in poolside fun, while parents will enjoy relaxing on the beach.
For larger families that need more space, choose from a variety of vacation rentals suited to meet everyone’s needs. There are countless options, from oceanfront homes with their own private gated beach access to spacious houses on the salt marsh with access to their own private docks, perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking families.
Family Fun on the Water
Known as the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina and for its crystal blue water, Wrightsville Beach offers endless family fun in the sun – and on the water! The whole family can learn to ride the waves during a private surf lesson from the trained instructors at Indo Jax Surf School or WB Surf Camp. Or, for a full day of adventure, visit Soundside Adventures for surfing, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking and more.
Named one of the best SUP hubs in the U.S. by Outside magazine, Wrightsville Beach is the ideal location for a stand-up paddleboarding adventure. Head to Wrightsville SUP or Cape Fear Paddleboarding to rent gear or sign up for a private lesson.
Set sail with an experienced captain from Wrightsville Performance Sailing to take in unparalleled views from Wrightsville Beach’s waterways. Or, master the basics of sailing with a lesson from the Blockade Runner’s Sailing School, one of only four ASA-certified sailing schools in North Carolina.
Check out Masonboro Island Reserve, the longest undisturbed barrier island ecosystem in southern North Carolina, clocking in at 8.4 miles in length. The uninhabited island is home to birds, fish, invertebrates and sea turtles and can only be reached by boat, kayak or canoe. Join the pros at Wrightsville Kayak Company for a guided tour to the island, complete with kayaks, paddleboards, dry bags, a map and all of the necessities for the exciting excursion.
Discover Local Parks
Take a break from the beach to explore Harbor Way Gardens, located at the west of end of Wrightsville Beach Park. Wander along the 1-acre garden’s paved paths to catch a glimpse of beautiful seasonal flowers in bloom, as well as the only Witherspoon Roses in the state in the Plant it Pink Garden, honoring breast cancer survivors. On a hot day, adults can rest and relax under the shade of the park’s tall trees, while kids of all ages splash in the Children’s Fountain.
Get your steps in with a family walk or jog along the island’s 2.5-mile Loop for scenic views of the Intercoastal Waterway, Banks Channel and salt marshes. Add some education to your exercise with the Loop Through History self-guided tour. Informational signs are displayed sunrise to sunset during select weekends from June to December, featuring vintage photographs, informative history tidbits and trivia about your favorite coastal destination.
Island Eats
After a busy day of adventuring, wind down al fresco or pick up dinner to-go featuring fare for the whole family. For a casual and kid-friendly meal, the Trolly Stop Wrightsville Beach is the perfect spot. Choose from a selection of five types of hot dogs with more than 1,000 different topping combinations ensuring there’s something for everyone, including little ones who may have less adventurous palates.
Dine on the pier at Oceanic Restaurant, Wrightsville Beach’s only standalone restaurant on the beach, to find coastal favorites from land and sea like the crab-stuffed salmon or the shrimp & white cheddar grits. Savor local dishes at Dockside Restaurant, a Wrightsville Beach staple for more than 30 years, or enjoy seafood specialties like blackened Mahi tacos and marina views at Bluewater Waterfront Grill.
Put the cherry on top of your family vacation with a tasty treat sure to satisfy the little ones. Cool down with gourmet frozen custard or a banana split on the outdoor patio at Kohl’s Frozen Custard. Or, grab a cone of your favorite flavor at The Original Ice Cream Stand, conveniently located just steps from the ocean on the Wrightsville Beach Loop.
Hit the beach, relax at a local park, savor island eats and more. At Wrightsville Beach, you’ll find the summer vacation you’ve been dreaming of all year long.
