Hey guys! Wilmington, NC is one of my favorite cities to visit. It’s convenient to my hometown of Durham, NC, it’s got the beach, plenty of charming hotels, and lots of activities for the whole family. Most importantly it’s full of great food! Here are some of my favorite spots in Wilmington!
Bagel King & Donuts
Bagel King & Donuts offers the most delicious bagel sandwiches ever, and the donuts are pretty good too! The shop is open early (6:30 am most days), so it’s perfect for breakfast. You can purchase freshly baked bagels individually, by the dozen, or go for a sandwich like I did. There is a wide variety of bagels, spreads, fillings, and toppings to choose from so be prepared to study the menu for a bit. I definitely recommend Bagel King for a quick breakfast in Wilmington.
Brooklyn Cafe & Market
Located in Wilmington’s historic downtown district, Brooklyn Cafe & Market is a small cafe serving some delicious fare. Brooklyn Cafe serves scratch-baked pastries, coffee, beer, wine, and more. I stopped in for an order of their famous beignets and my favorite drink, a London Fog. Both were delicious and the service at the Brooklyn Cafe was top-notch!
Los Portales Taqueria
After a fun-filled day at Kure Beach, I was ready for some tacos and margaritas and Los Portales Taqueria hit the spot for both! Los Portales is just a short drive from Wilmington Beach and was super close to my hotel, The Hive. The menu features fresh Mexican fare, with lots of unique margaritas to pair with it. The taco fillings go from your standard asada, pollo, carnitas, and chorizo to beef stomach, beef cheek, and tripe. Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, there is something for everyone. I enjoyed the food but I LOVED the margaritas. They were made with fresh fruit puree and were perfect after a hot day on the beach. Please give Los Portales and try when you’re in Wilmington and need your taco (and margarita) fix!
Elijah’s Seafood Restaurant
For a classic seafood dinner in Wilmington, I highly recommend Elijah’s. Elijah’s is located right on the Wilmington Riverwalk and they offer some al fresco dining. It was so relaxing sitting on the patio, watching the sunset, and enjoying a great meal! The menu is your standard seafood restaurant fare, crabcakes, seafood platters, oysters, and a fresh catch of the day. The menu also features some land items if you’re not a seafood lover. My husband and I really enjoyed the crab dip as our appetizer and we both got a fried seafood platter with flounder, shrimp, scallops, and oysters, fried to golden perfection! Elijah’s also offers a wide variety of alcoholic beverages and I highly recommend you make a reservation before you visit.
Thanks for Reading!
I appreciate you joining me at some of my favorite Wilmington restaurants! I’d love to hear what some of your go-to spots are…be sure to leave a comment!
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Durham, North Carolina
I’m lucky enough to call Durham North Carolina home and I can tell you first hand, Durham has so much to offer! Durham is home to prestigious universities (Duke University & North Carolina Central University), world-renowned medical and research facilities, a vibrant culinary scene, and countless picturesque parks, to name just a few attractions. Durham has been my hometown for over 18 years and I’m still discovering new ways to love the Bull City!
The Bull City
The nickname for Durham is Bull City and the name originated from the Bull Durham Tobacco Company. During the late 1800s, Durham was a booming tobacco town and the Bull Durham Tobacco Company was the premier manufacturer of tobacco products. The flagship product of the company was Bull Durham Smoking Tobacco, and the logo featured the iconic bull image we all recognize (and love) today! As Durham grew and thrived, the nickname “Bull City” emerged and serves today as a proud reminder of Durham’s industrial heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
To Know Durham Is To Love Durham
Since Durham is my hometown, I am keeping this post short and sweet because you’ll see so many more in-depth posts about specific attractions I love in the Bull City! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite things to do in the city, with links to the respective websites. I’d love any comments about what you’re favorite things to see and do in Durham are!
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens – Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a 55-acre garden featuring vibrant flowers, serene water features, peaceful trails, and the most beautiful landscapes. It’s a must-see for any visit to Durham!
- Durham Bulls Baseball Team – Attending a Durham Bulls is a quintessential experience for locals and visitors alike. Who doesn’t love enjoying a hot dog and watching a baseball game?
- Museum of Life and Science – Voted the Triangle’s Best Museum, The Durham Museum of Life & Science is an 84-acre interactive museum perfect for the whole family!
Thanks for reading all about my love of Durham and I hope you’ll check back in for more details on my hometown!
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I recently enjoyed a fun day trip to Greensboro, NC and I’d like to share the details with you all in hopes you’ll visit Greensboro too! Greensboro is located just shy of an hour from the Triangle and it’s the third largest city in North Carolina, behind Charlotte and Raleigh. The city of Greensboro is often called the Triad with Winston Salem and High Point. Greensboro is home to several universities including North Carolina A&T, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and the well-known 23,500-seat Greensboro Coliseum, the second-largest coliseum in the US. Of course, there’s more to the city than just universities and the Coliseum! Lush green spaces, historical sites, artistic venues, and countless restaurants and shops make Greensboro a town that has something for everyone!
Greensboro NC & The Civil Rights Movement
My husband and I took a trip to the F. W. Woolworth building, located in downtown Greensboro, which is the home of the first sit-in demonstration of the Civil Rights Movement. Four A&T State University freshmen (known as the Greensboro Four) sat down at a segregated F.W. Woolworth’s lunch counter in 1960 and refused to leave after being denied service. The sit-in movement soon spread to college towns throughout the South. Many of the protestors were arrested for trespassing, disorderly conduct, or disturbing the peace, their actions made an immediate impact, forcing Woolworths and other establishments to change their segregationist policies. It was incredibly powerful visiting the Civil Rights Museum. I highly recommend including a stop on your visit to Greensboro.
Exploring Greensboro
I’m always on the hunt for a good sandwich and I discovered an awesome sandwich shop called The Bodega, located in downtown Greensboro (right across from The Carolina Theater). As listed on their website, The Bodega is a locally owned business, that gives patrons a place to come, drink and relax indoors or out on the shaded patio. The Bodega serves beer and wine in-house daily, they offer a ton of grab-and-go snacks along with other household needs AND they offer the most incredible made-to-order sandwiches! Be sure to include The Bodega on your lunch break list!
Other Fun Spots to Visit in Greensboro
- Greensboro Science Center – The Science Center is one of Greensboro’s most-visited attractions, and it features an Aquarium, Zoological Park, and a museum.
- Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden – These gorgeous gardens cover over 7 acres and are a great spot for sightseeing and relaxation.
- Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe – Wet ‘n Wild is a fun waterpark situated just on the outskirts of Greensboro. It’s a fun experience for the entire family!
- The Carolina Theater – The Carolina Theater opened in 1927 and was the first air-conditioned commercial building in North Carolina! Now you can watch modern movies on the big screen as well as enjoy live entertainment at the theater.
Start Planning Your Trip To Greensboro, North Carolina!
Greensboro, North Carolina is a city full of history, art, nature, food, and so much more! You owe it to yourself to check it out! What is your favorite thing about Greensboro? Leave a comment and let me know!
Other North Carolina Posts You Might Like:
- Come And Take A Stroll On The Beautiful Wilmington Riverwalk
- The Most Fantastic Food Finds in Wilmington, North Carolina!
- Don’t Miss the Beautiful Sunflower Bloom at Dix Park!
- A “Sweet” All-Suite Hotel You’ll Love!
- A Lovely Day on The Carolina Beach Boardwalk
- No Bull, Durham Really Does Have It All!
Wilmington, NC Riverwalk
Wilmington is a coastal town located in southeastern North Carolina. Many fun things to experience in Wilmington include visiting the beach, shopping, dining, and sightseeing. For this post, I am just going to focus on the Wilmington Riverwalk!
The Riverwalk is a nearly two-mile showstopper stroll alongside the historic Cape Fear River. The pathway leads from Nunn Street to the Isabella Homes Bridge and is lined with unique shops, outdoor cafes, and markets. There are multiple hotels located very near the riverwalk, including The Hive where we enjoyed a great stay!
Strolling The Riverwalk
Well-known Wilmington landmarks like the Cotton Exchange, the USS North Carolina Battleship, and the 1914 Murchison Building are all located along the scenic Riverwalk route. In addition to these popular destinations, the Riverwalk is full of local shops, historic structures, and numerous works of art. In 2014, USA Today voted the Wilmington Riverwalk as the “Best American Riverfront” and it is certainly a well-deserved title!
The Riverwalk itself is a wooden walkway that leads right through the heart of downtown. I personally enjoyed walking the path in the early morning hours with joggers and dog walkers. The Riverwalk is equally enjoyable at night, as the path is lighted with decorative hanging street posts. There are benches and embedded stools throughout the route for visitors who want to sit down, relax, and enjoy the Wilmington breeze!
As a community boardwalk, The Riverwalk is open 24/7 with no charge to stroll along the Wilmington waterfront. With its beautiful scenery, and proximity to dining, shopping, and lodging, the Riverwalk is a must-stop for any visit to Wilmington!
Share Your Riverwalk Experience!
I’d love to hear what your favorite part of the Riverwalk at Wilmington is or if this post inspired you to visit for the first time! Please leave your comments and let me know!
Other North Carolina Posts You Might Like:
- A “Sweet” All-Suite Hotel You’ll Love!
- The Most Fantastic Food Finds in Wilmington, North Carolina!
- Don’t Miss Out On The Fun in Greensboro, NC!
- No Bull, Durham Really Does Have It All!
- Don’t Miss The Beautiful Sunflower Bloom at Dix Park!
- I Love Wearing Brown, You Should Too!
- A Lovely Day On The Carolina Beach Boardwalk
The Hive Hotel, Wilmington, North Carolina
The Hive is a 15-room all-suite boutique hotel located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The property was built in 2019 and is located steps from downtown Wilmington, with shops, restaurants, and attractions all nearby. All 15 rooms are styled differently, with some rooms offering a city view and some featuring a terrace. Here are some of the nice features at the Hive:
- Self Check-In. We never had to stop by the front desk to check into our suite. Check-in was done online and we were sent our room information via text. It was super convenient!
- Full-size kitchens in every suite
- High-Speed Internet was available throughout the property
- Onsite laundry facilities
- Onsite fitness center
- Pet-friendly suites are available (for an additional fee and WITH approval)
- Off-street parking for an additional fee. The $19.00 per day parking fee was well worth it for us. The Hive has its own dedicated parking lot just across from the hotel.
- Quiet time for all suites from 10 pm to 7 am.
TikTok Made Me Do It!
How did I end up at the Hive? Once my husband and I decided to check out Wilmington on our days off, I immediately began my search for the best places to stay (and eat)! I turned to TikTok and I saw several recommendations for the Hive. Once I saw the prime location of the Hive, I knew it was the hotel for us! We wanted to be near Carolina Beach but not ON the beach and we definitely wanted to be within walking distance to lots of restaurant options. The Hive well located; it is only 16 miles from Carolina Beach, steps from tons of dining AND the beautiful River Walk is just up the street.
Just Book It…
If you’re looking for accommodations in Wilmington, strongly consider the Hive. The rooms are spacious and stylish, and the location is unbeatable! I’ve got a longer blog post coming, all about our adventures in Wilmington, but I wanted to do a quick spotlight on the Hive. If you’ve stayed at the Hive before, leave a comment and let me know about your experience!
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