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Sun & sand, an evolving food scene, plentiful watering holes, super dog friendly AND forever growing! There's no wonder why so many shows and movies were and continue to be filmed here! This city/coastal beach town duo have everything needed to keep you and your pup busy (or relaxed - after all, you are at the beach)! 

I lived in Wilmington from 2016-2017 and it quickly became one of my favorite places and has remained such ever since. My husband proposed on Wrightsville Beach and we had our wedding at the Brooklyn Arts Center in downtown Wilmington. We also bought our first home there! These are our recommendations for your next trip to Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. 

Where to Stay

Aloft: downtown Wilmington and along the Riverwalk, for Marriott Bonvoy members, this hotel is a great dog-friendly option –treats in the lobby, a dog-friendly outdoor patio and lobby bar, lots of greenery for potty breaks AND the perfect location for walks. Note: the rooftop bar is SUPERB but NOT dog-friendly and dogs are not to be left alone in the room The fee is very reasonable at $25/night.

The Hive: Similar location to Aloft but slightly further from the river, this 15-suite boutique hotel is downtown and has more of an airBnB-style check-in process (code to check-in, no lobby). The suites have full kitchens and the décor and furnishings are my favorite thing about The Hive! The host is wonderful and offers personalized service and customized experiences. There is a gym and you’re in a great spot for walking your pups! Dogs require pre-approval and the fee is $89 per dog per stay. 

ARRIVE Wilmington: ARRIVE is another boutique hotel in downtown Wilmington but located in the Historic District (slightly more South than Aloft and the Hive). Recently renovated, there are 34 modern rooms, ranging from King rooms to suites and lofts. There is a hotel restaurant (the Dram Yard) and a courtyard gazebo serving up cocktails by the firepit. Note: dogs are not to be left alone in the room! Please reach out if you’d like to stay here, as I can offer VIP perks!

AirBnB/VRBO: There are plenty of dog-friendly rentals but one in particular we stayed at recently took the cake based on its proximity to Wrightsville Beach and huge fenced-in yard. It is known as a “Modern Beach Trailer” but the name does not do it justice. It is tastefully decorated and SO spacious (3 bedrooms & 2.5 bathrooms). There is a sizable screened porch with hammocks AND a TV! The yard is the best part – humongous with a volleyball net but perfect for the pups to run laps! We were able to walk to The Loop, Dockside, Drift, Poe’s etc! 

What to Do

The Beach: This is easier in the off-season but if you’re willing to drive a bit, you do have year-round options. 
-Wrightsville Beach – dogs are allowed on the beach LEASHED from Oct 31-March 31
-Carolina Beach – Apr 1-Sep 30 dogs are allowed on the beach LEASHED before 9am and after 5pm. Oct 1-Mar 31 dogs are allowed at any time as long as they are LEASHED.
-Freeman Park Beach – leash free October 31-March 31 and LEASHED Apr 1-Sep 30

Ruff Draft: An off-leash dog park & hooman bar (link to reel). Dogs must have proof of vaccinations to enter. You can sign up ahead of time and submit documentation via the website. A huge fenced grassy area with picnic tables, a dog-wash, and indoor space for the pups to play while the hoomans have adult beverages! 

Dog parks: If the dog bar is not your scene, Long Leaf Dog Park is another option for your pup to run off-leash. It is sandy with pine needles so doesn’t tend to get muddy. There are separate areas for big dogs and small dogs! Greenfield Lake Park requires your dog to be leashed but is still worth a visit! 

The Loop: The Loop is a ~2.5 mile sidewalk fitness trail that takes you over the intracoastal and through the heart of Wrightsville Beach. This is one of my all-time favorite things to do when I’m in town as it offers salty air and gorgeous views while getting in my exercise! 

WB Farmer’s Market: Mondays 8am-1pm from May 15-December 4 at the Wrightsville Beach Municipal Grounds. Over 40 vendors and lots of fresh local produce, seafood, and more! 

Nauti Boat Rentals: This has been on our to-do list for so long and we were finally able to make it happen! We had a 5 hour afternoon rental and it was SO much fun. The pups had a blast exploring Masonboro Island, Mason’s Inlet, and just cruising with the wind in their fur. 

Paddleboard with SUP: If you and your dog are brave enough to share a paddleboard, I highly recommend SUP. We have paddleboarded many times with them (sans Maisel) but they are dog friendly if you’re up for the challenge. 

Riverwalk: A fantastic way to see downtown Wilmington, as well as a beautiful sunset if you’re walking it in the evening. The Riverwalk is just shy of 2 miles and runs along the Cape Fear River. It even won a top-10 readers’ choice award for the best riverwalk in the US!  While downtown, pop into Unleashed on Front St to pick up some treatos for the pup! 

Where to Eat

Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach are extremely dog-friendly when it comes to restaurants & bars. In most cases, as long as there is outdoor seating, your pup can join you! That being said, when Maisel is with us, we prefer to keep it more casual and save our fancier faves for when it’s just the two of us. Here are our favorite spots to dine with Maisel! 

Coffee: The Workshop, Sundays, Adapt
Breakfast: Drift, Zeke’s, Beach Bagels
Brunch: True Blue Butcher & Table, The Second Glass
Lunch/Dinner: Poe’s (get the tuna tacos), Dockside (get the Painkiller), Ceviche’s (get the ceviche sampler), South Beach Grill, Smoke on the Water, three10, True Blue Butcher & Barrel (get the lobster roll or a burger)
Dessert: Boombalatti's

We also love Kipos and Origins, but have not yet brought Maisel there! 

Where to Drink

Not an exhaustive list by any means and after trying to narrow it down, these are the top contenders: 
Bottle Shops: Brewer’s Kettle, Palate, Lighthouse Beer & Wine 
Breweries: Edward Teach Brewery, Hi-Wire, Mad Mole, Wilmington Brewing Company
Bars: The Eagle’s Dare, End of Days Distillery, Satellite, Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard

We love, love, love Wilmington/WB and there are constantly new spots popping up that I will update this with as we experience them! Feel free to reach out for specific recommendations or a curated itinerary based on your interests!