Located on an island off the coast of Wilmington, N.C., Wrightsville Beach is one of my favorite beaches because of its stunning views, easy access, and special memories.
Because it is only a 2-hour drive from where we live, Wrightsville has been the site of countless day trips for my husband and me. We started going when we first began dating and it has become a tradition to go at least once or twice each summer.
After our daughter was born, she began joining us on these trips. Wrightsville Beach is where she saw the ocean for the first time, built her first sandcastle, and rode her first wave.
Our rituals include eating tacos on the beach from Tower 7. We’ve learned over the years to bring our own cutlery because the Tower 7 team almost always forgets to put it in the to-go bag, but the salsa alone is worth the drive!
We also love stopping at Dockside for fried seafood on their deck overlooking the Intracoastal waterway.
We recently stayed a few nights in Wrightsville beach to celebrate our 24-year anniversary. As much as we love Wrightsville as a day-trip destination, we enjoyed it even more as a long weekend getaway.
We visited Airlie Gardens for the first time. It was beautiful even on the hottest of summer afternoons, although the flowers were a little past peak. This 67-acre garden area is probably best enjoyed in early spring or fall.
The highlight of our trip was traveling across the bridge to see the sunrise each morning. I love the beach’s activity at sunrise, with runners, surfers, and photographers quietly taking in the arresting views.
What is your favorite beach destination?
