We can only get away for the first three or four nights of spring break. We have family in the Wilmington, NC and are looking to stay 3 or 4 nights at a hotel on the beach, either Wrightsville or Carolina Beach. I know it won’t be warm enough for a full on beach vacation but will there be enough to do and see for the kids? Two girls, ages 7 and 10. Also, which is better, Wrightsville or Carolina Beach? |
I absolutely love Wrightsville but to be completely honest there’s very little to do with kids besides the beach. I would stay in Carolina Beach to be closer to more things including the aquarium. Wrightsville is great for renting a house and staying put. I also suggest taking some time in downtown Wilmington, lots of history and my kids loved taking a tour. |
The navy ship from wwII is a great tour. You could easily spend half a day there. |
IMO that drive is way too long for that length trip. |
Wrightsville Beach, absolutely. You can stay in a nice resort there as opposed to Carolina Beach where it will be just vacation rentals. |
No it’s not. |
It's max 6.5 hours to Wrightsville beach. About the same as the Outer Banks. |
Which I also wouldn’t do for 3-4 nights. But you are welcome to! |
We loved Carolina beach when our kids were little. That’s my vote. There’s a great aquarium a few miles beyond down at Ft Fisher, a little boardwalk, cute ice cream shops. |
Carolina Beach would be better. Are you staying in a hotel or a house? Wilmington has all sorts of things to do including Jungle Rapids, downtown tours, the USS NC and the USCG ship (if it's in port). There's also a great park with an awesome playground (I can't think of what it's called so hopefully someone else can chime in), the aquarium...you will be plenty busy and if the weather's nice, a lot of places have open pools and you can always hang out on the beach. |
Unless I-95 comes to a grinding halt, which it has many times I've headed south in the last 5 years. |
True, though less likely for spring break than in the summer. Wrightsville beach can often be chilly in April. I would head to Florida. |
A resort in wrightsville??? |
Yep. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnresorts/hotels/us/en/wrightsville-beach/wrgnc/hoteldetail I've been there. It's a resort. And Wrightsville Beach has good restaurants. Wrightsville beach is 6 miles from Wilmington vs Carolina beach which is quite a bit further, so it's also much easier to get to Wilmington's restaurants and attractions. |
OP here, thanks all for the feedback. The only hotel that looks decent on Wrightsville Beach is Holiday Inn and it’s sold out. Booked the Marriott on Carolina Beach. |