visiting Wilmington area around the holidays (Raleigh, Carolina Beach: condos, hotels, to buy)

[Vinny536]

My wife and I will be in Raleigh from 12/26 until 1/1. We were thinking about a trip to the coast. Is the Wilmington area still active around the holidays? Is it worth staying a night, or will the town be closed up for the winter?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Vinny536

My wife and I will be in Raleigh from 12/26 until 1/1. We were thinking about a trip to the coast. Is the Wilmington area still active around the holidays? Is it worth staying a night, or will the town be closed up for the winter?

Wilmington is a working city of 100,000 people, so it will not be closed. You might look at touring the waterfront, the battleship North Carolina and/or Fort Fisher.

The beaches will be to cold to do much but walk. However, I believe that at least a few restaurants at Wrightsville and Carolina Beach would be open.

[le roi]

Originally Posted by Vinny536

My wife and I will be in Raleigh from 12/26 until 1/1. We were thinking about a trip to the coast. Is the Wilmington area still active around the holidays? Is it worth staying a night, or will the town be closed up for the winter?

winters in this area aren't too bad. you do occasionally get some cold fronts, and things do seem to nearly shut down then... but the next week a warm front will come through and everyone will be back. So it's really depending on what the weather is like that day.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

Wilmington is a working city of 100,000 people, so it will not be closed. You might look at touring the waterfront, the battleship North Carolina and/or Fort Fisher.

The beaches will be to cold to do much but walk. However, I believe that at least a few restaurants at Wrightsville and Carolina Beach would be open.

Can you surf fish Wrightsville in the winter?

[wrestlingterp]

I can't speak to Wrightsville, but on Topsail Beach you can drive on the beach at Serenity Point to fish. You need to buy a pass to do so. Topsail Beach North Carolina > Visitors > Beach Driving permits

[joncr]

Originally Posted by Vinny536

My wife and I will be in Raleigh from 12/26 until 1/1. We were thinking about a trip to the coast. Is the Wilmington area still active around the holidays? Is it worth staying a night, or will the town be closed up for the winter?

Well worth a visit. Wilmington is 140 miles down the interstate from Raleigh, so staying overnight depends on your tolerance for driving to and from in one day. (It'll be dark around 5pm, too.)

Wilmington is not really on the coast. The beaches -- Carolina Beach, Kure Beach -- are 15-20 miles south. They are entirely built over with condos, timeshares, hotels, etc., so your view of the Atlantic as you drive is almost nonexistent.

Wilmington's downtown and the old ante bellum area are clustered in an area of several blocks along the east side of the Cape Fear River. A boardwalk along the downtown riverfront is pleasant, with restaurants and shops. Much, but not all, of the remainder of Wilmington is new growth suburban sprawl.

If your focus is on "The Beach", you have the entire coastline of North Carolina at your disposal.

Wilmington weather in late December is probably going to be mild with temps likely in the 50's. But, it's winter, and, hence, volatile. You won't see snow, but cold, gray, and wet is easily possible.