Wilmington and the beaches are decidedly dog-friendly, with great walking trails, outdoor dining at restaurants that welcome four-legged friends, and a slew of dog parks and pup-oriented recreational activities.

In a community that embraces both your family and your pets, there are plenty of options when deciding what do for the day or evening - options that include your dog, too!


Dog-Friendly Breweries
Starting in September 2019, there is a new law in North Carolina that will allow dogs (and cats) inside breweries, as long as the brewery doesn't prepare food on the premises.

Here are some of our favorite spots to grab a beer and chill with our four-legged buddies:

Front Street Brewery
Waterline Brewery
Waterman's Brewing Company
Goat & Compass
Good Hops Brewing
Edward Teach Brewing
Good Hops
Wrightsville Brewing
Flytrap Brewing
Burnt Mill Tavern




Dog-Friendly Dining
Generally, the rule for finding a restaurant that doesn't mind if you bring your d ...

What's Up | fun and festivities
August 2 4-7pm Young Scientist Academy End of Summer Party | YSA at 20 N 4th Street, Wilmington. Fun, music, food, and games for the entire family. View youth science research projects and art exhibits. Suggested donation $10.

August 3 2pm 4th Annual Downtown Wilmington Margarita Bar Crawl | General admission of $5 gets you on the crawl, drink specials, giveaways and more. Starts at Growler's Tavern, 21 N Front Street.

August 8 7pm Evening Climb at Old Baldy Lighthouse | Climb Old Baldy on Bald Head Island for a 360-degree view of Southport, Oak Island and the surrounding waterways at night. Buy tickets online or onsite.

August 10 multiple times Thalian Hall's 3rd Annual Thunder Roll Event | Free! Experience America's only operating Thunder Roll - a 19th century sound effect machine. Tony Rivenbark performs the Storm Speech from Shakespeare's King Lear as the Thunder Rolls. Reservations not required. Info at www.thalianhall.org.

Au ...

What's Up | fun and festivities

July 3 8am Farmers' Market at Poplar Grove | Enjoy the grounds of the historic Poplar Grove Plantation and purchase local produce, bakery items, and canned goods.

July 4 Independence Day | See our list of local Fourth of July celebrations. Enjoy a safe and fun July 4th!

July 5 6:30pm Downtown Sundown Concert Series | Hey Johnny Park (Foo Fighters Tribute) FREE! Opening act is Alternative Vision. Food, beer, and wine available for sale. Rain or shine; check Facebook for updates.

July 10 8am Airlie Gardens Monthly Bird Walk | Explore Airlie's varied bird habitats. Regular Airlie admission applies.

July 13 8am Carolina Beach Double Sprint | The very first "Formula 1" or super sprint triathlon produced in the U.S. (formerly the Kure Beach Double Sprint).

July 18 8pm An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin at Wilson Center | Comedienne Lily Tomlin returns to the Wilson Center; tickets available on the Wilson Center website.

July 19 ...

There's something about Fourth of July celebrations close to the water. Add a splash of historic backdrops and loads of tradition, and you've got Independence Day parties, fireworks, and observances that draw both locals and visitors.

Whether you are a creature of habit, and head for the same spot with your beach chair, blanket, and picnic to watch the pyrotechnics, or if you are always up for something different, we've got a list of the best southeastern North Carolina Independence Day celebrations.


June 29
4th Annual Freedom Fest
Sat 2-6 pm, Waterline Brewing Company, Wilmington NC


July 1
NC 4th of July Festival Beach Day
Mon - Tues Middleton Park, Oak Island NC
Oak Island Parks and Recreation invites you and your family to the annual Beach Day on July 1st. Beginning at 9am with the horseshoe tournament, there will be live entertainment, dozens of family contest and inflatable rides at Middleton Park. There will also be a corn hole, bocce, sand castle, and volleyba ...

People choose where they live for hundreds of reasons. Being close to work, family, or education, top the list of why people buy a home in a specific location. Weather, affordability, and lifestyle are also important considerations in narrowing down the places home buyers opt to purchase. 

For those who are devoted 5K, 10K, or marathoners, water sports competitors including SUP and swim, and bike riders, the Cape Fear region offers year-round athletic challenges. Living in the Wilmington area means that a race, walk, or water sport is always just a short distance from your home base. Training is a pleasure at the numerous parks with walking/running paths and greenways.

Many of the Wilmington area's events are so popular that competitors register and travel from other state to participate. Race devotees living in Wilmington and the beaches have these races right at their doorstep.

An advantage of living in southeastern North Carolina are year-round weather conditions that ...