Summer Offerings

Amos Lee has a new song out that I can’t get enough of: “Windows Are Rolled Down.” It makes me think of summer and everything the Port City has to offer both locals and visitors alike.

Local roadside produce stands and farmers markets. I know, I have talked about them in the past, but a fresh, juicy peach on a hot summer’s day is just about perfection.

Swimming pools & beaches. Whether you ride waves or prefer a fish-free swim, Wilmington has you covered (she types as she thinks about the freshly uncovered YWCA pool). If you want the feel of a lake, try driving out on Carolina Beach’s North End. Just passed the bend the waves end and you can splash around without getting knocked over.

Outdoor concerts and movies. Various locations have weekly outdoor concerts that are free to the public. Mayfaire and Downtown Wilmington both run concert series on Friday evenings in the summer that you can bring the family to. Other venues such as Satellite Bar & Lounge and Carolina Beach have movie nights. (Satellite views kid movies, so you can take Jr. without fear.)

Festivals. With a little research, you can find a festival celebrating something or someone in the tri-county area just about every weekend this time of year. If you enjoy traveling the state, you will definitely find a festival a week as us Southerners like to have a reason to cut loose!

Walking tours. Put on your sneakers and take a walking tour downtown! We have them for the film industry (see where Matlock & One Tree Hill have filmed), ghosts (because every old town has had at least one bump in the night), gardens (who doesn’t like flowers?), and historic homes (see how people used to live). These tours range from fun to educational, so try them all!

The Port City has been my home for my 26 years of life and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Whether you are a local or just visiting, take a look through the city with my eyes and hopefully, you will love it as much as me.