Wilmington NC - coastalnc-wilmington.com

Vacation Planning and Real Estate Guide to Wilmington, NC Hotels, Resorts, Motels, Vacation Rentals, Golf Courses, Golf Packages, Shopping Weddings, Dining, Attractions, Real Estate

Kim

Updated: Wilmington Stay-At-Home Order

Click Here for The Full Declaration of State of Emergency

Closure of playgrounds, team sport facilities, and public gardens. All public playgrounds, public playground equipment and exercise stations, public team sport facilities, and public gardens are hereby ordered to be closed and not used. Trails and open spaces may remain open under the restriction that social distance guidelines are followed and no gatherings of more than 10 people occur.

Specific Closures to further limit viral transmission – Amusement. All places of public amusement, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, where people may gather, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, playgrounds, recreation centers, team sports facilities, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, and country clubs or social clubs shall be closed to the public, including to private events with more than ten (10) people gathered including staff. Golf courses are restricted to allowing walking golfers or one golfer per cart to maintain social distance requirements.

Specific Closures to further limit viral transmission – Non-essential retail. All stores, indoor or outdoor shopping malls, and retail facilities that do not provide goods that are essential for health, sustenance, shelter, mobility, and hygiene shall close all in-person shopping areas to the public. Delivery and curb-side service may be implemented or continued. This restriction shall not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, hardware, and building supply stores, or gas stations. Any store, mall, or retail facility that does provide essential goods as set forth above, shall close to the public any portion of its facility dedicated to non-essential goods that it is reasonably capable of so closing.

Specific Closures to further limit viral transmission -Specific merchants. For the purposes of this Declaration, the following businesses shall be subject to the same restrictions as non-essential retail set forth in Section 8 and shall close their facilities to the public. Those businesses are: •

  • Auto dealerships, boat dealerships and other motor vehicle sales points (not including repair or maintenance services)
  • Hotels, Motels, and Short-term lodging (except as allowed by a governmental request to assist with the emergency response to Coronavirus or to provide lodging in support of the supply and distribution of COVID-19 Essential Businesses and Operations or in support of our communities’ COVID-19 emergency response and practices utilized to fight the virus or its spread). Extended stay hotels may continue to offer lodging for terms of no less than 28 days.
  • Retail stores situated at marinas
  • Closure of inside carry-out food service. All carry-out food service that requires the customer to enter the interior of the merchant’s facility is forbidden and any business so engaged shall cease such activities immediately. Delivery, drive-through and curbside food service is allowed.

Click Here for The Full Declaration of State of Emergency

As many of you know the governor has issued a Stay-at-Home Order for North Carolina. Some of you have asked what does this mean for our area? We are here to break it down for you.

  • Stay at home unless you have to leave for an essential activity. Essential activities include traveling for health and safety, obtaining necessary supplies or services, going outside for outdoor activity while staying 6 feet away from others and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people.
  • Essential workers may travel for work, included essential workers include health and human services, construction and maintenance crews, grocery stores, agriculture-based operations, food and beverage products that offer carry-out or delivery, and gas station workers. See the full list of essential workers here.
  • Social Distancing orders still apply which means maintaining a 6-foot distance from others. Washing your hands as often as possible for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and or using hand sanitizer. Clean high traffic surfaces often with a sanitizing product.
  • Individual towns have also issued their own regulations to govern their ordinance’s needs.
  • These implementations will be upheld until April 30, 2020.
  • NO curfew has been instated at this time.
  • Restaurants can remain open, but cannot allow customers inside to order or pick up food. All transactions must be done through curb-side pickup or delivery.  See where you can get takeout or delivery
  • Parks and nature trails are open, though all public gardens are closed, as are playgrounds, sports facilities, restroom facilities and any other gathering places at those parks.
  • Beaches remain closed, and authorities are monitoring waterways to ensure social distancing measures are being followed.
  • Those with questions should call the county’s COVID-19 hotline at 910-798-6800, which is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

See Wilmington Take Out & Delivery Food Options

Summer Beach Reads Guide

Going a little stir crazy indoors and need a beach escape? We’ve got you covered (no pun intended)! If you can’t to the beach yet at least you can read about it! Check Out Some of Our Favorites!

The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen

$14.99

Centered on a real landmark on the coast of North Carolina on Bird Island at Sunset Beach NC, The Mailbox blends intriguing folklore and true faith with raw contemporary issues that affect every woman.
 
When Lindsey Adams first visits the Kindred Spirit mailbox at Sunset Beach, she has no idea that twenty years later she will still be visiting the mailbox—still pouring out her heart in letters that summarize the best and worst parts of her life.
 
Returning to Sunset for her first vacation since her husband left her, Lindsey struggles to put her sorrow into words. Memories surface of her first love, Campbell—and the rejection that followed. When Campbell reappears in her life, Lindsey must decide whether to trust in love again or guard herself from greater pain. The Mailbox is a rich novel about loss, hope, and the beauty of second chances.

Get It Here

All The Single Ladies by Dorthea Benton Frank

$15.99

In this fast-paced and evocative novel, beloved New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank again takes us deep into the Lowcountry of South Carolina, where three unsuspecting women are brought together by tragedy and mystery Lisa St. Clair knows a thing or two about weathering storms. A dedicated nurse with a healthy sense of humor, she single-handedly raised her truculent daughter, Marianne, after her ex walked out on them twenty-four years ago, sending them a lottery ticket once a year as support. One day he reappeared and lured their daughter into a dubious but lucrative venture in Colorado. Now, mother and daughter aren’t speaking. So when Kathy Harper, Lisa’s favorite patient, loses her battle with cancer, Lisa finds herself drawing closer to Carrie and Suzanne, the devoted friends who were always by Kathy’s side. As these three women’s lives inevitably connect, they share their concerns about men, getting older, and the horrors of maintaining financial stability.

Get It Here

The Bridge Tender by Marybeth Whalen

$15.99

A surprise gift from her late husband will give a young widow the chance to do the hardest thing in the world . . . move on. On their honeymoon, the new Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Shaw made a pact: No matter the sacrifices along the way, one day they would return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina—this time to buy their own home. But that dream was not to be. Seven years into a beautiful marriage, Emily is left a widow, heartbroken, and way past caring about anything. Until a man approaches her, claiming to have something left to her from Ryan. Something secret.

Get It Here

The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe

$16.00

Caretta Rutledge thought she’d left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother—coming just as her own life is spinning out of control—has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide “turtle lady” and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life’s most precious lessons—true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.

Get It Here

The Memory of Water by Karen White

$15.00

On the night their mother drowns, sisters Marnie and Diana Maitland discover there is more than one kind of death. There is the death of innocence, of love, and of hope. Each sister harbors a secret about that night-secrets that will erode their lives as they grow into adulthood. After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lowcountry by Diana’s ex-husband, Quinn. His young son has returned from a sailing trip with his emotionally unstable mother, and he is refusing to speak. In order to help the traumatized boy, Marnie must reopen old wounds and bring the darkest memories of their past to the surface. And she must confront Diana, before they all go under.

Get It Here

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

$16.00

With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true. Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her–and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare. When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff–one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart–everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.

Get It Here

The Education of Dixie Dupree by Donna Everhart

$15.00

In 1969, Dixie Dupree is eleven years old and already an expert liar. Sometimes the lies are for her mama, Evie’s sake–to explain away a bruise brought on by her quick-as-lightning temper. And sometimes the lies are to spite Evie, who longs to leave her unhappy marriage in Perry County, Alabama, and return to her beloved New Hampshire. But for Dixie and her brother, Alabama is home, a place of pine-scented breezes and hot, languid afternoons. Though Dixie is learning that the family she once believed was happy has deep fractures, even her vivid imagination couldn’t concoct the events about to unfold. Dixie records everything in her diary–her parents’ fights, her father’s drinking and his unexplained departure, and the arrival of Uncle Ray. Only when Dixie desperately needs help and is met with disbelief does she realize how much damage her past lies have done. But she has courage and a spirit that may yet prevail, forcing secrets into the open and allowing her to forgive and become whole again.

Get It Here

The Hurricane Sisters by Dorthea Benton Frank

$15.99

Once again Dorothea Benton Frank takes us into the heart of her magical South Carolina Lowcountry on a tumultuous journey filled with longings, disappointments, and a road toward happiness that is hard-earned Three generations of women are buried in secrets. The determined matriarch, Maisie Pringle, at eighty, is a force to be reckoned with. Her daughter, Liz, is caught up in the classic maelstrom of being middle-aged and in an emotionally demanding career. And Liz’s beautiful twenty-something daughter, Ashley, has dreamy ambitions of her unlikely future that keeps them all at odds. Mary Beth, Ashley’s dearest friend, tries to have her back, but even she can’t talk headstrong Ashley out of a relationship with an ambitious politician who seems slightly too old for her. Actually, Ashley and Mary Beth have yet to launch themselves into solvency. So while they wait for the world to discover them, they placate themselves with a harebrained scheme to make money but one that threatens to land them in huge trouble with the authorities.

Get It Here

Beach House Reunion by Mary Alice Monroe

$16.99

Whisking you back to the shores of her bestselling Beach House series, Mary Alice Monroe weaves together a tale of the struggles and triumphs of the historic Rutledge family of Charleston, South Carolina. Beautifully wrought and rich with keen insight, this is an illuminating tale of new beginnings, resilience, and one family’s enduring love. Cara Rutledge returns to her Southern home on the idyllic Isle of Palms. Everything is comfortingly the same, yet each detail is rife with painful memories. Only through reconnecting with family, friends, and the rhythms of the lowcountry can Cara release the hold of the past and open herself to the possibility of a new love, career, and hope for the future.

Get It Here

See Our Full List of Beach Reads

Read the April Home & Garden Issue of Island Life NC!

The April Issue of Island Life NC is Available Now!

Island Life NC Magazine highlights the lifestyle and beauty of the islands of Coastal North Carolina with stories of its people, history, and places to visit!

In the April Issue, read about gardening tips, home improvement ideas, fresh spring recipes, herb packed drink recipes, and history from all along the North Carolina Coast!

Visit www.IslandLifeNC.com

Read Island Life NC Magazine online for FREE!

 

 

North Carolina Beaches Response to Covid-19

The beaches along the Southeastern North Carolina Coast have instituted new policies and regulations to reduce crowds and encourage the idea of “Social Distancing” regarding coronavirus.

From the Outer Banks all the way down to the Brunswick Beaches, the local governments of the beach communities have held emergency meetings to address COVID-19, and all have declared a state of emergency. You may ask what does this mean, well, each town has its own parameters and responses that are befitting their community.

Some beaches, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach, have completely closed. Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle, Holden Beach, and Oak Island have only closed public beach accesses and parking lots, allowing homeowners access to the beach strand. Bald Head Island has called for a voluntary evacuation mandating the discontinuation of vacation rentals until the end of April.

Nearly all towns have suspended short-term rentals on the islands for the upcoming weeks, some potentially ending as soon as April 30th, and some extending until the end of April or until the order has been lifted.

What Can You Do To Help?

You and your family can practice social distancing by limiting non-essential travel, public outings, and socialization.

You can also support the local businesses in your area and in your favorite vacation spot, many of the stores, restaurants, and attractions are still operating at a pared-down level to comply with regulations. Rather than wait until your vacation, if you can afford to, purchase a few gift cards to shops or restaurants where you anticipate you’ll go to use later. This will give businesses more cash flow during timed when they need to keep running with little income.

Also, when regulations and restrictions are lifted, we’d love to have you back here at our beaches, supporting the local community and enjoying the wonderful area we all love and enjoy!

Breaking it Down, Beach by Beach

Wrightsville Beach

  • Beaches closed pursuant to New Hanover County Declaration
  • Both ocean and sound side closed, police will patrol for compliance
  • Town buildings and public restrooms closed until further notice
  • Read Full Update Here

Carolina Beach

  • Beaches closed pursuant to New Hanover County Declaration
  • Public parking lots and Freeman Park also closed
  • Read Full Update Here

Kure Beach

  • Beaches closed pursuant to New Hanover County Declaration
  • Read Full Update Here

Surf City

  • Discontinuance of all short-term rentals — those with terms under 3 months — for the next 30 days.
  • All public beach accesses, parking lots and parks are closed until further notice
  • Private property owners can still utilize their beach accesses but are urged to follow social distancing guidelines of 10 or fewer people per group
  • Encouraging travel to be limited if at all possible
  • Read Full Update Here

Oak Island

  • Discontinues all short-term rentals on the island until further notice — those renting property on the island for any period shorter than three months are to be out by 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 — and no new short-term rentals will be allowed until the order is revoked
  • Urges town residents and employees to limit travel as much as possible
  • Strongly encourages compliance in limiting groups to 10 or fewer people
  • Gives the town manager authority to levy additional restrictions if needed
  • Read The Full Update Here

Bald Head Island

The health of our property owners, rental guests, visitors and employees is our top priority. On Thursday, March 19, 2020, the Village of Bald Head Island declared a State of Emergency that includes a Voluntary Evacuation mandating the discontinuation of all vacation rentals and day visits until at least April 30, 2020. Bald Head Island Transportation Inc. is limiting ferry service for all vessels to 45 passengers beginning March 24, 2020. Read the Full Update Here

Holden Beach

  • Discontinuance of short-term rentals — those with terms under 3 months — until at least April 30, and all current renters must vacate the island by 2 p.m. March 28
  • All public parking areas are closed except for town employees and contractors
  • Existing facility agreements with the town are suspended until further notice
  • All public restrooms and recreational facilities are closed, and town buildings are closed except to staff
  • Gatherings must be limited to 10 or fewer people
  • Read The Full Update Here

Ocean Isle Beach

  • Discontinues short-term rentals, with those currently renting asked to leave by 2 p.m. March 25, and no new rentals allowed until at least April 30
  • Parking in public right of ways, including beach accesses, is prohibited except for town employees and contractors (includes golf carts)
  • The community center, public restrooms, and all other public recreation facilities are closed, and all group activity applications are suspended
  • Access to public municipal buildings is limited to essential staff and administration
  • Gatherings must be limited to 10 people, including on the beach
  • Read The Full Update Here

Sunset Beach

  • Discontinuance of all short-term rentals until at least April 30, and all current short-term renters or vacationers must vacate the town by 5 p.m. March 26
  • All town buildings and facilities will be closed until further notice, and all public interaction with town staff will be done over the phone
  • All public parking lots and right of way parking areas are closed until further notice
  • Gatherings in public places including parks and on the beach are limited to 10 people
  • Read The Full Update Here

Airlie Garden Concerts Series

Enjoy the beautiful gardens at Airlie while letting Wilmington’s premier musicians enchant you. Beginning in July come listen to amazing music in the Airlie Oaks.  The events start at 6 pm and go until 8 pm.

It’s a wonderful place to relax and let the beauty of Airlie Gardens wash over you.  Feel free to bring a picnic or a beverage of your choice, a chair or blanket and enjoy the beauty and amazing rhythms take all your worries away.

Seating for concerts is open-lawn, and all outdoors: lawn chairs, small picnic sized tables, blankets, coolers, food & alcoholic beverages are all permitted. (NO sporting equipment, balloons,  smoking, or pets) Please do not dump ice on lawns.

Tickets: Advanced Tickets Only

  • General Admission-  $10
  • Child(4-12)- $3
  • Children under 4- FREE
  • Airlie Members- FREE (Membership card serves as admission, must purchase tickets for additional guests)
    • Individual Members- Admission for one Adult
    • Family, Camellia, Magnolia & Azalea Members-  Admission for 2 Adults & any children under 18 years.

Admission Rates 

Advanced Tickets Only

  • Adult- $10
  • Child(4-12)- $3
  • Children under 4- Free!
  • Airlie Members- Free
    (Membership card serves as admission, must purchase tickets for additional guests)

    • Individual Members- Admission for one Adult
    • Family, Camellia, Magnolia & Azalea Members-  Admission for 2 Adults & any children under 18 years.
  • Seating for concerts is open-lawn, and all outdoors lawn chairs are permitted.
  • Parking-
    • All General Admission and Member parking is offsite:  230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 .  A free shuttle service will run continuously throughout the evening from the offsite Parking Lot to the Gardens (first shuttle starts at 5pm and will run continuously all evening).
    • On-site parking is by permit only.
    • On-site drop off Policy-  Uber, Lyft & Taxi drop-off and pick up is permitted, please have the driver show identification if vehicle is not marked.  You may not be dropped off by a personal vehicle.
  • What can I bring to a concert:
    • Allowed
      • Outside food and beverages are permitted
      • lawn chairs
      • small picnic sized tables
      • blankets
      • coolers
    • Not Allowed
      • Tents
      • Staked Umbrellas
      • Sporting Equipment
      • Balloons
      • Pets
      • Smoking of any kind, including vaporizing devices
  • Food & Beverage- Front Street Brewery, Noni Baca Winery and Planet Smoothie will be on-site selling food & beverage items!  Credit Cards accepted.  Outside food and beverages are permitted.
  • Garden Etiquette
    • No Smoking or Vaping
    • Do not feed Animals
    • Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
    • No climbing trees, fences, fountains or sculpture
    • Do not walk in plant beds
    • Do not pick, collect or remove flowers or plants
    • Do not swim in ponds, lakes or fountain
    • Shirts & shoes are required
  • Rain/Storm Cancellation Policy:  In the case of forecasted rain, Airlie Gardens will not make a decision to cancel until after 4pm.  We will post any cancellations on the website and Facebook page as soon as a decision is made.  If the concert is cancelled you may use any purchased tickets for admission to a future 2018 concert or for general garden admission until October 31, 2018.  For any other questions regarding exchanges/refunds please fill out a contact us form or email [email protected]!

Buy Tickets Here

For more Information call 910-798-7700 or Visit their Website

2020 Concert Schedule:

June 11th, 2020

Virtual Concert: Massive Grass

Bluegrass

July 3rd, 2020

**Cancelled

Wilmington Big Band

Big Band and Swing

July 17th, 2020

** Cancelled

Massive Grass

Bluegrass

July 31st, 2020

L Shaped Lot

Country/Rock/Bluegrass

August 7th, 2020

Bibis Ellison

Rock and Pop Covers

August 21, 2020

Machiene Gun Band

Classic Hits

August 27, 2020

Jim Quick & Coastline

Soul/Blues/R&B

September 4, 2020

Mac & Juice

Soul/Rock

September 18, 2020

Signal Fire

Reggae/Rock

September 25, 2020

Jack Jack 180

Pop/Rock Covers

How to Find Sand Dollars

Even the most seasoned beachcomber is excited and pleased to find a whole, intact sand dollar on the beach. A common sand dollar is another name for a particular type of “flattened” sea urchin. The common sand dollar is found in the Northern Hemisphere in temperate and tropical waters. On a good day on the North Carolina coastline, you might find many sand dollars ranging in size from one to approximately four inches in diameter.

Sand dollars live on sandy or muddy flat areas of the ocean floor in shallow water near land. They often live in colonies. Female sand dollars release eggs that are fertilized externally. Interestingly, the newly hatched larvae can clone themselves as a means of self-defense. If threatened, they can double their numbers by halving their size, thereby lessening the chance of being detected. The larvae go through a few stages of development before forming an external skeleton that houses the animal’s internal organs. The skeleton is called a “test” and it is this sun-bleached skeleton that beachcombers find. If you find a sand dollar that is brownish and covered with short, dark, fur-like spines, the animal is alive and should not be removed from the beach.

A live sand dollar’s spines are covered with small hairs called “cilla.” By moving the cilla and spines, sand dollars are able to move across the sea beds in which they live. Mature sand dollars have few predators and can live up to ten years.

Beachcombers are most likely to find sand dollars at low tide, especially after a storm. The sun-bleached shells will be extremely fragile and will crumble or break easily. To preserve the sand dollars that you bring home, rinse them several times in fresh water, then soak them for 15 minutes in a water/bleach solution. When the sand dollars are dry, carefully paint them with a mixture that is half water and half white glue. The glue solution will make them less likely to break. Your beautiful sand dollars will last a long time if treated with care.

Check Out Wilmington Magazine