8 easy day trips from Wilmington worth the drive

One of the perks of living in Wilmington is how many places you can explore without packing a suitcase.

Within about 2.5 hours, you can wander through a historic waterfront town, spend an afternoon surrounded by gardens and sculpture, tour one of North Carolina’s historic sites or enjoy lunch overlooking a Lowcountry marsh.

If you’re ready for a change of scenery, here are eight easy day trips worth making from Wilmington.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: Wilmington is within a few hours of historic towns, gardens, museums and other coastal destinations in North and South Carolina.
• The details: These eight trips are all within about 2½ hours of Wilmington, although drive times can vary with traffic.
• Why it matters: You don’t have to plan an overnight stay to experience somewhere completely different from Wilmington.
• The more you know: Check attraction hours, admission prices and ferry schedules before leaving, especially for seasonal destinations.

Spend the day along the waterfront in Southport

About 45 minutes from Wilmington, Southport is one of the easiest places to visit when you want to get away without spending much of the day in the car.

Walk along the waterfront, browse downtown shops, stop for lunch and visit Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors' Center to learn more about the area’s history. The museum is located along the waterfront and is free to visit.

• Drive time: About 45 minutes
• What to do: Explore downtown, walk the waterfront and visit Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors’ Center
• Good to know: Downtown makes it easy to combine several stops without moving your car throughout the day

Take the ferry to Bald Head Island

For a day trip that feels more like a getaway, head to Southport and catch the passenger ferry to Bald Head Island.

Once you arrive, explore the island by golf cart, grab lunch and visit Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum. Old Baldy, completed in 1817, is North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse.

• Travel time: About 1 hour to Southport, plus the ferry ride
• What to do: Explore by golf cart, visit Old Baldy and enjoy the island’s coastal scenery
• Good to know: Plan this trip ahead so you can coordinate ferry transportation and getting around the island

Explore the gardens at Brookgreen Gardens

Art, nature and history come together at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet.

The property includes botanical gardens, American sculpture, galleries, the Lowcountry Zoo and exhibits focused on the area’s history. General admission is good for seven consecutive days, and Brookgreen says its venues are accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

• Drive time: About 1 hour, 45 minutes
• What to do: Explore the gardens, sculpture collection, galleries and Lowcountry Zoo
• Good to know: Brookgreen is large, so look at the property map ahead of time and choose the areas you most want to see

Step into North Carolina history in New Bern

New Bern makes a good day trip for anyone who enjoys history, architecture and a walkable downtown.

Make Tryon Palace your main stop. The historic site includes the reconstructed Governor’s Palace, gardens, historic homes and the North Carolina History Center. Afterward, leave time to explore downtown New Bern and the waterfront.

• Drive time: About 2 hours
• What to do: Tour Tryon Palace, explore the gardens and walk around downtown New Bern
• Good to know: Tryon Palace offers different ticket options, so check what you want to tour before purchasing admission

Make a day of historic Beaufort

If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive, Beaufort offers plenty to fill an afternoon without needing an overnight stay.

The town was established in 1709 and has a historic district filled with preserved buildings. Stop at Beaufort Historic Site, which includes six restored buildings, then spend some time exploring downtown and the waterfront.

• Drive time: About 2 hours, 15 minutes
• What to do: Explore the historic district, visit the Beaufort Historic Site and walk along the waterfront
• Good to know: The historic site operates seasonal hours, so check the schedule before making the drive

Pair history and the beach at Fort Macon

You can get a little history and coastal scenery in the same trip at Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach.

The park centers around a restored pre-Civil War fort with exhibits and daily guided tours. There are also trails through coastal habitats, beach access, a visitor center and picnic areas, making it easy to spend several hours there. Day-use admission is free.

• Drive time: About 2 hours, 15 minutes
• What to do: Tour Fort Macon, visit the exhibits, walk a trail or spend time along the beach
• Good to know: There is no day-use admission fee, and the park has accessibility resources for visitors with limited mobility

Make it a seafood day in Calabash and Sunset Beach

For a slower-paced outing, drive south to Calabash and nearby Sunset Beach.

Start with lunch in Calabash, a town known for its seafood restaurants, then make the short drive to Sunset Beach for a walk along the shore. It’s an easy combination when you’re more interested in good food and scenery than a packed sightseeing schedule.

• Drive time: About 1 hour, 15 minutes
• What to do: Have lunch in Calabash, browse local shops and visit Sunset Beach
• Good to know: Leave some extra time for the beach rather than trying to pack too many stops into the day

Have lunch with a view in Murrells Inlet

Head south for waterfront dining and Lowcountry scenery at The Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk.

The MarshWalk is a half-mile wooden boardwalk along a saltwater estuary lined with waterfront restaurants. Visitors can walk along the marsh, watch boats and birds and stop for fresh seafood without needing a complicated itinerary.

• Drive time: About 1 hour, 45 minutes
• What to do: Walk the MarshWalk, enjoy waterfront dining and take in the marsh views
• Good to know: Pair it with Brookgreen Gardens if you want a fuller day, or keep it simple with lunch and a waterfront walk

FAQs

What is the closest day trip from Wilmington on this list?

Southport is the closest, at roughly 45 minutes from Wilmington. That makes it a good choice when you want to get out of town without committing to several hours of driving.

Which day trip is best for history?

There are several good options. New Bern’s Tryon Palace offers an extensive look at North Carolina history, while Beaufort and Fort Macon are also good choices for visitors interested in historic sites.

Which day trip involves the least walking?

Southport and Murrells Inlet can be easier to customize if you prefer a shorter outing. Brookgreen Gardens covers a large property, although the attraction says wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome throughout its venues.

Can you visit Brookgreen Gardens and Murrells Inlet in one day?

Yes. Brookgreen Gardens and the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk are close enough to combine into one trip. Spend the earlier part of the day exploring Brookgreen, then head to the MarshWalk for a waterfront meal before returning to Wilmington.