Founder's Features
Meg here! π I'm a UNCW grad and founder of checkwhatsgood with my brother Dustin! This category is dedicated to my favorites and experiences that I personally highlighted.
Friday Night Live Summer Concert Series
Fridays @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: The Pier at Port City Marina
Price: $10
Scenic Views πCool Ambiance β‘Outdoor βοΈWalking πΆ
$10 tickets? For live music? At one of the most scenic music venues on the coast? Every Friday? You bet!
Nestled among Marina Grill and Tequila's Waterfront these are a great place to grab dinner, a drink, and a patio spot overlooking the marina before the concert!
True Blue Butcher and Barrel
Where: Downtown
Price: $$
Unique Drinks πΈCool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈWide Menu Selection π½οΈ
We heard they had the best steaks in town... so of course we put it to the test and got a steak flight! I still think about how good it was. Besides steaks, they have creative yet familiar dishes, amazing drinks, and a big city ambiance you won't find anywhere else.
Pro tip: With their location in South Front this is a great place to go before a concert at Greenfield Lake or a night out at Satellite
Wandering Cone Creamery
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Local Favorite β£οΈClean Eating π±Indoor/Outdoor πͺ΄Dessert π¨
Amazing ice cream, incredible owners, vegan and gluten-free ice cream + cone options! What more could you ask for at this new spot?
Wilmington Run Club
Fridays @ 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Where: Midtown
Price: Free
Outdoor βοΈLocal Favorite β£οΈCoffee βLocal Groups π₯
I know this is a run club, but from going it's one of the easiest places to find community and make friends. Everyone is so inviting and they have different pace groups for all levels! If you're new to Wilm, I highly recommend attending
Hurricane Alley's
Where: Carolina / Kure Beach
Price: $30
Scenic Views πLocal Favorite β£οΈWeekly Events ποΈIndoor/Outdoor πͺ΄
Private Beach Bonfire Pit Experience
Where: Carolina / Kure Beach
Price: $50
Scenic Views πFamily Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Outdoor βοΈDate Night π©ββ€οΈβπβπ¨
Reservations are $50, the views are priceless! When you go order the Orange Crush, it's definitely the new drink of summer!
Live At Ted's
Where: Downtown
Price: $-$$
Cool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈLive Music πΈPerforming Arts π
This unassuming bungalow hosts one of Wilmington's best live music experiences! Live at Ted's is a listening room that evolved from a bait shop and is now a relaxed, quiet, intimate space to hear live music and enjoy the subtleties you miss at a typical concert.
Backspin Social
Where: Midtown
Price: $$
Family Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Drinks πΉActive π€ΈIndoor/Outdoor πͺ΄
Go to Backspin if you like games, golf, a welcoming owner, good drinks, and 20% off your online reservation using code WhatsGood
Picnic at the New Hanover County Arboretum
Where: Midtown
Price: FREE!
Scenic Views πFamily Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Educational πOutdoor βοΈ
Visiting the Arboretum is wayyyy too lovely to be free! I like to grab some food or pack a picnic and head to the back for a peaceful lunch in their authentic Japanese tea house. The pictures don't do it justice, click the link below
Rent Paddle Boats at GFL
Where: Downtown
Scenic Views πFamily Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Outdoor βοΈLocal Favorite β£οΈ
My reel here went viral on this overlooked experience! We spent less than $20 renting paddle boats and getting to see tons of wildlife. All of the proceeds go to Cape Fear River Watch to improve the water quality in the area.
Brighter Days Coffee
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Family Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Cool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈCoffee β
This spot is tucked away in a garden shop surrounded by lush plant life! It's such a whimsical place to grab a coffee
Pizza Making Class
Where: Cugino Forno
Price: $28.50
Family Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Cool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈFood π₯¨
Cugino Fornoβs best kept secret is that they offer a pizza making class for only a few dollars more than it costs to pick up a pizza! π€« They're one of the top pizzerias in the nation and run by the sweetest family!
Bats and Brews
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Family Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Outdoor βοΈDate Night π©ββ€οΈβπβπ¨Games π²
I went to this as an adult, and had good ole nostalgic fun like a kid! We got 100 hits for $10 and that was more than enough.
Free Aperitivo Hour
Tuesdays @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Ibis Coffee and Cocktails
Price: Free with Drink
Unique Drinks πΈCool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈCoffee β
This deal took Wilmington by storm! Free Apps Tuesday - Thursday from 5 PM to 7 PM and they usually have vinyl listening sessions at this time.
Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar Downtown
Where: Downtown
Price: $$
Scenic Views πLocal Favorite β£οΈWatching Sports πIndoor/Outdoor πͺ΄
Locally owned and locally sourced oysters with views overlooking the Cape Fear River. Pro tip: go in the evening before a night out - they share their outdoor patio with some cool neighbors
Ellipsis
Where: Downtown
Unique Drinks πΈCool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈDate Night π©ββ€οΈβπβπ¨
Their concept is always fresh and fun! They switch up their menu every 4-6 weeks. You can expect to see everything from authentic Italian to Spanish Tapas and more!
Johnson Nursery and Public Gardens
Where: surrounding areas
Price: Free
Scenic Views πFamily Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Local Favorite β£οΈLocal Artisans π¨
The Johnsons are some of the warmest most personable folks youβll meet. It was SO great getting to chat to each one and see how their personality and passions shine through in the business!
Not to mention I'm planning my next trip back there to bask in the beauty of their public garden! The pictures don't do it justice, check out my experierence.
Concorde Espresso Bar and Cocktails
Where: Downtown
Price: $$
Unique Drinks πΈCool Ambiance β‘Coffee βLaptop Friendly π»
Espresso martini flights and build your own s'mores kits, this experience went viral from coast to coast with @laurenssuitcase
Coco Pipa
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Local Favorite β£οΈClean Eating π±Indoor/Outdoor πͺ΄Breakfast π₯
Horse Yoga with Seabreeze Horse Connection
Where: Monkey Junction
Price: $40
Scenic Views πOutdoor βοΈLocal Favorite β£οΈTourist Favorite βοΈ
It's hard to believe that you can find such a unique experience right outside of Wilmington. This is the true essence of a whimsical, magical, hidden gem. (p.s. they also host events... someone tell my future partner to propose to me here!)
Cafe Mata
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Cool Ambiance β‘Clean Eating π±Coffee βTea π«
I love the backstory behind the name, the owner's mom was the first person to have a vegetarian cooking show back in the 80's and 90's (she would even hold Sesa, the owner, while she cooked on the show!) so this plant-based cafe pays homage to her!
Folkstone Slowbar Coffee
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Cool Ambiance β‘Local Favorite β£οΈCoffee βShopping ποΈ
Located inside Fuzzy Needle Records and Books and dubbed as "Wilmington's Best Living Room" this place is a must try!
Ponysaurus Brewing
Where: Downtown
Price: $
Cool Ambiance β‘Food π₯¨Indoor/Outdoor πͺ΄Dinner π
Everyone loves a hidden courtyard in a city, right? Theirs is incredible... we couldn't decide if we thought it felt like New Mexico, or the Portuguese coast? Let us know if you go!
Yoga on the Pier/Beach
Sep 8th @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: The Oceanic
Price: Varies
Scenic Views πLocal Favorite β£οΈTourist Favorite βοΈYoga π§ββοΈ
With classes from different studios running every day, this is a MUST do activity this summer! You'll finish the class rejuvenated (and with a great parking spot at the beach for the day!)
The Sorrow Drowner
Where: Downtown
Unique Drinks πΈDate Night π©ββ€οΈβπβπ¨Performing Arts πSmall Bites π¦ͺ
Designed by Disney Imagineers & inspired by Tiki culture this place is like a quick escape from the city!
Tequila's Waterfront
Where: Downtown
Price: $$
Scenic Views πCool Ambiance β‘Date Night π©ββ€οΈβπβπ¨Tourist Favorite βοΈ
The spot is spacious, bright, and right on the water downtown. It's nestled between the Port City Marina Pier which has a sunset concert series on Saturdays and Live Oak Bank Pavilion so it's a MUST before seeing live music!
Gentle Yoga in Cameron Art Museum
Tuesdays @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Where: Cameron Art Museum
Price: $5
Family Friendly π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦Educational πCool Ambiance β‘Tourist Favorite βοΈ
New experiences added daily!
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head to another category in the meantime :)