Founder's Features
Meg here! 👋 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
The Pier at Port City Marina
Fridays @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$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
Downtown
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
Downtown
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
Midtown
Fridays @ 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
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
Carolina / Kure Beach
Good food, good drinks, even better views! I loved biking here when I lived in CB
Live At Ted's
Downtown
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
Midtown
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
Midtown
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
Downtown
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
Downtown
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
Cugino Forno
Cugino Forno’s 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! 🤫 They're one of the top pizzerias in the nation and run by the sweetest family!
Bats and Brews
Downtown
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
Ibis Coffee and Cocktails
Tuesdays @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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
Downtown
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
Downtown
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
surrounding areas
The Johnsons are some of the warmest most personable folks you’ll 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
Downtown
Espresso martini flights and build your own s'mores kits, this experience went viral from coast to coast with @laurenssuitcase
Coco Pipa
Downtown
Some of my favorite smoothies in Wilmington because they use the best ingredients and are committed to being affordable + nutritious!
Horse Yoga with Seabreeze Horse Connection
Monkey Junction
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
Downtown
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
Downtown
Located inside Fuzzy Needle Records and Books and dubbed as "Wilmington's Best Living Room" this place is a must try!
Ponysaurus Brewing
Downtown
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!
The Sorrow Drowner
Downtown
Designed by Disney Imagineers & inspired by Tiki culture this place is like a quick escape from the city!
Private Beach Bonfire Pit Experience
Carolina / Kure Beach
Reservations are $50, the views are priceless! When you go order the Orange Crush, it's definitely the new drink of summer!
Tequila's Waterfront
Downtown
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
Cameron Art Museum
Tuesdays @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
This is ~really~ gentle yoga experience! I had never done yoga surrounded by so much beautiful art
New experiences added daily!
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head to another category in the meantime :)