Surf, Sand and Hollywood
Glam
{on the
east coast}
by
Tina Marie Hoyla
Okay,
so it may be a bit premature to be dreaming
of my retirement. After all, I’m
in my mid-thirties, living in my very
first home, with at least 25 years of
the daily grind ahead of me. However,
there’s just something about historic
Wilmington and North Carolina’s
Cape Fear Coast that inspires such thoughts.
I’ve always been drawn to the
beach, but shy away from small beach
town living. Alternately, I love the
city, but too often find myself missing
the smell of ocean breezes at sunset.
Enter Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach;
start with the Atlantic Ocean as its
main ingredient, mix in the culture
and dining of city living, and even
throw in a dash of Hollywood glam. Featured
in Forbes magazine as a top domestic
draw for pre-retirees, this scenic coastal
community lies between the Cape Fear
River and the Atlantic Ocean, a short
two-hour drive east of North Carolina’s
capital city of Raleigh. travelgirl
tip: This is a worthwhile weekend
getaway after a business trip to Raleigh!
With access via Raleigh-Durham’s
International Airport, as well as the
option of Wilmington International Airport,
this exceptional destination excels
in culture and charm — and there’s
no forgetting those “Carolina
Blue” skies!
The city of Wilmington,
with a population close to 95,000, dates
back to 1740, when it prospered as a
shipbuilding center, cotton exchange
and worldwide port. Wilmington has a
rich and varied history, including involvement
in the Revolutionary War, the Civil
War and World War II. Downtown Wilmington
boasts an historic area, which spans
more than 200 blocks and preserves its
heritage with dignity and beauty. Popular
sites to visit include: The Latimer
House (built in 1852), The Bellamy Mansion
(built in 1859), and the area’s
oldest restoration, The Burgwin-Wright
House and Garden. Another must see is
The Cape Fear Museum. The museum not
only highlights the maritime history
of the area, but also includes the Michael
Jordan Discovery Gallery, filled with
various hands-on activities to delight
younger museum patrons, as well as personal
memorabilia from Michael Jordan himself.
This famous athlete and Wilmington native
displays his very first paycheck for
$119! What a far cry from his current
top reported salary of $30 million annually.
Also on display: his “Perfect
Attendance” school certificate.
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As a final stop on your historical
tour, be sure to visit the majestic
Battleship North Carolina. More than
728 feet in length, this behemoth
WWII veteran participated in every
one of that War’s major Pacific
naval offensives. Decommissioned in
1947, this great vessel was to be
scrapped until the citizens of North
Carolina led a statewide campaign
to save her. Thus, the Battleship
North Carolina found its home across
the river from downtown Wilmington,
where she has resided since October
of 1961. Today, the proud vessel is
open daily for self-guided or group
tours, and curious history buffs can
visit portions of nine decks.
In addition to its abundance of history,
downtown Wilmington offers charm,
charm, and more charm. The Riverfront
area is a picture-perfect backdrop
for a stroll while indulging in a
treat from one of several ice cream
and sweets shoppes. Next, begin to
wind your way up Market and Front
Streets for an afternoon of shopping!
You’ll find upscale boutiques
and eclectic shops at Chandler’s
Wharf and The Cotton
Exchange. Antique and art-loving travelgirls
will be thrilled with the more than
35 galleries and 30 antique stores.
There are also plenty of coffeehouses
along the way to take a break and
enjoy a latte and the latest issue
of travelgirl magazine. If you still
have room on your credit card, another
Wilmington shopping center with the
latest styles is The Forum —
get a preview at www.shoptheforum.com/apparel.asp.
Once your afternoon of sightseeing
and shopping comes to an end, it’s
time to choose from the plentiful
fine dining and nightlife options
the downtown area has to offer, from
casual cafes to extravagant culinary
experiences. A variety of bistros
boasting multiple ethnic cuisines
provide more casual fare. To experience
upscale outdoor dining, try Elijah’s
— known for their steaming hot
crab dip, and the Pilot House —
a local favorite since 1978, serving
traditional Southern fare with a contemporary
twist. Or celebrate a special occasion
with what is sure to be a very romantic
and memorable evening: A horse-drawn
carriage tour at sunset, followed
by riverfront dining at the Riverboat
Landing Restaurant on Market Street.
Be sure to check out a couple of my
favorite spots, Circa 1922, featuring
tapas-style dining with live music
Friday and Saturday evenings, and
Deluxe, where you’ll find a
terrific combination of innovative
dishes and an extensive wine list,
mixed with eclectic artwork on display.
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Have you heard enough about
history and shopping? We’re
at the beach, after all, and
Cape Fear is one of the most
breathtaking places to meet
the Atlantic. Just a few minutes
drive from downtown will land
you at the center of the pristine
shoreline of Wrightsville Beach.
By far one of the most scenic
areas in all of North Carolina,
it also provides endless opportunities
for outdoor activities. With
numerous marinas and public
boat ramps, there’s a
variety of watercraft for rent.
Park facilities include picnic
areas and playgrounds, and there’s
a special treat for cyclists.
The “River to the Sea”
route is a 10.3 mile stretch
for pedaling to the sound of
the ocean waves. And, oh yes,
for you—or your travelguy,
the greens are calling. Recently
voted #8 on Golf Digest’s
‘Best Little Golf Towns
in America’ list, the
area has 49 public courses located
within a 60-mile radius, and
is host to three dozen tournaments
annually. Or if you prefer a
less strenuous day, enjoy one
of my personal favorite pastimes,
an afternoon of sun on the golden
beaches, followed by a bucket
of peel-and-eat shrimp at Dockside
Marina Restaurant, the legendary
local favorite. With Wilmington
getting an average of 212 days
of sunshine each year, it won’t
be hard to experience this on
your trip. And by the way, for
travelgirls who need a little
pampering, day spas are located
both downtown and near the beaches.
Finally, if you’re
in the mood for a bit of Hollywood
glam, this area has suited
many a screenwriter’s
fancy. Wilmington is the home
to Screen Gem Studios, the
largest movie production facility
east of California. Since
1980, more than 600 films
have been shot in North Carolina,
many right on the Screen Gem
studio lot or along the beach.
If you’ve seen Sleeping
with the Enemy featuring Julia
Roberts, Summer Catch with
Freddy Prinze Jr., or Domestic
Disturbance starring John
Travolta, then you’ve
already seen parts of this
coastal city. But it’s
even more widely viewed as
the backdrop to the hit television
series Dawson’s Creek.
From 1997 until recently,
filming of this show could
be seen on any given day around
this small town’s local
streets, parks and businesses.
You can take a guided tour
of Screen Gem Studios, or
just keep an eye out for a
movie or television star –
they’re out there!
All these are great reasons
why Forbes magazine named
Wilmington one of the “Best
Places to Live and Work in
America,” and Money
Magazine named it “One
of the 12 Best Places to Vacation
in America.” So, I guess
I’ll continue to dream
of that long off retirement
– but for now, I’m
just looking forward to my
next visit.
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CHILL OUT ON THE SAND OR IN THE SURF
-- take
a sailing lesson or enroll in one
of the area's surf camps. Wrightsville
Beach Surf Camp offers a Women's Only
surf camp August 15-20, 2004. For
details, go to www.bsurfcamp.com
BED & BREAKFASTS ARE POPULAR
AND PLENTIFUL IN THE CAPE FEAR AREA,
and make
a great home base for a bachelorette
weekend. Rent out several rooms, or
literally take over the house! Whether
your're looking for a dash of history,
or a quick dash to the beach, find
more information at www.capefearnc.us/visitors/accommodations.asp
(select Bed and Breakfast from the
drop down menu).
HOTEL PACKAGE DEALS CAN BE FOUND
AT:
www.capefearnc.us/visitors/packages.asp
(click on leisure)
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