Surf Lessons can be booked <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/">on this page</a>!

Surf Lessons Begin

150 guest rooms with spectacular views of either the ocean or harbor, each unique with its own décor, no two rooms are alike.

Historic, oceanfront cottage with room for 26 guests. Rental includes access to all Blockade Runner amenities.

Three bedroom, two bathroom apartment located on the oceanfront ground floor of the resort.

Oceanfront pool offering poolside bar and private cabanas.

Explore the only oceanfront garden in Wrightsville Beach. Enjoy seasonal blooms, lounge areas, lawn games, firepit and more.



From sailing to surfing, Blockade Runner Beach Resort offers some of the top things to do in Wrightsville Beach.

Multiple on-site dining options including EAST Oceanfront Dining, in-room dining and Sea Escape Pool Bar.

Maintain your physical health with state-of-the-art fitness center, sauna, in-room massage and wellness programs.

From summer day camps to surfing lessons, movie nights and more, there's fun for kids of all ages!


Enjoy award-winning creative fare at EAST Oceanfront Dining with views of our lush gardens. Open daily for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Jazz Brunch.

The in-room dining menu for hotel guests features popular EAST Oceanfront Dining options and is delivered directly to your hotel room. 

Enjoy views of our lush oceanfront gardens with a drink in-hand at this relaxing on-site Wrightsville Beach dining option.

Explore nightly dinner specials like Friday Lobster Nights or our famous Sunday Jazz Brunch.

Open seasonally (April - Oct.) the Sea Escape Pool Bar serves fresh, casual poolside drinks and beach bites.

Enjoy a variety of activities on our beachside including: cabana rentals, surfing lessons, yoga, lawn games, two fire pits, pool and kid's camps.

The calm waters of our sound make it the perfect place to take a boat tour, learn to sail, fish from the dock, stand up paddleboard or kayak.

Offering more than 6,300 sq. ft of indoor meeting space perfect for groups up to 250. Our expansive oceanfront event lawns also offer several private areas for outdoor functions and special events.

Choose curated adventures on the land or water! All activities are designed to promote camaraderie, decision making skills and leadership qualities.

Let our experienced sales and catering team help you plan your perfect meeting or event, no matter the size or complexity.

From rehearsal dinners to outdoor receptions, there are plenty of unforgettable places to say "I DO".

Let our team help you plan the perfect day. Contact us to get started!

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<p>The best time to visit Wrightsville Beach depends on what you want to do during your vacation. Since this coastal Carolina beach town stays beautiful all year long, a visit in winter can refresh anyone hoping for mild temperatures and abundant sunshine without crowds of people. Spring brings blooms and beach-y temperatures without the offending humidity of summer, but many people thrive on the laid-back fun of Wrightsville Beach during the peak summer months. Fall starts with summery weather and ends with cool days under brilliant blue skies.</p>
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<p>Find out what makes each season so unique in Wrightsville Beach for vacationers:</p>
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<h2>Visit Wrightsville Beach in Winter</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wrightsville-beach-entrance-1024x511.jpg" alt="Sand dunes in Wrightsville Beach." class="wp-image-19905" width="768" height="383" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wrightsville-beach-entrance-1024x511.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wrightsville-beach-entrance-300x150.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wrightsville-beach-entrance-768x383.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wrightsville-beach-entrance-1536x767.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wrightsville-beach-entrance-2048x1022.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>Winters are often relatively dry and mild in Wrightsville Beach, and there are plenty of <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/blog/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach-in-winter/">things to do in Wrightsville Beach in the winter</a>. The days remain mostly sunny, although the winter can bring overcast skies and onshore wind. For anyone who wants to enjoy the beach without crowds, winter is the best time to visit Wrightsville.</p>
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<p>Winter getaways at Blockade Runner mean regular Friday Lobster Nights, where Maine lobster tops the menu, as well as decadent lobster mac ’n’ cheese. The <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/on-site-dining/wrightsville-beach-brunch/">Sunday Brunch</a> is a great way to start a winter morning; stick around the resort to comb the now-quiet beaches for seaglass or another beautiful souvenir. Or enjoy downtown <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/blog/holiday-events-wrightsville-beach-wilmington/">Wilmington holiday events</a> that happen in the winter, from tree lighting ceremonies to holiday parades and caroling. Wrap up your day relaxing around a wood-burning oceanfront fire pit back at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.</p>
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<p>Average temperatures at Wrightsville Beach in winter range from lows in the 40s (°F) to highs in the upper 50s. It’s typical to see several days in the 60s and a few warm spots in the 70s here and there. Cold fronts blow through, occasionally bringing snow flurries, but more often dropping the temps into the 30s. For New Englanders and Midwesterners, it’s pretty much always shorts weather at Wrightsville Beach.</p>
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<h2>Visit Wrightsville Beach in Spring</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-1024x607.jpg" alt="Blockade Runner oceanfront garden and lawn." class="wp-image-15224" width="768" height="455" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-1024x607.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-300x178.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-768x456.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-1536x911.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-2048x1215.jpg 2048w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-1200x712.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardens-and-ocean-1-1400x830.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>For vibrant blossoms, clear blue skies, and early swimming (if you don’t mind chilly waters), Wrightsville Beach in spring is the best time to visit. The humidity is low, the breezes are gentle, and the temperatures range from lows in the mid-60s to highs in the mid- to upper 70s. </p>
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<p>The <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/amenities/oceanfront-gardens/">Blockade Runner lawn and gardens</a> are spectacular this time of year. Our amenities make spring break in <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/blog/wrightsville-beach-with-kids/">Wrightsville Beach with kids</a> fun for the entire family. Area restaurants use these longer days to kick off their concert series, so you can enjoy dining while listening to local musical artists. The can’t-miss spring event is the <a href="https://www.wrightsvillebeachpaddleclub.com/carolina-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carolina Cup</a> for standup paddleboards mounted by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club. Some races begin right at the Blockade Runner, so you’ll have a front row seat to observe the elite watersports in action. The resort also offers <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/sup/">Wrightsville Beach paddle board rentals</a>, demos, and clinics during the race weekend so you can try it for yourself.</p>
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<p>Spring brings a 20–30% chance of rain on average, and it’s considered one of the driest times of the year. The days are sunny, and with the arrival of longer days come more visitors.</p>
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<h2>Visit Wrightsville Beach in Summer</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-1024x681.jpg" alt="Surf Camp walking to ocean." class="wp-image-15133" width="768" height="511" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-300x200.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-768x511.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828-1400x932.jpg 1400w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Surf-Camp-1-scaled-e1667401877828.jpg 1560w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>Despite what the calendar says, “summer” in Wrightsville Beach lasts from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Humidity ramps up in May, and while there’s often the most cloud cover in July, the temperatures hover in the upper 80s and 90s during the day with lows hitting only the mid-70s at night. Even if you book your accommodations at our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/">Wrightsville Beach oceanfront hotel</a> after Labor Day, plan on summery conditions until the end of the month. Water temperatures reach the low 80s during the summer, so you can surf and soak and swim all day if you wish.</p>
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<p>Summer is peak vacation season in Wrightsville Beach, and the beach and roads stay bustling with cars, bikes, and pedestrians. If you’re looking for fun in the sun with all the bars, restaurants, and shops open late, then summer is the best time of year to visit Wrightsville Beach. Count on finding live music at the local venues, and enjoy dinner and dancing along the Intracoastal Waterway.</p>
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<p>Blockade Runner has many <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/kids/">things for kids to do</a> in the summer, like the Sandcampers Kids’ Camp which offers seashell hunting, a boat tour, dock fishing, surfing, and kayaking—all while the adults relax at the resort. Another favorite warm-weather activity is visiting the <a href="https://nhcgov.com/161/Arboretum-NC-Cooperative-Extension" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Hanover County Arboretum</a> for its monthly story time or to see the summer blooms and children’s garden display.</p>
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<h2>Visit Wrightsville Beach in Fall</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-1024x678.jpg" alt="Couple in lawn chairs in the dunes in Wrightsville Beach." class="wp-image-18902" width="768" height="509" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-300x199.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-768x509.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-2048x1357.jpg 2048w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-1200x795.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC7915-Good-1400x927.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>The autumn months make for the best time of year to visit Wrightsville Beach for anyone seeking beach-y weather without the incendiary temps and humidity. Fall marks the start of the off season, although temperatures tend to remain in the 80s during the day throughout September. In October, lows average in the 60s with highs in the mid- to upper 70s. November brings lows in the 50s with highs in the mid-60s. </p>
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<p>The dry season starts in September in Wrightsville Beach, with the clearest skies that month and through October. The chance of rain is low during fall in Wrightsville Beach, and the off-season calm means beachgoers this time of year will enjoy spectacular sunsets and sunrises with just the locals. </p>
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<p><a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/sup/">Rent a paddle board</a>, choose from our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/kayaking/">Wrightsville Beach kayak rental</a> options , or sign up for a <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/sailing/">Wrightsville Beach sailing</a> tour to take advantage of the cooler fall temperatures and calmer weather. You’ll also find events nearby to enjoy a day or evening out. Mark your calendar for the <a href="https://www.lighthousebeerandwine.com/the-beer-wine-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lighthouse Beer &amp; Wine Festival</a> held each October, and guests joining us in November should stay tuned for the <a href="https://www.ncholidayflotilla.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holiday Flotilla</a> which provides an entire weekend of fun. Bonus: Blockade Runner is the only <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/">Wrightsville Beach oceanfront hotel</a> on the parade route.</p>
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<p>Fitness fans also flock to the area for the fall <a href="https://www.ironman.com/im703-north-carolina" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IRONMAN 70.3 Challenge</a>, as the temperatures in October are perfect on land and ideal for wetsuits in the water.</p>
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<h2>Frequently asked questions about visiting Wrightsville Beach</h2>
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<h3>Does Wrightsville Beach get crowded?</h3>
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<p>Wrightsville Beach stays crowded from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. During the off season, from Labor Day to college spring break in March, Wrightsville Beach remains a slow-paced beach town.</p>
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<h3>Is Wrightsville Beach worth visiting?</h3>
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<p>Wrightsville Beach is absolutely worth visiting any time of the year. A stay at <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/">Blockade Runner Resort</a> gives you central access to the island, but our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/amenities/">hotel amenities</a> make staying on the property a preferable way to enjoy a Wrightsville Beach vacation, especially during the summer months.</p>
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<p>Book your stay now at Blockade Runner, making sure to take advantage of our seasonal <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/packages/">Wrightsville Beach hotel deals</a> to find discounts tailored to your vacation needs. We look forward to hosting you at Wrightsville Beach!</p>
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View of Blockade Runner from drone over the ocean

The Best Time to Visit Wrightsville Beach in 2023

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<p>Wrightsville Beach has long enjoyed its reputation as a wonderful family-friendly vacation destination, with plenty of things to do for kids and adults alike. A stay at Blockade Runner ensures that families with young children will be able to make the most of their Wrightsville Beach vacation.</p>
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<p>Our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/">Wrightsville Beach resort</a> offers on-site activities including fun programs just for kids, and we even host an ongoing Kids’ Night on Fridays during the summer so the grownups can go out on the town for a little “us” time.</p>
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<p>Put together your vacation itinerary using our Wrightsville Beach with kids guide below:</p>
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<h2>Things to Do in Wrightsville Beach with Kids at Blockade Runner</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-1024x853.jpg" alt="Kids Camp at Blockade Runner resort in Wrightsville Beach." class="wp-image-15245" width="557" height="463" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-1024x853.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-300x250.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-768x640.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-1536x1280.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-2048x1707.jpg 2048w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-1200x1000.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kids-Camp-1400x1167.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px" /></figure>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Kids&#8217; Camps</h3>
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<p>We know how important it is to engage kids with fun activities while you’re on a beach vacation. That’s why we offer our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/kids/">Blockade Runner Beach Resort kids’ programs</a>. During your stay with us, your children will have opportunities to go on an ecotour for hands-on exploring in our day camp and enjoy an on-site animal encounter with educators from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Camps are available seasonally.</p>
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<p>We also know how important it is for parents to have time to themselves, so we host “Kids’ Night In”  during the summer so you can enjoy grownup time while we entertain your children with fun activities and dinner.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Oceanfront Pool</h3>
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<p>All kids love to visit the beach but they also love splashing in the pool. Our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/amenities/oceanfront-pool/">oceanfront pool </a>is surrounded by our award-winning gardens and features a seasonal cabana bar for parents—also serving non-alcoholic beverages—and plenty of pool toys to play with for the little ones.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Boat Tours</h3>
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<p>During your family vacation at Blockade Runner, be sure to book a <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/boat-tours/">Wrightsville Beach boat tour</a>, with our Island Hopper Tour being the best bet for enjoying Wrightsville Beach with kids. This 1.5-hour adventure takes you and your children to a few barrier islands including Money Island, famed as the possible location of Captain Kidd’s buried treasure.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Surf and Sailing Lessons</h3>
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<p>If you’re traveling to Wrightsville Beach with older kids, you’ll find ample activities for them as well. From <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/">surfing and sailing lessons to lawn games and firepits</a>, we offer exciting activities for tweens and teens at Blockade Runner.</p>
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<p>Discover even more <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/things-to-do-in-wrightsville-beach/">things to do in Wrightsville Beach</a>.</p>
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<h2>Family-Friendly Rooms and Suites at Blockade Runner</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-1024x512.jpg" alt="Club Level Harborfront Queen Room View" class="wp-image-349" width="699" height="350" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-300x150.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-768x384.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-1200x600.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7th-Floor-Harborfront-4.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px" /></figure>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">The Garden Apartment</h3>
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<p>A family vacation in Wrightsville Beach with kids likely means you’ll need plenty of space. Our Garden Apartment is a perfect choice for families. With three bedrooms and two baths, this <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/garden-apartment/">Wrightsville Beach rental</a> features a private oceanfront entrance, full kitchen, king bedroom, queen bedroom, and a room with fun bunk beds for the kids.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">The Wrightsville Beach Cottage at Blockade Runner</h3>
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<p>If you need to plan a multi-family vacation to Wrightsville Beach with kids, look into the benefits of booking the <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/cottage/">Wrightsville Beach Cottage</a>. An extension of the Blockade Runner property, this classic example of traditional Wrightsville Beach cottage living is a two-story home that accommodates 26 people. A full kitchen and charming wraparound porches ensure you’ll be able to entertain and relax. All adults and kids at the Wrightsville Beach Cottage have full access to all the amenities at Blockade Runner.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Oceanfront and Harborfront Rooms</h3>
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<p>Enjoy the most gorgeous sunrises in our oceanfront rooms or relax to a stunning sunset in our harborfront rooms. Browse our options to find the perfect accommodations at our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/">oceanfront Wrightsville Beach hotel</a> for yourself and your kids. King rooms feature one king bed, and queen rooms include two queen beds, so you can choose the configuration that best suits the size of your family. <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/contact-us/">Contact us</a> if you need rollaways or cribs to double check availability before your stay.</p>
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<h2>Frequently Asked Questions About Wrightsville Beach with Kids</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-1024x684.jpg" alt="Family on the Beach." class="wp-image-18787" width="554" height="370" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-300x200.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-768x513.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_561332548-1400x935.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px" /></figure>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Is Wrightsville Beach good for families?</h3>
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<p>Wrightsville Beach is great for families. If you have young kids, Wrightsville Beach is a clean, safe, friendly place to introduce them to coastal Carolina beauty, as it’s situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. For generations, many families have made their annual beach trip to Wrightsville Beach, with Blockade Runner as a preferred resort, especially for families with young kids.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Is Wrightsville Beach a nice beach?</h3>
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<p>Wrightsville Beach is a nice beach by any standards. The sand is predominantly quartz sand, making it soft, pretty, and Instagrammable anywhere from the South End to the North End. The town prides itself on staying clean, safe, and suitable for families. Blockade Runner is also committed to implementing <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/sustainability/">sustainable practices</a>. Since Wrightsville Beach is on the Atlantic Ocean, the water is clean but visibility depends entirely on the weather.</p>
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<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Is Wrightsville Beach good for swimming?</h3>
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<p>Wrightsville Beach is good for swimming in that the water is clean, the ocean is often cooperative, and there are seasonal lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm. </p>
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<p>Book your stay at Blockade Runner to enjoy the best of Wrightsville Beach with your kids. Remember to view our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/packages/">Wrightsville Beach hotel packages</a> to see whether we have discounts available for you and your family.</p>
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Wrightsville Beach surf camp young boy and instructor.

Wrightsville Beach with Kids: Things to Do & Where to Stay

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<p>Winter in Wrightsville Beach means enjoying the beauty of the coast without the crowds and punishing heat. You may have to pull on a few light layers, but you’ll find plenty of things to do in Wrightsville Beach in the winter. Book a winter getaway at our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/">Wrightsville Beach resort</a>, and enjoy the best of what our temperate coastal Carolina climate has to offer.</p>
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<h2>Award-Winning Dining at Blockade Runner</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Salad Dish from Blockade Runner Wrightsville Beach restaurant." class="wp-image-15182" width="347" height="347" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-300x300.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-150x150.jpg 150w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-768x768.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385-1400x1400.jpg 1400w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BR038-Matt-Ray-scaled-e1667401294385.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px" /></figure>
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<p>Relax and enjoy an exquisite dinner without the stress of the summer crowds. At Blockade Runner, you’ll step into the world of our award-winning head chef <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/culinary-team/">Jessica Cabo and her culinary team</a> at <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/on-site-dining/east-oceanfront-dining/">EAST Oceanfront Dining</a>, a signature feature of the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Chef Cabo crafts a delectable menu focused on local seafood, produce harvested from our on-site gardens, and sourced from regional purveyors. </p>
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<p>If you’re coming for a winter weekend getaway, be sure to arrive in time for Friday Lobster Night, where you’ll find succulent Maine lobster on the menu as well as decadent lobster mac ’n’ cheese and surf-and-turf. During the week, unwind at Wine and Cheese Wednesday, and enjoy half-price bottles of wine and charcuterie boards.</p>
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<h2>Jazz Brunch at EAST Oceanfront Dining&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jazz-Brunch-2-scaled-e1667419488892-768x1024.jpg" alt="Brunch plate atop a baby grand piano at Blockade Runner Beach Resort." class="wp-image-579" width="289" height="384" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jazz-Brunch-2-scaled-e1667419488892-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jazz-Brunch-2-scaled-e1667419488892-225x300.jpg 225w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jazz-Brunch-2-scaled-e1667419488892-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jazz-Brunch-2-scaled-e1667419488892-300x400.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jazz-Brunch-2-scaled-e1667419488892.jpg 1170w" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" /></figure>
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<p>Add the Sunday Jazz Brunch at EAST Oceanfront Dining to your list of things to do in winter at Wrightsville Beach. We keep summertime vibes all year long, and our Jazz Brunch features the lively rhythms of the Palm Readers jazz ensemble as you relax with a mimosa or Bloody Mary and peruse Chef Jessica Cabo’s artful renditions of vegan, vegetarian, and seafood-centric dishes. </p>
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<p>For inspired cuisine from omelets to grits to dessert and more, join us every Sunday in EAST Oceanfront from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this one-of-a-kind <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/on-site-dining/wrightsville-beach-brunch/">Wrightsville Beach brunch</a>.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Oceanfront Garden and Interactive Lawns</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-1024x682.jpg" alt="Firepit on the lawn with lawn chairs at Blockade Runner Beach Resort." class="wp-image-18940" width="437" height="291" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-300x200.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-768x512.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/firepit.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px" /></figure>
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<p>The Blockade Runner Beach Resort offers beautifully and carefully maintained <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/amenities/oceanfront-gardens/">oceanfront gardens</a> in Wrightsville Beach. Our attention to detail means our phalanx of gardeners nurtures seasonal blooms, even in winter. Thanks to temperate winter months at Wrightsville Beach, guests can enjoy the beauty of our gardens all year ’round. </p>
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<p>Our expansive lawns include lounging areas, lawn games like cornhole and giant Jenga, and community firepits. The gardens at Blockade Runner make the perfect spot to witness a Carolina sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.</p>
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<h2>Romantic Winter Getaway at the Blockade Runner</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-1024x944.jpg" alt="Harborfront room at Blockade Runner Beach Resort." class="wp-image-15039" width="406" height="373" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-1024x944.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-300x277.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-768x708.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-1536x1416.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-1200x1106.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868-1400x1291.jpg 1400w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6th-Floor-Harborfront-1-2-scaled-e1667408097868.jpg 1560w" sizes="(max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px" /></figure>
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<p>Our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/rendezvouspackage/">Rendezvous Package</a> lets you book a one- or two-night stay in our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/">Wrightsville Beach oceanfront hotel</a> when you need to combat the winter blues with some salt-air therapy. This package includes an in-room culinary amenity and bottle of wine upon arrival, prix fixe dinner at EAST Oceanfront Dining, and breakfast in bed—the perfect antidote to the winter doldrums. See all of our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/packages/">Wrightsville Beach hotel deals</a>.</p>
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<h2>Shelling at the North End of Wrightsville Beach</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wrightsville-beach-shells-1024x768.jpg" alt="Shelling is one the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach in winter." class="wp-image-19656" width="405" height="304" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wrightsville-beach-shells-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wrightsville-beach-shells-300x225.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wrightsville-beach-shells-768x576.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wrightsville-beach-shells-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wrightsville-beach-shells-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px" /></figure>
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<p>Most people consider shelling to be a summertime pursuit, but searching for shells, shark’s teeth, and sea glass is a wonderful thing to do in winter at Wrightsville Beach. The most productive area for finding beach treasures is the North End of Wrightsville Beach, in a section aptly called “Shell Island.” Head north from the Blockade Runner and park at either the last or next-to-last public access point. A leisurely stroll north along the shoreline to where it bends into the Intracoastal Waterway often reveals sea glass, small shark’s teeth, and shells typical of the North Carolina coast.</p>
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<h2>Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier</h2>
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<p>While you’re enjoying winter at Wrightsville Beach, be sure to stop by <a href="https://johnniemercersfishingpier.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier</a>, one of the top things to do in winter or any season. Winter is a delightful time to enjoy this Wrightsville Beach landmark since there are so few people and the peaceful feeling of the sea is at its peak. The first concrete fishing pier in North Carolina, Johnnie Mercers stands as the centerpiece of the beach and offers day fishing, community events, classic snack bar food, and a fully stocked tackle shop. Competitive anglers may find themselves in a heated tournament at Johnnie Mercers, and the locally famous Dogfish Classic always takes place in February.</p>
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<h2>Holidays at Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/beach-christmas-ornament-1024x683.jpg" alt="Golden Christmas ornament on the beach." class="wp-image-19657" width="419" height="279" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/beach-christmas-ornament-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/beach-christmas-ornament-300x200.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/beach-christmas-ornament-768x512.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/beach-christmas-ornament-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/beach-christmas-ornament-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px" /></figure>
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<p>Everyone around Wrightsville Beach enjoys decorating and lighting up their homes and businesses from Thanksgiving through the New Year, and you’ll find plenty of <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/news/holiday-events-wrightsville-beach-wilmington/">things to do in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington during the holiday season</a>. From the historic NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach to the spellbinding light show at Airlie Gardens nearby, you’ll discover how much coastal North Carolina loves to show out for the holidays.</p>
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<h2>Shopping at Wrightsville Beach</h2>
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<p>Should a cold front bear down during your time at Wrightsville Beach and you need something to do,&nbsp; head to the charming local shops in Wrightsville Beach. A trip to <a href="https://www.redixstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Redix</a> is a must, and because this Wrightsville Beach general store is close to the Causeway, you&#8217;ll see local fishing boats and you’ll be in close proximity to coffee shops, local bars, and mom-and-pop restaurants. Open since 1969, Redix is stocked with unique gifts, souvenirs, and beach supplies.</p>
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<p>If you prefer charming boutique clothing, stop by <a href="https://shophallelu.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hallelu</a> at the beach for upscale boho fashion. A short trip over the Wrightsville Beach bridge takes you to <a href="https://www.luminastation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lumina Station</a>, a charming shopping village filled with an eclectic selection of boutiques and luxe shops.</p>
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<p>Book your stay at one of our many <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/accommodations/">Wrightsville Beach accommodations</a> during the winter to take advantage of off-season prices. Or, view our <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/packages/">Wrightsville Beach hotel packages</a> to find discounts tailored to your vacation needs.&nbsp;</p>
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Things to Do in Wrightsville Beach in the Winter

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<p id="E217">Let the holiday season begin! The holiday season on the coast of North Carolina provides a calendar full of seasonal events from light displays to Santa sightings, holiday parades and historic events – there’s fun for all ages. Plan your holiday getaway with the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, an oceanfront resort on Wrightsville Beach just minutes from all of the holiday events in the Wilmington area. Here are our Top 10 Things to Do this holiday season.</p>
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<p id="E224"><strong>Christmas Kick-Off and Day in the Park | Nov. 25 &amp; 26, 2022<br></strong>Wrightsville Beach Park, 321 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 | 10am – 4pm</p>
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<p id="E230">Kick off the Christmas season with the Town of Wrightsville Beach Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony with holiday music, lights and decorations, a cup of hot chocolate and cookies and a visit with Santa. The following day head to the Day in the Park for some family fun! Games, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, Classic Car Show and more!</p>
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<p id="E234"><strong>NC Holiday Flotilla | Nov. 26, </strong><strong>2022</strong><br>Wrightsville Beach | Parade Begins at 6pm</p>
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<p id="E244">The NC Holiday Flotilla is a maritime tradition featuring creatively decorated and lighted boats of all sizes – there’s even a chance for a canoe or paddleboard too – that ends with a stunning Zambelli Firework display over the waterway. This is a holiday favorite that attracts thousands of spectators, so grab the family and map out your spot on the <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://www.ncholidayflotilla.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parade Route.</a></p>
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<p id="E253"><strong>*Insider Tip:</strong> The Blockade Runner Beach Resort is the<strong> ONLY </strong>hotel on the NC Holiday Flotilla parade route and the resort’s harbor front rooms offer a front row seat for viewing. Book a Flotilla Package and watch the parade from your harborfront guestroom or our private Soundside and enjoy a charcuterie tray with wine while you watch, Sunday Jazz Brunch and a 1pm late check-out! </p>
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<p id="E267"><strong>Enchanted Airlie | Nov. 25 &amp; 26; Dec. 2 -22, 2022</strong><br>Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 | 5:30 – 9:30pm</p>
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<p id="E272">Enchanted Airlie, a holiday tradition since 2005, lights up historic Airlie Gardens with millions of twinkling lights throughout its 35 acres of gardens, trails and forest along with seasonal music, holiday displays and visits from Santa. Make <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://airliegardens.org/events/enchanted-airlie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reservations</a> now!</p>
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<p id="E282">*<strong>Insider Tip:</strong> This event typically sells out quickly, but the Blockade Runner Beach Resort’s Enchanted Airlie package provides tickets to this popular holiday lights events. Learn more!</p>
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<p id="E284"><strong>Christmas Train and Light Spectacular |Nov. 25 &amp; 26; Dec.9 &amp; 10; Dec. 16 &amp; 17; Dec. 23</strong><strong><br></strong>Wilmington Railroad Museum, 505 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC | 6:30 – 8:00 pm</p>
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<p id="E292">The Holidays have returned and so has the spectacular exhibit of trains, festive lights, and the holiday spirit! The Wilmington Railroad Museum will dazzle you with their 25,000 light spectacle and model train displays. Enjoy festive drinks and even a visit from Santa.&nbsp;<a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://www.wrrm.org/events.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn More.</a></p>
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<p id="E297"><strong>Cape Fear Festival of Trees | Nov. 18 – Jan. 2, 2023</strong><br>North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach, NC<br><br>Wander through a winter wonderland of holiday elegance surrounded by the beauty of the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Glittering trees decorated by local businesses, various organizations and individual artists transform the aquarium space into an enchanted forest for all to enjoy. <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://reservations.ncaquariums.com/fortfisher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aquarium Admission</a> includes the price of the event.</p>
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<p id="E313"><strong>50<sup>th</sup> Annual Old Wilmington by Candlelight | Dec. 10 &amp; 11, 2022<br></strong>Downtown Wilmington | Dec. 10: 4 – 8pm; Dec. 11: 1 – 5pm</p>
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<p id="E313">Featuring more than a dozen homes located in Historic Downtown Wilmington, as well as several houses of worship and historic sites. <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://www.lcfhs.org/2022-old-wilmington-by-candlelight-tour.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Each ticket</a> features self-guided tours and a docent sharing the history of the structure, which will be decorated for the holidays.</p>
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<p id="E331"><strong>Wilmington Holiday Parade | December 11, 2022</strong><br>Downtown Wilmington | Parade Begins at 6pm</p>
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<p id="E337">Nothing says the holidays like a parade! The annual Wilmington Holiday Parade includes bands, floats, balloons and more. This event is FREE!</p>
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<p id="E340"><strong>North Carolina Symphony Holiday POPS | Dec. 11, 2022</strong><strong><br></strong>Wilson Center, 703 North Third St., Wilmington, NC 28401</p>
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<p id="E345">Join the North Carolina Symphony for this festive concert full of holiday favorites and traditional carols you know and love. This is one of the holiday’s most popular events. <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://wilsoncentertickets.com/show/?id=52001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reserve your seat!</a></p>
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<p id="E350"><strong>Hark! The Herald Angels Swing: A Christmas Cabaret | Dec. 16 – 18, 2022</strong><strong><br></strong>Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480</p>
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<p id="E359">A holiday favorite, Hark the Herald Angels Swing: A Christmas Cabaret<strong> </strong>has been getting guests into the spirit with exceptional talent from the Opera House Theatre Company performing a selection of seasonal favorites. A three-course dinner is included in the evening. <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/blockade-runner/items/270510/?full-items=yes&amp;flow=no" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book your tickets.</a></p>
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<p id="E367"><strong>Caroling by ‘Reindeer’ Drawn Carriage | Dec. 16 &amp; 17; Dec. 23 &amp; 24, 2022</strong><br>Downtown Wilmington | 6 – 10pm</p>
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<p id="E372">Come and sing Christmas carols with Santa! See the beautiful Historic Downtown holiday lights of old Wilmington snuggled under warm lap blankets in an enclosed Christmas carriage or trolley, pulled by special &#8220;reindeer.&#8221; <a is="qowt-hyperlink" href="http://www.horsedrawntours.com/id2.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book now.</a></p>
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<p id="E372"><strong>A Top Hotel Near Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington Holiday Events</strong></p>
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<p id="E382">The Blockade Runner Beach Resort is a perfect place to spend the holidays with a convenient location to downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. With comfortable oceanfront rooms, an on-site restaurant and numerous amenities, it’s the perfect place to call ‘home’ for the holidays. Book your stay today.</p>
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Holiday Events in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, NC

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<p>As a professional athlete, I’ve traveled most of the world to train and compete, but still nothing quite comes close to&nbsp;<a href="https://wrightsville-beach.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/">Wrightsville Beach</a>&nbsp;as one of my favorite training-vacation getaways! When I head out for a “traincation,” as I like to call them, there are a few key aspects I look for. I always look for healthy food, rest and recovery support, a gym, and ultra easy access to my sport.</p>
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<p>I found all of these with perks to spare at the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.blockade-runner.com/">Blockade Runner Beach Resort</a>! When you pair the natural environment of coastal Carolina with the location of the Blockade Runner, you get the perfect combination of top-notch training and a relaxing paradise. It ensures that I can focus on enjoying my time sporting about, and NOT worrying about the logistics of things, because I know that the Blockade has got me covered in more ways that I can count!</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://blockrunner.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-1024x682.jpg" alt="Woman paddleboarding in the ocean in Wrightsville Beach." class="wp-image-18886" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-300x200.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-768x512.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FLY3038.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>The food at&nbsp;<a href="https://blockade-runner.com/dining-br/east-oceanfront-dining/">EAST Oceanfront Dining</a>&nbsp;is second to none with it’s healthy options as well as delicious delicacies. When you leave to go exploring or training, there are other healthy options on the island not far from the hotel. There are plenty of places to get “unhealthy” food too, for that cheat day or when you just need to refuel from all of your efforts with some major calories.</p>
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<p>The Blockade Runner’s relaxation perks always keep me coming back for more. They have a sauna, hot tub, pool, and easy-to-book spa services like a massage (a major treat for tired, overworked muscles). Utilizing these tools, along with a lot of healthy calories, to speed up and enhance recovery from multiple training sessions, will ensure you reap the maximum benefit of your training location.</p>
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<p>When I finally head up to my room, the first thing I do is open the big double doors and let the cool ocean breezes float in. Then I take a quick nap to recharge for my second training session of the day. If I’m feeling a little cooked, I can take a relaxing recovery swim along the docks of the intracoastal waterway.</p>
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<p><strong>Key Event for Swimmers: Swim the Loop</strong></p>
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<p>In any good traincation, training comes first, so I can’t let my strength and supplemental gym work slide. The gym at the Blockade Runner has just enough gear for me to maintain my hard-fought-for gains while prioritizing my key activity. I’m at the beach, however, so I won’t be spending too much time in the gym! One to two sessions is enough, especially with all the cross training opportunities… but I’m getting ahead of myself.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://blockrunner.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-1024x576.jpg" alt="Swimmers standing in the sound near Blockade Runner Beach Resort." class="wp-image-18887" width="768" height="432" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-300x169.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-768x432.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DJI_0939-1400x788.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>When I head out to Wrightsville Beach, I’m usually there to paddle. The location of the Blockade Runner, which is beachfront as well as soundfront, is the perfect location if I need to do a solo training vacation. Most of the places I travel to, I run into issues with how to get to the start or finish of a downwind run with my SUP or outrigger canoe, but not in Wrightsville Beach! From this spectacular spot, I can stay parked where I am and paddle a loop, or I can drive to the start, downwind to the hotel, and then jog or bike back for some relaxing cross training!</p>
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<p>The Blockade Runner is also host to some of the world’s top paddle competitions, so heading out a month or two before a competition for training, can help you get acquainted with the area and practice the course.</p>
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<p><strong>Key Paddle Competitions:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wrightsvillebeachpaddleclub.com/carolina-cup/">Carolina Cup</a>, Surf to Sound</strong></p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://blockrunner.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-1024x681.jpg" alt="A group of paddleboarders and kayakers in the water." class="wp-image-18889" width="768" height="511" srcset="https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-300x200.jpg 300w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-768x511.jpg 768w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://admin.blockade-runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0612-1400x931.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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<p>One of my favorite parts of staying so close to the beach is that I can keep a close eye on the conditions from my room and ensure I hit the water at the perfect time! It’s the same for gauging the wind! I don’t have to use a forecasting app from miles away wondering if I should go now or later. I’m right there so when the wind is up, I can take off!</p>
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<p>If the waves are particularly good, I can always jump out for a quick surf session without eating up too much time in my day. If the conditions aren’t favorable, the beach is right there for a jog, or if my calves don’t want that kind of punishment, there’s multiple loops all around the island to keep you running for miles and miles. If you’re into surfing or running, there’s events for you too!</p>
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<p><strong>Key Competitions:&nbsp;<a href="https://paddleguru.com/races/CarolinaProAmPresentedbySaltLifeInfinitySupCo2022">Carolina SUP Surf Pro Am</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ironman.com/im703-north-carolina">Ironman WB</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trisignup.com/Race/NC/WrightsvilleBeach/YMCAWBSprint">WB Triathlon</a></strong></p>
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<p>No training vacation would be complete without my fat bike, and it’s a great way to enjoy a sunset, get back to my car after a downwind, or just pedal to ice cream… I mean… more healthy food, of course! I’ve even dabbled in the US Fat Bike Beach Championship that is held every year, and if you haven’t done that yet, it’s crazy fun and insanely challenging.</p>
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<p><strong>Key beach biking race:&nbsp;<a href="https://fat-bike.com/2022/02/us-open-fat-bike-beach-championship-returns-to-nc-march-18-20/">US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship</a></strong></p>
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<p>I’ve also enjoyed plenty of SCUBA and Freediving right off the coast. In the fall, North Carolina has some of the clearest water, with the most beautiful wreck dives in the world. You can find some of it right offshore but you can also walk down to a shipwreck and the jetty for a free dive or shore dive. There’s always plenty of cool stuff to see over there (I would know, I have my degree in Marine Science)!</p>
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<p>If you go for a sunset jog or bike ride on the beach in the Fall, in the crisp air with warm ocean breezes, you may just be rewarded with bioluminescence! What’s that, you ask? It’s a special trick nature plays on us that makes the waves light up right before your eyes, along with every footstep or tire track! Fall is magical and this event in particular really puts the “cation” in traincation.</p>
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<p>For me, the summer winds out of the south are the best for downwind paddling offshore in my outrigger canoe. However, over the years, I’ve seen other people enjoying kite boarding, wing foiling, sailing, and a myriad of other wind sports in the hot summers thanks to the consistent afternoon winds.</p>
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<p>Being close to the Blockade Runner is always nice that time of year, though, because you never know when an unexpected storm might roll through to cool things off… and fast! Don’t stress, though, because that’s usually the best time to head out for a surf afterwards, or perhaps for a jog or fat bike ride on the beach since the sand is freshly tamped by the rain.</p>
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<p>To be honest, I wish I could train out of the Blockade Runner full time. Reserve my permanent room guys because I’m moving in!</p>
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<p><em>April Zilg has captured top honors in dozens of paddle sports competitions in oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world. She was named Salt Life’s National Champion and the World Paddle Association’s World Champion. Zilg is currently ranked second in the world overall by the Association of Paddlesurf Professionals.</em></p>
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April Zilg canoeing in the ocean at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Wrightsville Beach is the Ultimate ‘Traincation’ Destination

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<p>At the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, our HOCl disinfectant routine happens continuously throughout the day with strategically placed HOCl diffusers throughout the Resort.</p>
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<p>HOCl stands for hypochlorous acid. This oxidizer is <strong>the most effective of all the disinfecting chlorine forms</strong>. It is the same powerful sanitizer used in dentists&#8217; and doctors&#8217; offices.&nbsp; HOCl is a 100x stronger sanitizer than bleach yet pH balanced for skin with <strong>no irritation to eyes and lungs</strong>. It is also food grade safe for kitchens with no harsh chemicals. It has been proven to kill SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), MRSA, TB, H1N1, HIV-1, Hep C, E. coli, Salmonella, and C. diff. This lifesaving product that unites the power of nature with state of the art technology, and is the smartest sanitizer for our use at the Blockade Runner as it is both <strong>99.999% effective AND completely harmless </strong>to skin, eyes and lungs.</p>
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<p>At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown of August 2020, Bike Cycles owner Shawn Spenser and Blockade Runner Beach Resort owner Bill Baggett hosted a fat tire race at Masonboro Island. Local fat tire bikers and their bikes were transported to and from Masonboro Island by the BR tour boat, <em>Carolina Runner</em>. On the return trip, Bill was talking to local dentist John Overton, who was excited that his office had started using HOCl. Bill quickly researched HOCl and found that it had been around for years and could be cheaply made by electrolyzing salt water. He purchased HOCl generators and quickly started production, making gallons per day to sanitize rooms and all public areas.</p>
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<p>Since HOCL is the safest and most effective EPA N listed disinfectant, in an effort to keep your family and ours safe, we are using gallons of HOCl daily to disinfect our facility, including the spa and pool areas. </p>
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<p>Blockade Runner Beach Resort continues to be hyper-vigilant regarding pandemic protocol. We remain open for our guests and travelers ready to discover and rediscover the surf and sound at Wrightsville Beach.</p>
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Our Promise: Clean, Sanitized and Safe with HOCL

<p>There&#8217;s nothing like waking up to the sun sparkling off the water just beyond your window at a seaside hotel. Where else can you play all day in the sand, swim in the waves and then slumber to the relaxing lull of the tide as your nighttime soundtrack? At these beachside destinations, the sea is mere steps away. And beyond the beach, there&#8217;s plenty more: Fine food, pampering opportunities, outdoor activities, history and posh surroundings are part of the charm waiting along these coastlines.</p>


10 Oceafront Hotels for a Perfect Beach Getaway

<p>Castle Peak Holdings (“Castle Peak”), a hospitality investment and development company, is adding to their growing portfolio of hotels in iconic outdoor destinations across the country with the acquisition of the Blockade Runner Beach Resort (“Blockade Runner”) from the Baggett family, longtime local owners. </p>


Castle Peak Holdings Acquires Blockade Runner Beach Resort

<p><b>Visiting Wilmington</b><strong> December, 2022</strong><br />
Our first impression of the hotel was we were at a Caribbean resort rather than coastal North Carolina. Light blue cloth waves covered the ceiling, and the floor reminded me of a deep blue ocean. Then, as we walked toward the beach side of the hotel, we discovered a tropical paradise. The landscaping leading to the pool area and the beach was lush and green and meticulously maintained.</p>


Visiting Wilmington

<p><b>11 Best Beach Resorts in North Carolina<br />
</b>Once the site of stately hotels—The Seashore and The Ocean Terrace—<a aria-describedby="external-disclaimer" class="external-link" href="http://www.blockade-runner.com/" rel="noopener" role="link" target="_blank" title="(opens new window)">Blockade Runner</a> continues to uphold its coastal heritage in the most family-friendly, laid-back fashion, but with a cool retro-hip look in the lobby and poolside spaces. With harborfront and oceanfront suites, the resort can offer sweeping vistas of the bustling boats or the calm open ocean—take your pick.</p>


Southern Living

<p><b>Coastal Treasures<br />
</b>We were thrilled to welcome @NCWeekend host Deborah Holt Noel and her family to the Blockade Runner in June. From sailing to yoga in our gardens, time spent relaxing on our lawns and Sunday Jazz Brunch she had a weekend full of the resort experiences we’re known for. See her coverage of her trip on the award-winning show, NC Weekend, which airs weekly on PBS.</p>


NC Weekend

<p><b>The 30 Most Magical Island Getaways in the US<br />
</b>Dolphins are regularly spotted in the channel at Wrightsville Beach. We repeat: frequent dolphin sightings. If you’re still not sold, remember that bucket list dream of learning to surf? Time to check it off at WB Surf Camp<u>, </u>where talented instructors will help you navigate beach breaks ideal for beginners. For a serious dose of “awww,” also plan a detour to Karen Beasley’s Sea Turtle Rescue &amp; Rehabilitation Center. After, toast the perfect beach day with a margarita and fajitas at Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill or craft beers and seafood at The Dockside. Come nightfall, why stray from that breezy, ocean air? Book a room at Blockade Runner, where swimming, sailing, and surfing are at your finger and toe-tips.</p>


Coastal Living

<p><b>Return Trips<br />
</b>Blockade Runner General Manager Nicolas Montoya shares insights about operating a hotel on Wrightsville Beach, tourism trends, staffing initiatives and more in this business focused article on tourism in Wilmington and New Hanover County.</p>


Wilmington Business Journal

<p><b>Wrightsville Beach: Where to Eat, Stay &amp; Play<br />
</b>Blockade Runner is an outstanding oceanfront resort in the heart of Wrightsville Beach that has no shortage of gorgeous views, fun amenities, great dining, and lovely design. The rooms have glorious views and the grounds are breathtaking with extravagant landscaping and a refreshing pool. I love everything about Blockade Runner and recommend it to my followers often–many of whom have visited and reported back that they loved it too!</p>


NC Eat & Play

<p><b>Where are the Best Wilmington Area Restaurants?<br />
</b>Chef Jessica Cabo serves up an innovative, seasonally inspired menu that you can enjoy in the lavish, tropically decorated dining room, or on the outdoor patio that overlooks lush lawn and gardens that are a hidden gem on the property. For me, it’s a great place to take people because there is a variety of options, such as seafood, burgers, vegan and gluten-free.</p>


Charlotte Observer

<p><b>6 Underrated Beach Getaways in the US<br />
</b> As an underrated alternative, consider Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina’s southeast. This laid-back summer destination boasts the energy of nearby college surfers with plenty of scenic views on its four-mile stretch. Where to Stay: The <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/" rel="noopener" role="link" target="_blank">Blockade Runner Beach Resort</a>, operating since 1964, offers such amenities as an American Sailing Association–certified sailing school, ecopaddle tours, and harbor cruises. The hotel also has a focus on sustainability, with an in-house Green Team assisting in projects like building oyster reefs and sorting trash.</p>


AFAR

<p><b>Sail Away at the Blockade Runner<br />
</b>Take a trip to a retro hotel in Wrightsville Beach, where maritime adventures, delicious seafood, and old-fashioned R&amp;R abound from sunrise to sunset — by sea and sound. This <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/" rel="noopener" role="link" target="_blank">iconic beach resort</a> opened in 1964 and has been a Wrightsville Beach landmark ever since. Despite its classic brick exterior, its interior is firmly on the <em>modern</em> side of mid-century modern and is light, bright, and airy from the moment you step into the lobby. It’s easy, breezy, 1960s California meets playful Carolina coastal charm.</p>


Our State 

<p><b>Stay Here<br />
</b>There is a spot, right at the end of the white boardwalk between the Blockade Runner and the beach, where you can sit and watch: The beach will swell and then empty, the early birds who came out to watch the sun rise leave to make way for the sunbathers, who then come back up to the resort for a bite to eat. The people who work at the Blockade Runner know this ebb and flow, this rising and lowering of tides. There is a tradition of personal service that has been going on here since the resort opened in this spot in 1964.</p>


Our State Coastal North Carolina Collector’s Edition

<p><b>12 Great Beaches Near Raleigh<br />
</b>At Wrightsville Beach you get a pristine and spacious beach, stunning sunrises and sunsets, top notch local restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, sightseeing cruises, and endless water activities – Wrightsville is recognized as the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina! Accommodations: Our pick, The Blockade Runner Beach Resort!</p>


This is Raleigh

<p><b>The Perfect 4 Day Itinerary for North Carolina’s Inner Banks Region<br />
</b>The Atlantic Ocean, even when not visible, is always a presence in the Inner Banks region, as it washes in and out of coastal estuaries with the tide. We started to feel its tug, so we headed to Wrightsville Beach, near the bustling college town of Wilmington. Wrightsville feels like a pocket-sized version of Miami Beach, dotted with surf shops and retro-chic hotels, like the recently refurbished midcentury <a aria-describedby="external-disclaimer" class="external-link" href="https://blockade-runner.com/" rel="noopener" role="link" target="_blank" title="(opens new window)">Blockade Runner</a> where we stayed.</p>


Travel + Leisure

<p><b>A Weekend in Wilmington….(Plus a Visit to Wrightsville Beach)<br />
</b><a href="https://blockade-runner.com/dining-br/east-oceanfront-dining/" role="link">EAST Oceanfront Dining</a> in the Blockade Runner Beach Resort was the nicest possible way end to our day at Wrightsville Beach. Executive Chef Jessica Cabo (semi-finalist in the first season of <em>Hell’s Kitchen</em>) serves a well-edited menu, with nightly specials that vary based on seasonal ingredients and the day’s catch. <b><br />
</b>The hotel’s unique location between the sound and the ocean gives it a surprising opportunity to create a gorgeous landscape, and the team at the Blockade Runner have transformed the space into a stunning outdoor living room.</p>


Wayward

<p><b>5 Things to Do in Wilmington That Don’t Involve the Beach<br />
</b>When we visited the area, we stayed at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. It was beautiful with private beach access, hammocks and its own garden. We saw lots of kids playing on the grass near the gardens and we even spotted a big brown bunny running around! The hotel also offers cruises along the coastal waters. There are sunset cruises that offer a relaxing and scenic view of the beach. We really enjoyed the peaceful cruise and sunset views. If you’d rather “island hop,” they also have a daytime cruise that takes you to nearby uninhabited islands.</p>


WRAL Out & About

<p><b>25 Best Beaches in the US<br />
</b>Just across a drawbridge from the mainland lies the quaint Atlantic waterfront town called Wrightsville Beach. More than just a sleepy beach town, though, Wrightsville Beach offers water sports like surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and kiteboarding. Rent a rod and some bait and drop a line off Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier. Meanwhile, beach bars and live music take the party from daytime into the night.</p>


<p><b>Eco-Friendly Resorts in the US, Canada and Caribbean<br />
</b>With its unique location between ocean and sound, no wonder the <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/" role="link">Blockade Runner Beach Resort</a> in Wrightsville Beach focuses on environmental protection. Operating for more than 50 years, the family-owned resort has been recognized as an Ocean Friendly Establishment by the Plastic Ocean Project. And, the North Carolina Green Travel Initiative awarded its highest honor for the property’s efforts to reduce waste, conserve energy, and provide community outreach.</p>


Getting On Travel

<p><b>22 Beach Resorts Perfect for Every Budget<br />
</b>Sure, the Outer Banks are nice. But Wrightsville Beach off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina is far more accessible. With its kids programs — including half-day camps — Blockade Runner Beach Resort is a great option for families. This historic hotel complete with a pool, gardens, fitness center and boat slips, is situated between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway. The property also currently has over 1,300 excellent ratings!</p>


Today

<p><b>Weather Conditions and NC’s April Zilg Dominate 10th Carolina Cup<br />
</b>Ranked second in the world in women’s standup paddleboard, North Carolina’s April Zilg overcame punishing weather conditions and captured both the Graveyard Race and APP Sprint titles in the 2021 Carolina Cup.</p>


NC Press Release

<p><b>Hops + Harvest Beer Dinner<br />
</b>Put it all together, and the evening at the Blockade Runner was simply perfect. Chef Cabo and her crew whipped together a thoughtful and mouthwatering menu, and Mike Duffy matched their genius step-for-step with his beer selections. I’m sure this will be the first of many similar events to come, and you’ll undoubtedly want to make a reservation when the next pairing comes around.</p>


WECT

<p><b>Our 25 Favorite Fall Beach Destinations<br />
</b>Wrightsville Beach – This popular sand-and-surf village is a favorite among surfers and paddlers of every description. It’s located east of Wilmington and draws visitors looking to set sail or hang out in the laid-back beach town.</p>


<p><b>NC Floral Design Exhibition Inspired by Art<br />
</b>Leading floral designers in North and South Carolina will gather in Wrightsville Beach to showcase their floral creations inspired by fine art, Jan. 7-9, 2022. The three-day Art &amp; The Bloom exhibition and competition include expert demonstrations and workshops in floral design, floral collage and culinary art, jewelry fashion shows, gallery art sales by the Wilmington Art Association, and nationally renowned vendors. Tickets are available to the public.</p>


<p><b>Top Paddlers Signing Up for Carolina Cup – the Only Offical APP Event in 2021<br />
</b>The Carolina Cup is the only official Association of Paddlesurf Professionals event in 2021,” said Tristan Boxford, CEO of the APP. “This event will feature both distance and sprints with APP prize money. However, due to extraordinary circumstances, we are not moving forward with a World Tour this year.”</p>


<p><b>Ideas for Outdoor Dining at the Beach and Beyond<br />
</b>Stepping out from the Blockade Runner onto East’s patio feels like a trip to the tropics. A lush green lawn surrounded by colorful gardens overlooks the ocean where guests can roam the grounds before or after dining.</p>


Wilmington Biz

<p><b>Carolina Cup is the First Stop on the APP World Tour<br />
</b>The Association of Paddlesurf Professionals World Tour announced an updated schedule today, including selecting the Carolina Cup as the first stop on the 2021 APP World Tour. The modified schedule consists of four flagship events, beginning November 4<sup>th</sup> in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.</p>


<p><b>The 19 Best Beaches in the US – August 2021<br />
</b>Conde Nast Traveler has named Wrightsville Beach one of the ’19 Best Beaches in the US’ and the Blockade Runner was highlighted as the place to stay! North Carolina has 301 miles of coastline, from the Outer Banks to the South Carolina border, and nearly all of it is accessible beachfront. Stay here: A family-owned historic retreat located right by the water, <a href="http://www.blockade-runner.com/" rel="noopener" role="link" target="_blank">Blockade Runner Beach Resort</a> has all the beach views and curated activities you could want.</p>


Conde Nast Traveler

<p><b>We’ve Found Your Dream Resort – August 2021<br />
</b>This place, damaged by Hurricane Florence, has emerged from its 2018 renovation, and it’s all about the water here – gazing at it, splashing in it, and sailing on it. The Eco Paddle Tour sets you up on a kayak and takes you through marshes where you can spot cranes above and marine wildlife in the clear waters below. Hop on a 40-foot sailboat to see the sunset, or take a keelboat tour. Be sure to work up an appetite for chef Jessica Cabo’s menu, which celebrates the sea and your own catch.</p>


<p><b>The Beach is Calling – July 2021<br />
</b>One of the best things about Raleigh is its proximity to the coast – just zip down I-40, and in a few short hours, you’ll be sitting with your toes in the sand, the sound of waves lapping in your ears and not a single worry in mind. Ahhh….we can picture it now.<b></b></p>


Raleigh Magazine

<p><b>2021 Readers’ Choice Awards – June 2021<br />
</b>The readers of Wake Living Magazine have named the Blockade Runner Beach Resort as ‘Best Resort’ in the magazine’s annual awards. In addition to the accolade, read about the hotel in the article, ‘Road Trip to the Coast.’<b></b></p>


Wake Living

<p><strong>A Spring Weekend in Wilmington – March 2021<br />
</strong>Despite trips to the area before, I’ve never stayed on Wrightsville and I was thrilled to stay at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. It’s a locally owned and operated business and has amazing options for enjoying the area without ever having the really leave the property. I have long admired the outdoor spaces and the rooms are recently renovated and simply beautiful.</p>


I’m Fixin’ To

<p><strong>3 North Carolina Resorts to (Re) Discover – January 2021<br />
</strong>If Blockade Runner — and this part of the Atlantic coast — weren’t on your radar before, they might be after this! Wrightsville Beach and its neighbor Wilmington Beach are funky, vibrant beach towns with lots of great eateries, pristine beaches, preserved wildlife tracts, and limitless outdoor activity. Smack dab between the Atlantic and the Intercoastal Waterway, and just a quick walk away from downtown Wrightsville Beach, Blockade Runner is the perfect beachside resort.</p>


Style Blueprint

<p><b>Despite Hurricanes And Setbacks This North Carolina Entrepreneur Stays The Course –</b><strong> August 2019<br />
</strong><span class="s1">Now decades later Baggett Martin is still running Blockade Runner Beach Resort with her brother Bill Baggett. The 55 year-old resort has endured eight hurricanes and several super storms since it was first built, yet it continues to thrive. There are gardens galore, plenty of beachfront hammocks to tuck into and of course the long stretch of Wrightsville Beach. “We now we have 225 employees. For many of them, this is their first job ever,” Baggett Martin proudly says. “There is not anything that I would want to do other than this.”</span></p>


Forbes Magazine

<p><b>Fantasy Island –</b><strong> July 2019<br />
</strong><span class="s1">Your happy place of choice? The Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach. </span><span class="s1">Impossible not to notice before you even set foot inside the door is a colorful sculpture that takes up the entire front window — a wire frame filled with foam flowers, as it turns out — resembling a sea anemone, the handiwork of interior designer Terry Allred. She understands all too well that for the generations of North Carolinians who have regularly vacationed there, the Blockade Runner is an institution, their “own special place,” to borrow from yet another song, “Bali Hai.” So why not create a similar paradise? “Wrightsville Beach is an island. Let’s make them think they’ve come to an island, a really funky island. A <i>fun</i> island,” she recalls suggesting to the hotel’s owners, Bill Baggett and his sister Mary Baggett Martin, when the décor was due for an upgrade.</span></p>


O.Henry Magazine

<p><b>To Live in Paradise –</b><strong> June 2019<br />
</strong><span class="s1">T</span><span class="s1">he road to destruction can be swift, like a sparrow in a hurricane. The way back to recovery requires patience and perseverance. The Blockade Runner Beach Resort at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, has faced just such a challenge in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence that wreaked havoc on the historic oceanfront hotel in September 2018. </span><span class="s1">Reconstruction in recent years strengthened the hotel to withstand 150-mile-per-hour winds, but not Florence’s sustained 100-plus-mile winds for three days. </span></p>


Salt Magazine

<p><b>Stormy Weather –</b><strong> June 2019<br />
</strong>After withstanding decades of hurricanes, Wilmington’s Blockade Runner is ready to defy the odds once more.</p>


<p><b>The Seaside Gardener –</b><strong> June 2019<br />
</strong>It’s a tough business keeping a garden in bloom by the ocean’s edge, an endless battle against heat, salt and the occasional killer hurricane. But the Blockade Runner’s Aubrey Doggett does it beautifully, year after year</p>


<p><b>The South’s Best Beach Towns 2019-</b><strong> March 2019<br />
</strong>4. Wrightsville Beach North Carolina – An island town about 6 miles from Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach has access to the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and Banks Channel. So if you surf, paddle, fish, boat, or float, you’ll like it here. Two fishing piers are prime spots for casting a line or just chatting up the locals. For a full-service resort with views of both the Atlantic and Banks Channel, check out the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Blockade Runner also offers sailing adventures with individualized instruction.</p>


<p><b>2018 Best of the Best Shore Picks –</b><strong> October 2018<br />
</strong>Blockade Runner Best Resort was voted hotel winner by Star News readers.</p>


Star News

<p><b>15 Top Rated Resorts in North Carolina –</b><strong> October 2018<br />
</strong>Boasting one of the best ocean-front properties in North Carolina, the luxurious Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach has been welcoming guests to enjoy its authentic Southern hospitality since 1964. It’s set in an area of unspoiled oceanfront that’s just begging to be explored, and caters to a variety of outdoor leisure activities from sailing to kayaking. In addition to swimming at the beach, there’s a large outdoor pool with accompanying attendant services (and pool toys). Other on-site amenities include a fitness center, ocean-side yoga classes, and great restaurants (garden dining available).</p>


Planet Ware

<p><b>Art in Bloom –</b><strong> August 2018<br />
</strong>Thefloral designers who gathered at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort in the Wrightsville Beach , N.C., in January for for the annual “Art &amp; the Bloom” exhibition used everything from driftwood and abalone shells to <em>Hydrangeas, Irises</em> and cedar bows to interpret fine-art pieces that came from private collections and the Wilmington Art Association. The result was a stunning collection of floral arrangements and artwork that made for a memorable second year of “Art &amp; the Bloom.” Organized by the New Hanover Garden Club, the four-day event also included several workshops, a fashion show of hats and the presentation on dream garden growing from Mark Weathington, author of <em>Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide</em>.</p>


Florists’ Review

<p><b>Where Beauty Blooms –</b><strong> August 2018<br />
</strong>For 32 years he [Aubrey Doggett] has worked for the Blockade Runner resort, which, to my eye, has the best landscaping and gardening in the area. Yes, I’ve been to Airlie and the Arboretum. I’ve now walked and biked nearly every street and alley in town. But in terms of variety, design, expense, tenacity, ingenuity and, yes, sweat, there is nothing like the 4 acres upon which the Blockade Runner sits between those waters.</p>


SALT Magazine

<p><b>Anchors Aweigh: Locals are invited to hit the water –</b><strong> July 2018<br />
</strong>After sailing around the world, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort’s Captain MATTY ROBERTS returned to Wrightsville Beach to share his sport with both experienced and aspiring sailors.“This is a sailing mecca,” Roberts says. Being a tourist in your own town has never been easier at Wrightsville Beach, with an activity available daily. “Sailing, like surfing, is a lifestyle sport. People can come and see if it’s actually right for you, right down the street in your own backyard,” Roberts adds.</p>


WILMA

<p><b>6 Beach Vacations That Craft Beer Drinkers Need to Try –</b><strong> July 2018<br />
</strong>The Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach speaks to the active nature of the craft beer community. Sure, there’s plenty of beachfront landscape to relax on with your favorite session beer, but the hotel’s position on both the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway allows it to offer so much more, from fishing to sailing and stand-up-paddle boarding. The hotel even offers a Craft Beer Beach Vacation package complete with a two-night stay, dinner in EAST restaurant with a sampling of current craft beer offerings (the chef was on Hell’s Kitchen), and breakfast both mornings.</p>


Trivago Magazine

<p><b>Hospitality Industry Needs Workers –</b><strong> May 2018<br />
</strong>The number of hotels in the area “leave us all vying for some similar employees….,” explained Blockade Runner Beach Resort General Manager Nicolas Montoya. “Our job fair proved to be successful on a couple of different fronts; the folks that came were all-around a more selective group of applicants with a focused desire to work in our industry.”</p>


WilmingtonBiz

<p><b>8 Beach &amp; Oceanfront Wedding Venues in North Carolina – April</b><strong> 2018<br />
</strong>Technically, this event venue sits right on the ocean, but for couples who want to forgo a sandy ceremony, the seaside gardens and lush lawns at Blockade Runner provide a unique twist on the classic beach wedding. Enjoy the ocean breezes while surrounded by colorful flowers, tall palm trees and walls of green privacy expertly manicured to will provide just the right touch of color to all your wedding photos.</p>


Visit NC

<p><b>Hotel We Love: Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Wrightsville Beach, NC – April</b><strong> 2018<br />
</strong>Not 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, on the barrier island of Wrightsville Beach sits the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, a family-owned property centrally located on a pristine oceanfront plot. The boutique hotel has been around since the mid-60’s, but it’s received a contemporary face lift over the years, now boasting stylish accommodations, beautifully manicured gardens, and an unsullied stretch of white sand, where beach meets gentle ocean waves.</p>


Budget Travel

<p><b>2018 Award Winners- February</b><strong> 2018<br />
</strong>Blockade Runner has been selected to receive the Outstanding Stewardship Award for the Blockade Runner Beach Resort Clean Water &amp; Sustainability Project.</p>


Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Coalition

<p><b>Best of 2018 Winner – February</b><strong> 2018<br />
</strong>Blockade Runner Beach Resort was voted best hotel 2018 by Encore Magazine readers.</p>


Encore Magazine

<p><b>Give Me a Break: Hang ten with the best of them at surf schools and camps nationwide and locally – February</b><strong> 2018<br />
</strong>The Blockade Runner Beach Resort is the perfect destination not only for surfing but other water activities, too, like paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking and fishing. The Sandcampers Children’s Program is offered weekly throughout summer and teaches the basics: getting up on the board, catching a wave and riding it in. Sandcastle creations and surfside activities are included, too.</p>


Boca Raton Observer

<p><b>Soak It in: </b><strong>Luxurious Hotel Tubs in North Carolina – January, 2018</strong><br />
    When you’re staying on the beach, the goal is usually to spend as much time outdoors as possible. That’s a mission easily accomplished at Blockade Runner, where the Atlantic Ocean lies in front of the resort and a deep-water harbor behind it. So, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the sand and surf. The variety of guest rooms will make it very enticing to stay inside as well, especially a <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/oceanfront-stateroom/?utm_source=www.visitnc.com&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=downstream-referral" rel="noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank">Premiere Atlantic Oceanfront Stateroom</a>. These large suites feature a two-room bath with a rainfall shower and soaking tub. And even though views of the ocean are just steps away at the window, a flatscreen TV faces the tub in case you want to retreat for some binge-watching.</p>


<p><strong>9 Best Honeymoon Resorts in North Carolina – January, 2018</strong><br />
    It has a fantastic oceanfront location that means falling asleep to the peaceful sounds of the waves, and ocean views from nearly every angle as well as convenient access to all types of water-related sports. If relaxation is what you’re after, take advantage of the umbrellas and sun loungers for a stress-free day at the beach and then come back and soak in the fabulous spa tub.</p>


Trips to Discover

<p><strong>Best Family Vacation Ideas in North Carolina – December, 2018</strong><br />
    Located on one of the most beautiful and serene beaches on the North Carolina coast, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort is a contemporary resort hotel surrounded by landscaped gardens and stunning ocean views. The resort offers peaceful accommodation in the form of minimalist rooms with en-suite marble bathrooms, private balconies and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and televisions.</p>


Vacation Idea

<p><strong>From The Ground Up – November, 2017</strong><br />
    Chef Jessica Cabo of EAST utilizes microgreens not only in specials but to accent many of her main dishes. Her menus change regularly so that she can incorporate as many local, seasonal vegetables as possible, and when specialty items such as locally grown white eggplant or Chinese long beans come through the door, it’s time for her to have some fun. For well over a century, the island of Wrightsville Beach has been a seaside retreat by locals and visitors year round. While you’re there, stay at the family owned and operated Blockade Runner Beach Resort which has hosted couples and families for over 50 years.</p>


<p><strong>2017 Pelican Award Winner – August, 2017<br />
</strong>Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Wrightsville Beach, for Exceptional Business Partnership in Protecting and Restoring Valuable Coastal Resources</p>


North Carolina Coastal Federation

<p><strong>Weekend Getaway: Wilmington, North Carolina – June, 2017<br />
</strong>With beaches this beautiful, you have to begin and end your days on the sand. Do it up in retro style at the recently redone Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Wrightsville Beach. There’s a lot to love: a classic swimming pool, a restaurant helmed by Hell’s Kitchen finalist Jessica Cabo, and a coastal adventure program.</p>


<p><strong>Quoi faire à Wrightsville Beach, Caroline du Nord – May, 2017<br />
</strong>J’adore cet hôtel hyper bien situé face à la mer. Une belle déco beach house, une piscine, et des chaises Adirondacks sur la plage. Que demander de plus?<br />
    English: I love this hotel in a great location facing the sea. A lovely beach house, pool, and Adirondacks on the beach. What more?</p>


Siegehublot

<p><strong>Wrightsville Beach Offers Summertime Fun for the Entire Family – May 2017<br />
</strong>The Blockade Runner Beach Resort at Wrightsville Beach hosts an adventure-based kids’ summer program called Sandcampers featuring daily themes and activities including scavenger hunts as a pirate, sandcastle competitions, relay races, arts and crafts and more.</p>


Coastal Virginia Magazine

<p><strong>The Carolina Coast: The Perfect Romantic Getaway – May, 2017<br />
</strong>Once you’ve crossed the bridge into Wrightsville Beach, Blockade Runner Beach Resort is easy to spot. Don’t be fooled by its plain-jane façade. Inside, the building has been retro-fitted to luxury hotel standards. Choose a room facing either the Atlantic Ocean on one side or the Banks Channel Sound on the other — both views are lovely.</p>


<p><strong>The 20 Most Magical Island Getaways – March, 2017<br />
</strong>Come nightfall, why stray from that breezy, ocean air? Book a room at the Blockade Runner, where swimming, sailing, and surfing are at your finger and toe-tips.</p>


Country Living

<p><strong>America’s Favorite Cities for Brunch 2016 – March, 2017<br />
</strong>By the beach, Chef Jessica Cabo’s East Oceanfront offers a seafood-centric brunch at Blockade Runner Resort’s canopied garden deck.</p>


Travel & Leisure

<p><strong>ODE IN A GRECIAN URN – March, 2017<br />
</strong>The newly minted New Hanover Garden Club (NHGC) recently teamed up with the Cameron Art Museum to host the first annual “Art of the Bloom” mini-festival at the Blockade Runner.</p>


<p><strong>Wilmingtons Best Brunches – September, 2016<br />
</strong>When a restaurant is sourcing ingredients straight from their backyard, it doesn’t get much fresher than that. East—located inside the Blockade Runner Resort on Wrightsville Beach—offers a scenic Sunday brunch buffet that diners can enjoy under a beautiful canopied garden deck no matter the finicky seasonal weather. The extraordinarily talented Chef Jessica Cabo is the Oz behind the curtain of this seaside kitchen, and she’s taking every course to the next level with impeccable vegetarian and seafood-centric creations. Her brunch menu screams local, elegant, fresh eats—but rich indulgences like the Blockade Benedict with braised pork belly are also on deck. Build your own healthy breakfast from the eggs up at the Omelet station and pack it with hand-harvested, local produce.</p>


Wilmington Magazine

<p><strong>The Best Beach Resorts in North Carolina – August, 2016<br />
</strong>Once the site of stately hotels—The Seashore and The Ocean Terrace—Blockade Runner continues to uphold its coastal heritage in the most family-friendly, laid-back fashion, but with a cool retro-hip look in the lobby and poolside spaces. With harborfront and oceanfront suites, the resort can offer sweeping vistas of the bustling boats or the calm open ocean—take your pick.</p>


<p><strong>Our 7 Favorite Things on Wrightsville Beach – June 2016<br />
</strong>This beachfront resort has been family owned for over 50 years old. The building is older, but the interiors have been beautifully renovated with a modern coastal vibe. We loved our updated room with a bold blue and white palette filled with modern beach-themed furnishings.</p>


Moms Charlotte

<p><strong>10 Best: Beach Resort Kid’s Clubs – July, 2014<br />
</strong>Sandcampers, Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Wrightsville Beach, located on an island between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, is scenic on all sides, but for Sandcampers, pirate booty trumps pristine beauty. Kids have access to a selection of pirate costumes and accessories to put on before hitting the beach to search for all-natural loot. The loot, mostly sea glass and shells, is later stored in treasure chests that kids decorate during camp. Learning how to talk and sing like a pirate pays off when local pirate legend Don Juan Cortez makes a guest appearance at the resort.</p>


USA Today

<p><strong>The 10 Best Surf Lodges in North America – June 2014<br />
</strong>The Blockade Runner Beach Resort is a short walk from the Wrightsville bar scene, which stays hopping thanks to tourists, thirsty locals, and college kids from nearby UNC-Wilmington. For the flat days, the hotel offers paddleboard rentals and SUP yoga classes, as well as in-room massages to keep you loose for when the swell picks back up.</p>


Outside Magazine

<p><strong>North Carolina’s Best Beach Hotels – January, 2014<br />
</strong>Just outside the historic port city of Wilmington, on a stretch of Wrightsville Beach, is the Blockade-Runner Beach Club. From the expansive front lawn that hosts games of croquet and horseshoes, to surfing lessons in the open Atlantic and kayaking through the barrier islands, guests quickly acclimate to an outdoors-filled stay. Families with small children can enjoy the Sandcamper’s Program. After a day of sun and play, guests can dine on local seafood and fresh farm favorites at the club’s on-site restaurant, East Oceanfront Dining — as the name suggests, diners enjoy oceanfront seating beneath a canopy. Then take a complimentary Intracoastal Waterway cruise before retiring to an oceanfront terrace room.</p>


Travel Channel

<p><b>Soak It in: </b><strong>Luxurious Hotel Tubs in North Carolina – January, 2018</strong><br />
        When you’re staying on the beach, the goal is usually to spend as much time outdoors as possible. That’s a mission easily accomplished at Blockade Runner, where the Atlantic Ocean lies in front of the resort and a deep-water harbor behind it. So, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the sand and surf. The variety of guest rooms will make it very enticing to stay inside as well, especially a <a href="https://blockade-runner.com/oceanfront-stateroom/?utm_source=www.visitnc.com&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=downstream-referral" rel="noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank">Premiere Atlantic Oceanfront Stateroom</a>. These large suites feature a two-room bath with a rainfall shower and soaking tub. And even though views of the ocean are just steps away at the window, a flatscreen TV faces the tub in case you want to retreat for some binge-watching.</p>


<p><strong>9 Best Honeymoon Resorts in North Carolina – January, 2018</strong><br />
        It has a fantastic oceanfront location that means falling asleep to the peaceful sounds of the waves, and ocean views from nearly every angle as well as convenient access to all types of water-related sports. If relaxation is what you’re after, take advantage of the umbrellas and sun loungers for a stress-free day at the beach and then come back and soak in the fabulous spa tub.</p>


<p><strong>Best Family Vacation Ideas in North Carolina – December, 2018</strong><br />
        Located on one of the most beautiful and serene beaches on the North Carolina coast, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort is a contemporary resort hotel surrounded by landscaped gardens and stunning ocean views. The resort offers peaceful accommodation in the form of minimalist rooms with en-suite marble bathrooms, private balconies and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and televisions.</p>


<p><strong>From The Ground Up – November, 2017</strong><br />
        Chef Jessica Cabo of EAST utilizes microgreens not only in specials but to accent many of her main dishes. Her menus change regularly so that she can incorporate as many local, seasonal vegetables as possible, and when specialty items such as locally grown white eggplant or Chinese long beans come through the door, it’s time for her to have some fun. For well over a century, the island of Wrightsville Beach has been a seaside retreat by locals and visitors year round. While you’re there, stay at the family owned and operated Blockade Runner Beach Resort which has hosted couples and families for over 50 years.</p>


<p><strong>Quoi faire à Wrightsville Beach, Caroline du Nord – May, 2017<br />
</strong>J’adore cet hôtel hyper bien situé face à la mer. Une belle déco beach house, une piscine, et des chaises Adirondacks sur la plage. Que demander de plus?<br />
        English: I love this hotel in a great location facing the sea. A lovely beach house, pool, and Adirondacks on the beach. What more?</p>


Guest Rooms

Harborfront Queen Room

Harborfront King Room

Atlantic Oceanfront Queen Room

Atlantic Oceanfront King Room

Club Level Harborfront Queen Room

Club Level Harborfront King Room

Club Level Atlantic Oceanfront Queen Room

Club Level Atlantic Oceanfront King Room

Deluxe Atlantic Oceanfront Balcony Queen Room

Deluxe Atlantic Oceanfront Balcony King Room

Oceanfront Balcony

Premier Atlantic Oceanfront Stateroom

Oceanfront View

Harborfont View

King Bed

Two Queen Beds

Garden Apartment

The Cottage

Cottage

<p>Whether you’re planning your next family reunion or setting up a corporate retreat, our <strong>Wrightsville Beach cottage</strong> offers everything you need. Originally built as a boarding house, this beautifully restored two-story home is a splendid example of the classic beach cottage landmarks of the island.</p>
<p>This Wrightsville Beach rental <strong>home has room for 26 guests</strong> and features a spacious double living room with gas fireplace, smart TV and complimentary WiFi. Enjoy meals in the cottage&#8217;s full kitchen and dining room with seating to accommodate 20. Expansive wraparound porches allow you to view the stunning Atlantic Ocean sunrise and the famous Banks Channel sunset. Guests of our Wrightsville Beach home rental have full access to all Blockade Runner amenities.</p>


Wrightsville Beach Cottage at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Outdoor deck and seating at The Cottage at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Living room at The Cottage at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Table in the living room at The Cottage at Blockade Runner.

Kitchen area and dining area at The Cottage.

Dining room at The Cottage at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Back hallway downstairs at Blockade Runner.

Bedroom at The Cottage with two beds and brightly colored bedding.

Downstairs bathroom at The Cottage at Blockade Runner hotel in Wrightsville Beach.

Balcony view at Wrightsville Beach cottage at Blockade Runner.

Double room at Blockade Runner Wrightsville Beach cottage.

Upstairs bathroom at Blockade Runner's Wrightsville Beach cottage.

Bedroom with queen bed at Blockade Runner's Wrightsville Beach cottage.

Bedroom with queen bed at Wrightsville Beach cottage at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Upstairs hallway at the Wrightsville Beach cottage at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Bedroom with two beds and desk area at Blockade Runner's cottage.

Surf Lessons Begin

05/22/2023 - All Day Event