Wilmington vs. Charleston: Memorial Day '09

Fellow Travelers,

I have a 5-day weekend for Memorial Day. Little Lady %26amp; I are looking to hit the beach. Both Wilmington %26amp; Charleston are within a similar drive. We are in our mid-20s %26amp; looking for a quiet/secluded/romantic beach during the day, but a vibrant nightlife once the sun goes down. Here are a few options I%26#39;ve found so far:

1. Wrightsville Beach

2. Carolina Beach

3. Ft. Fisher

...vs...

Charleston

Your thoughts?

Much appreciated %26amp; thank you for your time!

Wilmington vs. Charleston: Memorial Day '09

Wilmington is a neat place, but doesn%26#39;t come close to comparing to Charleston. The beaches are about the same, but the nightlife and downtown history can%26#39;t be touched. Try the Mill%26#39;s house downtown Charleston.

Wilmington vs. Charleston: Memorial Day '09

Agree.

Wrightsville Beach is not as commercialized as others, but in my mind it still does not compare with Charleston for romance, walking, sightseeing, quiet, food, etc. But be aware that around Memorial Day the Spoleto festival will also be going on. That will add to crowds and people but also is a great time to go if you like arts, music etc., for something to do.

Other considerations: Bald Head Island near Wrightsville is accessible only by ferry with no cars allowed. Not sure how easy it would be to get a rental for Memorial Day.

Might also consider staying outside of Charleston on one of the beaches - Seabrook or Kiawah.

Charleston is what you want (and I live near Wilmington).

Bald Head Island, mentioned in previous reply, has no nightlife, or much else, but it%26#39;s quiet since there are no cars and only access is by ferry.

You should check out Topsail Beach which is just 30 minutes north of Wilmington, it%26#39;s a great place to get away from it all, the beaches are wide and it%26#39;s not too built up.

Charleston, most definately. It is such a romantic historical city with many historical B%26amp;B%26#39;s. A very nice hotel is Charleston Mills House. You can walk to all the hot spots from your hotel.

I love Wilmington, lived there for 5-6 years and lived about 45 minutes from there for an additional eight years.

If you want a romantic/secluded beach during the day, I can tell you Wrightsville Beach is going to be a mad house!! So seclusion there is a no go.

As far as Ft. Fisher and Carolina Beach, they are alright but I feel like they are so far from downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. I have been to both beaches and I can tell you that everyone usually goes to Wrightsville and you usually hear of people camping on the beach and partying at Carolina Beach.

Also you have the largest marine base on the eastern seaboard located 45 minutes north of their with marines that often come to Wilmington as well.

But you can actually plan a really nice secluded weekend getaway in Wilmington if you listen to the following;

1. Quiet/secluded/romantic beach- go to either end of Wrightsville Beach to acheive this. Go to the end where the Oceanic Restaurant is at (parking is a pain) or to the end where Shell Island Resort.

2. Nightlife: Wrightsville Beach is alright, but I am a downtown kind of guy. PLENTY OF BARS THAT HAVE A CASUAL FEEL OR DANCE CLUB ENVIRONMENT. GOODFELLAS (Bar on one floor, dancefloor on another); BluePost (really chill feel; fooseball table, pool tables) Level 5 (rooftop bar) and a variety of other martini lounges (used to be capri and deluxe) or other night venues. Just walk down front street and go either direction

3. As far as Ft fisher... I would take her to the aquarium and stop at 17th St deli before you head there and maybe take a picnic at Ft fisher. The aquarium is right by FT fisher too.

Either way enjoy your holiday !!

also downtown wilmington is rich in history ( Bellamy mansion) .... kind, of cool too is the serpentarium the feeding starts at 330... the battleship is across the river... airlie gardens is also beautiful.... there really is alot to offer there, cotton exchange in downtown wilmington.... good restaurants that have great views on wrightsville beach too...

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