A Beachy Thanksgiving Dinner Near Wilmington

Refresh your annual family Thanksgiving traditions by escaping to the beach this holiday season. Trade in your home kitchen table for a beachy Thanksgiving dinner near Wilmington. From the pier-decorated shores to lively boardwalks to tranquil oceanfronts, your visit to this beach this Thanksgiving will add a splash of even more flavor to your Turkey Day.

Best Places to Spend Thanksgiving on the Beach in North Carolina

There are countless beaches lining the North Carolina coast—it has one of the longest coastlines in the US, extending 3,375 miles. These are our favorite beach spots on the NC coast where you can spend your Thanksgiving getaway.

Wrightsville Beach

Gobble up all the wonderful memories you’ll create during your Thanksgiving in Wrightsville Beach. Just a 10-mile drive away, it’s one of the closest destinations for a beachfront Thanksgiving dinner near Wilmington.

Wrightsville Beach will keep you active this Thanksgiving weekend. You’ll earn that second plate of turkey after competing in the annual Turkey Trot 5K Race held Thanksgiving morning. Add fish to your dinner menu with your own fresh catch from fishing on Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier.

You’ll love ocean views from the dinner table at Topsail Breeze or the patio dining table with views of the Atlantic at the Blue Wave Retreat.

Carolina Beach

This quiet beach town sits about a dozen miles from Wilmington but feels like a world away. Invite the entire family to spend Thanksgiving together in Carolina Beach. Finally, a family trip everyone can get excited about!

The more, the merrier, and Carolina Beach has plenty of beach space to accommodate everyone. Beachcomb the miles of sandy shores for a pre- or post-dinner walk. Pick out gifts for each family member from the souvenir shops on the Carolina Beach boardwalk.

Fit everyone under one roof with our family-friendly vacation rentals in Carolina Beach. Deja Blue (up to 15 guests) and The Place to Be (up to 13 guests) are two of our largest Carolina Beach vacation homes to accommodate multiple families in town to have thanksgiving dinner together.

Kure Beach

While you have a few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday, plan a weekend retreat to the quiet shores at Kure Beach. Head south from Wilmington, and you’ll run into this serene slice of coastline on Pleasure Island.

Set your alarm to beach time. Take things easy this holiday by enjoying the slower pace of life and laid-back setting. The Perfect Kure vacation home features panoramic views and is spacious for families enjoying Thanksgiving in Kure Beach together.

Thanksgiving weekend is the last chance to check out the Kure Beach Holiday Market. Shop holiday gifts from local Carolinian artisans at the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion.

Ocean Isle Beach

Gaze out into the vast Atlantic Ocean while giving thanks for everything special in your life. Walk untouched shores while reminiscing on the New Land of opportunities that inspired the Pilgrims to have the first Thanksgiving in the early 17th century. The natural setting at Ocean Isle Beach makes you appreciate the beauty of Earth even more.

Your weekend in Ocean Isle Beach will be a Thanksgiving dinner near Wilmington you won’t forget. Nature will be the only specially invited guest at your intimate Thanksgiving dinner in OIB. Our Goin’ Coastal vacation home is nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean like a turkey sandwich, giving you a taste of one of the best beaches near Wilmington to spend Thanksgiving.

Topsail Island

Thanksgiving is stuffed with history—much like Topsail Island! Take a bit out of history this Thanksgiving weekend. Learning about Topsail Island’s history will give you a new appreciation of the island.

Talk about the pirate tales on Topsail Beach during your Thanksgiving dinner. Chart plans to find Blackbeard’s hidden treasure on the island after a slice of pecan pie. Fill your weekend with history at the Missiles and More Museum.

Having Thanksgiving Dinner in a Vacation Rental

Experience one of your cherished family traditions in a new setting. Being surrounded by the people you love most is what truly makes the Thanksgiving holiday special. Throw a fork in this year’s holiday plans by having Thanksgiving dinner in a vacation rental.

The beaches on the North Carolina coast are a slice of paradise during the November off-season. Book accommodation with multiple rooms to host all of your kin visiting North Carolina for Thanksgiving. Find the perfect kitchen capable of manifesting your entire Thanksgiving dinner menu. Stay in oceanfront rentals to enjoy views of the Atlantic while gathering around the dinner table. Transform our beach vacation rentals with coastal Thanksgiving decor from local shops and markets.

Cater Your Thanksgiving Dinner with Our Guest Services

Get a helping hand this Thanksgiving. Our local guest services are here to make your Thanksgiving near Wilmington as stress-free as possible. Whether you want a restaurant-quality meal prepared by a French-trained chef, last-minute ingredients delivered to your door, or a unique beach picnic, we’ve got you covered. Check out our local partners.

Feast your eyes on the best vacation rentals for a coastal Thanksgiving near Wilmington. Book your stay today to avoid getting the leftovers!