Best Picnic Spots Near Wilmington

Good news! The picnic aesthetic is in, and coastal North Carolina looks like a pin right off Pinterest. From DIY picnics decorated after your favorite board to luxury picnics organized by professionals, you’ll get the perfect picnic tailored to your taste.

You’re in for a treat when you stay near Wilmington. Picnics are the perfect addition to any Wilmington itinerary. We’ve picked the best picnic spots for baskets, beaches, and blissful moments.

Best Time to Have a Picnic in Wilmington

Coastal North Carolina is a year-round destination with excellent weather for outdoor picnics—even during the winter! The hot summers are popular for enjoying a picnic on the beach. Winter birds can endure the fun of outdoor picnics with a light jacket or extra blanket.

For windy days, set up your picnic inside a tent or rent a yurt. The flexibility in space and location makes the Wilmington area ideal for picnics in any season.

Check out these picnic spots

1. Picnic at the beach

The beach is a picture-perfect location for your picnic. You can’t beat ocean views with waves washing ashore just a few steps from your picnic blanket. Make it a romantic picnic with spirits and surprise your partner with their favorite dessert. Be sure to bring your swimwear because you can enjoy all the popular water activities before and after your meal.

Popular places to have a beach picnic near Wilmington are:

• Wrightsville Beach
• Carolina Beach
• Kure Beach

2. Picnic at local parks

Did you know that Wilmington has more than 700 acres of green spaces? From recreational parks to public gardens, you can easily find a quiet spot of grass to lay out your blanket and enjoy a picnic.

Several parks in the Wilmington area give you the ideal location for an outdoor picnic. Some parks provide shelters and benches, while others give you the traditional picnic experience—shaded grass and great views. Some of the best local picnic spots are at:

• Jackson Point Picnic Area
• Long Leaf Park
• Halyburton Park

These spaces are open to the public and don’t need reservations.

3. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Picnic

Create everlasting picnic memories in one of the most storied locations near Wilmington. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is famous for its Civil War-era fort. However, there’s more to see and do, making it popular for picnic-lovers today.

Accompany your picnic experience with hiking trails before you eat. You’ll work up an appetite exploring trekking the coast and through tranquil woodlands on the Basin Trail. Finish with a trip back to the visitor center, which has several public picnic tables available. You can also choose to have your picnic right on the beach. Be sure to keep an eye out for your food because this park has a lot of wildlife.

4. Secluded picnic at Masonboro Island

The countless barrier islands off North Carolina’s coast aren’t only for aquatic explorations. They’re an excellent option when you want to plan a secluded picnic away from the tourist crowds.

If you’re planning a summer picnic at the beach near Wilmington, there’s always the chance of other tourists sitting nearby. Thankfully, hidden gems like Masonboro Island are only accessible by boat. Picnics on these secluded shores will feel like your very own private island—even in the middle of peak beach season.

One of the best ways to picnic on Masonboro Island is with tours by Capt. Charlie’s Adventures and Atlantic Marine.

5. Stay-at-home picnic

Book one of our spacious vacation homes, and you won’t even have to leave home for your picnic. Planning a picnic at home lets you maximize all the amenities of your rental. Set up a tent in your backyard, fire up the grill, and stock your kitchen with all your favorite picnic eats.

Check out these rentals that give you plenty of backyard space to plan a picnic day just how you want.

• The Turtle House
• Windsong II
• Gray Whale B

You won’t have to worry about occupied picnic tables or lugging your picnic basket to a new location because you’ll have everything you need right at home.

Experience a Custom Luxury Picnic

Are you stuck on where and how to have the perfect picnic? Leave it to the professionals to create the picnic of your dreams with Luxury picnic popups by Coastal Picnic Wilmington. Guests staying with Sea Scape Properties can indulge in a world-class picnic experience with one of our local partners.

Coastal Picnic Wilmington is one of the premier companies organizing picnics for all occasions. Plan a picnic for your family reunion, surprise your loved one during a beachfront picnic engagement, celebrate a birthday, or plan a picnic toast for your anniversary. They handle all the logistics and planning, so all you have to do is show up ready to have a picnic like never before.

What to pack for your picnic

Picnic-goers know the joy of opening their picnic basket for the first time and digging into the feast you’ve been looking forward to all day. Make your picnic day near Wilmington go smoothly by packing everything you need. Deciding where to picnic near Wilmington is essential to determine what you need to pack. However, there are always a few essential items you don’t want to forget, regardless of where you decide to settle down.

Here are a few things to bring along for the best picnic experience:

• Blanket (include something weighted to keep your blanket from flying away)
• Pillows
• Plates
• Eating utensils
• Paper towel/Napkins
• Cooler
• Water/drinks
• Cups
• Food and snacks
• Food covers (to keep out the bugs)
• Layered clothing (in case it gets cool)
• Trash bags and other clean-up supplies
• Decoration (optional)
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Entertainment (games, books, music, etc.)

Your coastal picnic experience awaits at Sea Scape Properties

Guests staying with Sea Scape Properties vacation rentals can access exclusive discounts and offers to organize the ideal picnic. With easy access to the best picnic spots near Wilmington, it’s one of the many reasons why you’ll enjoy your stay with us. Book today!