| Wilmington,
NC – February 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / February is for romance
and nothing says “I love you” like a dreamy getaway to the coast. Enter
Wilmington
and the island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach and Wrightsville
Beach, where a “winter waterland” beckons. Inspired by water from the
river to the sea, romantics can wake up to glorious ocean sunrises and
wind down with stunning Cape Fear River sunsets. Lose track of time during
long walks along a wide, sandy beach or run a Valentine race with serene
water views. While away the hours admiring nature’s beauty at botanical
gardens and parks. Savor a meal along historic downtown Wilmington’s riverfront
(voted the #1 “Best Al Fresco Dining Neighborhood” by USA TODAY 10Best
Reader’s Choice Awards). Dine or cruise along the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway to see settings
that appear in the latest Nicholas Sparks movie “The Choice,” which
was filmed in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.
February also strikes romantic
chords, beginning with the 36th
Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival (Feb. 4-6), symphony performances,
jazz concerts and musical theatre. Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday so plan
to spend the entire weekend enjoying sweetheart-themed tours and cruises,
antique shops, art galleries, museums and outdoor activities. In the evening,
take in a show at one of our elegant theatres. Several restaurants offer
Valentine brunch and dinner menus to suit every palate and budget. Accommodations
range from oceanfront and riverfront hotels to vacation rental homes and
more than a dozen cozy bed-and-breakfast inns. With accommodations in all
price ranges, a winter escape at shoulder-season rates won’t break the
bank. Check out seasonal specials and winter highlights at www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2016-winter-highlights.
|
|
Here’s a Sampling of
February’s Romance-Inspired Events:
Feb. 4-6: 36th North Carolina
Jazz Festival. 14 traditional jazz artists perform in a cabaret-style
setting. Admission charge/advance reservations. Hilton Wilmington Riverside.
910-793-1111; www.ncjazzfestival.com
Feb. 4: “An Evening Of
Classic Lily Tomlin.” 7:30pm. Admission charge. CFCC Humanities &
Fine Arts Center, Wilmington. 910-362-7999; cfcc.edu/capefearstage/an-evening-of-classic-lily-tomlin.
Feb. 4-7; 11-14; 18-21:
“The Odd Couple.” 7:30pm. Classic comedy about two unlikely roommates.
Cape Fear Playhouse, Wilmington. 910-367-5237; www.bigdawgproductions.org.
Feb. 5-6, 13-14: “The
Lambda.” 7:00pm. Enjoy dinner and an original musical that’s set in
a 1970s beach boardwalk gay bar. Special Valentine menu. Admission charge.
TheatreNOW, Wilmington. 910-399-3669; www.theatrewilmington.com
Feb. 6: Sibelius Symphony
#5. 7:30pm. Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents the music of Jean
Sibelius’ Symphony #5. UNCW Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington. 910-791-9262;
www.wilmingtonsymphony.org/sibelius-5.html
Feb. 11-14: Valentine
Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride. Moonlight carriage ride with private French
evening coach, rose, chocolates. Admission charge. Reservation only. Downtown
Wilmington. 910-251-8889; www.horsedrawntours.com/id2.html
Feb. 11: Jazz At The Cam.
Concert by jazz piano master Grenoldo Frazier. 6:30pm. Admission charge.
Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.org/index.php?c=jazz.
Feb. 12-13: Hold-Your-Honey-Tight
Fright Night Tours. Guides tell stories of love gone wrong. Ghost Walk:
Fri.-Sat. (Feb. 12-13) at 6:30pm; Haunted Pub Crawl: Fri./Sat. (Feb. 12-13)
at 7:30pm. Admission charge. Reservations required. 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com
Feb. 12 & 13: Hugs
& Fishes Valentine’s Day Lock-In. 6pm-9am. Do mom and dad need
a romantic evening? Bring the kids (ages 5 to 12) to the N.C. Aquarium
at Fort Fisher for a Valentine’s sleepover with games, crafts and animal
programs. Dinner, snacks and breakfast provided. Children must be comfortable
being away from home overnight without parents. Admission charge; prepaid
reservations required. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach. 910-458-8257;
reservations.ncaquariums.com/fortfisher/Info.aspx?DayPlanner=2/12/2016.
Feb. 12-14, 18-21, 27-29:
“Mary Tudor.” 8pm; 3pm Sunday matinee. East Coast premiere of an acclaimed
play that powerfully captures the drama and conflict of Tudor England,
a period rich in both blood lines and plot lines. Thalian Hall, Wilmington.
910-632-2285; www.thalianhall.org.
Feb. 13: Romantic Harbor
Dinner Cruise. 5pm. Captain’s Reception begins at 5pm with a long stem
rose welcome. The 2-hour cruise includes live acoustic music and a 4-course
dinner, catered by Bon Appetit. Admission charge. Dock: 212 S. Water St.,
Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.net.
Feb. 13: Wrightsville
Beach Valentine 10K. 9am. Run a 10K or walk The Loop with your favorite
Valentine. Wrightsville Beach Park. 910-256-7925; its-go-time.com/wbvalentine10k.
Feb. 13-14: Valentine’s
Day Cruise At Wrightsville Beach. 11am-4pm (departs on hour). Wrightsville
Beach Scenic Tours. Cruise, chocolate & beverage. Admission charge;
advance reservations. Couples married 45 years+ will cruise free on Feb.
14, 11am cruise only). Departs from dock across from 275 Waynick Ave.,
Wrightsville Beach (across from Blockade Runner). 910-200-4002; www.wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com.
Feb. 14: Mimosa &
Sweets Valentine’s Day Cruise. 2pm. While away the afternoon on a romantic
90-minute river cruise with your sweetheart and enjoy mimosas and an assortment
of sweets catered by Bon Appetit. Admission charge. Dock: 212 S. Water
St., Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.net.
Feb. 19-20; 26-27: “Top
O’ The Mornin’ To Ya!”. 6pm doors open; 7pm show. Original comedy in
which Faith and Begorah, Irish morning talk show hosts on location in Wilmington,
NC. Admission charge. TheatreNOW, Wilmington. 910-399-3669; www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/events-calendar/top-o-the-mornin-to-ya-with-faith-begorrah.
Feb. 20-21: Art For All
6. 12noon-6pm. Art show. Admission charge. Brooklyn Arts Center, Wilmington.
910-616-9882; www.brooklynartsnc.com/index.php?c=concerts
Feb. 21: Shell Island
Resort Bridal Show. 1-4pm. Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach.
910-344-0888; www.shellisland.com
Feb. 27: 66th Annual Tidewater
Camellia Club Show & Sale. 1pm-4pm. An American Camellia Society
juried show. Free admission. New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington.
www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org
Feb. 27: Wilmington Wine
& Beer Walk. 1pm-6pm. Starts at Ziggy’s By The Sea, 208 Market
St., Wilmington. www.wineandbeerwalk.com/info_wilmington.html
Feb. 28: Magnolia Baroque
Concert. Enjoy an evening of Bach with Magnolia Baroque! This ensemble
began as a biennial baroque music festival at Old Salem’s Home Moravian
Church. 919-343-1079; www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/events-calendar
City + Beaches: There
are lots more February happenings to enjoy with friends and family. For
a complete calendar, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com/events-calendar
or call 866-266-9690 to request a 2016 Official Visitors Guide. Events
often change without notice. Prior to travel, please confirm details with
event organizer. For seasonal specials and featured events: www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2016-winter-highlights.
Media
Contact:
Wilmington
and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690
ext. 120
|
The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
|
|
