wilmington weekend trip (Oak Island, Southport: oceanfront, rentals, condos)

[duhrambull]

would someone recommend an oceanfront hotel and/or any fun things to do there?
thanks

[jmarquise]

in order to get an ocean front hotel within a realistic price range, your best bet is carolina beach. if you stay there, they have an aquarium down the road along with fort fisher. carolina beach is more of a beachy beach. stuff like putt putt and things like that. you won't find that stuff at wrightsville beach. you can spend a day in downtown wilmington doing stuff.

[cncracer]

WrightsvilleBeach will have the Blockade Runner Hotel, and Sun Spree Resort. Both nice, both expensive, Carolina Beach will have the Marriott, and a rash of others again all expensive, but the range is wider in price.
Wrightsville has the best beach for swimming, great food, and a nice sunning strand, Carolina beach is more for tourist related visits.

[rbryant]

My wife swears that she heard on the news that rental companies in Oak Island are giving discounts on condo/home rentals. Also, they are throwing in gas cards...that's what she heard anyways. At any rate, you may want to look into Oak Island, it's only 30-40 min south of Wilmington, and there is a ferry that goes from nearby Southport over to Fort Fisher (historic site plus aquarium). We're heading to Oak Island early Sat morning and staying until next Saturday.

[jmarquise]

I wouldn't doubt those incentives. there are many vacant condos in oak island that I am sure someone would like to rent out ASAP!

[dodgeguy]

Oak Island Is fine if you want to fish. There is absolutely nothing else to do. Also, be advised that there is only a two lane road off and onto the island and traffic is horrible. Sometimes it is backed up a half mile or more.