| Wilmington,
NC – January 2012 / Hospitality 1ST / From the banks of the storied
Cape Fear River to the luminous shores of our island beaches, Wilmington,
North Carolina’s historic river district and the island beaches of
Carolina
Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville
Beach inspire romance. Surrounded by water on North Carolina’s southeast
coast, it’s a place where visitors can nourish their souls and reconnect
with loved ones. With accommodations in all price ranges, planning a romantic
winter getaway can also be affordable.
During the month of February
value-minded travelers will find endearing specials and packages for hotels
and B&Bs at WilmingtonAndBeaches.com/specials.
And last-minute hotel bargains are updated weekly at SunnySavers.com.
Romance-inspired activities rule during the month of February. On the days
leading up to Valentine’s Day, visitors can board a riverboat,
catamaran,
or island cruise.
February strikes a romantic
chord with the North Carolina
Jazz Festival (Feb. 2-4), Jazz
at the CAM (Feb. 9) and Jazz
at the Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (Feb. 28). Beach
music lovers will dance all weekend during the East
Coast Shag Classic (Feb. 17-18). Hold your honey tight during
special
love-theme ghost walks and haunted pub crawls (Feb. 10-11). Surprise
your Valentine with a private horse-drawn
carriage ride (Feb. 10-14) along brick and cobblestone streets of Wilmington’s
historic river district. Or, perhaps you prefer to spend the weekend antiquing
and gallery-hopping or taking long walks on the beach. Dinner and a show
at one of our elegant historic theatres will set the stage for romance.
Dining options include a variety of restaurants to suit every palate and
budget. Accommodations range from oceanfront and riverfront hotels and
inns to vacation rental homes and more than a dozen cozy bed-and-breakfast
inns, as well as midtown properties conveniently located between the historic
river district and the island beaches.
Here's a Sampling of Romance-Inspired
Events during the Month of February:
FEB. 2-4: 32nd ANNUAL
N.C. JAZZ FESTIVAL.
Fifteen traditional jazz artists perform in a cabaret-style setting. Admission
charge/advance reservations. Hilton Wilmington Riverside. 910-793-1111;
www.ncjazzfestival.com
FEB. 2-5 & 9-12 &
16-19: “THE OWL & THE PUSSYCAT.” 8pm. Admission charge. Cape Fear
Playhouse, Wilmington. 910-367-5237; www.bigdawgproductions.org
FEB. 2-5: “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.”
Thur.-Fri.-Sat. 8pm; Sun. 3pm. Admission charge. Thalian Hall Main
Stage, Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or 800-523-2820. www.thalian.org
FEB. 3-5: WILMINGTON WINE
& CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL. Fri. (gala) 7:30pm. Sat. 11am-6pm; Sun. 12pm-4pm.
Admission charge. Coastline Event & Conference Center, Wilmington.
910-512-9948 or 910-742-0120; www.wilmingtonwineandchocolatefestival.com
FEB. 4-5: WILMINGTON GARDEN
SHOW. Sat. 9am-5pm; Sun. 11am-4pm. Vendors offer plants, garden products,
services and gift items. Demonstrations and lectures; kids' gardening activities.
Admission charge. CFCC Schwartz Center, Wilmington. www.nhcgov.com/Arboretum/pages/wilmingtongardenshow.aspx
FEB. 9: JAZZ AT THE CAM.
Concert by Star Dust. 6:30pm. Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington.
910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com
FEB. 10-11: HOLD-YOUR-HONEY-TIGHT
FRIGHT NIGHT HAUNTED TOURS. Guides tell tragic love tales that are
not included on regular tours. Ghost Walk: Fri.-Sat., Feb. 10 & 11
at 6:30pm; Haunted Pub Crawl: Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30pm. Admission charge.
Reservations required. 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com
|
 FEB.
10-14: VALENTINE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE. Moonlight carriage ride
with private French evening coach, rose, chocolates. Admission charge.
Reservations required. Downtown Wilmington. 910-251-8889;
www.horsedrawntours.com/id2.html
FEB. 11-14: VALENTINE
‘LOVE BOAT’ CRUISES ABOARD THE SHAMROCK. 11am-4pm (departs on the hour).
Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. Cruises include chocolate, flowers, and
a surprise for the Valentine. Admission charge ($50 per couple; free to
folks married 45 years or greater); advance reservations required. Departs
from 275 Waynick Ave., Wrightsville Beach (across from Blockade Runner
Resort). www.capefearnaturalist.com;
910-200-4002.
FEB. 11: CHAMPAGNE &
CHOCOLATE CRUISE ABOARD THE WILMINGTON FAST CAT. 4pm-6pm. A cruise
of the romantic Cape Fear River with champagne, chocolate and a Captain's
rose. Admission charge. Departs at 212 S. Water Street (between Ann &
Orange streets), Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.com
FEB. 14: SWEETHEART DINNER/DANCE
CRUISE ABOARD THE HENRIETTA III. 7pm-9:30pm; Cruise, buffet meal, and
cash bar aboard NC's largest riverboat. Boards one-half hour prior to cruise
(6:30pm). Advance pre-paid reservations required. Departs at Dock &
Water sts., Wilmington. 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com
FEB. 14: VALENTINE CRUISE
ABOARD THE WILMINGTON FAST CAT. 5pm-7pm. Enjoy a dockside reception
(5pm) with live music by Jamie Michele, chocolate, champagne, and a Captain's
rose, followed by a cruise of the romantic Cape Fear River (departs at
5:30pm). Admission charge. Departs at 212 S. Water Street (between Ann
& Orange streets), Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.com
FEB. 14: “THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING EARNEST.” 8pm. Oscar Wilde's comedy masterpiece debuted
Valentine's Day in 1895. Admission charge. UNCW Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington.
910-962-3500; www.uncw.edu/presents
FEB. 15-19 & 24-26:
“THE PRODUCERS.” 8pm Wed.-Sat.; 3pm Sun. Musical comedy. Admission
charge. Thalian Hall Main Stage, Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or 800-523-2820.
www.thalian.org
FEB. 17-18: EAST COAST
SHAG CLASSIC. Beach music weekend features live bands (Band of
Oz, Fantastic Shakers, Mark Roberts Band, Jim Quick & Coastline), shag
dance lessons, dancing and the East Coast Shag Classic Competition. Admission
charge. Registration required. Blockade Runner Resort, Wrightsville Beach.
www.eastcoastshagclassic.com
FEB. 25: TIDEWATER CAMELLIA
CLUB SHOW & SALE. 12:30pm. An American Camellia Society juried
show with approximately 1,000 blooms and education forums. Free admission.
Arab Shrine Club (4510 S. College Rd.), Wilmington. www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org
FEB. 28: JAZZ AT LINCOLN
CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS. 8pm. Jazz trumpeter/band leader
Wynton Marsalis performs with the internationally acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln
Center Orchestra. Admission charge. UNCW Kenan Auditorium. 910-962-3500;
uncw.edu/arts/jlco.html
(sold out)
February arts and cultural
activities also include theatrical productions, concerts, and events that
commemorate African-American Heritage. Wilmington, N.C. & Island Beaches
is a convenient drive along US 74 (from Charlotte) or I-40 (from Greensboro
and Raleigh). For a free Official Visitors Guide, call 866-266-9690 or
visit GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com
where you'll find visitor information and a complete event calendar.
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.
| |
