Every year, thousands of college students spend hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to fly south for spring break. They flock to the beach to enjoy warm weather, good tunes, and good company. Luckily, as Seahawks, we have the privilege of being constantly surrounded by those things! Here’s a list of fun things to do in the area over spring break for everyone who’s balling on a budget like me and for all of those Seahawks that don’t feel like leaving the nest!
1. Beach Trip!
This may be the most obvious of the 10 things to do, but it is also one of the most underrated. The possibilities are endless. You could go surfing, get a small party started, read, go fishing, or even have a photoshoot with your homies out in the sand!
2. Camping on the Beach
Camping on the beach gives you the coolness of being at the beach and camping without having to deal with bugs. Moreover, there are less lights radiating from businesses at the beach, so you’ll have a perfect view of the moon and stars. While you can’t camp on Wrightsville Beach, there are an abundance of camp sites available on Carolina Beach!
3. Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUPing)
Stand-Up Paddleboarding is the perfect cross between longboarding and kayaking, yet it’s easier than both. Stand (or sit) on a board and drift while enjoying views that being on land could never permit. If it’s not too windy, you can rent SUP boards from Aussie Island and go out in the intracoastal waterway for as little as $18 for 90 minutes.
4. Canoeing
Canoeing is easier than SUPing and extremely enjoyable. A popular spot for Seahawks to go to is Greenfield Lake. Gliding around on a lake by yourself or with a few friends is always an adventure. Watch out for the alligators!
5. Hiking
Get in touch with nature with a nice hike around Carolina Beach State Park. Hiking through sand to a cool lake is a great way to destress after mid-terms. See if you can find the tree swing! Or if that seems too strenuous, take a nice stroll out to Wrightsville Beach, check out the trails at Kure Beach, or venture out and check out the nature trails around campus.
6. The Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher offers something to do for people of all ages! View their collection of alligators and snakes, go to their interactive exhibits to touch fish and crabs, learn about Megalodon, or even check out their daily scuba diving show!
7. Cape Fear Beer Festival
The Cape Fear Beer Festival will be taking place from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Wilmington Convention Cener on Saturday, March 5th. This event is perfect for all legal and newly legal Seahawks as there will be a variety of beer and wine styles available for tasting. As an added bonus, be sure to bring a camera because the Wilmington Convention Center is located along the Cape Fear River!
8. Cape Fear Roller Girls Season Opener Doubleheader
For all of you Seahawks with a slightly older soul that wish they could’ve grown up in the 90s, rather than been born in them, the Cape Fear Roller Girls matches are exactly what you need. On Saturday, March 5th, the Cape Fear Roller Girls Black Harrts will go up against the CDD Belmont Bruisers at 5:30 p.m. Afterwards, at 7:30 p.m, the Cape Fear Roller Girls All Stars will go up against the Classic City Roller Girls. These matches take place at CFCC’s Schwartz Center and tickets for this doubleheader are $10, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Hope Center of Wilmington.
9. Support the UNCW Baseball Team
The Seahawks have a number of games happening at home over break. Two big games to look forward to are the game against Penn State on March 7th at 4 p.m and the game against UNCG on March 9th at 4 p.m. The games are free for UNCW students as long as you show your one card!
10. Annual Guinness St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Saturday, March 12th marks the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival. Come out and enjoy the music, dance, and fun that will accompany this celebration and support the Slainte UNCW Irish Dance Club that performs in the parade. The parade begins at 11 a.m. downtown on North Front Street and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival begins at noon at Riverfront Park!