It's that time of year!  So many fun activities for kids (and big kids, aka adults) to enjoy in and around Wilmington! We've gathered a few fun things to do this weekend and in the upcoming weeks. There's just to many to list so check out http://www.whatsonwilmington.com for all the fun!  We'd love to hear of any more, so please share.  

Holly, Jolly, Holiday Stroll!

December 11, 2015 to December 12, 2015

www.hollyjollyholidaystroll.com

Various Venues 

Around Town
Wilmington, NC 28401

Admission:  FREE!

The Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, features a variety of holiday sights and activities including street musicians and local choral groups and more than two dozen businesses participating in a window decorating contest, and of course a visit from Santa (arrives on the Henrietta III  Saturday and will be at the Cotton Exchange from noon to 4 pm that same day).  Other highlights include boat decorations at Port City Marina and Bennett Brothers Marinas, a performance of selected excerpts from the show Mame and a drum circle at the Orange Street Landing. HOURS: Friday, 4-8pm; Saturday, 11am to 8pm.

Light & Train Spectacular

December 11, 2015 to December 12, 2015 6:30 PM

Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

www.wrrm.org

Admission:  $5.00

The Light & Train Spectacular at the Railroad Museum in downtown Wilmington, NC, features 22,000 twinkling lights, model train exhibits, musical animations, plus cookies and cider, and a visit from Santa Claus. Kids under 3 get in free. HOURS: 6:30-8pm.

Christmas by the Sea

December 12, 2015 6:30 PM

Carolina Beach Boardwalk:  Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428

ChristmasByTheSea

Admission:  FREE

Christmas by the Sea at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk features Santa and hot chocolate at the Welcome Center, a fire pit with story telling, caroling, holiday themed movies at the Gazebo, puppet shows, and arts & crafts. HOURS: 6:30-8:30pm. 

 

Holiday Bazaar

December 12, 2015  9:00 AM

Moose Lodge (Wilmington)
4610 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC 28412

Admission:  $2.00-4.00

 

Girl Scout Troop 1324 hosts a Holiday Bazaar at the Moose Lodge in Wilmington, NC, featuring homemade craft shopping, bake sale, and sweet treats. Activities include a Polar Express  reading, face painting, and cake walk. Bring a canned food item and get $1 off the admission fee. HOURS: 9am to Noon.

 

Santa by the Sea

December 12, 2015  5:00 PM

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449

www.ncaquariums.com

Admission:  $15.00-18.00

Santa by the Sea at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach features a chance for holiday guests to make crafts, enjoy music, play games, win prizes, explore the Aquarium's decked halls, plus a meet n greet with Santa and some of his wild friends (he may even surprise everyone with a dive alongside sharks, rays and one of his favorite sea turtle friends, Shelldon). Children must be accompanied by at least one paying adult. HOURS: 5-8pm

 

Christmas Flotilla

December 12, 2015  7:00 PM

Southport Waterfront

Yacht Basin Drive, Southport, NC 28461

Admission:  FREE

The Christmas Flotilla takes place at the waterfront in Southport, NC (from the Southport Marina to Kingsley Park), and features a parade of well lighted boats to be judged by students from the Southport Elementary School art class on originality and creativity. Weather permitting. HOURS: 7-9pm.

Enchanted Airlie

December 10, 2015 to December 13, 2015

 

Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403

www.airliegardens.org

Admission:  $12.00-27.00

 

Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC, presents Enchanted Airlie, an opportunity for families to share in the joy of the season with a half-mile self-guided stroll through the gardens featuring festive lights, holiday displays, and Santa Claus, plus local food and beverage vendors with coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies and more. Tickets must be pre-purchased and include Carload (3+ persons and 1 vehicle, $27), Couples' Pass (2 people, 1 vehicle, $17), and Single Admission ($12). Children under 4 admitted free. TWO VIEWING TIMES: 5-7 and 7-9pm. PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE. 

Wilmington NC Relocation Guide

Week 1: Best Restaurants in Wilmington NC

We have put together a list of some of the Best Restaurants in Wilmington NC. We have visited this restaurants repeatly, and they have always impressed us.

Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn - (910) 799-2919

http://flamingamysburritobarn.com  

A local favorite, this unique Mexican restaurant serves up great food in line with their famous slogan; hot, fast, cheap, and easy. The restaurant has won multiple award for its delicious and massive burritos, nacho platters, tacos, and more.

Dockside - (910) 256-2752

http://www.thedockside.com/

This waterfront eatery is popular amongst boaters, with dock access for diners and great overnight rates for transients. Serving up fresh seafood and American classics, the food is as favored as the scenery. Live music at night livens up the place, with locals and tourists flocking to enjoy good food, drinks, and fun.

Fish Bites - (910) 791-1117

http://www.fishbitesseafood.com

Fish Bites is one of the best places in Wilmington for fresh seafood. Though they take no reservations, customers wait willingly to dine here. The menu features seafood favorites, including lobster, snow crab, stuffed flounder, seared tuna, and a signature clam chowder.  

Front Street Brewery - (910) 251-1935

http://www.frontstreetbrewery.com/

Front Street Brewery is located in Downtown Wilmington and boasts great food and microbrews at affordable prices. Its expansive menu includes Southern favorites like Fried Green Tomatoes, Crawfish Po-Boys, and Shrimp & Grits. Popular menu items favored by locals include the famous “Mug of Bacon”, Chicken Nachos, and Homemade Fried ESB Pickles. Other menu items include brews made fresh at Front Street, like the Scottish Ale Ribs and Beer-Braised Bratwurst. Front Street Brewery brews its own beer every day, and even offers tours and demonstrations on the process.

Hell’s Kitchen

http://www.hellskitchenbar.com/

Wilmington’s premier downtown sports pub, Hell's Kitchen is popular with locals and has even been featured on Wilmington TV shows like Dawson's Creek. The pub has frequent food specials and events, including $1 taco night on Tuesdays and live music on weekends.

Chop’s Deli - (910) 399-6503

http://www.chopsdeli.com/

This locally favored sandwich shop’s popularity has led to the opening of three locations, one in Downtown Wilmington, one on Monkey Junction, and one at Wrightsville Beach. Chop’s Deli serves up creative and delicious sandwiches, freshly made soups, sides, and desserts. Fresh ingredients and unique recipes are what makes this restaurant special.

Indochine - (910) 251-9229

http://www.indochinewilmington.com/

This beautiful restaurant serves the area’s best Thai-Vietnamese cuisine. Visitors come for the scenery as much as they do for the delicious food. Stunning outdoor seating in Thai huts surrounding a lotus pond are highly desired during warm summer evenings. This restaurant's popularity speaks to its quality, with locals willing waiting hours for a table during its most popular times.

Halligans  -  (910) 791-1019

http://www.halligansnc.com/about

 If you're looking for a friendly watering hole where you can raise a glass or two with friends, new and old, Halligan's Public House boasts a comfortable bar where fun-loving bartenders hold court daily and blarney fills the air. Stop by Halligan's Public House today, "When you're at Halligan's... you're at home.

Do you agree that these are some of the best restuaurants in Wilmington NC?

Let me know what you think... 

Buying a Home in Wilmington, NC

Step 1: Getting Pre-approved to buy a home in Wilmington, NC

·      This saves everyone a lot of time and heartache. It’s best to know what you can buy before you fall in love with a home.

·      Pre-approved means not only how much you can afford, but what type of loan you qualify for. This is determine what type of house you should be looking for (single family home, condo, in the city, fixer upper or not, etc)

Step 2: House Hunting for you next home in Wilmington, NC

·      Let the fun begin!

Step 3: Writing an Offer on a home in Wilmington, NC: 

Signing all the paperwork (Tons of paperwork)

·      Working With Real Estate Agents (pages 1-4): explains the difference in agency. Page 4 needs your signature.

·      Exclusive Buyers Agency: This shows that I work for you, however you don’t pay the commission (sellers always pay the realtor fees). This contract allows me to negotiate all aspects of the deal, from contract to closing. Initial the bottom of pages 1-3. On page 4, there are 3 places that need initialing (2 at the top and 1 at the bottom). Sign page 5.

·      Offer to purchase: Read over this carefully. Call me with any and all questions. Initial the bottom of pages 1-9, sign  page 10.

·      Residential property disclosure: Sign page 1, initial and date pages 2-4.

·      Mineral Rights disclosure

Step 4:  Contract to Closing on a home in Wilmington, NC:

·      Once buyer and seller have signed the offer, it becomes a “contract”.  At this time, call a lender and begin the loan process. They will need a copy of the contract. The lender will order the appraisal immediately

Step 5: Inspections, on your next home in Wilmington NC:

·      Home and Pest Inspection to be completed immediately. We’ve got a great inspector and can help you with this process.

·      Any other type of inspections you want, we can help you with; such as a surveyor.

Step 6: Going over the inspections and (if needed) negotiating a repair request on a home in Wilmington, NC

Step 7: Organizing the closing with the attorney to buy a home in Wilmington, NC

Best part is... The Jennifer Bullock Team is there to help you, the whole way, to buy a home in Wilmington, NC.