Raleigh Day Trips: Wrightsville/Intercoastal Waterway

One of the things that makes Raleigh great?  You are always just a few hours from an incredible mini-get away.  Drive east for the beach or west for the mountains, you'll be enjoying a totally different change of scenery in two to three hours.  This weekend we packed up the cooler and headed with friends down to the Wilmington/Wrightsville beach area to take a little day boat trip on the Intercoastal Waterway.

When the tide rolls out in the early afternoon, a ton of little private beaches pop up along the waterway, making the perfect spot for docking and enjoying your own little oasis.

And if you aren't blown away by nature, then check out the incredible homes that line the prime real estate along Wrightsville Beach.

This house appears to be teetering on the brink of disaster, with just a few layers of sandbags between it and the water.  But I bet the views are incredible and there would be a few brave people who would enjoy watching a storm come in looking out those floor to ceiling windows!

Love this little dog enjoying his kayaking adventure!

By the way, if you've been to Wrightsville Beach before you know that the place is literally bursting at the seams with people.  There's typically no parking to be found, and good luck finding a quiet spot.  But taking a boat out on the Intercoastal, you'll find tons of little private escapes and even your own personal "beach" like we did!  Don't give up on Wrightsville if you think there's no way to find that beach serenity you've been looking for.  Looking for something even more remote, though?  Head just a little more south to the protected (no cars allowed!) splendor for Bald Head Island.