Wilmington, N.C. :  Looking for a romantic February getaway? This year, just add water and choose Wilmington, North Carolina's historic river district and island beaches. It's easy. First, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com to find a room near the beach, or in the historic river district, or between the river and the sea. Then, mix in a couple of romance-inspired events and some fine dining experiences. And before you can say "Honey, let's go to the coast for Valentine's Day," you've created the ideal romantic getaway! With accommodations in all price ranges, a winter escape at shoulder-season rates can also be affordable. Value-minded travelers can find specials, packages and last-minute deals for hotels and B&Bs at www.WilmingtonAndBeaches.com/packages-deals.  

 

Valentine's Day may be one day but we're celebrating all month with romance-inspired activities. February strikes romantic chords with the East Coast Shag Classic (Jan. 30-Feb. 2) and the North Carolina Jazz Festival (Feb. 6-8). You can satisfy your sweet cravings and sample regional wines at the Wilmington Wine & Chocolate Festival (Jan. 31-Feb. 2).  Special couple's tours include full moon Valentine/Sweetheart cruises and the "Hold Your Honey Tight" special love-theme ghost walks and haunted pub crawls (Feb. 13-15). There are also private horse-drawn carriage rides (Feb. 13-16) of Wilmington's historic river district. Or, spend some time antiquing and gallery-hopping or taking leisurely strolls on the beach or along the riverwalk. And you can't go wrong with dinner and a show at one of our elegant theatres. There's even a Fire on the Dock Competition Dining series this month whereby chefs compete and diners judge. 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, and midtown properties conveniently located between the river and sea.

 

 

Here's a Sampling of Romance-Inspired Events during the Month of February:

 

JAN. 30-FEB. 2: EAST COAST SHAG CLASSIC.  This popular beach music weekend features live bands (Craig Woolard Band, Band of Oz, and Jim Quick & Coastline), shag dance lessons, dancing and the East Coast Shag Classic Competition. There's also a Gospel Train on Sunday morning with Joey Warren & The Big Kahuna. Admission charge. Registration required; packages available. Proceeds benefit Women of Hope. Holiday Inn Resort, Wrightsville Beach. For event details and package info, visit: www.eastcoastshagclassic.com

 

JAN. 30-FEB. 2; 6-9: "BIG RIVER." Thur.-Fri.-Sat. 8pm; Sun. 3pm.  Admission charge. Thalian Hall Main Stage, Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or 800-523-2820. www.thalianhall.org www.thalian.org    

 

JAN. 31-FEB. 2: WILMINGTON WINE & CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL. Fri. (grand tasting gala) 7pm-10pm. Sat. (wine & chocolate marketplace) 11am-7pm; Sun. 12pm-4pm. Admission charge. Coastline Event & Conference Center, Wilmington. 910-512-9948 or 910-742-0120; www.wilmingtonwineandchocolatefestival.com.

 

JAN. 31-FEB.1; 7-8; 14-15: "CHECK, PLEASE!" 7pm. Hilarious selection of scenes from nightmare first dates. Dinner theatre or show only options. Special Valentine's Day menu and show on Feb. 14.  Admission charge. Reservations. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington. 910-399-3NOW; www.theatrewilmington.com

 

FEB. 3-4; 10-11; 17: FIRE ON THE DOCK COMPETITION DINING. Be a part of a statewide dining competition when chefs from coastal North Carolina restaurants face-off during a series of six-course single elimination dinners. Diners and judges determine the winners who advance to the next meal. Reservations are required. BlueWater Grill, Wrightsville Beach. For details and reservations, visit www.competitiondining.com.

 

FEB. 6-8: 34th ANNUAL N.C. JAZZ FESTIVAL. 15 traditional jazz artists perform in a cabaret-style setting. Admission charge/advance reservations. Hilton Wilmington Riverside. 910-793-1111; www.ncjazzfestival.com

 

FEB. 13: JAZZ AT THE CAM. Concert by Stardust. 6:30pm. Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com.

 

FEB. 13-16: VALENTINE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE. Moonlight carriage ride with private French evening coach, rose, chocolates. Admission charge. Private reservation only. Downtown Wilmington. 910-251-8889; www.horsedrawntours.com/id2.html

 

FEB. 13-16 & 20-23 & 27-MARCH 2: "ROMANTIC COMEDY" by Bernard Slade. 8pm. Admission charge. Cape Fear Playhouse, Wilmington. 910-367-5237; www.bigdawgproductions.org.

 

FEB. 14: VALENTINE'S DAY CRUISE ON THE HENRIETTA III. 6:30pm-9pm; Cruise, buffet meal, and cash bar aboard the Henrietta III, NC's largest riverboat. Boards at 6pm. Advance pre-paid reservations required. Departs at Dock & Water sts., Wilmington. 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com

 

FEB. 13-15: HOLD-YOUR-HONEY-TIGHT FRIGHT NIGHT TOURS. Get ready—there's a full moon on Friday! Guides tell tragic love tales that are not included on regular tours. Ghost Walk: Thur.-Fri.-Sat. (Feb. 13-15) at 6:30pm; Haunted Pub Crawl: Fri./Sat. (Feb. 14-15) at 7:30pm. Gifts to first 25 couples each night.  Admission charge. Reservations required. 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com

 

FEB. 14: LOVER'S MOON VALENTINE'S DAY CRUISE. 5:30pm. Swoon to the full moon with your Valentine on this 2-hour cruise featuring hors' d'oeuvres, champagne under the stars on the Cape Fear River (departs at 5:30pm). Admission charge. Docks at 212 S. Water St. (between Ann & Orange streets), Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.net.

 

FEB. 14-17: VALENTINE'S DAY CRUISE AT WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH. 11am-4pm (departs on the hour). Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. Cruises include chocolate and beverage. Admission charge; advance reservations required. Departs from 275 Waynick Ave., Wrightsville Beach (across from Blockade Runner Resort). www.wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com; 910-200-4002.

 

FEB. 14: UNCW JAZZ ENSEMBLE in concert. 7:30pm. Admission charge. Cultural Arts Center, Beckwith Recital Hall, UNC-Wilmington. 910-962-3500; www.uncw.edu  

 

FEB. 15: ROMANTIC HARBOR DINNER CRUISE. 5:pm. A 2-hour sunset cruise of the romantic Cape Fear River features an Italian dinner and live acoustic music. Admission charge. Departs at 212 S. Water Street (between Ann & Orange streets), Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.net.

 

FEB. 15: SWEETHEARTS SATURDAY CRUISE. 6:30pm-9pm; Cruise, buffet meal, cash bar aboard the Henrietta III. Boards one-half hour prior to cruise (6pm). Advance pre-paid reservations required. Cape Fear Riverboats, departs at Dock & Water sts., Wilmington. 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com.

 

FEB. 19-23 & 28-MARCH 2: "EVITA!." 8pm. Wed.-Sat.; 3pm Sun. Musical. Admission charge. Thalian Hall Main Stage, Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or 800-523-2820. www.thalianhall.org  

 

FEB. 22: 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. 27: JIMMY WEBB in concert. 8pm. Thalian Hall, Wilmington. 910-632-2285; www.thalianhall.org  

 

February arts and cultural activities also include theatrical productions, concerts, and events that commemorate African-American Heritage. The coast is close. Wilmington, N.C. & Island Beaches is a convenient drive along US 74 (from Charlotte) or I-40 (from Greensboro and Raleigh). Prefer to fly? Wilmington International Airport (ILM) offers daily non-stops to several destinations. For a free Official Visitors Guide, call 1-866-266-9690 or visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com where you'll find visitor information and a complete event calendar.                                                                   

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