Spring arrives with fresh flavors and creative ways to experience them in Wilmington, North Carolina's historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. If it's been a while since your last visit, you will be amazed at the full spectrum of dining options now available. Outstanding new restaurants and celebrated chefs join respected established eateries with seasonal menus inspired by fresh local seafood and produce. Experience the culinary riches of Wilmington and its island beaches by dining at locally owned restaurants and participating in food tours and events, beginning with Encore Restaurant Week March 19-26 and followed by foodie events such as the 18th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cookoff on April 12 and the inaugural Wilmington Wine and Food Festival, May 2-4.

HERE'S A ROUNDUP OF SPRING FOOD EVENTS, TOURS & MILESTONES:

March 19-26: Encore Restaurant Week. Chefs from 40+ restaurants in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach serve up delicious cuisine at affordable prices. For restaurants and menus: www.encorerestaurantweek.com.

March 22: Raise The Barn. A gourmet farm-to-table feast to benefit Feast Down East. Locally grown food prepared by top local chefs, live music, wagon rides, and more. Poplar Grove Plantation, Hwy. 17 near Wilmington. www.feastdowneast.org      

April 12: The Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off features seafood chowder prepared by chefs from Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wilmington, and beyond. Carolina Beach Lake Park; www.pleasureislandnc.org/chowdercookoff.asp.

April 19: Epic Day at G.L.A.: Beer, live music and art festival to benefit Step Up For Soldiers. Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington. http://epicdayatgla.com

May 2-4: Wilmington Wine and Food Festival: Three days of wine, food and spirits includes a Bourbon & BBQ Derby Cocktail Party on Friday night; a Corks & Forks Grand Tasting gala on Saturday with top local chefs; and a Bubbles, Brews & Street Eats event on Sunday that features champagne, local beer and food trucks.  Proceeds benefit Open Gate Domestic Violence Shelter and Bellamy Mansion Museum. Bellamy Mansion, Wilmington. www.wilmingtonwineandfood.com     

May 16-18: Wilmington Greek Festival. Traditional Greek food, cooking demonstrations, music, dance and marketplace. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington. 910-392-4444; www.stnicholasgreekfest.com

Weekly Farmer's Markets: Riverfront Farmer's Market Saturdays, Downtown Wilmington (April 5-Nov. 22.; www.wilmingtonfarmers.com); Carolina Beach Farmer's Market Saturdays, Carolina Beach Lake (May 17-Oct. 4; www.carolinabeachfarmersmarket.com); Wrightsville Beach Farmer's Market Mondays, 321 Causeway Dr. (May 5-Sept. 1; www.wrightsvillebeachfoundation.org); Kure Beach Market Tuesdays, Kure Beach Oceanfront Park (June 17-Aug. 26; www.facebook.com/KureBeachMarket); Poplar Grove Plantation Farmer's Market Wednesdays, 10200 US 17 N., Wilmington (Apr. 9-Nov 26; www.poplargrove.com)

Food Tours: Culinary Adventures with Liz Biro feature Downtown Wilmington restaurants and chefs, along with a dash of history and behind-the-scenes dish. New group cooking classes and custom tours. www.lizbiro.com/tours.html. Tasting History Tours returns to Carolina Beach:  www.tastinghistorytours.com. Front Street Brewery offers daily tours and tastings of flagship brews (3-5pm daily): www.frontstreetbrewery.com/fresh_beer.  

Pick-Your-Own Produce: Lewis Nursery & Farms (6509 Gordon Rd., Wilmington) welcomes visitors beginning March 28. Pick strawberries, blueberries. Homemade ice cream & biscuit cake. 910-452-9659; www.lewisfarms.com. 

2014 Culinary Milestones: Britts Donuts celebrates 75 years on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk with a commemorative book, Forever Sweet (www.brittsdonutsfanclub.com). Britts is among The Daily Meal's "America's 25 Best Donuts" (Dec. 2013). Riverboat Landing celebrates 30 years in Downtown Wilmington. Squigley's Ice Cream celebrates 20 years in Carolina Beach. Fudgeboat celebrates 10 years on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, cited as one of "America's Most Awesome Boardwalk" by Budget Travel (July 2013) and "Best Boardwalks for Food" by The Daily Meal (June 2013).

The coast is close. Wilmington, N.C. and its island beaches are a convenient drive from Raleigh via I-40 and Charlotte via US 74. If you're flying in to savor our flavors, the Wilmington International Airport (ILM) offers daily flights to major airline hubs. For a free Official Visitors Guide, call 1-866-266-9690 or visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com where you'll find visitor information, seasonal specials, and a complete event calendar.   

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