Just because the summer months have ended doesn’t mean the beach fun has! Because of the mild year-round temperatures in Wilmington, going to the beach is a fun family outing in any season — even winter.

From the historic Southern mansions to the twinkle light-filled riverfront, Wilmington is full of idyllic holiday charm. And this winter, there are a number of ways to spend an afternoon or a night out and about.

Fall in Wilmington is full of charm and vibrant colors — from the blue hues of the Cape Fear River to the bright scarlet of the red maple trees. Among the best things about the area are the mild temperatures in the fall and winter.

For those who were raised in the south - specifically along the Carolina coast, Thanksgiving traditions and menus may be a little different than those from another area of the country. In the south we enjoy the average 75 degree weather, football, southern comfort food, local seafood, the river and the beach.

With miles of nature trails, plenty of open spaces and a long, winding Boardwalk along the Cape Fear riverfront, RiverLights is an ideal place for active beings — both two-legged and four-legged! Though owning a pet is certainly no requirement here, pet owners are attracted to RiverLights for a variety of reasons.

In the Wilmington area, RiverLights has become synonymous with riverfront beauty and a community-focused lifestyle. The health-centric features, thoughtful community design, and unique amenities have certainly made a positive impression on residents. And now, you can experience the waterfront community for yourself from the comfort of your couch!

Among residents, RiverLights is beloved for more than just its winding nature trails, bustling Marina Village, and riverfront beauty — there is also an undeniable sense of community here that radiates warmth and hospitality.

While Hurricane Florence devastated many families, homes and businesses across North and South Carolina, the community in RiverLights has been fortunate to fare the storm. 

The Tanners were inspired to start the club after attending a Del Webb ‘Wine and Design’ class. But Deborah and Jay put their own local spin on this class format – part arts, part carafes, and part giving back to the community.

Hurricanes are never fun, but it’s important to get a jumpstart on preparations to make sure you are squared away for any type of scenario.

Legacy Homes is the custom homebuilding division of Bill Clark Homes, an award-winning homebuilder in the Carolinas for over 40 years. Since 1977, the builder group has earned a reputation for helping buyers get the highest-quality materials and value for their money. And now, the Legacy Homes division maintains that ongoing mission while focusing on tailoring homes to the homebuyer’s unique lifestyle. And in RiverLights, that lifestyle often looks laid-back, airy, close to nature, and family-oriented.

While sunshine and blue skies are two of Wilmington’s most beloved attributes, those heated midday hours can elicit a strong desire to cool off. Some of the best places to be during the high Carolina heat — in, on, near, or by the water, of course. And luckily, RiverLights provides multiple options for residents looking to escape the blasting sunshine. From waterslides to solitaire, keep these top four ways to keep cool in RiverLights handy.

As temperatures are steadily rising in our coastal North Carolina community, RiverLights is thriving and the future is looking bright. The community is preparing for another wave of exciting changes, some of which are already underway! Ahead, get more details on the latest RiverLights news and updates.

One of the best features of RiverLights is that the community has a place for people in all walks of life. Whether you are a young professional looking to put down real roots for the first time, part of a growing family seeking a neighborhood that’s ideal for young ones, or a retiree looking for a peaceful place that radiates life and offers socialization, RiverLights offers a water-centric, vibrant lifestyle to all. And one of the newest additions to the community’s list of hand-selected homebuilders is Laurel Homes.

From researching the best locations to picking paint colors to deciding on doorknobs, the homebuying process is full of exciting — and sometimes overwhelming — choices. In RiverLights, we are committed to easing that challenge by offering each person a home that’s perfectly suited to their needs — and that begins with the builder. Each of our hand-selected homebuilders provides a unique home offering and years of expertise to help guide you. One builder on the RiverLights roster that’s here to help make the entire homebuilding process go smoothly is The Cottage Building Company.

Whether you’re new to the Wilmington area, checking out the city as a potential new area to live or staying through the RiverLights Resident for a Day experience, don’t miss your chance to explore all that this waterfront town has to offer. Below, we’ve rounded up our top 20 favorite things to do in Wilmington.

Picture this: a brisk morning walk along the water, an early afternoon spent gardening or hitting the gym, book club or bridge in the evening, and a cozy night by the fire finishing off a good read. Life’s little pleasures are meant to be delighted in, and the perfect place to make that happen is Del Webb Wilmington at RiverLights.

Warm weather means many things in the RiverLights community: bright chatter from residents walking along the Boardwalk, kayaks adding color to the Cape Fear River, and refreshing afternoon dips in the pool. And, it means perfect weather for perusing the new Marina Village Marketplace! This farmers market is all-new to the Wilmington area, and it’s already a favorite Friday-morning activity.

The purchase of a new home is a major decision and at RiverLights we are committed to supplying attracted residents with the best homes available. This all begins with selecting one of our experienced building companies we’ve trusted with building your new home. Each of our hand-selected homebuilders provides a unique style of homes. Today, we put a spotlight on American Homesmith. 

Spring fever is hitting the South and it’s early April! If you’re itching to get out of the house to enjoy the sunshine, we have suggestions for some simple local activities your family can try this season.

Spring is officially here! This means longer days spent outside with family and friends and enjoying the mild temperatures with the promise of summer around the corner. Spring also means it’s time for cleaning out your closets, kitchen pantries, and yes, even the garage! Here are some tips to make this year’s clean out a little more efficient.

Starting a new chapter in your life is exciting but it can also be nerve-racking. Not knowing how to get from one place to the next, where things are located in your new grocery store – it can all seem overwhelming, especially when you don’t have a tribe to support you in this new community. Here are six ways we suggest to become acclimated to your new life here in the South. 

Too Small? Too Big? Just Right! What you need in a home depends heavily on how large your family is and the lifestyles you lead. Selecting your new home should be easy – not something that causes fear or anxiety. Whether you are looking to buy a smaller home after retirement or buying a dream home your whole family will visit and enjoy, we’ve got you covered here at RiverLights.

Selecting a new home is a major decision and at RiverLights™ we are dedicated to providing interested residents with the best homes available. This starts when we select upstanding companies to build your new home. We work with nine different builders each providing a unique style of homes. Today, we put a spotlight on 70 West. 

At RiverLights, we strive to create an environment where our residents can live fully, seamlessly connecting their home to a dynamic community that offers all of the joys of an outdoor lifestyle along with local shops, restaurants and events – all right from their doorstep. This past year was one for the books as we celebrate a successful first year, welcoming several new families to the community and their homes.

Want to know the best thing about living in RiverLights? Being a part of the Wilmington, NC community and super close to all of the unique experiences it has to offer. Wilmington is one of the best beach towns on the East Coast because it provides a sense of belonging and makes you feel truly at home. The offerings in Wilmington will give you and your family something new to explore every weekend. Every RiverLights resident should check out these 10 places that are all within 10 miles of the RiverLights community.

Over 800 cheerful Wilmington residents attended the RiverLights Holiday Festival of Homes and raced through the decorated Dashing Thru the Glow 5K course on Saturday, Dec. 2. RiverLights hosted this second annual holiday event to celebrate the merriment of the season for the Wilmington community to enjoy, while marking one year of the community’s official open.

Everyone dreams of living in a community where their neighbors are some of their best friends and weekly dinner parties or outings are a part of their schedules. At RiverLights, they are making this dream a reality by offering multiple activities and events that will help bring you and your neighbors closer.

This holiday season RiverLights, Wilmington's premier coastal community, is offering exclusive specials from four home builders: H&H Homes, Del Webb Wilmington, Laurel Homes and 70 West Builders.

Since 1992, Trusst Builder Group has built more than 3,000 homes throughout New Hanover and Brunswick counties, which includes the RiverLights community in Wilmington, NC. Over the past 24 years, Trusst Builder Group has evolved into one of southeastern North Carolina’s leading land developers and new homebuilders.

RiverLights is pleased to announce the addition of the Southern Gale Townhomes, developed by Wilmington-based builder Laurel Homes. Coming in 2018, the townhome neighborhood will expand the roster of home options within the RiverLights community with packages starting in the mid-$200,000s.

Versatile and perfectly positioned are two ways to describe the latest addition to Marina Village in RiverLights. Magnolia Social Café is more than just a coffee shop, and that’s exactly what owner Tammy Tilghman envisioned from the start. From the moment Tilghman saw the future location of her café, her dream began to take shape.

Join us on Wednesday, September 20 from 6 to 7 pm for the second presentation of our Discovery Series — History of the Bellamy Mansion and Downtown Wilmington with Gareth Evans, Director of the Bellamy Mansion Museum.

Join us on Wednesday, September 27 from 6 to 7 pm for the final presentation of our Fall Discovery Series — History of the Cape Fear Region with Jan Davidson from the Cape Fear Museum. 

Join us on Wednesday, September 13 from 6 to 7 pm for the premiere presentation of our Discovery Series — The History Behind the Land with local archaeologist Bill Green.

Join us on Wednesday, July 26 from 6 to 7 pm for the final presentation of our Discovery Series — Cape Fear River History with Frank Yelverton from Cape Fear River Watch.

Join us on Wednesday, July 12 from 6 to 7 pm for the premiere presentation of our Discovery Series — Native Birds of Southeast North Carolina with Jill Stitt from Wild Bird and Garden.

Everyone wants to live in the home of his or her dreams, which leads many to have a home built for them rather than buying one that already exists. While going this route is exciting and allows you to make your family’s dreams a reality, it’s best to take first things first — before the builder even starts on the foundation, you need to decide on a home plan.

The weather is warmer, the flowers are in full bloom and you can hear Kenny Chesney singing “summertime is finally here” from your neighbor’s back porch — ah, sweet summertime. Now it’s time to grab your towels and sunscreen and head to the LakeHouse, the newest amenity at RiverLights, to relax and soak up the Southern sun.

If you’ve ever been to the beach, chances are you’ve spent some time digging or looking for seashells and shark teeth. Did you know there’s actually a name for what you’re doing? It’s called beachcombing. Beachcombing is the act of searching the sand for nautical treasures. It’s a popular pastime for beach fanatics, so if you have a hunt that yields few treasures, you’re in luck, the tides change all day, sweeping the sand with new goodies to be discovered. 

For the 31^st time since its creation in 1986, the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association (WCFHBA) will be showcasing 84 of the area’s finest homes in the annual Parade of Homes. Builder members of the WCFHBA compete year after year for the titles of gold, silver, and bronze in their respective category. Homes are categorized based on price range and are judged based on interior and exterior features, quality of materials, and craftsmanship.

Wilmington, North Carolina, is one of the most vibrant riverfront cities in the country. The Port City offers its visitors plenty of Southern charm to go along with the stunning views from the Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River, so it’s no surprise that Wilmington’s was voted the Best American Riverfront in USA Today’s “10Best Readers’ Choice” contest. The best part? All of this could be a short drive from your new home at RiverLights.  

The city also has some incredible festivals throughout the year that you won’t want to miss. Here are five of the top annual festivals in the Wilmington area.

Sitting a stone’s throw from the Cape Fear River, seafood and barbecue restaurant Smoke on the Water brings a delicious new aspect to the RiverLights community. The site was originally expected to be a second location for owner James Smith’s Fork-n-Cork restaurant. However, the view from Marina Village sparked an epiphany, and Smith began planning the concept for what we now know as Smoke on the Water.

North Carolina's diverse geography provides an idyllic backdrop for a variety of weekend and day trips. Whether they crave cities or wilderness, beaches or mountains, adventure or relaxation, RiverLights residents can enjoy it all with only a short drive from home. From a girl's getaway to a family trek, the area is sublime for excursions.

The warm summer air is slowly vanishing, and fall’s cool air is now gracing us. This brings with it an aura of excitement, as there are plenty of activities to enjoy this season in Wilmington, North Carolina.

A sunny August Saturday ushered in the first of many exciting days at RiverLights^TM. August 6 was the first time guests were able to visit the new home community and see all the great things in store for Wilmington’s newest coastal community.

As a leading boutique, coastal cottage builder in southeastern North Carolina, The Cottage Building Company is proud to offer its homes in RiverLights. Set to open in spring 2017, RiverLights is Wilmington, North Carolina’s newest waterfront home community. This picture-perfect coastal home community is set on nearly 1,400 acres encompassing picturesque wetlands, tidal marshes and sand dune

Established in Fayetteville, North Carolina, H&H Homes was initially formed to provide high-quality new home construction at unusually low price points to military families serving at Fort Bragg. As a hand-selected RiverLights™ homebuilder, H&H Homes has expanded its customer base and is providing an exceptional selection of new homes in Wilmington’s newest Cape Fear riverfront community.

Wilmington, North Carolina, provides beautiful, coastal scenery and great fun throughout the year. The city and its surrounding beaches truly shine during the summer.

RiverLights™, a 1,400-acre planned community in historic Wilmington, North Carolina, found its name through centuries of history. Here is how the name RiverLights came about.

Newland Communities has a reputation for creating attractive, unique communities throughout the country. RiverLights is the newest one in North Carolina.

When you buy a new home, you want to enjoy it & be free of pet challenges. Here are a few low-key steps you can do to be worry free of pet damages to your house. 

RiverLights™ in Wilmington successfully combines residential, waterfront living with unique amenities, planned green space and more.

Since spring and summer is hard to beat in North Carolina; outdoor living is being the next big thing. Check out the top 3 trends for outdoor living this year! 

When you make the decision to move to RiverLights™, you are already on your way to a wonderful new lifestyle. We’d like to offer you a few tips to make your move into your new Wilmington, North Carolina, home a bit easier. 

Don't let moving intimidate you. With a little thought ahead of time and some deliberate planning, it can go much more smoothly than you may think.

When people think of moving they think about how stressful it can be. Check out how moving can be a great decision through the benefits it presents. 

Moving into a new home is challenging for any adult, but for kids it can be especially tough. Here are several great tips that can make it easier for everyone.

An in-depth look at what Wilmington, North Carolina, is really all about. Read these helpful tips to ease your transition to this beautiful city.

It may be time for you to say goodbye to your home and move into a new home. Check out the seven reasons why it may be time for you to move. 

Wilmington was recently named one of the best vacation spots for families by FamilyFun magazine. The city features a historic downtown river district, island beaches, the Cape Fear River, and more. 

When it comes to selling your house, it can be stressful. HGTV has put together 5 tips to help sell your house and have every homebuyer wanting your property. 

When you are seeking a new house you want to make sure you select the right homebuilder. Check out these 10 steps to make you are confident in your decision. 

Newland Communities have a great attention to detail and with their dedication they have been awarded developer of the year by Builder and Developer Magazine.

When you redesign your house you don’t want it to be considered outdated months later. Check out some ways you can make your house modern & up-to-date for years.

Sustainable living is tremendously important in today's world. It is a forward-thinking lifestyle intended to reduce the impact a person has on the Earth's natural resources — and as time goes on, its importance only grows more vital.

Amazing artistic displays, historic sites, and outdoor recreation opportunities will inspire you to adopt Wilmington, North Carolina, as your new home.

There are many reasons why people are building their homes brand new. Check out how building a new home is stress free while including all your wants and needs.

RiverLights and Newland Communities are proud to have Plantation Building Corp. as one of RiverLights’ premier new homebuilders.

Started in Wilmington in 1997, Plantation boasts a passion for team unity and building “cool places to work and live” that sets the company apart from the rest. Plantation is known for clean designs with a refined aesthetic that incorporates the area’s coastal lifestyle.

Homeowners and homebuyers in North Carolina increasingly desire communities offering open spaces. For those considering relocation, a key factor in the decision-making process can be a state’s natural resources —such as the climate, mountains, ocean, lakes, hiking trails and wildlife — that make life more enjoyable.

When you are cleaning out your house, you don’t know what to keep, toss or sell. Take a look to see what to do with items that range from memories to giveaways. 

When you sell your house you want to get the highest amount, FAST. Check out these few house-prepping steps to welcome buyers into offering the top dollar!

Imagine a smooth drive to work or school — the kind of commute that allows you to enjoy your coffee without having it end up in your lap. Imagine passing by vibrant trees and plants on that drive, improving your mood instantly. Now envision making this journey through a community offering plenty of room and dedicated spaces for cars, pedestrians and cyclists, where everyone can exchange a nice wave. Introducing the new River Road — where you don’t have to imagine this new experience any longer. It is there in reality, waiting for you.

You see two houses that have the same square footage; however, one seems bigger. Take a look at what builders are focusing on to make new homes feel bigger. 

Meet the featured custom homebuilders that were handpicked by Newland Communities to showcase their designs and esteemed expertise, and ultimately be a part of what is sure to be a growing and thriving community.