What to do in Wilmington, NC
 

My sister is coming for a visit in July. Which restaurants and sights do you recommend in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, NC area? Also could use some medium priced hotel recommendations. Thanks.

For restaurants, Elijah's and Grouper Nancy. Reservations very much suggested. Several fine restaurants in Wrightsville. For ladies, the Orton Plantation might be a fun visit. A mini-steam boat plies the Cape Fear River, which might be fun. Several beaches in the vicinity- Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure, and Topsail. Topsail is where I've vacationed for 35 years but it is half an hour northeast from Wilmington. If you get down on reservations, you can swing a good deal at Topsail.

There is also a movie studio that you can take a tour of. There is also an aquarium.

I also recommend PortLand Grille in Lumina Station (after you finish shopping...Monkees is great) for dinner. For lunch in Lumina Station there is a small restaurant on the lower level, it is a woman's name, I think Deborah's, which is very good. They have relatively small servings more like a tasting menu and I really enjoyed eating there. I second Shane's recommendation of Elijah's. Jerry's on the Causeway is nice. For breakfast the Causeway Grill.
The Holiday Inn/Sunspree Resort on the beach has very nice public areas. I have not seen a room. Shell Island has really declined in quality in the last few years and IMO is overpriced.

Thanks, those sound like some great tips. I'm looking forward to the visit.