Home › Road trips › Cape Fear Coast Record Run: Wilmington to Oak Island
Cape Fear Coast Record Run: Wilmington to Oak Island
Dig six record shops across Wilmington, from downtown Front Street to Oleander Drive and College Road, then drive about 40 minutes south to Big Love Vinyl on Oak Island for original pressings and a beach afternoon.
Route: Wilmington → Oak Island · 7 record stores across 2 stops
Stop by stop
Stop 1: Wilmington NC Vinyl Run
Modern Legend
Locally owned downtown shop mixing records with fan merch, cards, games, clothing and gifts, including Wilmington-themed items like One Tree Hill merchandise.
Tip: It is the first shop on the right as you enter the shopping center on N Front St. Dog friendly, and open daily.
130 N Front St #102, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Gravity Records
Wilmington shop with vintage, used and new vinyl, a Latin section, and turntable repair offered by the owner.
Tip: Ask about turntable servicing if your deck needs help.
612 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM The Fuzzy Needle Records & Books
Calm, creative record and book shop with a carefully chosen, more eclectic collection than a big store, and knowledgeable, friendly staff.
Tip: Open daily, from noon on weekdays and from 10 on weekends. New stock comes in often, say regulars.
716 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
Hours
Monday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Thursday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Schoolkids Records (Wilmington)
Wilmington branch of Schoolkids with vinyl, CDs and cassettes, and occasional in-store performances.
Tip: Near UNC Wilmington on South Kerr Avenue.
1001a S Kerr Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Record Bar
Wilmington shop with a deep rock vinyl selection across the decades, sorted by band name.
Tip: Closer to the malls on Oleander Drive than downtown.
5751 Oleander Dr #11, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Yellow Dog Discs
Wilmington shop selling vinyl, CDs, Blu-rays, games, Funko Pops and collectibles. Customers cite a wide selection and competitive prices, and say they stop in whenever they are in town.
Tip: Open every day, with shorter hours on Sunday. Check the pressing and condition before you buy, and ask about the return policy.
351 College Rd #1, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Stop 2: Oak Island
Big Love Vinyl
Oak Island shop known for original pressings that are hard to find elsewhere. Customers praise the owner for tracking down rare albums and for well-packed online orders.
Tip: Closed Sundays. It is about 40 minutes south of Wilmington, so pair it with a day at the beach.
128 Country Club Dr Suite B, Oak Island, NC 28465, USA
Hours
Monday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday Closed
Hours and details come from public listings and may have changed. Small shops often keep short or irregular hours, so check or call before a long trip. See something wrong? Use Still open? in the app and we will look into it.