The Port City is about to get a whole lot more fun! Wilmington’s entertainment landscape is experiencing an incredible transformation, with five exciting new recreational and entertainment destinations either opening soon or in various stages of development. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, competitive sports, or vibrant nightlife, these upcoming venues promise something special for everyone in our community.
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Dave & Buster’s at Mayfaire Town Center – Opening Soon!
Location: 953 Town Center Drive Suite D150
The wait is almost over! Dave & Buster’s officially opens its doors at Mayfaire Town Center on Monday, May 26, bringing the ultimate combination of dining and entertainment to Wilmington. This isn’t just another restaurant – it’s a complete entertainment experience that’s perfect for date nights, family outings, and corporate events.
What makes this location special? The venue features over 100 cutting-edge arcade games, including exclusive titles you won’t find anywhere else, such as a custom game developed in partnership with UFC. The crown jewel is their impressive $250,000 WOW Wall that spans the entire dining room, capable of displaying up to 12 different sporting events simultaneously. Sports fans will also love the two social bays with interactive gameplay available for hourly rental.
Of course, the food is just as impressive as the games. Dave & Buster’s award-winning menu includes everything from classic wings and burgers to specialty pizzas and craft cocktails, ensuring your taste buds are as entertained as you are.
Strike Entertainment Center – A Bowling Paradise in Development
Location: 5601 Oleander Drive
Get ready for Wilmington’s most comprehensive family entertainment destination! The proposed Strike entertainment center is set to transform a 6.12-acre site on Oleander Drive into a 40,000+ square foot entertainment wonderland.
This massive facility will feature a 10-lane bowling alley with private lanes, but that’s just the beginning. The first floor alone will house a traditional arcade, shuffleboard, axe throwing, a 30-foot LED screen above an open-back bar, outdoor fire pits, and six outdoor pickleball courts. The covered patio and stage suggest this could become a premier venue for events and gatherings.
The second level promises even more excitement with multi-sports simulators, eight lanes of duckpin bowling, coin-operated pool tables, and additional arcade games. With the Wilmington City Council’s approval of the property rezoning in early March, this project is officially moving forward in the development pipeline.
The Club at Midtown – Luxury Recreation Redefined
Location: 4950 Holly Tree Road and 340 Westchester Road
The existing Holly Tree Racquet and Swim Club is getting a spectacular makeover that will elevate it into one of the region’s premier private recreational facilities. The Club at Midtown represents a perfect blend of preserving tradition while embracing modern amenities.
The ambitious redevelopment will transform eight existing tennis courts into 10 covered outdoor pickleball courts, while maintaining two tennis courts for traditionalists. The centerpiece will be a stunning new indoor pickleball facility spanning over 33,000 square feet – making it one of the largest indoor pickleball venues in the area.
Members will enjoy a completely renovated two-story clubhouse featuring an upscale restaurant and bar, a resort-style lap pool, and a new pool house complete with saunas. The Sports Hub will offer golf simulators and gaming, while the outdoor putting green adds another dimension to the recreational offerings. With the City Council’s unanimous approval on February 4, 2025, this project is set to redefine luxury recreation in Wilmington.
Northside Oasis – A Visionary Community Complex
Location: 1310 McRae Street
Perhaps the most ambitious project on our list, the Optimism Oasis represents a bold vision for community development and cultural celebration. This proposed 20-acre sports and cultural arts complex behind the existing Boys and Girls Club promises to be unlike anything Wilmington has ever seen.
The scope is truly impressive: an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 100-meter ninja obstacle course, rooftop tennis and pickleball courts, and even a Museum of African American Athletic History developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. The complex will also feature a gym and swim sportsplex, community arts center, amphitheater, and a unique health and wellness hotel with rooftop dining.
While still in the conceptual planning stages, the vision behind this project is inspiring. As board chair Dr. Phillip Brown noted, “We think this is an opportunity for all. It’s a place where nurturing growth can happen and that’s where the foundation should be equity.” This commitment to community accessibility and cultural celebration makes the Northside Oasis a project worth watching.
Olsen Park Recreation Village – A Regional Destination
Location: Olsen Farms adjacent to Interstate 40 at Murrayville Road
Though technically outside city limits, the Olsen Park Recreation Village deserves mention as a regional destination that will serve Wilmington residents. This 135-acre mixed-use development, projected to open in 2028, represents a joint effort between the city and New Hanover County.
Anchored by the Wilmington Aquatic Center and ACCESS Inclusive Recreation Center, this complex will feature indoor and outdoor Olympic-size pools, an 8-lane recreation pool, therapy pool, dive well, and splash pad. But the vision extends far beyond aquatics, with plans for a hotel, residential housing, walking trails, and even a concert venue.
The mixed-use nature of this development, with significant green space preservation, suggests it will become a model for sustainable recreational development in our region.
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The Future is Bright for Wilmington Recreation
These five projects represent more than just new places to have fun – they signal Wilmington’s commitment to creating diverse, inclusive, and world-class recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. From the immediate excitement of Dave & Buster’s opening to the long-term vision of the Northside Oasis, our community is investing in spaces that bring people together.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, entertainment seeker, or someone who simply enjoys gathering with friends and family, Wilmington’s recreational future looks incredibly bright. Keep an eye on these developments – they’re sure to become integral parts of what makes our Port City such a special place to live, work, and play. To read more, visit New recreation and entertainment spaces proposed in Wilmington, NC.
