2 Day Itinerary in Jacksonville, NC for Solo Travelers

When I booked a solo trip to Jacksonville, North Carolina, I wasn’t prepared for how much I would fall in love with the destination and how much it would change me.

Of course, it’s home to the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast, but it also has surprises you would never expect to uncover around every corner. 

After a hectic month of travel, I was ready for some much-needed relaxation, sun, and time to recenter. Jacksonville gave me that and then some.

I found an accessible beach, the deepest relaxation I’ve felt in years, and coffee I can never go back from. Jacksonville is one of those places I can visit again and again and still have something new to discover.

I’ll cover everything I did, what I loved, and what I didn’t in this 2 day itinerary in Jacksonville, NC for solo travelers. That way, you can plan your own restful weekend without spending hours researching everything yourself.

Day 1: Sun and Sand at North Topsail Beach

Quick Breakfast at Milk Road

Local cafés usually don’t surprise me. There are always the same coffee variations with a few specialty lattes, but rarely anything I feel the need to rave about.

Let me just say, I am thoroughly addicted to Milk Road to the point I may or may not have driven 90 minutes from home to get it again. 

It also made the perfect first stop for a solo morning because I could grab breakfast, linger over my coffee, and start the day at my own pace.

Not only do they have ube (purple sweet potato) lattes, which are my absolute favorite, but they also have Liège waffles that are basically what would happen if a croissant and a Belgian waffle had a lovechild. They’re to die for.

If you’re not in the mood for caffeine, they have a variety of teas available—my favorite is the Butterfly Tea, which is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Accessible Beach Day at North Topsail Beach

Being from Florida, I’ve seen some pretty incredible beaches. However, after my near-death motorcycle accident left me an amputee, I’ve largely avoided beaches because they’re difficult to walk on, sand can mess up my gears, and it’s usually more effort than it’s worth.

North Topsail Beach changed my expectations with its accessible beach access, including Mobi-Mats that made getting onto the beach significantly easier for me. 

Mobi-Mats are semi-permanent mats that extend from the parking lot or paved area about halfway down the beach toward the water. They provide a firm surface for people using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or other mobility aids to get farther onto the beach.

North Topsail Beach also has beach wheelchairs available through the North Topsail Beach Police Department, allowing another person to push you all the way into the water.

After using the Mobi-Mat to access the beach, I was able to walk a short distance to see a green sea turtle nest and visit with the The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center volunteers watching over the nest. 

I learned so much about turtle hatchings and conservation efforts watching from home to see what became of the little guys. It was easily one of the highlights of my trip.

Since I planned to spend most of the day there, I packed a lunch so I could make the most of my beach day.

Deliciously Indulgent Dinner at Marrakesh

Having lived near Tarpon Springs, Florida, nearly all my life, I’ve tasted some of the best Mediterranean cuisine you can find outside of crossing an ocean to get it.

Marrakesh had fresh and exciting flavors in every dish—warm grape leaves, fresh cucumber salad, lamb chops and rice, baklava, and Turkish coffee.

Now, I go back to the restaurant every single time I’m in town.

Stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites

I’ve stayed at so many hotels that call themselves accessible, but they often miss the mark. So when I walked into my first-level accessible queen suite at the Hampton Inn and Suites, I was shocked by the attention to detail and how well the accessible hotel room actually worked for me as an amputee and ambulatory wheelchair user.

The suite had so much room to move around, turn, and just be. The shower was one of the very few truly accessible showers I’ve ever used, with a shower bench, grab bars where they needed to be, reachable soaps, and more.

When I returned to the room at the end of the day, I was able to relax instead of worrying about the logistics of using the space. I will definitely book Hampton for my next solo trip to Jacksonville!

Day 2: Downtown Jacksonville

Breakfast at Chicano’s Street Kitchen

Traditional breakfast foods aren’t my jam. So when I had the opportunity to visit another restaurant on Jacksonville’s International Food Trail, I jumped at the chance. 

Chicano’s was also an easy place to start a solo morning because I could take my time over breakfast without feeling like I needed to rush on to the next stop.

Now, traditional coffee is ruined for me after drinking Chicano’s Café de Olla. It’s a traditional Mexican coffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo sugar that’s perfectly spiced and sweet—you don’t need to add anything to it.

Their food is just as tasty and unique, with Mexican takes on traditional American breakfast dishes alongside traditional Mexican dishes.

Remembering the Fallen at Lejeune Memorial Gardens

To say I wasn’t prepared for the heaviness and emotion of the Lejeune Memorial Gardens would be the understatement of the year. Not only is the outdoor space massive and full of history, but it’s also incredibly accessible, with well-placed ramps and signs.

History books never prepared me for the reality of seeing the massive glass wall commemorating the names of all 58,229 service members who lost their lives or remain missing in the Vietnam War.

Then there was the Beirut Memorial honoring the Marines lost in the tragic barracks bombing in Beirut, along with the 9/11 beam from the towers after they fell.

Plan to spend 2–3 hours fully experiencing Lejeune Memorial Gardens, and consider visiting at night to see everything beautifully lit.

Lunch at Wasabi Japanese Sushi & Cuisine

After the hearty waffles at Milk Road, I needed something light and refreshing for lunch, which is how I ended up at Wasabi Sushi. My love for sushi is infinite and insatiable, so it’s always a top choice for me. 

From the outside, the restaurant sits in a small corner of a shopping center next to a tattoo shop and business office. Don’t let the exterior fool you because this is some of the best sushi I have had since moving to North Carolina in 2020. 

Their honeyed green tea is addictive and refreshing. I may have had four refills and be the reason they limit it to one glass now (sorry not sorry). You can’t leave without trying the sushi pizza because it is out of this world. Don’t let the name fool you. 

Rejuvenation at Coastal Massage and Wellness

Walking into Coastal Massage and Wellness, I immediately felt myself relax.

The first service I tried was Inner Balance Healing, which felt like the perfect way to start the day. I had never experienced energy work before, so I was skeptical at first. But Michelle walked me through what to expect and answered all of my questions as we went.

By the end, I felt a sense of calm and relaxation wash over me, and I was sold.

Next up was the massage, which was SO good. I live with pain every day from phantom pain, inflammation, and more. Jessie focused on my pain areas, eventually undoing all the knots that had built up over the year since my last massage. 

I’ve never been keen on getting facials because I usually have some sort of reaction due to my overly sensitive skin.

My facial at Coastal Massage and Wellness was the only time my skin wasn’t irritated afterward, it actually looked healthy and glowy.

I finished the day with my first ever salt therapy session where you sit in a room with salt rocks like sand with salt being pumped into the air.

The treatment left my skin feeling soft and my lungs clear even if it made me feel like I was being seasoned.

Jacksonville is the Perfect Solo Weekend Escape

Your solo weekend getaway with this 2 day itinerary in Jacksonville, NC is just enough to dip your toes into all that the vast city has to offer.

Whether you want to learn more about history and the marines, tasting all the flavors of the International Food Trail, or relaxing your day away through the beaches or spas, there’s something here for everyone.

Ready to explore more beyond what this 2 day itinerary in Jacksonville, NC covers? Check out the Museum of the Marine, Bear Island, local events, and more! Jacksonville’s diverse attractions and businesses make every stay here feel unique!