As the Wilmington area’s population continues to expand, new entertainment and recreational venues are emerging to address the increasing demand for activities-based developments.

From indoor skydiving to arcades drawing adults, several new projects have recently opened or are under construction now.

Strikes LLC, for example, will begin developing a 40,800-square-foot indoor/outdoor family entertainment complex spanning 6 acres at 5601 Oleander Drive. The facility is slated to open during the fourth quarter of 2026.

The plans for the complex feature a 29,100-square-foot ground floor with 10 bowling lanes (eight public, two private), arcade games, shuffleboard, air hockey, axe throwing, a kitchen area, private rooms, an indoor bar that opens to the outside and a 30-foot programmable LED screen above the main level’s bar. Above the ground floor will be an 11,600-square-foot mezzanine with duckpin bowling, billiards, multisport simulators and other gaming areas. Outside, there are plans for six pickleball courts and space for cornhole and yard games.

“We are especially excited about our outdoor offerings on and around our turfed patio and activity area, including pickleball courts, patio and counter seating serviced by our indoor bar, and lawn games including cornhole and trash can pong,” a spokesperson for the project said. “With our Park Avenue entrance providing connectivity to the River-to-Sea Bikeway, it’s easy to imagine riding bikes with friends to Strikes on a warm spring day for a cold beverage and an afternoon, or evening, of fun.”

The project is expected to be completed in the mid-to-late second quarter of 2026. Strikes will operate the completed facility, with plans to hire a general manager with a background in managing an entertainment center of this size and scope and additional staff.

“Strikes will offer a unique appeal to all ages,” the Strikes’ spokesperson said. “Whether it be playing the latest arcade games in our modern arcade, welcoming corporate groups to our public or private bowling and axe throwing lanes, or meeting friends and family to watch the big games on our sports bar’s 30-foot LED screen.”

Earlier this year, the Wilmington City Council approved the project’s conditional rezoning request, because its size exceeded the 5,000-square-foot limit of the previous zoning classification. The site is currently unused but previously hosted various businesses, including Backyard Paradise Swingsets and an internet cafe.

Another addition to Wilmington’s entertainment scene is Dave & Buster’s, which is set to open its doors this summer at Mayfaire Town Center. The restaurant/arcade franchise operates 220 locations across the U.S. and Canada, offering a combination of dining, drinking, gaming and socializing.

The new Wilmington venue will feature a 5,000-square-foot bar, a 6,500-square-foot restaurant, a 12,500-square-foot arcade and large-screen TVs for sports viewing.

Dave & Buster’s serves American fare including burgers, steaks, seafood and pasta. The venue also offers 160 games such as Luigi’s Mansion, Pac-Man and other popular arcade classics. Players can collect tickets, which can be redeemed for prizes such as Apple products, game consoles and stuffed animals.

Guests under 21 may enter only if accompanied by a guardian who is at least 25 years old.

Not too far from Dave & Buster’s new footprint in Mayfaire Town Center, a highly visible entertainment attraction also went vertical on Eastwood Road.

Since its grand opening late last year, iFly has welcomed flying enthusiasts to the indoor skydiving destination.

“We truly feel embraced by the Wilmington community and surrounding areas as a premier location for family fun, entertainment and training,” said Dave Soler, the local franchise’s chief growth officer. “We have flown thousands of guests since we opened our doors in December.”

The Wilmington iFly $14-million facility located at 1441 Eastwood Road is one of over 80 locations worldwide, and the only other North Carolina site is near Charlotte. Co-founders of the local facility are Patrick Maguire and George “Jamie” Jamison. Maguire serves as general manager, while his brother-in-law Soler focuses on business development. Plans are underway to open additional locations across Eastern North Carolina and South Carolina.

“It is incredibly fulfilling to bring so much enjoyment to the community, allowing people of all ages and abilities, from ages 3 to 103, to experience the dream of flight in a fun and safe environment,” Soler said.

The 5,500-square-foot, 65-foot-tall facility primarily operates on a reservation basis, allowing walk-ins and offering corporate/group tickets. After check-in, customers receive flight gear and meet their instructor for a safety briefing. Conflict Kinetics has partnered with the facility, which also features a 270-degree simulator room. It is the first iFly location to offer an additional attraction beyond the wind tunnel.

“We have begun military training in our facility and will continue to support the training and readiness of our country’s military members,” Soler said. “We are honored to provide a safe training environment to support our national defense.”

iFly Wilmington also offers a student field trip program that combines fun and hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel. This program allows students to experience aerodynamics, physics and engineering through interactive experiments.

“There has been tremendous excitement for our educational STEM Field Trip program with numerous schools, summer camps and youth groups already signing up to experience the science, technology, engineering and math that brings iFly Wilmington to life,” Soler said.

To capitalize on the rapidly growing popularity of pickleball in the U.S., the Wilmington area is home to two indoor venues: Pickle & Taps and House of Pickleball. Recent research from the Association of Pickleball Professionals shows that about 48.3 million adult Americans played pickleball last year.

Pickle & Taps, 1207 S. 13th St., opened last year on New Year’s Eve. The 30,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Queensboro Shirt Company was intentionally redesigned to enhance pickleball play and the social aspect of the sport. It provides a comfortable setting with ample seating and a bar that features over 10 local craft beers on tap.

“Business has been good, and we are blessed to be a part of the fastest-growing recreation sports industry in the U.S.,” said Kayse Beasley, who co-founded Pickle & Taps with her husband, Jason. “We have an amazing pickleball community in ILM and the Cape Fear region.”

All courts feature Save My Play, an AI-powered camera technology that lets players record games or training for coach reviews and social media sharing.

Players can also use Court Reserve to view schedules and book play. The venue hosts Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating events, helping players build ratings for local, regional and national tournaments.

House of Pickleball (HOP), 115 Long Pine Drive in Leland, opened in 2018 and has 12 indoor cushioned courts, permanent nets and high ceilings for top-tier play.

In 2023, to handle increased patronage, it enlarged its space from 12,000 to 30,000 square feet and is expanding its offerings again this spring.

“We are opening a concession stand inside the HOP this May, called the Drop Zone, where we will serve beer, wine and light snacks,” said co-owner Todd Muffley. “We also have acquired the land next to our facility. … You never know what will come next.”