Need a beachy getaway with Southern charm and historic flair? Head to Wilmington! This coastal gem offers cobblestone streets, lively riverfront dining, Civil War sites, and easy access to white-sand beaches. Whether you’re cruising the Cape Fear River or soaking up the sun at Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington blends culture and coastal vibes beautifully.
Wilmington, NC Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Paddleboard or kayak the Intracoastal Waterway – Explore salt marshes, birdlife, and scenic water trails.
- For History Buffs: Tour the Battleship North Carolina – Walk the decks of this WWII battleship moored across from downtown.
- For Shoppers: Explore the Cotton Exchange and local boutiques – Find gifts, fashion, and antiques in restored 19th-century buildings.
- For Couples: Stroll the Wilmington Riverwalk at sunset – Romantic waterfront path lined with restaurants, shops, and live music.
- For Families: Visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher – Encounter sharks, touch stingrays, and explore coastal ecosystems.
Best Time to Visit Wilmington, NC
The best time to visit Wilmington is from April to October. Spring and early summer bring ideal weather for beachgoing and festivals, while fall offers fewer crowds, warm ocean temps, and colorful foliage in nearby parks.
How to Get to Wilmington, NC
- If you are traveling by car: Wilmington is accessible via I-40 and US-17, about 2 hours from Raleigh and 3.5 hours from Charlotte.
- By Air: Fly into Wilmington International Airport (ILM), located just 10 minutes from downtown.
- By Bus: Greyhound and regional services connect Wilmington with major cities across the Southeast.
Where to Stay in Wilmington, NC
- The Wilmingtonian – Boutique hotel in the heart of downtown with cozy, Southern-style suites.
- Hotel Ballast – Riverfront hotel with modern amenities and scenic Cape Fear views.
- Blockade Runner Beach Resort – Beachfront property at Wrightsville Beach with direct ocean access.
Best Things to Do in Wilmington, NC
1. Riverwalk
Rating: ★★★★★
The Riverwalk is a popular boardwalk in downtown Wilmington that runs along the Cape Fear River waterfront. Originally designed in the 1980s with the purpose of drawing more people to the historic area, the pedestrian pathway will eventually connect the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to the Isabel Holmes Bridge. The Riverwalk is one of the top Wilmington attractions.
Along the way, visitors are treated to beautiful views and many attractions.
Some of the attractions located along Riverwalk include the USS North Carolina, the Cotton Exchange, and the historic 1914 Murchison Building.
In addition to the historic buildings, there are many restaurants and shops including boutique shops and souvenir shops. The Riverwalk is also well known for its weekly Wilmington’s Farmer’s Market.
2. Wilmington’s Historic District
Wilmington’s Historic District begins at Water and Market Streets and continues for 230 blocks, making it one of the largest historic districts in the United States and one of the best things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina.
It features churches, gardens, homes, museums, shops, restaurants, and much more. Popular transportation methods for touring the moss-draped historic area include horse drawn carriages, riverboats, and trolley cars. There are guided tours as well as self-guided tours of the district that lies along Cape Fear River.
The historic district is home to more than 40 locally owned restaurants; some of these sit at the water’s edge and offer fresh local seafood. There are many music performances in the district, especially in the evening. The Riverwalk winds through the heart of downtown and affords beautiful views of the river.
Address: Wilmington’s Historic District, Water and Market Streets, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 901-341-4030
Attractions for Couples
3. Bellamy Mansion Museum
Located in downtown Wilmington, the Bellamy Mansion Museum is one of North Carolina's most extraordinary examples of antebellum architecture and one of the best things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Built for Dr. John Dillard Bellamy and his family, the magnificent 10,000-square-foot mansion features fine examples of Victorian architecture in the elegant main entrance framed by soaring columns and the handcrafted intricate details throughout the house.
The abode is surrounded by a beautifully manicured Victorian garden with winding oyster-shell paths and 150-year-old magnolia trees. Now serving as a museum of history and the design arts, the mansion provides visitors with an opportunity to take a stroll through history on daily guided tours and visit one of the country’s last remaining and perfectly preserved urban slave quarters.
The Museum also offers dynamic educational and cultural programs throughout the year and is open Tuesday through Sunday.
Address: Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 910-251-3700
4. Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens, a 67-acre public garden, was established in 1901 for the Pembroke Jones family and has been enchanting visitors for the past 100 years.
Originally created as a private and authentic Southern garden that was named after an ancient Airlie Oak, Airlie Gardens represent the vision of landscape architect Rudolf Topel who remodeled the landscape into a spectacular public garden in 1999. If you are wondering what to do in Wilmington NC with kids, this is a great place to visit. Airlie Gardens feature striking combinations of formal and informal gardens, a world-renowned collection of over 100,000 azaleas and camellias, walking trails with beautiful views of Bradley Creek, historic structures and sculptures, and more than 10 acres of freshwater lakes.
Relax in the Pergola Garden and enjoy continuous year-round blooms in displays around the 468-year-old Airlie Oak.
5. New Hanover County Arboretum
The New Hanover County Arboretum is a seven-acre arboretum located on the grounds of the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Service.
Established in 1989, the arboretum currently features over 30 gardens consisting of verdant lawns, flowering plants and bushes, and one of the largest water gardens in North Carolina, which is home to hundreds of multi-colored koi and catfish. Among the gardens, visitors will find a herb garden, a rose garden, a bog garden, a children’s garden, an aquatic garden, and a landscaped Japanese garden.
The gardens have more than 4,000 varieties of native and naturalized plants. The arboretum also serves as a horticultural laboratory and education center and provides opportunities for all levels of ability to enjoy gardening. The New Hanover County Arboretum is free of charge.
Address: New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 910-798-7660
6. Battleship North Carolina
Work began on the USS North Carolina in 1937. Launched in 1940, the ship was so fast and carried so many powerful guns that the North Carolina was given the nickname of “Showboat.”
The Battleship North Carolina took part in nearly every major battle in the Pacific Ocean during World War II and won more battle stars than any other battleship in that same time period. The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and arrived in Wilmington in 1961.
It became a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The battleship hosts many programs and events.
Address: USS North Carolina Battleship, One Battleship Road NE, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 910-251-5797
Recommended Activities for Families
7. Cape Fear Museum
Founded in 1898, the Cape Fear Museum is the oldest history museum in the state and is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history, science, and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear.
The museum has a collection of more than fifty-two thousand artifacts collected from regions around the city of Wilmington and displayed in a variety of educational exhibitions and programs.
The Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery on the first floor of the Museum explores the region's ecosystems while the bones of a Giant Ground Sloth and a locally built Simmons Sea-skiff boat are on display in the lobby.
The museum also hosts temporary and traveling exhibits including Make it Work, a presentation of simple machines and maritime work. The Cape Fear Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.
Address: Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 910-798-4370
8. Cameron Art Museum
Established in 1964, the Cameron Art Museum is located in historic downtown Wilmington and presents a permanent collection of works by international and local artists across a range of disciplines. It also features several rotating exhibitions of contemporary historical significance on an annual basis.
The museum is set on the historic site of the pivotal Civil War Battle of Forks Road and is surrounded by Confederate revetments built during the battle that saw the fall of Fort Fisher and marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.
Every year the museum commemorates the lives lost during this fight with a re-enactment of the battle, artillery demonstrations, workshops, and lectures.
The museum also offers a range of educational art programs and classes for adults and youth, including educator-guided access to the museum’s exhibitions and non-circulating art library that houses over 2000 monographs and publications.
Address: Cameron Art Museum, 3201 South 17th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 910-395-5999
9. Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens
The Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is a spectacular example of Georgian architecture, and it open to the public as a museum house. Built circa 1770, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has several distinct features, including rooms furnished with antiques from the 18th and 19th century and an array of rare objects that enhance the unique experience for visitors.
The house is surrounded by magnificent gardens that offer visitors a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, complete with orchards of figs and pomegranates, a manicured rose garden, and a fragrant kitchen garden full of herbs. The property also boasts a stand-alone kitchen house with an immense hearth and period cooking utensils, which can be explored on self-guided or docent-led tours. The Burgwin-Wright House is also available for private events and portrait photography.
Address: Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, 224 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, Phone: 910-762-0570
10. Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden
If you’re looking for a unique and one-of-a-kind attraction to visit in Wilmington, look no further than the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden. Managed by the City of Wilmington in partnership with North Carolina’s Coastal Land Trust, the Carnivorous Plant Garden is located within the Pine Ridge Nature Preserve and is named after the “Flytrap Man”, Stanley Rehder, who was celebrated for his tireless efforts to protect the carnivorous plants you’ll see in the garden today. These plants are quite special because they only naturally grow in a 70-mile radius around Wilmington, and as such deserve protection and appreciation. The garden is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring as this is when the park truly comes to vibrant life. There are concrete walking trails to take guests around the garden, and several wooden observation decks situated around the area as well.
Address: Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden, 3800 Canterbury Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, Phone: 910-341-7852
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