Attractions
Historic Wilmington – Step back into time in Historic Wilmington where you can stroll along brick and cobblestone streets, watch sunsets on a riverside deck, and tour historic homes, haunted sites, gardens, and churches. Explore the 230-block National Register Historic District via horse-drawn carriage or trolley tour, on a leisurely riverboat cruise, or on foot. Visit www.cape-fear.nc.us.
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Airlie Gardens – Airlie Gardens – located near Wrightsville Beach – encompasses 67 acres of quintessential Southern gardens with 10 acres of freshwater lakes. Enchanting gardens feature azaleas, camellias, statuary and the Historic Airlie Oak. Visit www. airliegardens.org
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Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
1 Battleship Road, Wilmington
(910) 251-5797
USS Battleship North Carolina – USS Battleship North Carolina is a proud reminder of America’s efforts to protect the free world and its rich naval heritage. Come aboard and experience the patriotic pride that carried her brave crew to victory. Enjoy two-hour, self-guided tours of this restored World War II-era combatant. Visit www.battleshipnc.com.
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Bellamy Mansion Museum
503 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 251-3700
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Burgwin-Wright House and Garden
224 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 762-0570
Burgwin-Wright Museum House – The oldest museum house in Southeastern North Carolina, this beautifully restored Georgian style house is filled with 18th and early 19th century furnishings. A formal garden, a terraced garden, and an orchard surround the house. Open hearth demonstrations of Colonial cooking are presented in the kitchen one Saturday each month.
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Cape Fear Museum of Hisotry and Science
814 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 798-4350
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Cape Fear River – Deep and fast-moving, the Cape Fear River begins at the confluence of the Haw and Deep rivers near Greensboro and empties into the Atlantic Ocean 200 miles south. With a compelling history and dangerous reputation, the Cape Fear River is a major influence on Wilmington, 30 miles upstream from the ocean. Enjoy riverboat cruises, fishing spots and tours.
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Coastal Kayak Adventures – Discover the beautiful NC coastline on a kayak tour on calm water trails that meander through salt marshes and barrier islands. Wilmington is a paddler’s paradise, defined by swamps, black water rivers, sounds, salt marshes, barrier islands and ocean surf. Kayaks move gracefully upon the environment’s rich diversity of wildlife and scenery and access wilderness that other crafts cannot. Experience the freedom and adventure that kayaking offers. Visit www.coastalkayakadventures.com.
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Coast Line Convention Center – Located downtown in Historic Wilmington, on the banks of the Cape Fear River, Coast Line Convention Center features 10,000 square feet of multifunctional space for meetings, conventions, trade shows, conferences, banquets, wedding receptions, and social events for up to 900.This renovated 19th century railroad building has retained the charm of yesterday, while providing all the services and amenities for modern-day evens. Visit www.nccoastalevents.com.
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Riverboat Cruises – Board at S. Water St. and the foot of Dock St. for narrated sightseeing cruises, Dinner and Dance, Sunset, and Special Events Cruises on the Cape Fear River and Private Charters year round. The HENRIETTA III Cruises go out April – December. Visit www.cfrboats.com
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CAPT. J.N. MAFFITT
Cape Fear Riverboats
101 S. Water St., Wilmington
(910) 343-1611, (800) 676-0162
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HENRIETTA III
Cape Fear Riverboats
101 S. Water St., Wilmington
(910) 343-1611, (800) 676-0162
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Cape Fear Serpentarium
20 Orange St., Wilmington
(910) 762-1669
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Chandler’s Wharf
225 S. Water St., Wilmington
(910) 343-9896
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Chestnut Street United Presbyterian Church
710 N. Sixth St., Wilmington
(910) 762-1074
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The Children’s Museum of Wilmington
116 Orange St., corner of Second and Orange Sts., Wilmington
(910) 254-3534
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Fort Fisher Historic Site & Recreation Area – Take a guided tour of the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, set amidst twisted live oaks on the west side of U.S. Highway 421. Fort Fisher was the largest of the Confederacy’s earthwork fortifications during the Civil War, and served as an arm of Camp Davis during World War II. Fort Fisher Recreation Area features 4 miles of wide, unspoiled beach, a visitor center and a public boat launch for windsurfing, parasailing, kite boarding, kayaking and fishing. The Fort Fisher Southport Ferry is a worthwhile $5 cruise.
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Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
Market St. at the Riverfront, Wilmington
(910) 794-1866
Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington – Join actors and ghost hunters on a 90-minute journey into Old Wilmington. Traverse 270 year-old alleyways littered with tales of pirates who frequented port. Stumble upon haunted homes and landmarks, nestled beneath the outstretched canopy of centuries old live oaks, their cryptic limbs straining under dangling Spanish moss. There are 20 active sites featured on this creepy crawl. Visit www.hauntedwilmington.com.
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Haunted Pub Crawl
Downtown Wilmington
(910) 794-1866
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Horse-Drawn Trolley & Carriage Tours
Market St. between Water and Front Sts., Wilmington
(910) 251-8889
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Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park – Jungle Rapids is Wilmington’s family waterpark, featuring thrilling waterslides, a million-gallon wave pool, Lazy River, grand prix go-carts, laser tag, “The Rock” climbing wall, Kids Jungle, an 18-hole miniature golf course, hot springs, a sundeck with lounges, and free floats. Visit www.junglerapids.com.
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Latimer House – Home of three generations of Latimer’s until 1963 when it was furnished into a historical museum, this beautiful Italianate style estate houses the Cape Fear Historical Society and features 14 rooms containing over 600 historical objects including furniture, jewelry, and tools. Beautiful gardens, enclosed in original stucco and lace brick walls, surround the house and are filled with flora authentic to the period.
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North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher – North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is North Carolina’s largest aquarium, featuring dramatic exhibits, a huge shark tank and half-acre freshwater conservatory. Visit 2,600 exhibited creatures, including alligators, sharks, sea turtles, seahorses, sea snakes, lionfish, and octopuses. Visiting the N.C. Aquarium on Pleasure Island is a journey along the Cape Fear River and estuaries to the ocean. Visit www.ncaquariums.com.
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Oakdale Cemetery
520 N. 15th St., Wilmington
(910) 762-5682
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Poplar Grove Plantation – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Poplar Grove Plantation preserves the homestead of a peanut farming family and the outbuildings and crafts of an 1800’s working community. Tour the big and beautiful Greek Revival style house and tenant farmer’s cabin, and visit the craft shops and the blacksmith’s shop. Visit www.poplargrove.com.
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The Riverwalk
Riverfront Park, along Water St., Wilmington
Cape Fear Riverwalk – Starting at Waterfront Park on Bay Street, the one-mile Riverwalk provides a pleasant stroll along the Cape Fear River to the marina and yacht basin. Complete with wide patio-style areas and pocket parks with benches, the Riverwalk offers spectacular views of the river, especially at night. Cape Fear Riverwalk is a scenic spot to grab a hot dog from a street vendor, listen to free music, and watch the freighters, yachts and ski boats.
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Screen Gems Studios – Walk through Wilmington’s two-decade film history on a tour of Screen Gems Studios North Carolina. The picturesque 32-acre film lot has been home to more than 300 film, television and commercial productions, attracting the world’s most creative directors. The one-hour walking tour of the largest full-service motion picture facility east of California includes visits to the sets of Dawson’s Creek and the WB hit show One Tree Hill. Visit www.screengemsstudios.com.
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Southport – Southport is one of the most desirable places in the US to retire. Located on Bay Street at land’s end, Southport’s waterfront has been a center of activity, from roving pirates and river pilots to fishermen bringing in the day’s catch. From the waterfront, you’ll be able to see two of the area’s important landmarks, Old Baldy Lighthouse on Bald Head Island and the Oak Island Lighthouse at Caswell Beach.
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Thalian Hall/City Hall
310 Chestnut St., Wilmington
Center Box Office (910) 343-3664, (800) 523-2820
Thalian Hall – One of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in America, historic Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts presents 250 performance events every year, including theater, concerts, dance, shows and Children’s theater. Forming the east wing of Wilmington’s magnificent City Hall , THCP houses the Main Stage, the Grand Ballroom, and the Studio Theatre, which host a variety of entertainment and unique works. Visit www. www.thalianhall.com.
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University of North Carolina Wilmington – University of North Carolina Wilmington is a dynamic learning community that combines small-college teaching with research university opportunities. Ranked 7 th in the 2006 U.S. News & World Report of top public undergraduate universities in the South, UNCW offers 73 undergraduate degree programs and 28 graduate degrees. The Center for Marine Science offers a Ph.D. in marine biology. UNCW Seahawks field 19 varsity athletic teams, including NCAA Division I men’s basketball. Visit www.uncw.edu.
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Wilmington Adventure Walking Tour
Riverfront Park, Foot of Market St., Wilmington
(910) 763-1785
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Wilmington National Cemetery
2011 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 815-4877
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Wilmington Railroad Museum
501 Nutt St., Wilmington
(910) 763-2634
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Wilmington Trolley Company
Dock and Water Sts., Wilmington
(910) 763-4483
Wilmington Trolley Company – This eight mile sightseeing trolley tour allows visitors to experience the charm of Old Wilmington and includes beautiful mansions, haunted homes, birthplaces of famous natives, and African-American historical sites.
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Zebulon Latimer House
126 S. Third St., Wilmington
(910) 762-0492
