The North Carolina city of Wilmington is often regarded as one of the most attractive riverside locations in the entire country. It boasts some of the state’s finest beaches in addition to its rich history and lively waterfront. This wonderful city boasts a rich past and a plethora of endearing characteristics, making it home to a diverse range of attractions and activities. So, sit tight, as we guide you through the list of best things to do in Wilmington, NC.
To Do In Wilmington # 1Visit Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach, just 8.5 miles from Wilmington, is one of the most well-known and easily accessible beaches in North Carolina, where you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits and water sports. Visiting the seaside town that National Geographic classified as one of the world’s top surf towns where you can participate in a wide variety of water sports is one of the best things to do in Wilmington NC. Located only 10 miles to the east of the Historic District, this beach is lauded for the hotels, vacation houses, restaurants, bars, and boutiques that line its wide ribbon of sand. Several of the beach entrances also provide shower and bathroom facilities.
The beach’s location, a few dozens of miles from the Gulf Stream, means that visitors can enjoy warmer, nearly translucent seas. Surfing, paddle boarding, museum visits, and discovering secret sanctuaries are just a few of the many popular things to do along the coast. The beach is the centerpiece of this ideal vacation spot for families.
Explore downtown Wilmington on a trolley
The downtown area of Wilmington is comprised of historic cobblestone streets, and a trolley tour is the best way for visitors to see the area’s beauty and charm. Experience the city’s rich history and iconic sites while on the move with a ride on the vintage trolley, a famous tourist attraction in downtown Wilmington.
The trip goes to famous places like the historic Bellamy Mansion and local museums. It also goes to places where Hollywood blockbusters like The Conjuring, Iron Man 3, and I Know What You Did Last Summer were filmed, as well as places where episodes of popular TV shows were filmed. This trolley tour covers eight miles and takes around forty-five minutes. It is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Wilmington!
Stroll Wilmington’s Riverwalk
The Riverwalk in Wilmington is one mile long, and no visit to the city would be complete without at least one stroll down its length. Popular eateries and watering holes surround the wooden boardwalk that runs parallel to the Cape Fear River, and stools and seats are strategically placed throughout the area. Everything about local culture is represented on the Riverwalk, from the history of the area to the pulsating nightlife. The Riverwalk begins at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside and ends to Chandler’s Wharf. It is open around the clock and is free to the public. After you’ve had your fill of the sights along the Riverwalk, head on over to the Battleship North Carolina via water taxi.
Rediscover history within Battleship North Carolina
After being commissioned in 1941, the Battleship North Carolina lived up to its reputation as “the world’s greatest sea weapon” by taking part in far more than a dozen military operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After being decommissioned in 1947, the ship was scheduled to be shipped for scrap metal, but citizens of North Carolina petitioned to save the vessel and eventually had it dedicated as a museum in 1962.
Today, the ship serves as a museum where visitors may learn about the ship’s history and the brave men and women who served aboard. It’s worth noting that the ship’s decks may get quite warm, particularly during the summer, and that there are several flights of steps to climb. The Battleship North Carolina remains usually open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Christmas Day hours are noon–5 p.m., while the majority of the year they are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults pay $14, seniors and active-duty military pay $10, and children ages 6–11 pay $6. Kids under the age of 5 are admitted free of charge. On Saturdays, for an extra price, you can take a guided tour of the ship.
Enjoy the Downtown Sundown Concerts
The Wilmington Summer Concert Series is a series of free, public outdoor performances held on the first and third Fridays of the months of May through October at 6:30 p.m. Over 26,000 locals and tourists alike attend this annual event over the course of a few days. It is an important component of life in downtown Wilmington. There will be live performances at each event, as well as food vendors and beverage vendors selling beer and other drinks. Typically, Main Street is lined with food carts selling a variety of munchies for the hungry concertgoers. Please be aware that smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises, nor are dogs or alcoholic beverages brought in from the outside.
Tour In Wilmington NC on an electric bike
Taking a tour of Wilmington, North Carolina, from the seat of a bicycle is one of the city’s most enjoyable activities, and doing so on an electric bike is much more delightful. EZ Electric Bike Rentals, a new firm that began operations in September, gives locals and visitors alike the chance to discover the city by bicycle. There is a variety of electric bikes and mobility scooters available for people who are wheelchair bound. Enjoy the flexibility of hopping on and off at different stops as you take in the sights of this North Carolina metropolis in an environmentally responsible manner. Going to their website (https://ezelectricbikerentals.com/) is all it takes to reserve a bike.
Visit the Bellamy Mansion Museum
This grand Greek Revival mansion was home to one of the wealthiest slaveholders in the state, Dr. John Bellamy, his wife, and their 10 children from the middle of the nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century. The house features 22 rooms, renovated slave quarters, and beautiful gardens, and now, experienced tour guides share the property’s history with guests, including information about the family, the building, and the slaves who worked there. Visitors get the opportunity to explore not just the full home but also the slave quarters, which are made of brick and have two stories.
There are four bedrooms, a laundry room, and two bathrooms with a total of five sinks and stalls here, all of which are attached to the main house and serve as a convenient facility for guests. The current building, which is one of the best kept in the area, is a refreshing change from the primitive shacks more commonly found on plantations.
Explore Poplar Grove Plantation
The Poplar Grove Plantation is located along the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which is protected by the National Park Service. The heritage corridor spans the distance from northern Wilmington to southern Jacksonville. The Gullah Geechee are distinguished not only for their distinct Creole language but also for their distinctive arts, crafts, music, food, and religious rituals.
Poplar Grove Farm, once a sweet potato and peanut plantation, now serves as a cultural center for the Gullah Geechee people. The mansion’s three stories make it a true manor house, and it was first built in 1850, making it eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the peanut thrasher and information on peanut cultivation, the facility features two historical art workshops: a blacksmith shop and a basket gallery. The stables on the premises are home to a variety of animals typical of 19th-century farms, including goats, ducks, pigs, horses, lambs, chickens, cats, and roosters, which may appeal to families with young children.
Experience beauty at Airlie Gardens
The Airlie Gardens in Wilmington span an impressive 67 acres. The gardens showcase flora and animals indigenous to this region of North Carolina, in addition to a butterfly habitat and a maze of walking trails perfect for a stroll in the woods. Additional, Airlie has a number of annual events that add to its appeal, such as a month-long festival of lights in the gardens during the winter and weekly concerts on Friday evenings during the summer. If you can plan your trip around Christmastime, you should definitely see the gardens lit up with twinkling lights. There is also a terrific time to visit the garden, and that is in the spring, when all the flowers are in full bloom.
Airlie Gardens are accessible every day from March through December, between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Adults pay $9, active-duty military pay $5, and children 4-12 pay $3 to enter the gardens. Kids under the age of three are admitted free of charge.
Get a taste of the Wilmington brewery scene.
Wilmington, North Carolina, is known as “America’s beeriest beach town,” so it should come as no surprise that the state boasts more breweries than any other in the South. While in town, be sure to stop by Wrightsville Beach Brewery and Edward Teach Brewing, two well-known Wilmington breweries.
Wrightsville Beach Brewery is known for its excellent beer and tasty meals. They make over ten different kinds of craft beer. The brewery is well-known for both its beer and its seafood, which is caught just offshore in Bradley Creek. Tastings, live music nights, yoga classes, and Tuesday brewery tours are just some of the regular events you can expect to find at Wrightsville Beach Brewery.
Located in Wilmington, North Carolina’s vibrant Brooklyn Arts District, Edward Teach Brewing Company is a must-see in a historic building that once housed a fire engine. The notorious pirate known as Blackbeard, whose given name was actually Edward Teach, inspired the naming of this brewery. There are currently five different craft beers available, and the brewery has the coziest atmosphere in which to enjoy them.
Explore the beauty of North Carolina with Cape Fear Riverboats
Taking a cruise along the Cape Fear River with Cape Fear River Boats is a fun and peaceful way to see the wonders of North Carolina’s scenic countryside in only one hour. An excellent approach to get to know Wilmington is by taking a guided tour that focuses on the area’s historical significance.
A four-hour trip is also available from the tour company, during which passengers will explore breathtaking vistas of North Carolina that are accessible only by boat. Sunset cruises on the Cape Fear River are not only a wonderful opportunity to take in the local landscape, but also provide the perfect setting for a memorable evening of charm.
Engage in the celebrations of Wilmington’s festivals
The city of Wilmington is once again beating to the sound of joyful locals and tourists alike thanks to the return of the city’s many festivals. If you plan your trip to the city around one of these events, you might just be in time to join in on one of the city’s many celebrated celebrations.
North Carolina Jazz Festival. It is one of Wilmington’s most popular events, attracting music fans from all over the country. The festival is held in February. Over the course of three days, you’ll be immersed in the world of pulsating jazz thanks to jam sessions and breathtaking concerts by talented artists.
Wilmington Fall Wine & Beer Walk. There’s no better location to enjoy all three: beer, wine, and good times, than at this festival. Guests can sip wine or beer while traversing the downtown district during the event, which takes place at the end of September.
Cucalorus Film Festival. This festival is held annually in November in Wilmington’s historic downtown and is among the city’s most well-known celebrations. About a hundred films from all over the world will be showcased at the festival, which honors international cinema and its creators. There is no better location to meet new people and discuss interesting topics than during the festival.
There you have it. It’s now time to hear from you. Which of the activities above piqued your interest? And for those who have explored this beautiful city, please let us know about your experience.