Things to do in and around Wilmington, North Carolina
There is so much to unpack in this North Carolina city. Wilmington is a coastal town southeast of the state.
There are two distinct things the city is known for: the beach and its history. The town is unique in that it's sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. Aside from the local beach, it's also quite near other beach communities like Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. It's also just two hours away from Raleigh and an hour and a half to Myrtle Beach. The city's Historic District also has many attractions like the WWII Battleship North Carolina.
To get to the city, there's the Wilmington International Airport for anyone flying. It's about 10 minutes from the historic district and about 20 minutes to Wrightsville Beach.
Wrightsville Beach
If we're honest, most people who go to Wilmington go there for the beach. Wrightsville Beach is one of three of the main beaches in and around Wilmington. It's the closest to the city center, and most tourists flock here so you'll see a lot of high-end hotels and restaurants during your visit. Depending on the traffic, it can be a 10 to 20-minute drive to the city center. If you're staying in the historic district, the trip would be about 20 minutes.
The beach is so famous because of its soft sands, peaceful vibe, and warm waters. The place is also picturesque and a great place to unwind and relax. It's a beach for a good swim and surf, though be careful after storms. Other things you can do include fishing, going on a boat tour, or visiting the pier. There are also lots of local restaurants, resorts, and shops you can go to. Just prepare for the summer crowds if you're in town then.
Location: Lat|Lon 34.208963488921285, -77.79512237265438
Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Town Center
The Hilton Garden Inn in the Mayfaire Town Center is just 10 minutes from downtown and Wrightsville Beach. It's also about 8 miles from the airport, which is a 15-20 minute ride. It's near local shops and restaurants, or you could stay in your hotel and take advantage of the amenities they have. You can grab a bite from their restaurant, Garden Grille & Bar, take a dip in the pool, hit the gym, or just order in with room service. You can also get drinks and snacks anytime you want with their 24/7 Pavilion Pantry.
For guest rooms, they have 1 King Bedroom and 2 Queen Beds room. Their suites are:
- 1 King Bed Junior Suite with Sofabed
- 1 King Bed 1 Bedroom Suite with Sofabed
- 2 Queen Beds Junior Suite with Sofabed
Website: Hilton Garden Inn - Mayfaire Town Center
Address: 6745 Rock Spring Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405, United States
Location: Lat|Lon 34.23751340189344, -77.83269652802218
Battleship North Carolina
The World War II US Battleship North Carolina is a definite must-see when in Wilmington. The battleship-turned-museum commemorates North Carolinians who served during WWII and gives you all the fun facts you can take about this battleship.
There are a total of 9 levels to explore. You can play with the guns and feel like you're part of the crew. Or visit the mess deck, engine room, and bridge. This ship was known to be "the world's greatest sea weapon" and was the first of its kind in the 1940s. The locals themselves saved this battleship from being scrap metal. Now, it educates people on the history of the war and the veterans who died.
The ship is docked in Cape Fear River, across the Historic District. There are easy signs to follow if you're in a rental. There's also the Bizzy Bee water taxi that takes people directly to the Battleship's dock. It's a popular attraction here, so locals will know the way if you ask them.
The ship is open every day from 8:00 am to 5 pm. Ticket selling closes at 4 pm, but tours generally last about 2 hours. There's no AC inside the ship, and it's a self-guided tour, so be prepared for that. Other visitors recommend getting there early to beat the heat and the tourist rush. Tickets are $14 each.
Website: Battleship North Carolina
Address: 1 BATTLESHIP ROAD, WILMINGTON, NC 28401
Location: Lat|Lon 34.23672977562322, -77.95438113132079
Inland Greens Park & Golf Course
There are many private golf clubs in Wilmington, but if you just want to play a round of golf, the Inland Greens Golf Course is perfect for you. It's one of the two public golf courses that are near the city center. It's about 15 minutes from the historic district and 10 minutes to Wrightsville Beach. It's open from 8 am to 7 pm.
The course is a 9 hole par 3 course set within a community park. It used to be an 18 hole course, but the other 9 holes became what is now the community park. After your round of golf, you can explore the park's amenities like a walking trail, bocce courts, a playground, and many others.
You can reserve a tee time one week in advance on their website.
Website: Inland Greens Park & Golf Course
Address: 5945 Inland Greens Drive, Wilmington NC
Location: Lat|Lon 34.24895190201018, -77.85158652632656
Cameron Art Museum
Cameron Art Museum is the premier art gallery in the area with works from local and international artists. Aside from their art collection, they're dedicated to art education with public programs, classes, and workshops. It's 6 miles from the historic district and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Their operating hours are 10 am to 5 pm, with Thursday's closing at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 per person.
Their collection focuses more on works that have historical or contemporary significance. It ranges from paintings, crafts, ceramics, and even outdoor exhibits like sculptures. When you visit, you may see a whole different collection since they don't have a permanent display. They have about 6 to 8 exhibits that they rotate each year.
The museum also has an in-house café called CAM Café if you want to grab a bite after your tour.
Website: Cameron Art Museum
Address: 3201 South 17th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28412
Location: Lat|Lon 34.18416588282378, -77.91545811782926
Ibiza Nightclub
Ibiza Nightclub is right at the heart of the historic district, along with local bars, restaurants, and shops. It's also just two blocks from the Riverwalk, another popular destination in the city. The club is one of the favorites in town, and it has something for everyone. They play house music, hip hop, and music to dance to. They also host karaoke nights, drag shows, and live music. The club has two stories and is open from 9 pm to 3 am every Wednesday to Saturday.
Address: 118 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
Location: Lat|Lon 34.235328618398384, -77.94797428714234
Live at Ted's
Live at Ted's is a little different from the standard live music venues. Wilmington has many bars and outdoor venues where you can catch a show, but Live at Ted's is an experience. The place is south of downtown, right by the river, and only accommodates 62 people in the intimate setting. They open every Friday and Saturday from 8 to 10 pm, and from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday.
The place is a listening room where the music is the spotlight. The listening room hosts local and regional artists, and there's not much conversation happening. They emphasize the magic of just listening to the music and keeping conversations to a minimum to get the whole experience. They do have a bar so that you can enjoy good music with a drink or two.
If that's not your style, you can still listen to the music on their back deck that is spacious and has a stunning view of Cape Fear River.
Website: Live at Ted's
Address: 2 Castle Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401
Location: Lat|Lon 34.22770913605785, -77.94881798529268
Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Located downtown, Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts is one of the oldest theaters in the country. It has three different areas for performances; the Main Stage, the Grand Ballroom, and the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre. They host more than 500 shows per year and have film screenings too. If you decide to catch a show, you might get an international art performance, a community theater play, a movie, or something from the children's theater.
The box office is open from Monday to Friday from 2 to 5 pm.
Website: Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Address: 310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
Location: Lat|Lon 34.237302198674975, -77.94598132522705