If you are wondering “where is the Cargo District in Wilmington, NC?”, then you are looking for the trendy neighborhood less than 10 minutes away from downtown Wilmington with a unique food hall, eclectic shops, and vibey bars.
The Cargo District can be a perfect addition to your Wilmington itinerary, or if you have a free afternoon, to explore the diverse neighborhood designed out of shipping containers.
Cargo District Basics
Where is the Cargo District in Wilmington, NC?
The Cargo District is technically separated into 3 different clusters of areas along Castle, 16th, and 17th streets. Listed below are the different clusters and where they are located:
- Cargo West: Located between 15th and 16th streets, and encompasses the food court, shops, and the Alcove Beer Garden.
- Cargo Central: From 16th Street over, you have Cargo Central. This is where you will find the courtyard with The Alley, Salita Pizza, The Starling, and other shops centered around the open area.
- Cargo East: Further away, located between Wrightsville Avenue and Kent Street, hosting the popular burger joint Mess Hall, Fred and Mary’s thrift store, and the Rift.
- No Man’s Land: There are a few other stops in the Cargo District that are somewhat off to themselves, but are worth the visit. Check out the following stops for their location:
- Bookworm Pottery
- Located within the DesignWorx building along 16th Street.
- End of Days Distillery
- Off Castle Street.
- An award-winning distillery with a new rotating culinary experience
- The Fuzzy Needle & Folkstone Slow Bar
- Along 17th Street closer to Wooster.
- Bookworm Pottery
Getting to and Around the Cargo District
Even though the Cargo District is not far from downtown, you will need a car to reach this destination. Once you have arrived, parking is free, and you can walk around Cargo East and Central, but you may want to consider driving over to Cargo West as it is not conducive to pedestrians.
Note: Even though the Cargo District is walkable, the streets around are VERY busy. The is a major downfall of the area as it is a safety risk. Please be sure to practice extra caution when crossing the busy streets.
Cargo District in Wilmington Guide
What I love about the Cargo District is that the abstractness brings in so many unique businesses that are willing to stand out and try new ventures. Because of this, there are so many fun things to do and check out while visiting. Listed below are some of my favorite things to do in the Cargo District in Wilmington, NC.
Cargo District Bars
- A super fun whiskey and wine bar also offering specialty cocktails. There is typically live music on the weekends and the option to order from the catering company next door, Salt and Charm.
- The Alcove is a beer hall that connects to Beat Street, which is a mix of Mexican street food and casual American cuisine, such as smash burgers.
- A fun option if you are looking for a bar that also provides an experience. Cargocade has a wide range of arcade and nostalgic games for you to choose from.
Alley Coffee and Bar
- An open-air bar in the middle of the Cargo District’s courtyard. This is perfect if you want to chill out and meander around the different shops or enjoy a drink while also indulging in Salita’s delicious pizza.
- A cool beer and wine store located in a renovated service shop. Fermental always has fun events going on, so make sure to check their website for what is upcoming.
- A little bit of a walk from the other Cargo District happenings (but so worth it), End of Days is a distillery that specializes in vodka, rum, gin, and tequila. The craft cocktails are amazing, and you can take a tour of the distillery while visiting!
- End of Day also recently opened the Concept Kitchen Co, which they call it a “platform for culinary innovation”. Chefs and food innovators can utilize the space on a weekly basis, where patrons at End of Days can indulge in a unique culinary experience.
Shops
- Unique gift shop featuring quality products that are either local or fair trade.
- The crafted Outpost is not only a shop, but also an experience for individuals who enjoy crafting and handmade goods. Vendors at the Crafted Outpost are carefully selected vendors who produce, quality, and unique products.
- One of my favorite antique shops in Wilmington! A beautiful selection of curated goods is located in a cute little historic mill house that, in my opinion, adds to the vibe of antique shopping.
- Boutique store with a coastal vibe offering women’s, men’s, and kids’ clothing and home decor. This is such a cute store!
- If you a craving a little extra oxygen in your breath, Plant Outpost provides that. You are fully immersed in greenery as soon as you walk in the door.
Cargo District Restaurants
Food Court
From sushi to empanadas to cupcakes, you can find a wide range of food options in the Cargo District food court in Wilmington, NC. Because this is still a new concept, there are constantly new restaurants opening. I would check the Cargo District’s map of food options for a comprehensive list.
Other Restaurants
A couple of other restaurants worth mentioning that are not a part of the food hall include:
- If you are familiar with the James Beard finalist restaurant in downtown Wilmington, Seabird, then you will be stoked on this option. Salita Pizza is run by Seabird’s pastry chef and has delicious wood-fired pizza and various infused soft serve options. This is a great spot if you want to grab a drink in the courtyard at the Alley Coffee and Bar and enjoy some delicious food.
- If being on the Food Network show, “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” doesn’t impress you, then you will have to try Cheese Smith for yourself! They offer variations of delicious grilled cheeses that will satisfy anyone’s taste buds..
Experiences
Last on my list, and certainly not least, is Bookworm Pottery. My husband and I decided to have a date night pottery class, and it was so much fun! Check out their event schedule for upcoming classes and shop the featured pottery.
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