Wilmington, NC: Reasons to Fall In Love with this Quaint Coastal Town

There are so many reasons to visit Wilmington, NC for a weekend getaway. From the coastal charm to the trendy neighborhoods, this area truly offers a wide range of options for vacationers or day-trippers. As a Wilmington local, I’m sharing all of my favorite attractions and places I love in the area.

Whether you prefer the beach or historic downtown, Wilmington is a great place to visit any time of the year. However, if you are not a beach person, visiting in the Fall and Spring is best to avoid the hot humid days. If you wish to visit one of the many beaches close by, then summertime is great to soak up the sun and enjoy the serenity of the ocean. Planning your visit truly depends on how you want to explore Wilmington.

Wilmington Beaches

Having so many beaches within an hour of Wilmington is a huge bonus! Whether you wish to enjoy water activities such as paddle boarding, surfing, boating, kayaking, or just relaxing on the beach, the world is your oyster. I’ve included a breakdown of the various beaches below.

Wrightsville

Wrightsville is a popular option with beautiful blue waters and coastal vibes. If you are traveling in the summer, I must warn you that the traffic and parking situation is rough. I would arrive at the beach by 7 am to ensure a spot. If you’re not a morning person, your next best option is to park at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church (excluding Wednesdays and Sundays) or Wrightsville Beach Park and walk over to the beach. Cost is $6 per hour or $30 per day. If you decide to park at the park, then your first 2 hours are free.

Topsail

40 miles (1 hour and 7 minutes) from downtown. This option is gaining popularity among locals due to the challenging parking situation on Wrightsville Beach. Hourly parking costs $5 per hour and $25 for the day. Even though Topsail isn’t as crowded as Wrightsville, come early and be prepared to search for parking in the summer months.

Pleasure Island Beaches

Carolina Beach

Carolina is 15 miles (28 minutes) from downtown. This beach offers more accessible parking options, but be wary of the privately owned lots as they charge upwards of $12 per hour. Carolina Beach is known for being a more family-friendly option with amusement rides and fireworks every Thursday. Hourly parking is $6 and is $25 per day. The charming boardwalk takes you back in time with its restaurants, surf shops, and coffee shops. Don’t miss out on the famous Britts doughnuts!

Kure Beach

Kure Beach is a smaller beach town located 18 miles (35 minutes) from downtown. Parking is $5 per hour and $20 per day. There are a few restaurants, but the main attraction (rightfully so) is the beach. Additionally, there is also a fishing pier with a small boardwalk. This is the only pier you can fish off of on Pleasure Island.

Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher is 20 miles (38 minutes) from downtown. This area is ideal for beach lovers who prefer nature-focused scenery. A big plus of this area is that parking is FREE. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, then you can drive on the beach for $25 on weekends and $15 during the weekday. Even if you decide to go to Carolina or Kure instead, I would still opt to drive around Fort Fisher. The history of this area dates back to the Civil War. Driving into Fort Fisher is so picturesque with trees canopying over the road and the ocean on the other side. Other attractions around Fort Fisher are the battlefield and the aquarium.

Wilmington’s Riverwalk and Historic Downtown

Downtown Wilmington is such a gem to North Carolina. Dating back to the colonial era, Wilmington was a major city due to its proximity to the Cape Fear River. You will see remnants of this history while exploring downtown and beyond. This quaint town reminds me of a much smaller and low-key version of Charleston. Whether you want a family vacation or a romantic getaway, this post will give you several reasons to visit the area.

Transportation and Parking

Parking

Parking downtown can be chaotic during the weekends, but I have never had an issue not finding a spot. I tend to opt for the parking deck located on Market Street because the first 30 minutes are free. After that, the fee is $1 per hour. Parking on the street is also free after 6:30.

Transportation

The downtown area of Wilmington is very walkable, and there is also public transportation called WAVE Transit that provides bus and trolley services around Wilmington. You can view the trolley stops by clicking here. If you do not have a car but wish to explore Wilmington and the surrounding area, then Uber or renting a car may be a good option.

Things To Do in Downtown Wilmington

Stroll the Riverwalk

Walk along the boardwalk that follows the Cape Fear River and enjoy the historic houses and buildings along the waterfront. The entire riverwalk is 1.75 miles and provides views of passing boats and the USS Battleship.

North Carolina Battleship

For history enthusiasts, I suggest visiting the battleship. In 1941 the ship was commissioned and played a role in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during WWII. Admission costs $14 for adults and $6 for children (ages 6-11), there are discounts for seniors and military. Guided tours are available with a reservation at various price points. You can see guided tour options here.

Admire the Historic Houses

• Bellamy Mansion
  • The Bellamys were a prominent Wilmington family where John Bellamy evolved from a family physician to a successful merchant. This 22-room mansion has a mixture of Greek and Italian styles with methodical architecture dependent on the sunlight throughout the day.
  • Self-guided tours are available Monday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm with $15 admission. In-person tours are available at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm upon availability for $20.
• Burgwin-Wright
  • The only colonial-era house open to the public. This house is unique as it was built in 1770 on top of the first city jail from 1744.
  • Admission is $15 for adults (ages 18-64) and $7 for children (ages 6-17) with military and senior discounts. Guided tours are available every hour.
• Latimer House
  • The Latimer family gained their wealth through various business ventures in gas, electricity, and the railroad. This Italian revival house was built in the 1870s.
  • Tours are available by reserving online and admission is $15 for adults (ages 18-64) and $7 for children (ages 6-17).
• Other Historic Houses
  • Get lost and wander the streets! The best way to admire the historic architecture is to get off the beaten path. While walking around downtown, you will stumble upon some charming houses!

Wilmington History and Museums

• Ghost Tour
  • My husband and I did this tour in October and it was so interesting. You also get a chance to learn about the history behind some of the haunted buildings and areas in Wilmington which is captivating.
• Wilmington True History Tours
  • There are several different tour options dependent on what you want to learn about in Wilmington. Below are some of their tour offerings.
    • History Walk
    • Dark History
    • Civil War History
    • Oakdale Cemetery
• Tours on the Cape Fear River
  • A great way to learn about the history of Wilmington is by cruising on the Cape Fear. The river itself is such an integral part of Wilmington’s history, that it is very fitting to take one of these tours. There are two options below that cater to various interests.
    • Wilmington Water Tours
    • Cape Fear Riverboats
• Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
  • This is a great option for visitors wanting to learn more about Wilmington or escape the heat and potential rain! Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Exhibits include Cape Fear history, Michael Jordan exhibit, space, and the giant sloth. Several other exhibits rotate throughout the year, so I would check the schedule before visiting!
• Cameron Art Museum
  • This is another great option if an art museum piques your interest or if you want an indoor activity. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 13-17, and free for kids 12 and under. Several different guided tour options are available at an additional cost and require a reservation online.

Shopping

Local shops

There are several options to do some shopping while in the area. I truly believe in shopping locally when possible and in Wilmington there are several options for this! Broken down below are some great options to peruse while you are visiting.

• Cotton Exchange
  • While downtown, this is a great place to shop with all of the stores under one building. Before it was turned into a shopping complex, the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington was the largest exporter of cotton on the East Coast until 1950. This historical building has 20 unique shops and restaurants where you can find the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip!
• City Market
  • Similar to the Cotton Exchange, the City Market also offers a unique shopping experience while downtown. This building was initially a Farmers Market for 40 years until it turned into the shopping center it is today. Make sure to stop in to explore the various shops, restaurants, and art galleries within this building.
• Cargo District
  • If you are looking for unique gifts and eccletic shops, then the Cargo District is the best option for you.
• Lumina Station
  • Closer to Wrightsville Beach, this shopping center offers a more upscale experience with boutiques, interior design, and beauty stores.

Wilmington Neighborhoods

Wilmington has several different neighborhoods that offer an experience completely different from each other. All are within 10 minutes of downtown and allow you to explore areas that typical tourists may not visit. Listed below are the main neighborhoods with their unique attributes!

Cargo District

As mentioned in the previous section, only 2 miles from downtown, the Cargo District offers a shopping and dining experience unlike anywhere else. Developers of this area took old shipping containers and organized them into a trendy environment that houses local shops, restaurants, and bars. This is a must-see while in Wilmington if you are looking for an eclectic experience. When in the area, make sure to visit their website and social media to stay informed on events during your stay. There is always something going on so it’s hard to keep up with all the happenings!

SodaPop

The Sodapop district is a small area that revitalized an old Coca-Cola bottling plant with restaurants, bars, and an amazing ice cream shop.

South Front

This is another small area that has been revamped with trendy shops and restaurants. If you are in the area during the second Sunday of the month, Satellite Bar and Lounge has a great market that I enjoy. Another stop in the area is the Art Works, an art gallery and studio space open to visitors to check out artists’ work

Brooklyn Arts District

Within walking distance from downtown, the Brooklyn Arts District is an up-and-coming neighborhood with shops, bars, and a pottery studio. This area holds a special place in my heart as my husband and I got married at the Brooklyn Arts Center. This is a great spot to get drinks or a quick bite if you are going to a concert at the Live Oak Pavilion because of how close it is to the venue!

Parks and Gardens

There are some amazing options for parks and gardens in the area.

Gardens

• Airlie Gardens
  • Airlie Gardens is a must when visiting Wilmington. Close to Wrightsville Beach, the gardens are home to 67 acres of blooming flowers, live oaks, and walking trails. Admission is $10 for non-New Hanover adults, $5 for New Hanover Residents, and $3 for children. Admission is free to New Hanover residents on the first Sunday of each month. There is also a tram option to get around the gardens for accessibility.
• Aboretum
  • Another great option if you don’t have the time to spend at Airlie is the Aboretum. One big plus of this garden is that it is FREE. With 7 acres containing 33 gardens of Native coastal Carolina species, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the time spent in this area.
• Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden
  • A fun fact about Eastern North Carolina is that Venus fly traps only occur naturally within a 75-mile radius of Wilmington, NC. The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden will give you a close up experience with these cool plants!

Parks

I could write a whole post about all of the parks in the Wilmington area because there as SO many options. For the sake of this article, I will only highlight a few that are accommodating to several different tourists.

• Greenfield Lake
  • This park will be listed twice as it is both a park and a concert venue! Greenfield Lake is very picturesque and is historic to the town of Wilmington. With a 3.9-mile-long trail that loops the perimeter of the lake, you will get a true low-country feel with the cypress trees and Spanish moss. The park also offers paddle boats, but watch out as the lake is home to alligators. Paddle at your own risk!
• Long Leaf Park
  • Long Leaf Park offers a 1.5-mile trail, picnic shelters, a garden area, baseball fields, tennis courts, an exercise station, an off-leash dog park, a splash pad, and a playground. Situated in central Wilmington, this is a great place to stretch your legs or enjoy some time outside with family. This park has a beautiful landscape and is situated around the huge long leaf pines, hence the name.
• Empie Park
  • Empie Park is great for anyone who enjoys outdoor sports. Within the park, there is a tennis complex, paved running or biking path, playground, baseball and softball fields, dog park, basketball court, shuffleboard, bocce ball, and horseshoe pits. This park truly offers so much for people of all ages.

Live Music

• Live Oak Pavilion
  • This is the largest music venue in Wilmington that brings in notable guests. Live Oak is located downtown right on the Riverwalk. This venue is very cool as boats come in from the Cape Fear to listen to the music. Click the link above to see the performance schedule!
• Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
  • Another great option is the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Less than 10 minutes from downtown, this venue is very picturesque as the venue is set among cypress trees with Spanish moss. Greenfield Lake is super vibey and adds to the concert experience. Click the link above to see the performance schedule!
• Downtown
  • While walking around downtown in the evening, the streets will be very lively with music from several different bars and restaurants. If you are more interested in the local musicians that you do not have to pay for admission, then I suggest going downtown. Check this website for more happenings around town that could help with your live music choice.

THANK YOU

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article by Squeeze with Louise. I’m very passionate about sharing my travel tips and recommendations with you. I would love to know your thoughts on how I can enhance my blog. Please feel free to comment below with any questions regarding this itinerary or general questions about Squeeze with Louise.