Fun Things to Do When You Live in Wilmington

1. Go for a dinner cruise – our riverboats will take you on moonlight or sunset cruises up and down the Cape Fear River. These cruises are narrated or you can dance the night away
2. Visit the Cape Fear Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Bellamy Mansion Museum, St. Johns Museum of Art or the Wilmington’s Children’s Museum where you can let your imagination run wild or just discover the wealth of history in your new community
3. Walk through the grounds of a lovely plantation with its magnificent trees and its thousands of azaleas at Orton Plantation or take a trip back to the 1800s at Poplar Grove Plantation where you can attend such events as the Medieval Times Festival..
4. Take a tour of Screen Gems Studios and see why they call us ‘Wilmywood”- you may even see one of the stars
5. Take the kids to Jungle Rapids, our most popular waterpark
6. Take a walk under the cypress trees at Greenfield Lake and Gardens or attend an outdoor play in its amphitheater
7. Visit the Links at any of our numerous golf courses and country clubs designed for the novice or experienced golfer
8. Celebrate and experience community tradition at the Azalea Festival which is one of the state?s largest festivals
9. Dart down to the waterfront for the Floating Holiday Parade at our many beaches each year
10. Attend a college sporting event such as the UNCW Seahawks basketball game
11. Catch a Broadway show at popular Thalian Hall Performing Arts Center- There’s nothing like it
12. Step back in history by visiting our WWII Battleship on the riverfront
13. Get spooked by taking our mystery and ghost tours – learn about the legends of Wilmington
14. Hook that big fish at any one of our fishing tournaments
15. Go Shaggin at the Carolina Beach Music Festival
16. Experience all the excitement of baseball and watch the Wilmington Sharks play ball
17. Ride a roller coaster at Jubilee Amusement Park
18. Enjoy a bowl of chili in October at our Chili Cook-off held each year in McCrae Park
19. Take a trolley tour or carriage ride of the area and enjoy the beautiful sites
20. Build a sand castle at the beach – best yet this one is FREE
21. Visit the aquarium at Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher Museum
22. Eat at any of our fine restaurants and bistros where you can sample fresh seafood, unique regional culinary delights and much more including ocean front dining
23. Relax in splendor at one of our many Bed and Breakfasts located throughout the area
24. Visit our Library and relax with a cup of cappuccino from Port City Java.
25. Animal lovers can visit the 5 acre, forest-like environment at Tote-em-In Zoo – Fun for the whole family.

Downtown is perhaps the core of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach’s charm. In the thriving residential and business district, homes dating from the Revolutionary era are immaculately restored as private residences and museums. Retail shops and restaurants, art galleries and law offices populate the waterfront from Chandler’s Wharf to the Cotton Exchange and east to Fifth Avenue.

Places to Go and Things to do!

Arboretum
A teaching and learning facility focusing on plant life adapted to southeastern North Carolina. Includes landscaping and coastal plants. 452-6396.

Battleship North Carolina
The USS North Carolina participated in every major naval operation in the Pacific. 350-1817.

Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts
This antebellum home offers tours and exhibitions focusing on architecture and history. 251-3700.

Bellamy Mansion Museum

Brunswick Town State Historic Site
Excavated ruins of a colonial port town founded in 1726 and burned by the British in 1776, this state historic site includes a visitors center with exhibits about life in a colonial town and artifacts gathered from its ruins. 371-6613.

Burgwin-Wright House
Built in 1770 over an abandoned city jail, this house is the oldest restoration in Wilmington. 762-0570.

Cape Fear Museum
The largest history museum in eastern North Carolina celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998. The museum features exhibits that explore the history and natural history of the Cape Fear region. 341-7413.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River was the last Confederate stronghold to fall to the North. All that remains are its earthworks, the largest in existence. There is an excellent museum on site, as well as occasional re-enactments.458-5538.

Greenfield Lake and Gardens
A cypress “Swamp” surrounded by nearly five miles of walking paths and bridges, is on the of most beautiful sites in the area.

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Features a large observation tank filled with fish native to the area’s coastal waters (including sharks and huge sea turtles), a discovery room and touch tank for the kids, and plenty of outdoor adventures. 459-8257.

Poplar Grove Plantation
Restored 1850 Greek Revival Manor house takes a look back at plantation life during the late 1800s. 686-4868.

St. John’s Museum of Art
Features a permanent collection covering three centuries of North Carolina’s art, as well as traveling exhibits and the works of local artists. 763-0281. Wilmington Railroad Museum Pays tribute to the railroad industry, which includes a restored steam locomotive and an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts. 763-2634.