Wilmington is located on the NC Coast in New Hanover County. US 17 runs right through the city. Its an old town so there’s lots of historic landmarks here to visit. Beaches are located southeast of the city and are less than a half hour drive away. You can take a sightseeing cruise. Be sure to see the USS battleship North Carolina, the Cape Fear Museum and the Cotton Exchange which is now Boutique shops.

Wilmington  is a deep-water port city situated on the banks of the Cape Fear river. The city is rich in history with lots of historic buildings to explore. It is a beautiful destination for a wedding, honeymoon or romantic getaway. Many TV programs and movies have been filmed here. The USS battleship North Carolina is docked here. The closest beaches are: Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Ft. Fisher on Pleasure Island, Wrightsville Beach on Shell Island and Masonboro Island.

You can get to Wilmington via I-40. From Raleigh its a 2 and a half hour drive.

Historic downtown Wilmington has lots of things to do and see. You can visit art galleries, museums, stroll the Riverwalk or tour historic homes. You can take a dinner cruise. Tour the USS Battleship North Carolina. Walk through one of Wilmington's beautiful gardens. The Railroad Museum is worth noting it is located at the Coastline Center. The museum features memorabilia and artifacts from our railroad era of American history. You can sun and swim at one of the area beaches. Charter a boat. Sports fishermen can enjoy the best fishing on the North Carolina coast. Golfers can choose from over 90 golf courses that are in the area.

 

The Wilmington Railroad museum is on the Cape Fear river in the Atlantic Coastline Warehouse. the museum details the importance of the railroad in the region in the 1800’s. Its pretty interesting especially if you like history. The railroad from Wilmington was the lifeline of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. If you need to find a hotel in the city, see Wilmington NC Hotels.

Orton Plantation and Gardens is an 18th century rice plantation. It is located off NC 133 between Wilmington and Southport. It is a private home but the gardens and grounds are open to the public. There is an admission fee. The gardens are at their peak in mid-spring when the azaleas are in bloom.

Airlie Gardens is located in Wilmington on the NC Coast. There are 67 acres here of beautiful flowers and plants. You’ll find live oaks with Spanish moss draped over them, freshwater lakes, dogwoods, azaleas, wisteria and more. Its best to come in the spring when everything is blooming. 

 

List of Tourist Attractions in Area

• Bellamy Mansion - plantation home
• Poplar Grove Historic Plantation
• USS North Carolina Battleship
• Historic District (riverfront shopping, dining)
• UNCW
• North Carolina Aquarium
• Cape Fear Museum
• Henrietta Riverboat
• Independence Mall
• Corning Company
• General Electric Company
• Dupont
• Riverwalk
• Annual Azalea Festival
• Wrightsville & Carolina Beaches

A list of Wilmington North Carolina attractions are also listed in the Hotel Info of each hotel.

Wilmington North Carolina Hotels

for more information see North Carolina travel and tourism

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