Wilmington, NC Road Trips

The city is famous for its beaches, seafood, and historic plantations. There are also aquariums, museums, historical sites, festivals, libraries, film studios, and theatres to enjoy in this richly cultured city. As of 2020, there were about 116,000 people residing in the city, and about 300,000 residents in the metro area. The racial makeup of the city is about 70% White, 26% African American, and the remainder other races. Wilmington was the site of the only violent overthrow of a democratically-elected government in United States history. During the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, a mob of 2,000 white Democrats massacred an estimated 60 black residents, and the duly-elected city government (including several white men) installed a white supremacist government in its place despite the city's population being more than 55% African-American at the time. This was following the 1898 election in which a coalition party that promised free public education for all and equal voting rights for every African-American man in the city had secured a majority of city council seats. Wilmington sits between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. With the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, some 45-60 miles (70–95 km) offshore, Wilmington and North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach) enjoy a temperate subtropical climate year-round. Summer temperatures are usually in the 80s °F (close to 30 °C). Seasons are mild, with an average 212 sunshine days and a mean average temperature of 63.7 °F (17.6 °C).

1 Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St., ☏ +1-910-251-3700, [email protected]. M–F 9AM-5PM. Tours on the hour Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM and Sunday 1-5PM. Built for planter Dr. John D. Bellamy in 1859, the Bellamy Mansion is Wilmington's most spectacular example of antebellum architecture. Today, the mansion operates as a museum of history and design arts, and is owned by Preservation North Carolina. See exhibits on architectural history, historic preservation and design arts, and see the newly restored carriage house and gardens. Plans are being made for restoring the slave quarters. Free parking lot on Market St. side of the museum and free street parking on block surrounding the museum. Adult $12, military or senior $10, student $6. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Burgwin-Wright Museum and Gardens, 224 Market St., ☏ +1-910-762-0570, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Tours on the hour M-F with the last tour at 3:30PM. On Saturdays, tours on the half-hour, with the last tour at 3:30PM. From the house museum's own website: "Using the old jail as the foundation, the Burgwin-Wright House was built in 1770 by John Burgwin, planter, merchant, and treasurer of the colony of Carolina. In 1781, 'the most considerable house in town' was occupied by Lord Cornwallis as his headquarters shortly before his defeat and surrender at Yorktown, Virginia." Adult $12, military or student $10, youth (6-18) $6, child 5 and under free. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Cape Fear Museum of History and Science (Smithsonian Affiliate), 814 Market St., ☏ +1-910-798-4370, fax: +1-910-798-4382.

1 Jungle Rapids, 5320 Oleander Dr, ☏ +1 910 791-0666. Water park closed during off season but dry park open all year round. Hours vary and park may close due to inclement weather, so call ahead. Its main feature is the water park, but it includes an arcade, mini golf and go karts. Prices vary for admittance to the waterpark, but the best price is the 4PM-7PM $14.95 for all ages special. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd (near Wrightsville Beach), ☏ +1 910-216-9908. Airlie Gardens encompasses 67 acres of quintessential Southern gardens with 10 acres of freshwater lakes. Features include azaleas, camellias, statuary and the Historic Airlie Oak. This once privately owned garden was purchased for the public by New Hanover County in January, 1999. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Watersmyth Kayaking, 202 Laurel Dr, ☏ +1 910 443-3345. Kayaking tours and lessons. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Tour Old Wilmington, Tour meets at the end of Market on the Cape Fear River (take Market or Hwy 17 to downtown, dead ends at the Cape Fear River), ☏ +1 910 409-4300. Open year round. Tour Old Wilmington and discover hidden history and a lost time as we travel to Wilmington during the Victorian Era (1837- 1901) Learn about Wilmington’s rich and colorful history as we reveal what life was like in Wilmington during the Civil War, customs and traditions of the day, sea tales, and folklore. Call for tour times. Walking tours start at the foot of Market and Water Streets, be sure to look for the Victorian Lady! $12. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, ☏ +1 910 794-1866.

Something Wilmington is not short on is restaurants. No matter what kind of dining you are craving, it can be found. 1 Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn, 4002 Oleander Dr, ☏ +1 910 799-2919. Mainly serves burritos and other Mexican style food. Advertises its food as "hot, fast, cheap and easy" and is a local favorite. Restaurant features a psychedelic theme. They have a restaurant on Carolina Beach also. $7-10. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Plaza Mariachi, 326 South College Rd, ☏ +1 910 313-6894. Traditional Mexican. Great food, chips and drinks make it a local favorite. $5-8 lunch, $8-15 dinner. (updated Feb 2025) 3 The Bento Box, 1121 L Military Cutoff Rd, ☏ +1 910 509-0774. Delicious sushi, fresh ingredients all at reasonable price and incredible atmosphere. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Blueberry's Grill Wilmington, 1900 Eastwood Road, Suite 44, ☏ +1 910 239-9258. Open daily, 7 AM–3 PM. Grill restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, as well as brunch cocktails. (updated Sep 2025) 5 Dockside Restaurant & Marina, 1308 Airlie Rd, ☏ +1 910 256-2753, +1 910 256-5379. Open daily 11AM-until. On the water just south of the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge. Locals' favorite "place to be" for friendly Carolina service, relaxed island lifestyle. Fresh seafood, famous drinks, families love kid's menu. Live music most weekends. (updated Feb 2025) 6 Fat Tony's Italian Pub, 131 N. Front St, ☏ +1 910 343-8881. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-midnight. Combine homemade Italian food and 24 draft beers and you've got the country's latest concept: an Italian pub!

Port City Java, which was founded in this small town and has now gone global, has an excellent selection of coffee, bagels, and other varieties of café specialties. A local favorite with about a dozen locations in and near Wilmington. 1 Hell's Kitchen, 118 Princess St, ☏ +1 910 763-4133. until 2AM. Formerly a set for the TV show Dawson's Creek, which was filmed locally, Hell's Kitchen is a popular downtown destination for good times among friends. A pub-style setting and a menu of pub sandwiches, burritos and nachos. Full liquor bar available and offers a wide variety of draught and microbrew beers. Well known Wilmington nightclub "Rum Runners" merged with this establishment, bringing their signature dueling pianos show with them. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Haunted Pub Crawl, 321 N. Front Street (The Cotton Exchange), ☏ +1 910 794-1866. Pub crawl where you get to hear stories about dark events in the city's past. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Front Street Brewery, 9 North Front St, ☏ +1 910 251-1935. A great brewpub in the historic downtown district of Wilmington featuring great beer and good food. Prices are good, and they have daily $1.99 mug special of one of their delicious house beers, as well as cheap lunch specials. Live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Cape Fear Wine and Beer, 139 N Front St, ☏ +1 910 763-3377. A hybrid specialty beer and wine shop/old-world public house, CFWB offers the most impressive selection of microbrews, imports, and wines in eastern NC.

There are surprisingly few hotels in downtown Wilmington, but a large concentration of them about 5 miles to the east. 1 Sleep Inn, 5225 Market St, ☏ +1 910 313-6665, fax: +1 910 313-2679. Exercise room, free continental breakfast, high speed internet, non-smoking rooms, pool. From $66. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Suburban Extended Stay of Wilmington, 245 Eastwood Rd, ☏ +1 910 793-1920. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Wi-fi in all rooms, seasonal outdoor pool. 107 rooms. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Wilmington, NC, 4706 New Centre Dr (Across the street from Target), ☏ +1 910 398-6470. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $80. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Fairfield Inn and Suites Wilmington/ Wrightsville Beach, 307 Eastwood Rd, ☏ +1 910 791-8082, fax: +1 910 791-8089. Hotel is near UNCW campus, Wilmington Airport, Wrightsville Beach, and historic downtown Wilmington. Amenities include microwave, mini-refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet access, indoor pool, fitness center, and 24 hour business center. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Hilton Garden Inn Wilmington Mayfaire, 6745 Rock Spring Rd (in Mayfaire Town Center), ☏ +1 910-509-4046. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $99. (updated Feb 2025) 6 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 160 Van Campen Blvd, ☏ +1 910 392-3227, fax: +1 910 395-9907, [email protected]. Free breakfast bar featuring cinnamon rolls, pancakes, and other hot and cold items. 24-hour fitness center, seasonal outdoor pool, outdoor charcoal grills.

& From Charlotte, or the south via I-95 N, take US 74 E (exit 14 in North Carolina from I-95). It will take you about an 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Wilmington from the junction of I-95 and US 74. If taking this route, fill up your gasoline tank before merging onto US 74 E, because stops are few and far between until arriving in Wilmington. US 74 (running concurrent with US 17 and US 76 at this point) crosses the Cape Fear River Bridge into Wilmington just south of the Historic District. & From Raleigh, the north via I-95 S, or the west, take I-40 E. It will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Wilmington from the junction of I-95 and I-40. You should be aware that stops between I-95 and Wilmington are infrequent, although there is a rest area near Warsaw, at the exit for NC 24. The interstate ends at US 117 in Wilmington. 1 Wilmington International Airport (ILM IATA), 1740 Airport Blvd (to the northwest of downtown). Most major American carriers or their subsidiaries fly to Wilmington. As of early 2025, there are flights from major airports in the eastern U.S., plus Dallas, but despite the airport's name there are no international services. Your options for getting into town are rental car, taxi and the Ride Micro minibus service which is something between a bus and a taxi. The larger airports in Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte have flights from elsewhere in the Americas and Europe. Bus service to Wilmington is via Carolina Trailways, a subsidiary of Greyhound.

Wilmington is very much a driving town. Below are some alternatives to driving, but the boating and biking mentioned are mostly recreational activities, not the best way between points A and B. If you're arriving in Wilmington without a car, you will need to rent one, use cabs for the duration of your stay (which must be called ahead of time), or rely on the inadequate and infrequent coverage of the local bus network. The NCDOT Cape Fear Run Bicycling Highway 5 connects Apex to Wilmington and closely parallels the RUSA 370 mi (600 km) brevet (long distance bike) route. The 300 mi (480 km) Ports of Call Bicycling Highway 3 connects Wilmington to Bath, Edenton, New Bern and Southport. The River to Sea Bikeway (signed route 1) runs for 10 miles from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach along local streets and off-road paths. The Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization provides maps of local bicycle facilities and routes. The Gary Shell Cross City Trail runs from Wrightsville Beach, through multiple city parks, ending 15 mi (24 km) later at E.L Wade Park. There are two water taxi services that connect to local attractions: Wilmington Water Taxi. Connects downtown to Battleship North Carolina. (updated Mar 2025) Masonboro Water Taxi. Connects Wrightsville Beach to the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve at Masonboro Island. (updated Mar 2025) Many area attractions, including downtown Wilmington, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach are accessible by boat via the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Due to several low-income neighborhoods located near the Front Street nightlife district and the fact that the nightlife attracts a hefty group of college students and US military personnel from nearby Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base, Wilmington does have a slightly higher crime rate than would be expected from a city of its size. When walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods/areas (particularly at night), exercise the standard level of awareness and caution and try to travel in groups. During late weekend nights, alcohol-fueled fights on Front Street are not unheard of. Typically this occurs around the time bars begin closing at 2:30-3:30AM The police are typically on top of disturbances, however, and such fights serve more as a public nuisance than a threat to safety. The Front Street riverfront nightlife district typically has a considerable mounted police presence on busy nights able to handle any disruptions. There are several neighborhoods that have reputations as crime spots, but these areas offer nothing of interest to the visitor and are best avoided altogether. Do not mistakenly, particularly at night, wander into low-income neighborhoods that border the riverfront/Front Street district. Violent crime has been known to happen in these areas. Always be aware of your surroundings. Front Street is quite a busy area; if you find yourself suddenly in an area lacking in pedestrian traffic, there is probable a reason for it so immediately turn around. A real-time map of reported crimes in Wilmington is available.