From My View: Adventuring in Wilmington, NC
Hey friends, I’ve been doing some exploring around North Carolina lately and wanted to share with y’all about a really cool town I visited – Wilmington!
Now I know NC is probably best known for the Research Triangle area with Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. But Wilmington is definitely worth a stop if you find yourself down in the southeastern part of the state.
A little background – Wilmington has a population of around 120,000 and is located right on the Cape Fear River, not too far from the coast. The historic district is just beautiful, with its tree-lined streets and loads of antebellum homes and buildings preserved from the late 18th and 19th century.
It really takes you back in time wandering around there! You’ll feel like you stepped into the pages of a Southern novel.
A lot of folks know Wilmington as a filming location because so many movies and TV shows have been shot there over the years. They call it “Hollywood East” and it’s easy to see why when you take in the gorgeous scenery. I definitely spotted some locations I recognized from shows like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill just wandering around. It must be pretty cool to bump into celebrities while they’re working too!
Sidebar: If you’re looking for some awesome info on what to do and where to go in Wilmington NC check out this great website all about the city – https://www.thewilmingtonindex.com/
The city has really embraced its status as a film destination. There’s even a Filming Wilmington website where you can take self-guided walking and driving tours of different filming locations.
I loved learning about how different scenes came together right there on the streets. They also have special events, exhibits at the library and more celebrating the movie magic that’s been made in Wilmington. It’s a fun way to see the town if you’re a film buff.
Of course, no visit to Wilmington is complete without checking out the Cape Fear River. Such a beautiful natural feature to have running through the middle of the city. On nice days, you’ll see lots of folks out enjoying the water – kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing boats and more.
The riverwalk is a gorgeous place to stroll along the shore too. Be sure to stop by the USS North Carolina battleship while you’re down there. Even if you’re not big on military history, it’s impressive just to walk around such a massive ship.
The historic district is also packed with charming shops, galleries, restaurants and bars.
I spent a really enjoyable afternoon browsing the boutiques and admiring the architectural details in that part of town. We stopped for lunch at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar – yes, you read that right!
They serve unique dishes that combine sushi and burgers, which was definitely an experience. Personally, I loved their truffle parmesan fries and kimchi tots. Delish!
There’s a lot of lovely parks too, like the 50-acre Airlie Gardens which has themed gardens, trails and an arboretum. It was so peaceful wandering around there taking in the scenery. Apparently the camellias were just starting to bloom when I visited too, which is prime time to check them out. You can easily spend a whole day exploring all the greenery Wilmington has to offer.
All in all, Wilmington is a really charming coastal city in North Carolina with tons of Southern charm, history and natural beauty.
The film influence gives it a unique cultural flair as well. It was the perfect long weekend getaway for me but I could totally see myself returning again for even more exploring. Let me know if y’all ever find your way down there – I’d love to hear what you think! Until next time, happy travels friends.
I’ve been thinking back on my visit and some other things I enjoyed exploring there.
The downtown riverfront area is another really cool spot. Right along the water you’ll find the Wilmington Children’s Museum, which was a blast even for this big kid.
I spent hours checking out the exhibits on science, art and more. They also have a rooftop playground with amazing views of the Cape Fear River – perfect for letting the little ones burn off some energy.
Speaking of views, you can’t miss taking the bridge across to Wrightsville Beach while you’re in Wilmington. The beach itself is beautiful with its wide, soft white sand stretching for miles. But the views driving over are what really took my breath away.
Crystal blue water as far as the eye can see with sailboats dotting the horizon. On a clear day it almost looks like you’re flying over the ocean! Wrightsville is great if you want to spend a day soaking up some sun too.
Also check out this detailed guide to the Port City.
Back in the city, I highly recommend checking out one of the many outdoor concert series they have in the summer. Wilmington really supports the local music scene. I caught a show at the downtown riverfront amphitheater and it was such a fun, laidback vibe.
Bring a picnic blanket and some beers to enjoy while grooving to the bands. They usually have different genres each night so there’s something for everyone.
History buffs will love the Bellamy Mansion too. It’s considered one of the finest examples of Italianate architecture in the country.
The grounds are just as beautiful as the home itself. Definitely check it out if you want to learn more about the families who helped shape Wilmington in the 1800s. Bonus – their ghost tours are super popular for a reason!
I hope these extra tips give you even more reasons to add Wilmington, NC to your travel list. It really is a special little city full of charm, culture and natural beauty. Let me know if any other questions come up – I’d be happy to share more of my Southern adventures there!
I could talk about Wilmington all day! I’m glad y’all are enjoying hearing more about my time exploring there. Let me see if I’ve got any other fun facts or recommendations to share…
Have you checked out the Wilmington Riverwalk yet? It stretches for over 3 miles along the Cape Fear River downtown and is just lovely for an afternoon stroll.
Make sure to stop in at the Riverwalk Marina too – they’ve got boat and kayak rentals if you want to get out on the water. And don’t miss the public art installations dotted along the way, like the giant whale tail and sea turtles. Real cute stuff!
Now food is real important down in the South, and Wilmington’s restaurant scene did not disappoint this gal. If you find yourself craving BBQ, Wilco BBQ is a local favorite known for their tender pulled pork sandwiches. Zoës Kitchen is great for Mediterranean fare – I loved their shawarma plates.
And for a splurge, Circa 1922 is a fancy Prohibition-era speakeasy with incredible cocktails and upscale Southern dishes. Might have to save room for dessert at Sweet n Savory Cafe too – their banana pudding is to die for!
Another nifty local event that happens every year in Wilmington is the Azalea Festival.
Oh, and no trip to Wilmington is complete without catching a show at the historic Thalian Hall downtown. It’s a beautiful old theater building that hosts all kinds of performances like plays, concerts, comedy shows and more. The architecture is a sight to behold too. They even offer backstage tours sometimes so you can learn about the rich history of entertainers who’ve graced that stage.
Whew, I’m tuckered out just thinking about everything Wilmington has to offer! I hope these additional recommendations have you itching to book your own trip down. Let me know if you need any other tips once you start planning – I’d be happy to help. Safe travels and y’all come back now, ya hear?
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