Chelsey & Michael
Things To Do
Cameron Art Museum
Originally founded in 1962 in downtown Wilmington, the museum eventually outgrew its space and moved to its current site, which also has an arts education center and room for outdoor exhibits. In addition to its numerous galleries and exhibition spaces, the campus has several lovely nature trails for you to explore, which take you past some superb sculptures. The main attraction, however, is its art collection that includes everything from photo displays and contemporary clay models by locals to fine paintings, drawings, and designs by international artists.
Wrightsville Beach
One of the most popular and picturesque places to visit in Wilmington, wind-swept Wrightsville Beach lies just ten minutes’ drive from the city center. Home to two prominent piers, its soft sands are ideal for sunbathing, and some superb swimming and surfing can be had offshore. While the beautiful beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind, its strip of sand is also lined by shops and restaurants, with an amusing arcade found along its public pier. From here, you can bask in breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy a spot of fishing, or arrange to go on a boat tour along the North Carolina coastline. Due to its serene scenery, warm waters, and proximity to Wilmington, the beach can get quite crowded in the sunny summer months. If it appears familiar to you, it may be because it was the filming location for the popular American teen drama series, Dawson’s Creek.
Wilmington Riverwalk
Meandering along the scenic shores of the Cape Fear River is the beautiful Wilmington’s Riverwalk. Finally completed in 2017 after decades of work, it’s now one of the most pleasant and picturesque places to visit in the city and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. Bordered by brilliant bars and restaurants, the boardwalk stretches almost three kilometers, with fantastic views wherever you go. In addition to its numerous terraces and outdoor eating areas, it takes you past some gorgeous parks, with the Port City Marina also lying along the route. With a lovely, lively yet laidback ambience in the evenings, no visit to Wilmington can ever be complete without ambling along the Riverwalk. From here, you can take a water taxi to one of the city’s main sights, the Battleship North Carolina.
Battleship North Carolina
Docked just across the river from the Historic District and Wilmington’s Riverwalk is the hulking great Battleship North Carolina. The fastest and first battleship of its kind built in the 1940s, the majestic mega-ship is fascinating to explore due to its staggering size and scale. Decommissioned in 1947 after having spent years patrolling the Pacific and fighting naval battles in World War II, it has since become one of Wilmington’s top attractions. As well as taking a tour of its endless decks, guns, and rooms, visitors can learn all about the battleship’s history and the operations it took part in through informative exhibits and displays.
Oceanic
Bar/Restaurant