It’s pretty much impossible not to love Wilmington, North Carolina. From the miles of sandy beaches to the east and the beautiful Cape Fear River to the west, Wilmington offers endless natural beauty to enjoy all year long. And if it’s history you’re after, you’ll find that in spades too!
Perched right on the river, Wilmington’s Historic District is lined with beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings that have been repurposed as charming inns, buzzing craft breweries, and cool boutique shops. Explore the area, and you’ll come across some of the top Wilmington attractions, including the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens and the Bellamy Mansion Museum.
For even more history, be sure to tour the massive USS North Carolina Battleship and the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the location of one of the most important battles of the Civil War. After that, enjoy some fun in the sun at Kure, Carolina, or Wrightsville beaches. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, rent a kayak and paddle out to Zeke’s Island.
And when it comes to just unwinding with dinner and drinks, you’ll love sampling downtown’s excellent bar and restaurant scene. Sip sunset cocktails at the riverfront Cloud9 rooftop bar before savoring a sea-to-table dinner at Catch or grabbing a burger and beer at Front Street Brewing.
With so many things to see, do, and eat, you might not know where to begin. So we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Wilmington, NC, for you. Stick to these fun and unique Wilmington bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this picture-perfect North Carolina town!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).
15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Wilmington, NC
1. Take in Cape Fear River Views Along the Riverwalk
The Wilmington Riverwalk is a 1.75-mile wooden pathway that is flanked by the Cape Fear River and the city’s Historic District. The Riverwalk is not only a lovely place for a stroll or jog, but it’ll give you the chance to check out many of the top Wilmington, NC, attractions, including the USS North Carolina Battleship.
Along the way, you can also pop into the 200+ boutiques, art galleries, museums, and cafes that line the Riverwalk. And if you want to sit back and take in the Cape Fear River views, you’ll find plenty of restaurants with patio seating perfect for an alfresco meal.
Plus, there are always fun events taking place on the Riverwalk. If you’re in town on a Saturday during the summer months, be sure to visit the popular Wilmington Farmer’s Market to pick up fresh produce, gourmet eats, and goods from local artisans.
From the annual Riverfest event to live music during the summertime Downtown Sundown concert series and the many arts and crafts shows, you never know what you’ll find at the Riverwalk!
2. Get Some Retail Therapy at the Cotton Exchange
Set right in the heart of the Historic District, just steps from the waterfront, the Cotton Exchange is easily one of the coolest Wilmington attractions. Whether you’re looking to kill an hour or two while downtown or find that perfect souvenir to bring back home with you, you’ll definitely want to check out this one-of-a-kind shopping center.
The Cotton Exchange is comprised of eight once-dilapidated 19th- and early 20th-century buildings that were beautifully renovated in the 1970s before opening as the new “Cotton Exchange.” (The name pays homage to a cotton shipping company that opened up shop here in 1919.)
Today, you’ll find over 30 shops and restaurants housed in these beautiful buildings and lining the dreamy courtyards. Explore the mazelike hallways, and you’ll find stores ranging from Port City Pottery and T.S. Brown Jewelry to the Olde Wilmington Toy & Candy Company and Urban Goods and Garden.
And if you need a break from all that shopping, the Cotton Exchange is also home to a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, The German Cafe, the Victorian-style Paddy’s Hollow pub, and The Basics gourmet soul food restaurant.
3. Kayak to Zeke’s Island
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Wilmington, NC, embarking on a kayak tour to Zeke’s Island is one of the most unique Wilmington activities.
You can easily rent your own gear from companies like Kayak Carolina, who will deliver your kayaks, paddles, and life jackets to Fort Fisher. All you have to do is pack a cooler full of snacks and drinks and paddle from the boat ramp at Federal Point to Zeke’s Island Reserve.
If you’d prefer to be led around by a guide, Kayak Carolina also offers their guided Kure Beach Kayak Tour, which takes you around Zeke’s Island Reserve and the Fort Fisher Basin. During this 3-hour tour, you’ll pass by beautiful bays and marsh creeks and spot plenty of birds and local wildlife.
And if you’re really lucky, you may even glimpse turtles, loggerheads, and dolphins!
4. Sip Sunset Cocktails with Cape Fear River Views
While the streets of Wilmington’s Historic District are dotted with cool breweries and trendy wine bars, there’s just something magical about sipping sunset cocktails from a rooftop bar while taking in 180-degree views of the Cape Fear River. It’s pretty much the perfect way to wind down after a long day or to kick start an epic night out on the town.
Located on the rooftop of Embassy Suites, Cloud 9 is arguably the best rooftop bar in Wilmington. You can choose from a long list of their Sparkling Cocktails, Signature Mules, and Craft Cocktails alongside wine and beer. And if you’re feeling peckish, you can share a cheesy pizza from the “Pie in the Sky” menu or a cheese board from the “For the Table” menu.
Next door in the Aloft hotel, aView is another popular rooftop bar. Be sure to get here early because this place will likely fill up and offer standing room only. But if you manage to snag a table, they serve up excellent drinks, dishes, and river views!
Two other popular rooftop bars in the Historic District are the Rooftop Bar at the North Front Theatre on the top floor of the Masonic Lodge, as well as Reel Cafe, which is great for a night out with friends.
5. Climb Aboard the USS North Carolina Battleship
When it comes to must-do things in Wilmington, NC, touring the USS Battleship North Carolina should be at the top of your list. You’ll find this massive, 728-foot-long battleship moored in the Cape Fear River, right across from Wilmington’s Historic District. To put it in perspective, it’s roughly the length of two football fields!
The battleship was commissioned on April 9, 1941, and decommissioned on June 27, 1947. With 15 battle stars, the North Carolina was the most highly-decorated American battleship of World War II.
During its run, the North Carolina was home to 144 commissioned Navy officers, 2,195 enlisted men, and roughly 100 marines, and you’ll learn all about their lives aboard the ship and the many battles they fought during your tour.
You can easily do a self-guided tour and check out the nine decks, the sailors’ bunks, the engine room, the Combat Information Center, and the many guns and turrets. If you really want to get a better understanding of the ship’s history, you can also get tickets for one of the docent-led tours that are offered each day at 9 am and 11 am.
6. Pick Your Own Blueberries and Strawberries at Lewis Farms
If you happen to be in town sometime between May and July, visiting Lewis Farms is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Wilmington, NC. You’ll find this third-generation family farm tucked away in Rocky Point, 18 miles north of Wilmington. But you don’t have to go all the way to Rocky Point to get your fruit fix!
Lewis Farms has a seasonal retail location on Gordon Road in Wilmington, where you can pick your own strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries straight from the vine. They also have a greenhouse filled with flowers, herbs, succulents, and vegetable plants.
You’ll definitely want to order a scoop of their seasonal strawberry, blueberry, or blackberry ice cream while you’re there. It’s bound to be some of the best you’ve ever tasted. And if you’d like to bring a farm-fresh treat home with you, pick up a few jars of their delicious jam and honey!
7. Go Brewery Hopping in Wilmington’s Historic District
For a small city, Wilmington is home to a surprising number of breweries. It goes without saying that taking a DIY tour of the Historic District’s best breweries is one of the most fun Wilmington activities!
You can start your boozy journey off with a flight at Front Street Brewing, Wilmington’s first craft brewery. Here you’ll find 14 flagship and seasonal beers on tap. You can also take a free tour to learn more about their brewing process. And if you’re hungry, this also happens to be one of the best restaurants in Wilmington.
After Front Street, head over to nearby Ironclad Brewery, which is housed in a 1925 brick building. You’ll love their original brews, like the Bourbon Smoked Honey Lager and the Azalea Smoked Plum Kölsch. They also offer a Beau-TEA-ful Cider and a Razztastic Seltzer Hard Seltzer for non-beer drinkers.
Next up is Flytrap Brewing, which specializes in small-batch American and Belgian-style ales. Their “Core Brews” range from the West Coast IPA to the Oatmeal Porter. And depending on the season, you might be able to sample a Guava Gose or a Nitro Irish Stout. There’s also a food truck on-site if you want to grab a bite.
If you’ve got the tolerance for more, you’ll find Edward Teach Brewing in a revamped 100-year-old firehouse right down the road. Honestly, there are so many breweries in Wilmington it’s impossible to try them all in one visit!
8. Take a Break in the Historic Airlie Gardens
One of the top Wilmington, NC, attractions, Airlie Gardens is tucked away near Wrightsville Beach and is the perfect place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The gardens date all the way back to 1884, so expect to come across pieces of history around every corner.
Explore the 67-acre estate, and you’ll find the formal Pergola Garden, the bee and butterfly-filled Pollinator Garden, the tranquil Spring Garden, the beautiful Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, the Airlie Lake, and the Airlie Oak Lawn, which is home to the nearly 500-year-old Airlie Oak Tree.
If you’re in town between May 15 and October 15, be sure to visit the Tranquility Gardens & Buttery House. This open-air butterfly house is teeming with native North Carolina butterflies.
It’s also worth checking the website to see if any events are being held on the grounds. From the Summer Concert Series and the annual Oyster Roast to the Yoga in the Gardens classes and the educational Bird Walks, there’s always something interesting going on at the Airlie Gardens.
9. Have a Beach Day
It’s no secret that the miles and miles of beaches are some of the most popular Wilmington attractions. But with so many different options, it’s tough to choose where to have the perfect beach day.
Located 10 miles east of Historic Downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is very popular for its 4 miles of golden sand and its excellent surfing conditions.
Located south of Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach is known for its historic boardwalk, which offers family-friendly restaurants, shops, and amusement park rides. Kure Beach, to the south of Carolina Beach, is a much more mellow alternative. Here you’ll find plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and water sports, as well as top attractions like the Civil War-era Fort Fisher and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
For something a bit more off-the-beaten-path, you can take a boat to reach the sandy shores of Masonboro Island or venture even further afield to go kayaking around the beach at beautiful Bald Head Island.
10. Cruise Along the Cape Fear River
If there’s one thing that belongs on your Wilmington bucket list, it’s a cruise along the beautiful Cape Fear River. Not only is this a great way to maximize your Wilmington sightseeing, but you’ll learn a lot about the unique history of the city as you glide through the water.
Cape Fear River Boats is Wilmington’s longest continuously running boat tour, offering three unique tours. Book the 1-hour Sightseeing Tour, and you’ll learn all about the history of the area and the importance of the Cape Fear River while also seeing top attractions, like the USS North Carolina Battleship.
If it’s gorgeous views you’re after, you’ll love taking the Sunset and Moonlight Cruise. This is a great option if you’re looking for romantic things to do in Wilmington.
For something totally unique, book the 4-hour Black River Nature Cruise, and a local naturalist will pepper you with all sorts of interesting facts about the local plant and wildlife as you pass by swamp forests and ancient cypress trees.
11. Sample Wilmington’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants
Wilmington, NC, takes its farm-to-table game very seriously. So if you’re planning a trip to this neck of the woods, you should plan to enjoy at least a few meals out at one of the city’s top farm-to-table eateries.
Seafood fans will want to beeline it to Catch. Chef Keith Rhodes is a James Beard Finalist and former Top Chef participant, well-known for transforming the freshest catches of the day into modern and globally-inspired Southern dishes.
From the Baked Dirty South Oysters with jerk collards, Benton’s Bacon, and pimento cheese to the Crispy Maine Lobster Tails with lemon pepper broccoli, mac & 3 cheese, and cognac lobster sauce, you’ll want to sample everything on the menu.
PinPoint is another Wilmington restaurant that’s all about sourcing ingredients from local farmers, fishermen, and oystermen. You can choose from Grilled Local Asparagus or Buttermilk Fried Oysters to start before chowing down on mains like the Pan Seared Local Mahi or the Smoked Cauliflower.
From the spectacular seasonal menu at manna to the locally sourced dishes at Port Land Grille, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to farm-to-table restaurants in Wilmington. And when in doubt, you can always pay a visit to a local farmers’ market to sample some of the best local eats in town!
12. Check Out the Interactive Model Train at the Wilmington Railroad Museum
If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Wilmington, pay a visit to the Wilmington Railroad Museum. Set in an old brick railway station right in the heart of town, next to the Wilmington Convention Center, the Wilmington Railroad Museum highlights the role railroads played in regional history beginning in the 1840s.
You’ll have the chance to check out the life-size caboose and 100-year-old steam locomotive before getting a history lesson about the evolution of railroads in the Wilmington era and learning about key players in railroad history, like Thomas Edison and George Pullman.
Kids will love exploring the Children’s Hall, which features fun train tables and interactive models. The museum also houses all sorts of artifacts dating all the way back to the mid-1800s as well as an interactive model train layout with foot pedals so you can tinker with the trains.
13. Learn About One of the Most Important Civil War Battles at Fort Fisher
Tucked away near Kure Beach, visiting the Fort Fisher State Historic Site is one of the top Wilmington activities for history buffs and nature addicts alike. This is the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War, as well as the largest land-sea battle of the war.
Fort Fisher is also the largest earthen fort in the South, and 10% of the massive fort still stands today. Start your self-guided tour at the visitors center, where you’ll watch a video highlighting the history of Fort Fisher. Then follow the outdoor trail, which will lead you to interpretive exhibit panels and all sorts of fascinating attractions, including a 32-pounder seacoast gun.
But the Fort Fisher State Historic Site isn’t all about history. If you’re looking for outdoorsy things to do in Wilmington, you can hike the two-mile Basin Trail to a WWII-era concrete bunker or rent a kayak and paddle out to Zeke’s Island Reserve. You can even go scuba diving to explore the Condor, one of the best-preserved Civil War blockade runners in the world!
14. Check Out Some of the Most Iconic ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Filming Locations
It’s no secret that Wilmington is just picture-perfect. So it should be of no surprise that this charming Southern city has been the location for an absurd number of films and TV shows over the years. So many, in fact, that the city has been dubbed “Willmywood!”
Perhaps the best-known show that was filmed here was Dawson’s Creek. There were a whopping 128 episodes filmed in the Wilmington area (aka “Capeside” in the show), and you can take a DIY tour to visit some of the most recognizable filming locations.
Check out The Dockside Restaurant, which appeared as “The Icehouse” restaurant where Joey (Katie Holmes) sends her dad to prison, or Bluewater Grill, where Dawson (James Van Der Beek) falls for Joey as she sings On My Own from Les Misérables at the Miss Windjammer pageant.
From the waterways and the beaches to the “Capeside boardwalk” (the Wilmington Riverwalk) and “Capeside High School” (the University of North Carolina at Wilmington campus), you’ll find Dawson’s Creek filming locations all over town.
15. Pick Up Picnic Supplies at the Riverfront Farmers Market
Wilmington is chock full of picturesque picnic spots, so it’s well worth grabbing some supplies and having a scenic picnic at the beach or along the river at least once during your trip!
If you’re in town on a Saturday between April and November, you’ll find the Riverfront Farmers Market on Dock Street, between 2nd and Water streets, right in the heart of historic downtown Wilmington. It’s open from 8 am to 1 pm.
Peruse the stalls, and you’ll find everything from veggies, meats, and cheeses to jams, spreads, and baked goods. You can easily cobble together the fixings for a deluxe gourmet picnic lunch! Depending on which vendors are there during your visit, you can also pick up premade foods, as well as cool products from local artisans.
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Wilmington, NC. What’s your favorite thing to do in Wilmington?
Planning a trip to North Carolina? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!
SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST
