Wilmington

Wilmington on the Cape Fear River

The town of Wilmington in North Carolina is a beautiful city that sits on the Cape Fear River. This beautiful port city offers a lot. Wilmington is an attractive port city within New Hanover County. The city is the administrative seat of the county. Wilmington was established as a Coast Guard City.

Whether you are a new visitor to the city or have been many times will enjoy what the city has to offer. The River walk that stretches for nearly one mile along the Cape Fear River should be your first priority. The serene and tranquil spectacle of the river imparts a lasting memory. The River walk also gives you a view of the attractive skyline of the entire city in its full architectural finesse.

If you love nature make sure to visit the Airlie Gradens, New Hanover County Arboretum, and the Poplar Grove Plantation. First time visitors at the Airlie Gardens will experience the beauty of the Butterfly House as they enjoy the colorful swarm of butterflies that fly over their heads. The Hanover County Arboretum offers a vast variety of flora and plants. The arboretum is ideal for honeymooners, lovers, couples, or solitary individuals seeking some moments of calm and peace.

For entertainment Wilmington has the Regal Mayfaire Cinemas and the Brown Coat Pub. Lovers of cinema and entertainment hold the Regal Mayfaire Cinemas in high regard because of its beauty, cleanliness, order, and the various refreshments available. The Orton Plantation is another attractive place to go for visitors. The place is a favorite for many especially in the evening who enjoy the nightlife.

Each year Wilmington has the popular North Carolina Azalea Festival in April. Many people attend this festival to enjoy the warmer temperatures of the spring time. The azaleas are in bloom and the trees are just started to bud out. It’s a favorite time of year after the cold winter months and the perfect time of year to enjoy an outdoor festival to kick off the spring time.

The USS North Carolina, a World War II battleship, is a war memorial and is located on the Cape Fear River  just across from the Wilmington downtown port area. The ship is open to the public for touring. The battleship served during World War II. She was decommissioned in 1947.  In 1962 the battleship was dedicated at Wilmington as a memorial to North Carolinians of all services killed in World War II. the USS North Carolina battleship was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986. A tour of the battleship is a popular attraction in Wilmington. There are many special events held on the battleship including a Halloween Bash in October.

Wilmington is also the home of EUE Screen Gems Studios. The studio opened in 1984 and since then the Wilmington area has become a major center of American film and television production including movies and television series. Many television shows have been filmed in Wilmington including Dawson’s Creek, Homeland, Matlock, One Tree Hill, Sleepy Hollow, Revolution and Under the Dome. Movies that were filmed in Wilmington include Safe Haven, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk To Remember, Enchanted, Firestarter and Iron Man 3.The North Carolina Museum of History has an exhibit Starring North Carolina that celebrates film making in North Carolina. The exhibit includes costumes and props on display that have been used in TV shows and movies filmed in the state.

If you are traveling with your children to Wilmington make sure you take them to the nearby  beaches which have plenty of fun activities. You could follow this with a visit to the Children Museum of Wilmington or the Cameron Art Museum. Another fun place to go is the Aquatic Safaris and Divers Emporium to witness the thrill and speed of aquatic games.

USS North Carolina Battleship at Wilmington, NC