10 Wonderful Things to Do in Wilmington, NC in 2023

The southeastern coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina is the gateway to some beautiful North Carolina beaches. Plus, it offers a unique southern vibe by way of its historic downtown district, riverwalk, historic plantations, a civil war site and museums. Whatever your interests, there are so many fun things to do in Wilmington for a weekend getaway.

Try starting your day with a stroll on the riverwalk along the Cape Fear River before exploring the local shops, gorgeous 19th architecture and learning about the area’s African-American history, like the former plantation that now doubles as a horse sanctuary. Or take an easy day trip to the beach. 

Read on for our 10 favorite things to do in Wilmington, NC with (or without) kids.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Consider buying this pass that gets you into 50+ Wilmington attractions for one low price.

Looking for more? Check out the best places to visit across North Carolina.

1. Riverwalk on Cape Fear River

In the center of historic downtown Wilmington is the pretty 1.75 mile riverfront walkway. It attracts strolling couples and families, runners and dog walkers. The wooden Riverwalk, which has previously been voted “Best American Riverfront” by USA Today readers, runs alongside the bank of the Cape Fear River. Cafes, restaurants and gift shops line the walkway and make strolling even more enjoyable.

And since people-watching with the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and river view was fun, we returned several times. While we didn’t visit the Battleship North Carolina, which served in World War II, we were able to see the ship from the riverwalk. The battleship is open for tours. Tickets can be bought on the website; walkup tickets are also available.

2. Bellamy Mansion Museum

Touring the antebellum Bellamy Mansion, built between 1869 and 1861, is one of the most popular things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina. The imposing white mansion, is a mix of Neoclassical architectural styles, including Greek Revival and Italianate and just blocks from the center of town.

I appreciated that our thoughtful guided tour did not shy away from slavery, important United States history. For example, our guide showed us the quarters for enslaved people, a brick building right behind the big house. Then she pointed out there were no openings on the street side.

Similarly, the guide explained that both enslaved people and African American freedmen built the house, including the elaborate plasterwork. In fact, one enslaved man, William Gould, signed his work. And the museum displays the plaster fragment with his signature. The guide explained that William Gould later escaped, served in the Union Navy, and kept a diary that his great-grandson published in 2002, available for purchase at Bellamy Mansion.

While we missed it on this trip, another historic downtown Wilmington mansion on Market Street, the colonial-era Burgwin-Wright House, is also open to the public and showcases Georgian architecture and beautiful antiques from the pre-revolutionary time. Also, near Bellamy Mansion on Market Street is the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, another rainy day option.

3. Historic District in Downtown Wilmington

The historic district is a pretty area of 19th-century buildings in compact, walkable downtown Wilmington.

In fact, one of my favorite things to do in Wilmington is to walk around the historic center to discover its gorgeous architecture and cheerfully painted locally-owned shops and terrific Wilmington restaurants (and almost no national chains!). The vibe is funky Main Street, USA.

We also enjoyed the beautiful residential neighborhood just a short walking distance from the shops. Lush gardens surround gracious 19th-century wood and brick houses. Many of Wilmington’s Bed and Breakfast inns are located in this neighborhood, and we stayed in two.

4. Ghost Walking Tour 

The Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington is a spooky walking tour of the historic district of downtown Wilmington. The tour took about an hour. Our guide walked us down dark creepy alleyways and over to the 19th-century graveyard.

He spun stories about ghosts who haunt this port city. Tickets are online.

5. Local Shops

Wilmington is proud of its entrepreneurs. And for good reason. Year-round, both the city and the riverwalk have fun shopping for crafts, clothes, toys and jewelry. Almost all are charming small stores that are the personal visions of their owners, a nice change of pace from big box stores.

For example, we stumbled on a wonderful bookstore, Old Books on Front Street. This cavernous independent bookstore has used and new books of every kind. From toddlers to teens, browsing here is one of the fun things to do in Wilmington.

Nearby, the Cotton Exchange on Front Street has a cluster of 30 unique boutiques and restaurants located in eight historical buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Read More: Best Beaches in Wilmington, NC for Families

6. African American Heritage Walk

We took a self-guided walking tour of the Wilmington African-American heritage sites laid out in this pamphlet. For example, we visited churches, schools and a monument honoring the African-Americans killed in the 1898 violent overthrow of the city’s government. Also, we saw the location of the Black newspaper burned during the 1898 massacre. Still controversial, some call it the Wilmington Race Riot of 1898. But others call it a coup.

We also visited the Burnett-Eaton Museum Foundation, open by appointment. This house museum is clearly a labor of love, an idiosyncratic collection of artifacts about Wilmington’s tragic and inspiring racial history. A prominent African-American doctor, Foster Burnett, once lived in the house. And his son-in-law, Hubert Eaton, Sr., a doctor and civil rights leader, sued to integrate a hospital, schools and other institutions.

7. Nearby Beaches

Downtown Wilmington is an easy drive to gorgeous beaches like Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Grab a picnic, your swimsuit and enjoy a few hours of sea air, splashing in the surf, and bare feet in the sand.

SheBuysTravel contributor Deb Steenhagen visited Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach, where her daughter took surfing lessons!

8. Airlie Gardens

Another easy excursion from Wilmington, North Carolina, is the 67-acre Airlie Gardens, a serene botanical garden. Everyone from little kids and grandparents will enjoy the butterfly house.

Even tweens and teens will enjoy the whimsical sculpture made out of colored bottles and concrete. It’s an Instagram dream. I was especially taken by the majesty of a 450-year-old tree, the Airlie Oak.

Check out their website for special season events and displays.

9. Fort Fisher Historic Site

Fort Fisher, in Kure Beach, is a quick 25 minute drive from Wilmington. The ruins of a Civil War Confederate fort are part of a park with wooden walking paths and spooky trees.

Plus, lovely views of marshland and Cape Fear River. The on-site museum makes this a year-round and rainy day option for visitors.

10. Poplar Grove Plantation

This North Carolina plantation is about a 20-minute drive from Wilmington.

I was struck by the museum’s thoughtful explanations of slavery’s central place in the economy of the south and of this location in particular. For example, Poplar Grove Plantation researched the lives of several people enslaved by the Foy family. They tracked down descendants of the people enslaved by the Foy family, some still named Foy. Now that oral history is a core part of the plantation museum. This thoughtful exhibit, From Civil War to Civil Rights: The African American Experience at Poplar Grove, fills a room. Guides are available, but we opted for a self-guided tour.

Unlike the urban location of the antebellum Bellamy House, Poplar Grove Plantation was a working farm. The 15-acre grounds include a wooden shack where tenant farmers lived. Now, basket weavers offer on-site lessons.

Surprisingly, the grounds also include a a kind of animal park. We spent a fun hour with the friendly farmer, meeting gregarious goats, sheep, pigs, and turkeys now living there. From toddlers to teens, this is a fun thing to do near Wilmington.

Also, on a few select days in the year you can take a paranormal ghost tour. Check their website for exact dates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are some other popular attractions in Wilmington besides the ones listed in this post?

A: Some other popular attractions in Wilmington include the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial, Airlie Gardens, the Bellamy Mansion Museum, and the Cameron Art Museum.

Q: Are there any good restaurants in Wilmington that you would recommend?

A: Yes, there are many great restaurants in Wilmington! Some popular options include Rx Restaurant and Bar, PinPoint Restaurant, and Circa 1922.

Q: What is the best time of year to visit Wilmington?

A: The best time to visit Wilmington depends on your preferences. If you enjoy warm weather and outdoor activities, spring and fall are great times to visit. If you prefer to avoid crowds, consider visiting in the winter. However, if you want to go to the beach, summer is the most popular time to visit.

Q: Is Wilmington a good destination for families with young children?

A: Yes, Wilmington is a great destination for families with young children! There are many family-friendly activities and attractions, such as the Children’s Museum of Wilmington, Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum.

Q: How far is Wilmington from other popular North Carolina destinations?

A: Wilmington is located about 2 hours from Raleigh, 3 hours from Charlotte, and 4 hours from Asheville. It’s also a short drive from other popular coastal destinations like Myrtle Beach, SC and the Outer Banks.