The Cape Fear River flows some 191 miles through North Carolina on its journey to the Atlantic Ocean. Along its shores lay the eighth largest city in North Carolina: Wilmington. In 1800, Wilmington was still a budding town of only about 1,700 residents. In 2019, that number was an impressive 123,744. Whether you spend the day or a long weekend, this riverfront city in the Tar Heel State is worth a visit. Take a look:
First settled in 1739, Wilmington was named for the First Earl of Wilmington, Spencer Compton.
When visiting, you'll want to focus much of your time on the charming historic district. There's so much to see and do here!
The district features a Riverwalk that follows along the Cape Fear River for 1.75 miles.
Found along the Riverwalk are many shops and restaurants, as well as many places to sit and enjoy the views. Greater Wilmington is on the larger side but the downtown area is still very walkable.
Stroll over to Market Street from the Riverwalk and visit the Bellamy Mansion.
This museum house is a fine example of historic antebellum architecture. Pop inside for a full tour.
Across the river sits a must-visit when you're in the area: the Battleship North Carolina
It's open daily for self-guided tours and tickets are $14/adults. Walk the decks and envision the days when this vessel was fiercely defending democracy during WWII.
Back in historic downtown, you'll find scores of restaurants. Of note is the Caprice Bistro & Market.
The intimate bistro is known for its French food and extensive wine list. It is most definitely understated and is absolutely a wonderful place to dine. Google users have bestowed the restaurant with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars.
For a completely different kind of meal, head to Savorez, which serves local food with a Latin flair.
Spiked with vibrant flavors and lots of color, the food at Savorez is delightful — and so is the vibe!
Heading out of town in the direction of Wrightsville Beach, Airlie Gardens is a must-visit.
The 67-acre garden is an explosion of color and features many art installations, including the bottle chapel, seen here. Visitors to Airlie can easily spend half a day wandering on wonder.
Want to extend your stay beyond just the day? The Hampton Inn in downtown is an affordable solution.
It's conveniently located near to all the sights in the historic district - and won't break the bank.
If you want the spend the night someplace more boutiquey, then The Hive is a fantastic spot to land.
This boutique hotel fuses the old with the new and features exposed brick walls and trendy, modern furniture.
Looking for a little getaway but you're still not comfortable traveling out of state due to the pandemic? Wilmington is a fantastic place to explore! When was the last time you spent any time in Wilmington, North Carolina? Let us know in the comments!
Want to dine right on the water when you're in Wilmington? You can't get any closer to the water than Anne Bonny's located literally on top of the Cape Fear River!
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