Downtown Wilmington
Hip, Historic and (apparently) Haunted, Downtown Wilmington is the Place to Be, Day and Night
Hip, Historic and (apparently) Haunted, Downtown Wilmington is the Place to Be, Day and Night
Wilmington is a place of winning combinations—historic homes, chic restaurants and bars, pristine coastal environment and profitable industries all gracefully combined, creating one of the finest seaports on the East Coast. The University of North Carolina Wilmington brings a youthful energy to the city blocks, while the burgeoning film industry, tourism and other businesses keep the town thriving year-round. From the shady lawns of historic homes to the busy counters of downtown cafes, Downtown Wilmington is well worth some exploration for a day, weekend or a lifetime.
Founded in 1739, Wilmington has a long history of shipbuilding and trade. At one point, it was actually the site of the largest cotton exchange in the world. Steamships were a common site along the downtown docks, as cargo was unloaded and timber traded. Fine homes and plantations filled up the downtown and surrounding areas, and in 1840, Wilmington became the largest city in the state of North Carolina.
While Wilmington no longer holds that title, remnants of Wilmington’s important place in North Carolina’s history are some of the town’s most popular attractions. Thalian Hall, a beautiful historic theater building, houses the oldest continuously operating little theater company in the county. The main stage has hosted live entertainment and professional artists for more than 150 years. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Thalian Hall is the only surviving theatre designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America’s foremost 19th century theatre architects. Today, Thalian Hall hosts more than 250 diverse performances, including concerts, plays, movies, films, galas, musicals and more.
Several other historic homes and buildings showcase the unique architecture of the town’s past and bring to light what life must have been like in Wilmington more than a hundred years ago. The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts was built in 1861, and is one of the town’s most stunning examples of antebellum architecture. Explore the 22-room restored house and formal gardens, and tour the galleries, which feature changing exhibits on architectural history, preservation and design arts.
Another historic home worth a visit is the Burgwin-Wright Museum House and Gardens, circa 1770, which was originally the home of North Carolina colony treasurer John Burgwin. Tour the dungeon area, gardens and the many rooms of the house, beautifully restored and decorated with 18th and early 19th century furnishings. Find more historic furnishings and artwork at the Latimer House Museum, circa 1852, which is the headquarters of the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear.
There are also several museums throughout Wilmington, many exploring the history and culture of the region, including the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. Learn about local ecology, examine a model of Wilmington in 1863, and meet the town’s Giant Ground Sloth. Other local museums include the Wilmington Railroad Museum, exploring the town’s role in railroad history, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington, which features hands-on exhibits to stimulate the imagination of young ones and the Cape Fear Serpentarium, featuring live exotic snakes, crocodiles and other slithery amphibians.
Of course, one historic attraction you simply can’t miss is the towering Battleship North Carolina, the most decorated battleship of World War II. Explore the historic ship, including the crew’s quarters, gun turrets, galley and more.
Riverwalk, with its many bistros and shops, is a scenic boardwalk along the riverbank that will eventually run from bridge to bridge. Visit the Riverfront Farmers’ Market on Saturdays to visit with local farmers, producers, artists and crafters. For a serene afternoon, visit Airlie Gardens—67 acres of Gilded Age gardens and lakes, including more than 100,000 azaleas, camellias and a 466-year-old oak tree.
After dark, downtown lets its historic hair down as its many eateries and drinking establishments swell with revelers, and live music pours out into the storied streets. It’s not all that uncommon to bump into the occasional actor or celebrity—being home to Screen Gem Studios, the region has hosted a string of blockbuster movies and hit TV shows. At night, ghost tours and haunted pub crawls meander about the town, describing the eerie tales of local ghosts and ghouls. Apparently, Wilmington is one of the country’s most haunted cities, with the spirits of pirates, explorers and tradesmen with unfinished business.
Day and night, Wilmington is alive with activity; yet it still retains that slow Southern atmosphere and quiet seaport charm. Whether you’re here to see the sights and museums or you prefer just to walk about and enjoy the riverfront view, you’ll soon realize why Wilmington has been such a successful coastal town for hundreds of years.
Founded in 1739, Wilmington has a long history of shipbuilding and trade. At one point, it was actually the site of the largest cotton exchange in the world. Steamships were a common site along the downtown docks, as cargo was unloaded and timber traded. Fine homes and plantations filled up the downtown and surrounding areas, and in 1840, Wilmington became the largest city in the state of North Carolina.
While Wilmington no longer holds that title, remnants of Wilmington’s important place in North Carolina’s history are some of the town’s most popular attractions. Thalian Hall, a beautiful historic theater building, houses the oldest continuously operating little theater company in the county. The main stage has hosted live entertainment and professional artists for more than 150 years. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Thalian Hall is the only surviving theatre designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America’s foremost 19th century theatre architects. Today, Thalian Hall hosts more than 250 diverse performances, including concerts, plays, movies, films, galas, musicals and more.
Several other historic homes and buildings showcase the unique architecture of the town’s past and bring to light what life must have been like in Wilmington more than a hundred years ago. The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts was built in 1861, and is one of the town’s most stunning examples of antebellum architecture. Explore the 22-room restored house and formal gardens, and tour the galleries, which feature changing exhibits on architectural history, preservation and design arts.
Another historic home worth a visit is the Burgwin-Wright Museum House and Gardens, circa 1770, which was originally the home of North Carolina colony treasurer John Burgwin. Tour the dungeon area, gardens and the many rooms of the house, beautifully restored and decorated with 18th and early 19th century furnishings. Find more historic furnishings and artwork at the Latimer House Museum, circa 1852, which is the headquarters of the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear.
There are also several museums throughout Wilmington, many exploring the history and culture of the region, including the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. Learn about local ecology, examine a model of Wilmington in 1863, and meet the town’s Giant Ground Sloth. Other local museums include the Wilmington Railroad Museum, exploring the town’s role in railroad history, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington, which features hands-on exhibits to stimulate the imagination of young ones and the Cape Fear Serpentarium, featuring live exotic snakes, crocodiles and other slithery amphibians.
Of course, one historic attraction you simply can’t miss is the towering Battleship North Carolina, the most decorated battleship of World War II. Explore the historic ship, including the crew’s quarters, gun turrets, galley and more.
Riverwalk, with its many bistros and shops, is a scenic boardwalk along the riverbank that will eventually run from bridge to bridge. Visit the Riverfront Farmers’ Market on Saturdays to visit with local farmers, producers, artists and crafters. For a serene afternoon, visit Airlie Gardens—67 acres of Gilded Age gardens and lakes, including more than 100,000 azaleas, camellias and a 466-year-old oak tree.
After dark, downtown lets its historic hair down as its many eateries and drinking establishments swell with revelers, and live music pours out into the storied streets. It’s not all that uncommon to bump into the occasional actor or celebrity—being home to Screen Gem Studios, the region has hosted a string of blockbuster movies and hit TV shows. At night, ghost tours and haunted pub crawls meander about the town, describing the eerie tales of local ghosts and ghouls. Apparently, Wilmington is one of the country’s most haunted cities, with the spirits of pirates, explorers and tradesmen with unfinished business.
Day and night, Wilmington is alive with activity; yet it still retains that slow Southern atmosphere and quiet seaport charm. Whether you’re here to see the sights and museums or you prefer just to walk about and enjoy the riverfront view, you’ll soon realize why Wilmington has been such a successful coastal town for hundreds of years.