Take a Guided Tour of Wilmington, North Carolina

The city of Wilmington, North Carolina is know throughout the United States not only for historic attractions, but for paranormal activity and film productions as well. Guided walking tours of the city offer a personalized experience that brings the centuries old history of Wilmington back to life. Experience the excitement of "Hollywood East" on a walking tour of movie location shoots and production sets once used in major motion picture and television shows.

Ghost Tours

Guided ghosts tours, tales of haunted railroad tracks and the spirits of shipwrecked captains also attract large numbers of brave and curious visitors to this area of the Cape Fear Coast each year. Nightly ghost tours offer the chance to catch a glimpse of a ghost along the cobblestone streets of the old port city.

Ghost tours routinely last an hour and a half and veer past centuries old graveyards, along marinas and past historic homes thought by some to house the spirits of those who refuse to pass on to the "other side." Tales of haunting in Wilmington have been showcased on The Learning Channel, MTV and on the pages of USA Today. Popular ghost tour packages include the "Haunted Pub Crawl," and the alley and side streets traversed on the "Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington" tour.

Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington tours offer creepy tales of the city's history focusing on the graphic effects of diseases which hit the town during the 1800's, murder mysteries, pirate lore and violent suicides. Costumed actors bring the tales to life during the nighttime tours. Paranormal investigators guide the tour groups in a search for ghosts and lost souls still roaming around the "Port City" years after their bodies were laid to rest in local cemeteries. The tours are designed for patrons age twelve and above.

Haunted Pub Crawls bring the legends of wicked bar wenches and notorious scalawags back to life. This tours last two and a half hours and is open only to adults age 21 and older. The ghoul hunting tours take patrons through five "haunted" pubs while weaving stories of thievery, murder and love triangles.

Hollywood East Tours

The family friendly walking tours take you behind the scenes of award winning movie sets and to filming locations around the city of Wilmington. The hour and a half walking tours begin and end at the Black Cat Shoppe, where souvenirs and snacks can be purchased. Lucky tour guests might even get an autograph or two when encountering an actor on break between sets. Hundreds of films have been shot on location along the Cape Fear Coast. Spotting movie stars in Wilmington has become almost as commonplace as it is in California. Tours fill up quickly, and visitors should book a spot in advance. Cameras are permitted on the "Hollywood East" walking tours.

Historic Walking Tours

Two hour walking tours of the Wilmington Historic District are presented courtesy of the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. Tour guide enlighten, entertain and education participants while traversing twelve city blocks filled with historic homes and buildings. Learn about what life was like during the 1700's and 1800's along the Cape Fear Coast. The tour makes stops at Bellamy Mansion, Burgwin-Wright House and Latimer House. Tours occur on Wednesday and Saturday beginning at 10 am.

Horsed Drawn Carriage Tours

If your feet get a little tired while exploring all that the "Port City" has to offer, grab a seat on a horse drawn carriage. Horse drawn Tours of Wilmington offers narrated tours along the riverfront and past historic homes, museums and attractions in downtown Wilmington. The tour company utilizes horses which have been rescued from abusive or neglectful homes to transport you around the historic city. The half and hour carriage ride briefly showcases the highlights of the city. A private carriage built for smaller groups can be rented for romantic outings and special events.

Trolley Tours

The Wilmington Trolley Company operates 45 minute long tours of the city during the months of April and May. Step aboard a twentieth century inspired trolley and see the sights in comfort. The tours travel past historic museums, Civil War shipyards, African-American historical markers and sites, movie locations and the birthplace of famous Wilmington natives. The trolley driver narrates throughout the adventure into the past of one of North Carolina's most historically significant cities. The trolley's are handicap accessible. The trolley's feature a covered top shielding passengers from the sun. The Wilmington Trolley Company operates tours in the Southport area during the summer months. These tours last and hour and include passage to and from the Southport Ferry Terminal. The route include a trip through the Wilmington Historic District, a stop along the riverfront for lunch and a tour of Airlie Gardens.