Travel Guide to Wilmington, North Carolina

A distinct history coupled with magnificent scenery makes Wilmington an attractive place to live or tour for a variety of reason. Located between the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington originally served as a major shipping port in the early 1700's. The city is rich in history, from its role in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, both events in which are documented heavily at the Cape Fear Museum, North Carolina's oldest museum. If you're walking in downtown Wilmington at any time during the day or night, you'll more than likely walk the cobblestone streets, gaze at the well kept historic buildings, or decide to take one of the area's famous horse drawn carriage rides. Fortunately, I've been blessed to call this quaint, intoxicating environment home for the last five years and I feel honored to pass the culture along to you.

In most of my travel articles I always mention that, though it's impossible to mention every activity or restaurant in a particular area, I can certainly do my best to tell you the things I enjoy or comfortably recommend.

Wilmington is filled with charming cafés and restaurants. If you're a seafood fan, and I mean the real stuff not Red Lobster, then I definitely recommend taking a trip to Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach, known as one of the best in the area and is home to a few local celebrities, is filled with restaurants such as Dockside, Bluewater, or the Oceanic that serve the freshest of seafood just off the boat. My pick for the area is Bluewater, a three story restaurant tucked away on the Intracoastal Waterway that has the best grouper in the city. There is outdoor seating and an outdoor bar, which is serene on a Friday or Saturday night as the sun is going down and the boats are skimming by. If you're wanting a more diverse selection of food, then head to downtown Wilmington where you're sure to be pleased.

My number one restaurant in downtown Wilmington is The Riverboat Landing. Of course, the place has sentimental value being that my wife and I dined her the night I proposed to her, but it still remains as my favorite. Nestled directly in front of the Cape Fear riverfront on water street, the baby blue exterior of the building serves as a beacon to those passing through to come and visit for fine dining or a bottle of Merlot from their killer wine selection. What makes this restaurant unique are the two seater balconies that grace the side of the building and for the romantics, when dining during the sun setting over the riverfront, there's nothing better.

Though the menu changes often, there are still a variety of steak, seafood, and chicken dishes that are mature in presentation. You will average spending between 20-30 dollars per entrée at The Riverboat Landing. This restaurant is truly a gem. If you're looking for an intimate, pub style restaurant then head over to Fat Tony's Pizza or Front Street Brewery. Front Street Brewery will bring you back to the early days of Wilmington. Try one of the home brewed beers, or try them all with the brewery sampler. Though it's not downtown, go visit Whitey's Restaurant on Market Street where you can still see the paycheck stub from Wilmington native Michael Jordan from when he worked there in his earlier days before basketball stardom. You can't go wrong with the restaurants in downtown Wilmington.

Once your bellies are filled with food and you need to walk it off, there are many tourist attractions that are sure to catch your attention. Staying downtown, you can take a drive over the Cape Fear Bridge where the Battleship North Carolina stands in quiet dignity. Visitors can walk the decks and envision life as a crewmember during daily life and fierce combat during the World War II era. For the enthusiast, it can take up to 3-4 hours to fully tour the ship. For further admission information, you can find the contact information available below:

USS North Carolina
Eagles Island
PO Box 480
Wilmington, NC 28402
Telephone: 910.251.5797

Surprisingly, one thing that Wilmington is known for is the film industry. In fact, it's often referred to as the "Hollywood of the East." Several films and television shows have been filmed here including Domestic Disturbance, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Forrest Gump, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Sleeping with the Enemy, A Walk to Remember, Titus, Waking Ned Devine, Before Night Falls, and Bread and Tulips. As for television, Dawson's Creek was filmed here, the now NBC cancelled show Surface, and most currently the show One Tree Hill calls Wilmington it's creative home. Tours of the local filming projects are fun to do, including the One Tree Hill tour. This tour shows you the locations, Screen Gems studio, the schools, the houses, the party locations are all here. Some out in the open, some hidden away. See where Chad Michael Murray and cast mates work and play. Must have for the real One Tree Hill fan, especially if you are coming to Wilmington, NC.

There are plenty of history tours to do downtown. You'll tour the beautiful architecture in downtown Wilmington such as the old churches, beautiful courthouses, and majestic buildings like the Bellamy Mansion. While you're walking, go in to the cute shops or stop by the Cotton Exchange, a series of older buildings that are now converted to shops. The Railroad Museum is next door. Downtown Wilmington is a very active area, from closing the streets for Azalea Festival each year or setting up shop tents and experiencing live music during Riverfest. Fourth of July is also a great time to come see the fireworks shot off from the Battleship location.

Obviously, one of the main area attractions is Wrightsville Beach. Lay out in the sand while the sun tans your body and the waves provide a nice relaxing setting. Parking at Wrightsville Beach is $1.50 per hour and make sure you arrive early during the summer. After the beach, if you're still interested in continuing the marine life theme then hop on over to the Fort Fisher Aquarium. Visitors can discover sea snakes from the tropical Pacific, visible from all sides of their 1,000-gallon cylinder; fluorescent cuttlefish from the Red Sea or the Mediterranean, flashing against the dark background of their special tank; grotesquely beautiful Indo-Pacific lionfish and native scorpionfish, and more than a dozen colorful reef fishes of the Pacific coral atolls. It's a must-see for children.

Wilmington is a place that is truly unlike no other, and I guarantee it will leave you smitten for days. There are plenty of things to eat, see, or do. So what are you waiting for? Come to Wilmington! Southern hospitality doesn't get any better.