Attractions

Attractions, attractions, attractions - you want ’em, we got ’em, and many, especially those with historic significance, are located downtown, so we’ll start there.

Battle Stars Earned    back to top

One of Wilmington’s most popular attractions, and certainly our largest, is that grand, gray old lady, the Battleship North Carolina, moored across the Cape Fear River from downtown’s Riverfront Park.

The third in a line of naval vessels dating back to 1820 that were commissioned North Carolina, our proud ship participated in every major battle in the Pacific during World War II, and won 15 battle stars before being decommissioned in 1947.

Scheduled by the Navy to be scrapped, a successful statewide campaign to save the North Carolina began in 1958. In 1961, the ship was moved from New Jersey to its present location where it serves as both an attraction to be toured and a memorial to North Carolinians who served in the military during WW II, especially the more than 10,000 who died in service to their state and nation.

A new North Carolina is expected to be commissioned in 2007. The fourth North Carolina is one of the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack nuclear submarines of the Virginia class.

Significant Homes    back to top

Located downtown within walking distance of each other are three houses of considerable historic significance, all of which may be toured.

Built between 1859 and 1861 by enslaved artisans and carpenters, Bellamy Mansion is a spectacular example of antebellum architecture. The property, occupied by Dr. John Bellamy, his wife and nine children, consists of the 22-room mansion, restored gardens, recently reconstructed carriage house and slave quarters, also scheduled for restoration.

Latimer House, built in 1852 and currently occupied by the Historical Society, is an example of upper class life in Wilmington during the Victorian period. Originally occupied by local merchant Zebulon Latimer, the 19-room Italianate style home houses over 600 historical objects. The Latimer House gardens and fountain, enclosed in original stucco and lace trim walls, have been restored with flora of the period.

As the oldest restored museum house in southeastern North Carolina, the Burgwin-Wright House was built in 1770. John Burgwin, a merchant, planter and treasurer of the colony of Carolina, erected the house on the foundation of an old jail. Temporarily occupied by Lord Cornwallis before his fateful departure for Yorktown, this splendid Georgian style house contains authentic furnishings and is surrounded by seven beautifully terraced gardens. Demonstrations of colonial open hearth cooking are presented in the kitchen one Saturday per month.

Historic Churches     back to top

Scattered throughout the downtown area are a number of historically significant churches. Among these is Chestnut Street United Presbyterian Church. Built in 1858, the church has had a number of noted African-Americans as members.

Saint James Episcopal Church has the oldest congregation in Wilmington; its parish was established in 1729 and the original church was built in 1751. Used by the British as a stable during the Revolutionary War, the original building was razed in 1839. The current structure was built in 1840 and was used as a hospital by the Union forces during the Civil War. On the east and north sides of the church are the old burial grounds where notable persons of the period are interred.

Built during the 1860s, Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church also was used by Union forces as a stable. It burned in 1894 and was replaced by the present church.
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, built in 1869, was the first Episcopal church for African-Americans in North Carolina.

The First Synagogue    back to top

Temple of Israel, a unique Moorish style structure, was built in 1876 and is the oldest Jewish synagogue in North Carolina.

Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1908 in the Spanish Baroque architectural style. With a congregation dating back to 1760, the present First Presbyterian Church was built in 1928 replacing three structures built in the 1800s and destroyed by fire.

Having roots tracing back to as early as 1690, the First Baptist Church congregation was organized in 1833 and the church building was completed in 1870. The 197-foot spire was blown down by Hurricane Fran in 1996 and immediately replaced.

Narrated Cruises    back to top

From its new dock facility on Water Street at the foot of Dock Street, the Henrietta III features 1-1/2 hour narrated cruises up and down the Cape Fear River during the daytime. Originally built as a dinner riverboat and later enlarged to be a casino riverboat, Henrietta III has three decks, the lower two of which have dining and dancing facilities while the upper deck has both an enclosed atrium and an open deck. Evening cruises, usually lasting four hours, are popular with locals as well as tourists and are especially fun for special occasions.

Downtown Tours    back to top

Located next to the Henrietta III dock, the Wilmington Trolley Company offers eight-mile narrated tours of downtown Wilmington in an old-fashioned (except for the rubber tires) trolley car.

Operating from Water Street at the foot of Market Street, the Capt. J.N. Maffitt, originally a Navy “liberty launch,” functions as a water taxi to the Battleship and also offers 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruises twice per day in season.

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington at Second and Orange Streets presents state-of-the-art, hands-on exhibits for children to use their imaginations to explore and learn.

Reptiles Galore    back to top

Located nearby on Orange Street is the Cape Fear Serpentarium exhibiting an amazing collection of more that 100 species of snakes including the rare and deadly Bushmaster and Black Mamba snakes, a 250-pound 23 foot-long python, a 15 foot-long king cobra, Nile crocodiles, a dragon-sized monitor lizard, Komodo, and many more in this 10,000 square foot living museum.

Professional Sports    back to top

A fun way to spend an evening is to watch Wilmington’s professional sports teams in action.

The oldest team is the Wilmington Hammerheads, a soccer team that has brought increased visibility to the sport in this area. Established in 1996, the Hammerheads play 12 home games from April through August. Coach David Irving has compiled an 86-37-12 record in the eight years he’s been with the team that is comprised of players from a dozen states and three foreign countries. The Hammerheads play at Legion Stadium on Carolina Beach Road. They also host very well attended soccer camps that take place at the stadium and at local schools.

The newest professional sports franchise is the Wilmington SeaDawgs, a basketball team in its inaugural season. Part of the American Basketball Association (ABA), the SeaDawgs offer a fall/winter entertainment option in downtown Wilmington. Their sophomore season will start in November and the team will play 36 games, 18 at home and 18 away. Kevin Whitted, the all-time leading scorer at E.A. Laney High School (’87-’90), is the head coach of the SeaDawgs. Whitted broke the school’s previous scoring record that was held by a pretty fair basketball player and Wilmington native, Michael Jordan. Games this season are being held at Cape Fear Community College in the Schwartz Center.

Almost Pro Sports    back to top

The home opener for the Sharks is May 31 and the season continues through early August with games played at the Legion.

Railroad Museum    back to top

On the north side of downtown at the Coastline Center, the Wilmington Railroad Museum is newly situated in Warehouse “B” built in 1883. For children of all ages, the museum features a variety of historical railroad-related exhibits and extensive displays, a children’s area and operating model railroads. Five Lionel layouts plus extensive O scale and HO scale layouts are in operation inside and a full size locomotive, boxcar and caboose are outside waiting to be explored.

1863 Waterfront Model    back to top

Located a few blocks east on Market Street, be sure to visit the wonderful Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. Founded in 1898 by the Daughters of the Confederacy, the museum collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits objects related to the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear. “Waves and Currents: The Lower Cape Fear Story” features an overview of the region’s history and science from pre-history through the 20th century. Don’t miss the model of Wilmington’s 1863 waterfront.

You Wanna be In Pictures?    back to top

Known as “Hollywood East,” Wilmington’s EUE/Screen Gems Studios is the largest full-service motion picture facility in the U.S. east of California. Headed by Frank Capra, Jr., the studio has been home to more than 300 film, television and commercial productions. The award-winning television show, Dawson’s Creek, was produced here for six years and featured locales in and around Wilmington. One Tree Hill, a current CW hit, is being produced here, and you’ll often see its film crews on location in the Wilmington area. Studio tours are available.

Lovely Parks    back to top

Just south of downtown, be sure to visit delightful Greenfield Park. With beautiful old Spanish moss-draped cypress trees rising from the 150-acre lake, a 4.5 mile biking and hiking trail around the lake, an occasional alligator in the lake, canoeing and paddle boats, tennis, thousands of flowering plants in magnificent gardens plus a number of other amenities, Greenfield Park has something for practically everyone - but please don’t try to feed the ’gators.

Another park worth visiting is Hugh MacRae Park, located on Oleander Drive in the heart of the city. Bring some bread or corn to feed the ducks that frequent the ponds – their enthusiastic quacking will let you know that they appreciate your generosity.

Art Museums, Galleries    back to top

Few if any other cities the size of Wilmington have a $12.5 million art museum, but Wilmington proudly features the Cameron Art Museum, the only accredited art museum in southeastern North Carolina. Situated on 9.5 acres, the modern structure has 40,000 square feet housing a variety of collections plus a gift shop and gourmet café.

There also are many art galleries in Wilmington that serve the large number of talented local artists. The names and locations change frequently, but setting aside a day to view the diverse works of local artists should be worthwhile.

Breathtaking Beauty    back to top

A visit to Wilmington is not complete without a visit to Airlie Gardens, a 67-acre site showcasing the diverse beauty of the coastal region. On the east side of Wilmington near Wrightsville Beach, exquisite Airlie Gardens was established in 1901 and features breathtaking formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, 10 acres of freshwater lakes and the 460-year-old Airlie live oak.

Among the highlights at Airlie are the over 100,000 azaleas and countless camellias that bloom throughout the winter and spring. There also are displays that are changed seasonally throughout the Gardens, making a visit a year-round horticultural delight.

Very near Airlie Gardens is the fascinating New Hanover County Arboretum exhibiting seven acres of plants that grow in our region along with emerging trends in plants for our locale. With a large staff of trained volunteers, the Arboretum provides suggestions and advice on plants suited for our coastal environment.

Take The Kids    back to top

Located a mile east of College Road on Oleander Drive, Jungle Rapids, a multi-faceted amusement park, is open all year. Offering go karts, laser tag, kid’s jungle, climbing wall, golf, lazy river, kiddie area, million-gallon wavepool, and a water park with slides, Jungle Rapids is fun for the entire family.

On the way to Pleasure Island, chances are the kids will probably talk you into stopping at Tregembo Animal Park on Carolina Beach Road. If you don’t have any kids, stop anyhow and enjoy viewing more than 75 species of live animals including giraffe, lion, tiger, zebra, bear, monkeys, wallaby, camel and everybody’s favorites - pot-bellied pigs, lemurs and pygmy goats.

A word of caution - some of the attractions listed above may be closed or have restricted hours during the off season, so be sure to call first if you’re planning a visit during that period.