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Figure Eight IslandHampsteadOak IslandCarolina, Kure BeachSouthportTopsail IslandWrightsville Beach
Attractions Sublinks
So Much to See and Do100+ Species of SnakesAquarium In Fort FisherBattleship North CarolinaCape Fear MuseumEspecially For KidsHenrietta III RiverboatHistorically Significant ChurchesLovely Greenfield ParkPoplar Grove PlantationProfessional Sports TeamsWilmington’s Film IndustryWilmington’s Historic HomesWilmington Railroad MuseumWilmington Trolley TourYear-Round Beauty At Airlie Gardens
So Much to See and Do
Wilmington’s attractions, and there are a large number of them, are primarily related to its waters, its beaches, and its rich historical and cultural heritage.
On a stroll through Historic Downtown Wilmington, visitors will see a daunting number of choices. The Battleship North Carolina guards our harbor and the Henrietta III provides opportunities for cruising on it. Narrated sightseeing tours on the Wilmington Trolley, or traveling back in time through such beautiful historic homes as the Bellamy Mansion are excellent alternatives.
Wilmington’s oldest attraction, Thalian Hall, completed its 150th anniversary celebration in 2009. The main auditorium has undergone a major renovation and now has new seats, new lights and a new heating and air conditioning system. The ornate painting inside has been retouched, thus restoring the graceful old building to its intended grandeur.
See Where Ghosts Walk Downtown
Wilmington is considered by many to be among the most actively haunted cities in the world. Pirates, slavery and the ravages of disease and war have left plenty of spiritual debris in the 275-year old alleyways of Historic Downtown Wilmington that are explored on the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington tours.
Adults only might prefer the Haunted Pub Crawl, where up to five taverns reputedly filled with ghosts are visited. Quaffing ales or other beverages seems to give many the courage to continue on this entertaining tour.
There are so many attractions and so little time to visit them that visitors return again and again. Residents can’t quite find time to get around to all of them either. Perhaps it has something to do with our relaxed way of living down here – there’s always tomorrow, and tomorrow’s probably going to be a nice day, too, so what’s the rush?

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