A 300 Block Historic District

Beginning in the heart of our city and comprising about 300 blocks, Wilmington proudly showcases one of the largest National Register of Historic Places areas for a city its size in the United States. Within that area is Wilmington’s Historic District consisting of several smaller locales including the well known Downtown District. Totaling perhaps 100 blocks, Wilmington’s Historic District is under the oversight of the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission and the Historic Wilmington Foundation that assure compliance with established historical standards.

Strolling through our Historic District’s charming residential areas with their beautiful old homes on shady streets lined with stately moss-draped live oaks is a popular pastime for tourists and residents alike. Nearby, the commercial portion of the District boasts ever-changing and expanding shops, restaurants and nightlife mixed with the city’s cultural, business and governmental infrastructure.

Complementing the attractions of downtown is our mile-long Riverwalk and its pocket parks bordering the river along Water Street. Riverwalk strollers enjoy a fascinating corridor running between the shops, restaurants and attractions of Water Street and a variety of colorful boats and yachts berthed along the riverfront.

Lots Of Tours

Popular with visitors of all ages are the old-fashioned Wilmington Trolley tours through the Historic District, and the Henrietta III, a large, old-time riverboat providing narrated tours of the river from the docks to north of town. Another bonus for visitors on the Wilmington scene is encountering major movie and television production companies filming throughout the area, earning us the nickname “Wilmywood.” Much of the filming activity emanates from the large EUE/ Screen Gems Studios on N. 23rd Street.

Just north of the center of town on Water Street is the impressive palm-tree-fronted Federal Building housing U.S. District Courts, a locale for a number of the popular Andy Griffith Matlock series TV shows.