When you think of North Carolina you often think of Charlotte or Raleigh and Durham. You may think of the Outer Banks but don’t leave out Wilmington, NC.
Wilmington is located off I-40 just north of Southport along the southern coast of the state. The bustling city offers an incredible river walk, is home to the Battleship North Carolina and if that wasn’t enough, several beaches are there for you to delight yourself in and soak in the sun.
The city itself offers 230 blocks of a National Register Historic District where you can see old churches, brick streets, and Spanish moss hanging from the trees.
It is here in Wilmington that the Cape Fear River winds towards its final push to the ocean. Along the river, shops and restaurants await. Live music will greet your ears as you stroll along the walk. Take in a sunset and enjoy drinks on any of the outdoor seating areas.
Parks are found throughout Wilmington. The New Hanover County Arboretum is a beautiful park that features a Japanese garden that includes a Koi pond. At Airlie Gardens, you can walk through 67 acres that can be awe-inspiring in the spring when the flowers and trees are in full bloom.
Wilmington also offers great golf courses as well but the real draw here is the beaches. Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington Beach are all located just south of the city on the Atlantic Ocean. Travel directly east of the city and enjoy the popular Wrightsville Beach.
Passing the trio of beaches to the south along 421, the road will take you to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The aquarium is one of three along the coast and outer banks of North Carolina.
Wilmington also offers charter services to take you out onto the water where you can open water fish for mackerel, bluefish, and flounder to name a few. Get out deeper for big game fishing or fish right from the beach or the piers that dot the sandy shores.
Overall, Wilmington is often overlooked as a destination for North Carolina travelers but it shouldn’t be. In fact, considering I live in between Raleigh and Wilmington, Wilmington is always the go-to for our family. Be sure to check out one of the best burrito joints in all of North Carolina, Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn! I think I need to head down there to do a review!