Wilmington Tourist Attractions

Wilmington is a port city in coastal southeastern North Carolina. Home to many beach communities such as Fort Fisher, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach.

The city is not as big as other cities with so many attractions. Still, they have museums, heritage parks, botanical gardens, shopping districts, and other activities perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

North Carolina: GetOutPass Including 50+ Attractions

Address: North Carolina, United States

The GetOutPass is a smartphone app that gives you access to 50+ attractions around a specific area.

First, you must download the app. Second, you need to sign up for admission/membership. Once signed up, you can gain free access to some of the 50+ great attractions in your chosen area.

Travelers can access venues in North Carolina through the member’s portal in the app. There are special offers for members of the GetOutpass. This offer may include free admission, free products, and other special deals.

Choose an offer from any of the attractions listed on the app, go to that attraction site you have chosen, present your app and get free admission.

Here are some of the attractions you can enjoy in North Carolina:

• B & B Bowling Lanes - Fayetteville
• Jumpmasters & OBX throwing - Manteo
• Putt-Putt Fun Center - Burlington
• BounceU: Matthews - Charlotte
• Breakout Games - Charlotte
• Lost Treasure Golf & Raceway - Indian Beach
• Lumberton Bowling Center - Lumberton
• Arcade of Thrones - Raleigh
• Augmentality Labs LLC | Virtual Reality Arcade - Durham
• FearLess Adventure Park - Mooresville
• Sandhills Bowling Center - Aberdeen
• The Bowling Center - Rocky Mount
• Tropical Gardens Mini Golf - Asheville

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

Address: 814 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

The Cape Fear Museum was founded in 1898 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts relating to the history, science, and culture of the Lower Cape Fear and the Civil War.

It has a collection of more than fifty thousand artifacts that are still in storage up to the present.

The entrance fee starts at $5.00 for visitors between the ages of 5 and 17 and $7.00 for individuals above 60 years old, including college and university students and military service members.

Adults can get access after payment of $8.00, while members of the Cape Fear Museum/Smithsonian may enter free of charge.

Note that fees are subject to change without notice.

The Cape Fear Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM except for Mondays and national holidays.

Wilmington Railroad Museum

Address: 505 Nutt Street. Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

The Wilmington Railroad Museum features a children’s playground with train toys and play tables.

They also have a model railroad room with important figures in railway history like Thomas Edison and George Pullman.

The museum also displays artifacts, clothing, and some items from train cars.

The Wilmington Railroad Museum also has a display of a real life-size caboose and a hundred-year-old locomotive.

Cameron Art Museum

Address: 3201 S 17th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Cameron Art Museum was formerly known as St. John’s Museum of Art and was built in 1962 in downtown Wilmington.

The museum exhibits historical and contemporary artifacts and composed works of national, international, and local artists.

In 2001, the museum expansion began. They added facilities such as lecture and reception halls, provided space for outdoor exhibits, a clay studio, and an arts education center.

The art museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Note: Every Thursday the museum is open late until 9:00 PM.

Visitors are required to pay the admission fee.

• Adults- $12.00
• Seniors/Active Military/Students- $10.00
• Ages 18 and under- Free
• Local University and Community college students- Free

Bellamy Mansion

Address: 503 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

The Bellamy Mansion was built between 1859 to 1861 by James F. Post, a native Architect from New Jersey.

This historic antebellum is a mixture of neoclassical designs having Greek and Italian details. It has twenty-two rooms with a slave quarter located outside the mansion.

The mansion was originally built as a private residence for the family of Dr. John Bellamy, a plantation owner, businessman, and physician.

This dwelling place survived a lot of disastrous events, from pre- to post-American civil war. This was home to two Bellamy generations.

Now, following extensive restoration and preservation, the mansion is a functioning museum of history and design arts.

It is now a property of Preservation North Carolina, a non-profit organization tasked with protecting all the historic sites in the state.

Bellamy Mansion is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The entrance fee may vary depending on age.

• Adults- $14.00
• College Students- $12.00
• Seniors - $12.00
• Active/Retired military- $12.00
• Children ages 5 years old and below are free

Airlie Gardens

Address: 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Airlie Gardens is a 27-hectare botanical garden in Wilmington.

In 1886, it was created as a private garden for the Pembroke Jones family. It was designed by German landscape architect Rudolf Topel and transformed the garden into a beautiful picturesque view, specially made for visitors around the area.

In 1999, the garden was purchased by New Hanover County.

Now, Airlie Gardens is an active member of the American Horticultural Society that is dedicated to promoting American horticulture.

The public garden is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Here are the following admission rates:

• General admission- $9.00
• New Hanover resident- $5.00
• Military- $5.00
• Children ages 4 to 12- $3.00
• Children ages 3 below are free

Note: Identification card is required for discounts.

Battleship N.C.

Address: 1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

The U.S.S. North Carolina, also known as the Showboat, was the lead ship of the North Carolina class of fast battleships.

The North Carolina was commissioned in June 1940 and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

It was decommissioned in 1947 and was donated to the state of North Carolina in 1962.

The U.S.S. North Carolina is now a museum ship and is open to the public in Wilmington, North Carolina

N.C. Fort Fisher Aquarium

Address: 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, North Carolina, United States

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is one of the must-visits in the state.

It is one of the family-friendly activities you could explore in the area. It is located 18 miles from downtown Wilmington.

Visitors of all ages are given a chance to meet and mingle with aquatic creatures. Interactive exhibits such as “touch tanks” and personal encounters with a local bamboo shark are must-try activities.

The aquarium’s recent addition is a new rare albino alligator. It introduces the local wildlife of the Cape Fear River to visitors.

The aquarium introduces various animal species, especially sea creatures. It is divided into individual galleries that give a home to a particular ecosystem usually found in coastal areas.

They focus on research and conservation. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

New Hanover County Arboretum

Address: 6206 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, North Carolina

The New Hanover County Extension Service Arboretum was established on the grounds of the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Service in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The nursery was formally opened in 1989 and is still under development. It sits on a 7-acre conservatory, and it is open daily without charge.

New Hanover County Arboretum features more than 30 gardens, including an aquatic garden, bog garden, children's garden, herb garden, Japanese garden, and rose garden.

It also has different varieties of native and naturalized plants, among other interesting finds at the site.

Greenfield Lake Park & Gardens

Address: 1510 South 3rd Street, Wilmington, North Carolina

Greenfield Lake Park is one of the hidden gems in Wilmington, North Carolina. The park has a total area of 250 acres, and it is home to a lake, a playground, and picnic areas.The park is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of nature. It also features tennis courts, a skate park, an outdoor amphitheater, boat rentals, and a biking and walking trail through gorgeous lush gardens.

The park is also home to various wildlife, including ducks, geese, and turtles. It is an excellent spot for a day of fishing, picnicking, or just enjoying the scenery. The park also features a concession stand if you need refreshments.

Greenfield Lake Park has restroom facilities, water fountains, playgrounds, open spaces, shelters, picnic areas, and grills.

It is the perfect way to spend the outdoors with family and friends any day of the year.

Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts

Address: 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, North Carolina

Thalian Hall is a historic city hall and theatre located in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina.

Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The theater was built in 1858 and is the oldest surviving theater in the state.

The front façade features a tetrastyle Corinthian order portico. The Thalian Association was named for a group of citizens who donated money to build the theater.

The theater used to host various performances, including operas, plays, and concerts.

In the early 20th century, the hall was used as a movie theater. The theater ceased to provide a stage for professional shows after 1928.

Since 1993, the building has been under the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts management.

Today, the hall is used for various events, including live theater, concerts, and movies. The hall is also available for rent for private events.

The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.