Wilmington North Carolina Travel Guide (26 Epic Things to do)

Wondering How to Visit Wilmington? You’re going to need this Wilmington North Carolina Travel Guide!

Heading to Wilmington this summer? Whether you’re looking to relax on the sandy beaches, stroll around the lovely historic downtown area, or explore the forests nearby, there is so much to see and do!

Visiting Wilmington is one of those things you’ve got to do at least once. If you’re in the Myrtle Beach area, or driving through, you should consider visiting this lovely North Carolina city!

This Wilmington North Carolina Travel Guide will show you everything there is to see and do in the Wilmington area. Plus, you’ll find ways to make your visit a bit more budget friendly as well!

So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out more about Wilmington…

Wilmington North Carolina Travel Guide

#1: Battleship North Carolina

The Battleship North Carolina began construction in 1937, and was commissioned by 1941, the first US naval ship to be build in 16 years. This WWII-era battleship saw combat all across the Pacific Theatre, before becoming decommissioned 1947.

Naval buffs will enjoy doing a self-guided tour around the various decks, crew rooms, engine rooms, and more. Spend at least a couple of hours here!

#2: Wilmington Riverwalk

In Wilmington’s downtown lies the riverwalk, a lovely promenade filled with all sorts of shops and restaurants along the Cape Fear River. Spend a pleasant afternoon or evening enjoying a meal, doing some shopping, and perhaps even catching some live music!

#3: Historic District

As one of the older cities in the US, Wilmington has plentiful 18th and 19th century architecture in the Historic District, stemming all the way back to when the city was under British rule.

#4: Reel Cafe

Looking for a cozy cafe and bar with a relaxed ambiance? Reel cafe is now my go-to spot whenever I’m in downtown Wilmington, and I can’t get enough of their tasty burgers, sandwiches, seafood and more.

#5: 24 South Coffee House

24 South Coffee House is my go to joint for coffee in downtown Wilmington, and I’ll admit their cold brew hits the spot on a balmy summer day! Don’t miss this when in downtown.

#6: Maroon Monkey Coffee

Maroon Monkey Coffee is a nice alternative to other coffee shops in downtown. Their unique interior decor makes it worth the visit.

#7: Kilwins

Kilwins is the go to spot for anything sweet! You’ll find ice cream, sweet treats, and even chocolate covered desserts and treats – to include chocolate bunnies, chocolate covered oreos, and more. It’s seriously the best spot to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!

#8: Gelarto

This quaint gelato spot on the riverwalk by and far has the best gelato in town, and the second best dessert place to Kilwins. What’s cool is the gelato is all imported from Italy, so you know it’s good.

#9: The Cotton Exchange

The Cotton exchange is a quirky little market with a handful of clothing, tourist and home goods shops, and a few restaurants. My favorite restaurant is the German Cafe, but there’s a variety of options to choose from.

#10: The German Cafe

If you’re craving a delicious German meal, the German cafe has it all! There’s excellent sauerkraut, a variety of sausages, wienerschnitzel and other German goods.

#11: Independence Mall

Independence Mall is Wilmington’s main indoor mall, and a great place to escape the humid heat of the coast during the summertime. Enjoy a wide variety of shops including Dillard’s, JC Penney, Belk, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and more!

#12: Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Jungle Rapids is the place to go for go-kart racing, mini golf, arcades, and more. It’s great for both kids and adults alike, don’t miss out on visiting while in Wilmington.

#13: Peño Mediterranean Grill

Peño Mediterranean Grill is a halal spot with a great variety of both pita and lettuce wraps, salads, bowls and more. The Philly Cheesesteak wrap and Caribbean Chicken wrap are both excellent choices. Be sure to get a side a falafel, and baklava for dessert.

#14: Wrightsville Beach

Once you’ve spent a day exploring the city, the beach is calling. Wrightsville Beach is arguably one of the best beaches in all of North Carolina, rivaling those up in the Outer Banks. Wide, sandy, and all around relaxing, come here to soak up some of North Carolina’s warm Atlantic water.

#15: Green Swamp Preserve

Green Swamp Preserve is filled with pine trees, savannahs, and the endangered Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and more. The greenery overall makes a nice break from the city and beach landscapes.

#16: Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is in a way one of Wilmington’s two premier beaches, along with Wrightsville Beach. Carolina Beach is home to a pier, hotels, restaurants, a mini amusement park and more, which I’ll go into more detail below.

#17: Carolina Beach State Park

If you’re looking for a quick break from the beach, Carolina Beach State Park offers a completely different and lush environment. Enjoy miles of scenic trails through forests and marshes, all just a stone’s through from the hustle and bustle of Carolina Beach and Wilmington.

#18: Britts Donuts

Looking for an excellent melt-in-your-mouth donut while at the beach? Britts is the place to go for affordable glazed donuts! Just don’t make my mistake, and bring cash the first time around. That’s all they accept. 😉

#19: Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

Got kids, and looking for some fun? Look no further than the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park! When the novelty of being at the beach fades, this is an excellent spot to take the family for a couple of hours.

#20: Kure Beach

Kure Beach is just 3 miles south of Carolina Beach, and a much more laid back, quieter alternative if you’re looking to avoid the crowds. Kure Beach pier is excellent if you’re looking to fish without spending a small fortune on a boating tour, too.

Wilmington North Carolina Travel Guide – Nearby Destinations:

#21: Raleigh (2 Hours)

North Carolina’s capitol is just about 2 hours from Wilmington. In downtown Raleigh, don’t miss the North Carolina State Capitol building, and 42 and Lawrence for excellent coffee. If you’re craving an excellent Lebanese meal, hit up Sitti. Outside downtown you can’t miss the North Carolina State Farmer’s Market, with fresh fruit, vegetables, household items, restaurants, and more.

#22: Fayetteville (1 Hour 45 Minutes)

Less than 2 hours from Wilmington is Fayetteville, which is home to the excellent Airborne and Special Operations Museum, which showcases the invention and evolution of paratrooper and SOF units in the US Army from WWII to present day. Also, don’t miss the Cape Fear River Trail, a 6 mile paved trail which goes through the pine forests and along the Cape Fear River.

#23: Outer Banks (4 Hours)

North Carolina’s Outer Banks are a several hour’s drive north of Wilmington, and packed with so many awesome things to see and do. Whether you want a relaxing beach getaway, lighthouse hopping tour, Wright Brothers fan, there’s plenty to see and do.

#24: Myrtle Beach (1 1/2 Hours)

Myrtle Beach makes an excellent day trip from the Wilmington area. Walk the Myrtle Beach boardwalk, and don’t miss Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Gay Dolphin, and Skywheel Myrtle Beach for excellent views down the coast.

#25: Charleston (3 1/2 Hours)

You just can’t find a city more classy than Charleston. Old brick houses line cobblestone street in this historic port city. Catch a ferry out to Fort Sumter to see where the Civil War kicked off, and take a sampler tour of the city’s great cuisine.

#26: Charlotte (3 1/2 Hours)

The largest metro area in the Carolinas is just three and a half hours from Wilmington. In Charlotte City Center don’t miss Bank of Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, and the Nascar Hall of Fame if you’re a racing enthusiast.

In uptown Charlotte hit up Hawker’s Asian Street Food for excellent pan-Asian cuisine, where you can buy multiple dishes and mix and match. You’ll find great Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and more. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is the place to go for dessert afterwards. 😉

Traveling to Wilmington on a Budget – What to Bring:

Flying to Wilmington?  Why pay, when you can score FREE airfare?  When you use Swagbucks, you can get free gift cards for Delta Airlines, which flies into Wilmington International Airport.

Overall, this is the the best way to reduce the cost of your airfare to North Carolina.  I’ve been a member of Swagbucks for about 10 years now, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to earn Free airline gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up with Swagbucks
• Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points.  There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks!  You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc.  I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
• Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Delta Gift Cards!

How to Get Free Uber Rides in Wilmington:

If you’re flying into Wilmington for a quick city break; or you have an extended layover and you don’t plan on renting a car, you can simply call an Uber to come pick you up from the airport and take you into the city.  My favorite trick is to cash in Swagbucks points for Free Uber gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up with Swagbucks
• Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points.  There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks!  You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc.  I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
• Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Uber Gift Cards!

How to Save Money on Wilmington Accommodation:

Your accommodation can take up a huge chunk of your Wilmington trip budget, so saving money here is extremely important. Go give these Hotel Hacks to Save Money a read so you don’t have to worry about overspending. 🙂

Related: Hotel Hacks to Save Money

Looking for even more great travel tips and tricks? Go check these out before leaving for North Carolina…

Vacation Travel Safety Tips

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Best Suitcase Packing Tips

Long Haul Flight Tips

Cheap Flight Hacks

Beating Jet Lag

Bucket List Trips

Now that you’ve read this Wilmington North Carolina Travel Guide, don’t miss out any more!  Follow along with Never Ending Journeys for more fun Travel Tips, Easy Recipes, and Decor Hacks!

What was YOUR favorite part of this Wilmington Travel Guide??  And what are your favorite things to do in the Wilmington area?