Location: Wilmington
Top Things to do in Wilmington
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5 Specialty Museums in Wilmington That You Shouldn't Miss
Wilmington is a vibrant riverfront city and the most accessible coastal area in the state. The pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk winds along the Cape Fear River, connecting many of the city’s shops, cafés, and nightlife with waterfront hotels, parks and the Port City Marina. Annual festivals, such as Riverfest, Wilmington Beer Week and the world-famous North Carolina Azalea Festival, attract crowds year-round. Three nearby island beaches offer even more dining, attractions and water sports.
Restaurants in Wilmington
1. Expo 216
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
Expo 216 is a gallerium - part museum, part gallery - whose mission is to encourage conscious living through heightened awareness of social and environmental issues.
2. Wilmington Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
A wonderful railroad museum that will entertain and educate the whole family. The museum pays homage to the major impact of railroads in local and national history, featuring regional railroad artifacts dating from the 1840's through the today. In addition to the historical items, the museum has one of the finest interactive model railroad layouts in the region. Children and adults can also explore a full size steam locomotive, boxcar and caboose.
Reviewed By DrDestination
One of the best museums around. Be sure and take your time and explore the whole place. Great old railroad cars and you can even walk through a caboose!
3. Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Built in 1771, the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is the only structure in Wilmington from the colonial era open to the public. Operated as a museum house, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to view a fine example of Georgian architecture and experience what life was like during pre-revolutionary Wilmington. All rooms are furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques and showcase hundreds of objects. Occupying two-thirds of an acre, the colonial style gardens consist of seven distinct areas, including an orchard with pomegranate and fig trees, a kitchen garden and a rose garden. Built on the foundation of a former city jail, circa 1744, the house retains many vestiges of its previous incarnation such as outdoor and sub-basement jail cells and a freestanding kitchen house with a massive hearth complete with period cooking utensils. Guided tours include the stories about the people who lived and worked here and the women's organization that saved this landmark from the wrecking ball. Tours are Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Tours are on the hour with the last departing at 3pm. Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is a Blue Star
Reviewed By bobrK1191JT
Just down the street from the Zebulon Latimer house - about a block. You can visit both in an afternoon or a morning. This house structure is fairly original with its roots in the mid 1700s and antiques from that period fill the rooms. The years have stressed the structure and every room and floor seems to have it's own idea of level. The English basement was a jail at one time with an even lower lever for the really nasty criminals. The former slave cabin is now a 2 br rental in back. Great history of the life and times of the first owners as the country divides itself over the idea of splitting from England and the war for independence.
4. Bellamy Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 589 reviews
Reviewed By davidsS2664TX - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
We watched the in house video followed by the guided tour which was really informative without being too detailed. This house is beautiful with fascinating slave quarters and stunning gardens.The next evening we went to the Jazz Festival in the garden here- a superb night.
5. Museum of the Bizarre
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By elizarenn - Chattanooga, United States
Yes!! Pay the nominal fee — as well as the extra $2 for the mirror room, which is WELL WORTH IT — and get into the Museum of the Bizarre. And take your dog with you! This place is weird, containing all kinds of artifacts ranging from a two-headed calf to an embalmed fetus to letters from Charles Manson. There are strange skulls and dismembered body parts of odd creatures and, well, it’s all so bizarre that to name any more would just leave you in disbelief. Really, this little museum is worth a half hour of your time. Teresa, the manager, is extremely friendly and helpful, and she is happy to give you the history she knows about the relics in the museum. Kids and adults both will love this place. This is a “don’t miss” in downtown Wilmington!!
