Location: Wilmington
Top Things to do in Wilmington
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The 6 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina (NC)
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. Noni Bacca Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By MPhipps2014 - Christiansburg, United States
I left feeling I had some great wine and met a great Patriot. Sometimes you have to be engaging to be engaged. Noni was very hospitable. We inquired about her wines, how they were made, how she became to be in the wine business and she was very forthcoming and happy to talk about her wines and how they came to be. I’m a sweet and my friend is more of a dry wine drinker, we both found several wines that we really liked. For the price you are going to try a lot of wines and Noni doesn’t just pour you a teaser, she pours you a pleaser. My only disappointment is that Noni and her wines aren’t closer to home as we greatly enjoyed them both!
2. Port City Escape
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 206 reviews
You and your teammates are trapped in a room with a mission that involves 60 minutes of intense problem solving. You and your team will work together to reveal clues, solve riddles, and crack codes that will ultimately bring you closer to completing the mission and escaping the room. Remember - Everything is part of the game.
Reviewed By dogsandbirds
Blackbeard's Escape was challenging for all, newbies as well as those that had been to escape rooms before. More importantly though it was a LOT of fun!! Thankfully Chase had our back when our ship seemed doomed to sink! Kris and her staff were incredibly gracious and went out of their way to ensure everyone that walks through their door leaves looking forward to returning. Can't wait to try the other rooms!! Highly recommend this place!!
3. Green Light Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 758 reviews
You and your team will have 60 minutes to escape from one of our thrilling and immersive rooms. Your ability to communicate, problem-solve, and keep cool under pressure will be put to the test. That being said, here at Green Light Escape Room we don't like to take ourselves too seriously. Expect plenty of laughs along your journey to break the tension- after all this is meant to be FUN! If you like a challenge, thinking outside-the-box, and a mixture of thrill and mystery then real-life escape games are for you. We are a family owned business and design and build all the escape rooms ourselves. This provides our guests with a completely unique experience that can't be found anywhere else! As you and your team work through mind-bending puzzles, riddles, and other-worldly devices this alternate reality becomes even more gripping. Will you be able to Escape? Green Light escape is Wilmington's only PRIVATE Booking escape room- that means you never have to play with strangers!
Reviewed By AmandaW391 - Greensboro, United States
We loved this Escape Room in Downtown Wilmington, NC! Took young kids and they loved it!!! Plus with only 7 minutes left we won!!!
4. Airlie Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,078 reviews
Reviewed By vacati0nbug
Loved Airlie Gardens! The gardens are beautiful, tranquil, serene and make for some great photography. I found it very relaxing. Definitely takes you out of the city feel and into what feels like an enchanted forest with all the hundreds of years old live oaks covered in dripping moss. Very special and worth a visit.
5. 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.
6. New Hanover County Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By ladyme1 - Portland, United States
We considered this more a botanical garden than an arboretum. The gardens, sculptures an entire area was well thought out and absolutely gorgeous. Parking lot with free parking. The Japanese Garden was perfect. Highly recommend.
