Location: Wilmington
Top Things to do in Wilmington
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What to do and see in Wilmington, North Carolina (NC): The Best Things to do for Honeymoon
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. Shamrock Sailing Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 108 reviews
S/V Shamrock is a classic 42 ft. Sparkman & Stephens yawl. With a six passenger maximum per cruise, this is a spectacular way to see the waterways, barrier islands, and marine life surrounding Wrightsville Beach. Soft drinks, juices, & light snacks provided. Guests 21 years & older are permitted to bring beer & wine on board.
2. 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!
3. Carolina Beach Jet Ski Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 288 reviews
We are a family run business offering jet ski rentals to visitors in the Wilmington area. We are located just minutes from Carolina Beach, and 10-15 minutes from downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. We have the best equipment, the best location, and the best customer service. Bring your whole family for an exciting & memorable day on the water, we guarantee it! Call or book your reservation online on our website. Hours of operation are seasonal and weather dependent, call before you come.
4. The Exit Games
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 811 reviews
Immerse yourself into a real-life puzzle adventure! At The Exit Games, you can save a lost golden retriever before animal control arrives, become a member of the world's most elite magic society, or steal millions of dollars worth of valuables from a casino owner's vault! Our adventures transport you from your reality while testing your teamwork and communication. You'll have 60 minutes to find the clues, crack the codes, and solve the puzzles to complete your mission in time! What are you waiting for... the clock is ticking! Do you have what it takes to escape?
Reviewed By kerilamontagne7
The three of us were so excited about our Exit Games experience! We had so much fun working together to find clues that would lead us to “steal” valuable objects from the vault. Hayley, our hostess, was super friendly and helpful, and our time in the escape room was filled with laughter, suspense, and plenty of challenging puzzles. We couldn’t have asked for a better first-time escape room experience!
5. Cape Fear River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
The most industrialized of all North Carolina's rivers, this water system stretches 200 miles through the heart of the North Carolina piedmont, crossing the coastal plain, and empties into the Atlantic near Southport.
Reviewed By Vis2r
Walk along Cape Fear, see the Battleship, US Coast Guard, stroll through the streets & visit historical places & shops, explore amazing book stores & beautiful old buildings & restaurants. So much to see & enjoy here...great food, beautiful town & you may even want to take a river cruise or a horse & carriage ride, but definitely take the walk. Parking can be difficult...I recommend visiting the Cotton Exchange, park there & parking is validated with a purchase--there's so much to see & do inside the Cotton Exchange, quaint shops & good food. If you're interested in the "haunts" of Wilmington...The Cotton Exchange is a great place to explore the paranormal. There's several haunts & information is provided within.
6. Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,037 reviews
One of the largest districts listed with the National Register of Historical Places.
Reviewed By WineloverVirginia
We live local and continue to marvel at the beautiful houses in the Historic District. As it often happens, we take the area for granted, and should probably do a walking tour instead of the drive-by. I've been told that Wilmington was one of few cities that didn't burn during the Civil War, and it shows. The homes are beautiful and the owners do a great job of keeping them up. The area has been gentrifying for several years and will continue to do so as Wilmington becomes more popular as a place to live, work, and retire. To be fair, a few blocks away from the Historic District that has not been renovated has some sketchy neighborhoods, so just beware.
7. 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.
8. Wilmington Water Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,197 reviews
Wilmington Water Tours is a 46' catamaran which accommodates up to 49 passengers. We offer daily cruises as well as private charters. Our daily cruises include but not limited to: Eco/History tours, Sunset Cruises with Live Music, Birding tours, Holiday Tours and all on the Cape Fear River and its nearby waterways. Our full schedule is listed on our website, call us or book online!
9. Riverwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,394 reviews
Reviewed By serverace - Greenville, United States
Without going into detail, this was my first visit to Wilmington since 1968, and I was 14 and didn't remember the river walk area. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised at the river walk area, which reminded of us of a combination of Savanah, Charleston,Georgetown. History abounds in this area, as placards set up at various spots gives you the background of the river and its expansive influence to Wilmington thru its time of growth. Restaurants are abundant on and around the river walk, as well as tour boats( with bars!) to show the sites along the Cape Fear river and its estuary with the ocean, and the USS North Carolina just across the river(another great historic place to visit). We were there in the early afternoon, but looking at the pictures of other reviews, it looks great at night with the lights. It's a nice walk, lengthy for some, but just take your time and enjoy
