Historic places in Wilmington

10 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Wilmington.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens encompasses 67 acres of quintessential Southern gardens with 10 acres of freshwater lakes. Features include azaleas, camellias, statuary and the Historic Airlie Oak. This once privately owned garden was purchased for the public by New Hanover County in January, 1999.
See
Battleship North Carolina
Moored across the river from downtown Wilmington, this battleship offers visitors the chance to envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Exhibits tell the story of the ship's crew through their oral histories, photographs, and mementos. The tour is self-guided and is well-marked so that you can tour at your own pace. Allow at least two hours for the tour, but for the true enthusiast, you can spend much more than that.
Daily 8AM–8PM (summer), 8AM–5PM (autumn-spring); ticket sales end one hour before closingAdult $14, senior (65+) $10, military $10, child (6-11) $6, age 5 and under free
See
Bellamy Mansion Museum
Tours on the hour Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM and Sunday 1-5PM. Built for planter Dr. John D. Bellamy in 1859, the Bellamy Mansion is Wilmington's most spectacular example of antebellum architecture. Today, the mansion operates as a museum of history and design arts, and is owned by Preservation North Carolina. See exhibits on architectural history, historic preservation and design arts, and see the newly restored carriage house and gardens. Plans are being made for restoring the slave quarters. Free parking lot on Market St. side of the museum and free street parking on block surrounding the museum.
Mon–Fri 9AM-5PMAdult $12, military or senior $10, student $6
See
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
Smithsonian Affiliate
The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science collects, preserves, and interprets objects relating to the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear.
Mon-Wed Fri Sat 9AM-5PM, Thu 9AM-7PM, Sun 1-5PMAdult $8; senior, student or military $7; youth (6-17) $5; child 5 and under free
See
EUE / Screen Gems Studio
Tours are offered at noon on Saturdays from September to May and Saturdays and Sundays noon and 2PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tour of EUE Screen Gems Studios North Carolina takes visitors through North Carolina's film history. This one-hour walking tour includes visits to the sets of Dawson’s Creek, Iron Man 3 and One Tree Hill.
Sat Sun noon-3PM
Drink
Front Street Brewery
A great brewpub in the historic downtown district of Wilmington featuring great beer and good food. Prices are good, and they have daily $1.99 mug special of one of their delicious house beers, as well as cheap lunch specials. Live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Do
Haunted Cotton Exchange
Cotton Exchange
Scary, creepy and mostly ghostly tales. Chills and thrills await you at one of the most historic and haunted locations in Wilmington. Bring your camera.
Open year round$12, under 12 free
See
Poplar Grove Plantation
Poplar Grove is America's oldest peanut plantation, open to the public for tours and live demonstrations. On the National Register of Historic Places, the 16 acre site features an 1850 manor house, a tenant house, blacksmith shop, weaving studio, basket studio, agricultural exhibits, farm animals, gift shop, picnic and playground area.
Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PMAdult $10
Buy
The Cotton Exchange
A cluster of eight historic buildings downtown, the Cotton Exchange offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities all in a charming turn of the century setting. Parking for visitors to The Cotton Exchange is free.
Do
Tour Old Wilmington
Tour Old Wilmington and discover hidden history and a lost time as we travel to Wilmington during the Victorian Era (1837- 1901) Learn about Wilmington’s rich and colorful history as we reveal what life was like in Wilmington during the Civil War, customs and traditions of the day, sea tales, and folklore. Call for tour times. Walking tours start at the foot of Market and Water Streets, be sure to look for the Victorian Lady!
Open year round$12

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Wilmington (CC BY-SA 4.0).