Location: Wilmington
Top Things to do in Wilmington
7 Historic Sites 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. Wilmington National Cemetery
2. Poplar Grove Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
On the National Register of Historic Places, Poplar Grove is a museum complex with 1850 manor house, smoke house, tenant house and blacksmith shop. Enjoy craft demonstrations, exhibits, farm animals, horse rescue program, Wednesday Farmers' Market, and various festivals throughout the year. Open Monday-Saturday for tours March through October. Saturday hours of operation during November, December, January and February. Closed Sundays. Check daily tour time for low, mid and high season hours. Annual events include the Herb & Garden Fair, Food Truck Round-Up, Summer Harvest Festival, and A Merry Little Christmas Festival. Special December candlelight tour.
Reviewed By CC2214
Poplar Grove offers everything from historical facts and even spiritual activity! Literally, who isn’t obsess with spirits from the past who STILL occupy the house!? Talk about amazing and literally worth it! I have visited this house and the land multiple times! This is a great location for weddings and just a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a great place to take your family for a day visit and an excellent date night spot to tour the house and communicate with the previous tenants who used to occupy and still occupy the house! The animals on the land are super sweet! My children really adore the barn cats, horses, and the chickens. It’s like a little petting zoo! In the fall they offer guided paranormal tours. These tours are exciting and educational because the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable on the history of the land and the house. As mentioned before I have gone to this house multiple times, and always recommend this place to all my friends. Poplar Grove is a unique place, to step back into time and learn about Hampstead & Wilmington history! You should visit today!
3. 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.
4. Zebulon Latimer House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By melin4 - Wilmington, United States
Visited With my boys (12 & 14) and had Seán from Tennessee as our guide. He was great. The house is interesting and Sean was a great guide, I would describe his tour style as understated enthusiasm— which really resonated with my boys. Sean gave great info. Very happy we went on the tour.
5. 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.
