What to do in Wilmington, NC

Activities, attractions and tours

Wilmington which includes an administrative building
Wilmington which includes an administrative building
Wilmington which includes a fountain
Battleship North Carolina showing heritage elements as well as a small group of people
Bellamy Mansion Museum showing heritage architecture and a house

Wilmington Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Wilmington has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Wilmington, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Wilmington with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Wilmington

Wilmington is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Wilmington, and make it a breeze to explore Wilmington and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Wilmington to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Wilmington, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Wilmington.

Wilmington attractions

Wilmington has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Wilmington to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Wilmington.

Looking for things to do in Wilmington can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Wilmington or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Wilmington attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Wilmington

Tours & day trips

See all 19 activities
Wilmington Ghost Tours: Wicked, Witches, & Whispers

Wilmington Ghost Tours: Wicked, Witches, & Whispers

Activity duration is 1 hour
4.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is £18 per adult
Wilmington Ghost Tours: Wicked, Witches, & WhispersOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 6 activities
THE Wilmington History, Haunts & Breweries E-Bike Tour (4 hr)

THE Wilmington History, Haunts & Breweries E-Bike Tour (4 hr)

Activity duration is 4 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £59 per adult
THE Wilmington History, Haunts & Breweries E-Bike Tour (4 hr)Opens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 4 activities
Private City centre Wilmington River Cruise

Private City centre Wilmington River Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price is £219 per traveller*
Private City centre Wilmington River CruiseOpens in new tab

Water activities

See all 3 activities
Two- Hour Group Surfing Lesson in Cocoa Wrightsville Beach, NC

Two- Hour Group Surfing Lesson in Cocoa Wrightsville Beach, NC

Activity duration is 2 hours
2.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is £81 per adult
Two- Hour Group Surfing Lesson in Cocoa Wrightsville Beach, NCOpens in new tab

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What to do in Wilmington

Popular places to visit

Aerial panorama view of Wilmington North Carolina historic district along the Cape Fear river, with the North Carolina battleship with cloudy sky

Riverwalk

After visiting Riverwalk, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Wilmington. Amble around the area's riverfront or experience its festivals.

Riverwalk
FFHFRM The University of North Carolina at Wilmington campus, North Carolina, USA

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Enjoy the student vibe at University of North Carolina at Wilmington during your visit to Wilmington. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington_WilmingtonConventionCenter_6127710_0004

Wilmington Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Wilmington Convention Center during your trip to Wilmington. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event in the area.

Wilmington Convention Center
Battleship North Carolina featuring heritage elements as well as a small group of people

Battleship North Carolina

5/5(2 reviews)

Take a tour of the lead ship of North Carolina-class battleships and learn about U.S. Navy history in a unique and adventurous way.

Battleship North Carolina
Wilmington_MayfaireTownCenter_6247544_0006

Mayfaire Town Center

4/5(1 review)

You can do some window-shopping at Mayfaire Town Center during your trip to Wilmington. Stroll along the seaside or attend a sporting event in the area.

Mayfaire Town Center
Wilmington_JungleRapidsFamilyFunPark_6186100_0004

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Have a fun-filled day with the family at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park during your trip to Wilmington. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Butterfly gardens are always a nice place to relax #beautiful

Airlie Gardens

After visiting Airlie Gardens, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Wilmington. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Airlie Gardens
A8A333 Greenfield Gardens at Wilmington North Carolina

Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens

Explore the great outdoors at Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens, a lovely green space in Wilmington. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this family-friendly area.

Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens
Bellamy Mansion Museum which includes a house, heritage architecture and a fountain

Bellamy Mansion Museum

4/5(1 review)

Follow curving paths in the lush Victorian-style gardens and explore this opulent mansion in the heart of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.

Bellamy Mansion Museum

Explore areas of Wilmington

Eating dinner and watching the sunset on the Boardwalk in Wilmington, NC

Downtown Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington is known for its stunning river views, and with sights like Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear River, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Wilmington.

Downtown Wilmington
Aerial panorama view of Wilmington North Carolina historic district along the Cape Fear river, with the North Carolina battleship with cloudy sky

Wilmington Historic District

Wilmington Historic District is known for its stunning river views, and with sights like Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Live Oak Bank Pavilion, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Wilmington.

Wilmington Historic District
Eating dinner and watching the sunset on the Boardwalk in Wilmington, NC

Riverfront District

If you're spending some time in Riverfront District, Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are top sights worth seeing.

Riverfront District
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Pineywoods

Pineywoods might not have many top sights, but Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and Long Leaf Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Pineywoods
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Landfall

While there might not be top attractions in Landfall, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mayfaire Town Center and Wrightsville SUP.

Landfall
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The Bottom

While The Bottom may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Cape Fear Museum and Bellamy Mansion Museum.

The Bottom

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Wilmington

Wrightsville Beach which includes a house, a beach and general coastal views

Wrightsville Beach

Carolina Beach featuring a sandy beach, a coastal town and waves

Carolina Beach

Frequently asked questions

Is Wilmington worth visiting?
Famous for its fishing and walking trails, finding awesome things to do in Wilmington is simple. Make sure to add Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Wilmington?
After you've visited top attractions like Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and Bellamy Mansion Museum, spend the rest of your day discovering Wilmington's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Wilmington?
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park is one of the top tourist attractions in Wilmington and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Wilmington?
You can easily tour leading attractions like Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, Thalian Hall Centre for the Performing Arts and Bellamy Mansion Museum with a three-day break in Wilmington. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so linger longer and venture to Wrightsville Beach.
Is Wilmington a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you want to see and do in Wilmington. Several key attractions, including Thalian Hall Centre for the Performing Arts and Bellamy Mansion Museum, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Wilmington's neighbourhoods, Wilmington Historic District is 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) away from downtown, while Riverfront District is 0.97 kms (0.60 miles) away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Wilmington with kids?
Planning what to do in Wilmington with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or little ones, there's a range of family-friendly activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Wilmington for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, avid foodie or fan of nature, there are lots of things to do in Wilmington for adults including Wilson Centre at Cape Fear Community College and Trask Coliseum.
Are there free things to do in Wilmington?
One of the top ways to discover free things to do in Wilmington is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Long Leaf Park is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.

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