THE CHARMS OF WILMINGTON

History and beaches on North Carolina’s coast

BY WENDY VAN DIVER

Photos courtesy of Wilmington and Beaches Conference & Visitors Bureau

TUCKED BETWEEN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN and Cape Fear River on North Carolina’s southeastern coast, the port city of Wilmington beckons visitors with a fascinating nautical legacy that spans centuries and island beaches that soothe the soul. Wilmington is a peaceful place, the kind of destination that encourages you to settle in and explore at your leisure.   

RICH IN HISTORY

In the mid 1700s, the Cape Fear River was the region’s center for trade, politics, and culture. Wilmington was incorporated in 1739, and between 1850 and 1860, it was the largest city in North Carolina. During the Civil War, Wilmington was the last Atlantic Coast port of the Confederacy to remain open to trade. 

Much effort has been put into preserving the city’s heritage—more than 230 city blocks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It’s easy to appreciate the city’s rich heritage as you stroll alongside the Cape Fear River on the nearly two-mile long Cape Fear Riverwalk, admiring the historic architecture and river paddleboats. River cruises and horse-drawn carriage rides are other popular ways to immerse yourself in Wilmington’s connection with the past.

Care to take a deeper dive? There is so much history in Wilmington, you can choose to focus on the nineteenth century, the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, or World War II and have plenty to see and do for an entire day. The largest land–sea battle of the Civil War was fought at Fort Fisher, located at Kure Beach, an easy thirty-minute drive from Wilmington. Today, Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Museum is the South’s largest earthen fort, featuring breathtaking walking trails overlooking the sea and many engaging exhibits.

In the 1940s, 243 ships were built in the Wilmington shipyard and the city was a hub of World War II home front activities. In 2020, Wilmington became the first city in the country to be designated an American World War II Heritage City for its efforts to preserve its WWII shipbuilding heritage, restoration of wartime facilities, and recognition of veterans. The Battleship North Carolina, one of the most decorated battleships of her time, is moored in Cape Fear Harbor. The public is welcome to walk her nine restored decks, which provide an excellent representation of the life and challenges of her crew.

ISLAND BEACHES

Three pristine island beaches are within easy access from Wilmington, making it easy to divide the day between touring the sites and relaxing in powder-white sand. The best-known is Carolina Beach, which has a popular boardwalk featuring endless food stands and watersports ranging from fishing and kayaking to standup paddle boarding and surfing. Carolina Beach State Park is home to thirteen different habitats among its 761 acres. Hikers follow trails where Venus flytraps grow, and nature lovers visit in the late summer and early fall to see the shoreline nesting sites of the loggerhead sea turtle.

Wrightsville Beach is known for its crystal blue waters, expansive sands, and active island lifestyle. It boasts a walkable beach town and the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, which includes a renovated 1924 historic cottage—one of the last surviving examples of original Wrightsville Beach architecture. Less than forty miles off the coast of Wrightsville Beach, scuba divers found a rare treasure: one of the largest concentrations of giant prehistoric megalodon teeth in the world! From Wrightsville Beach, seashell collectors and birdwatchers will want to put a day trip to Masonboro Island Reserve at the top of their lists. The 5,600-acre island is a paradise of unspoiled beaches, salt marshes, and tidal flats. 

Besides being home to Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach offers the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher with more than 2,500 animal residents. But for many, the quiet of Kure Beach is its most appealing feature. At low tide, rare rock formations of seashell and coral with an estimated origin ranging from 12,000 to 80,000 years ago, reveal themselves.

Plan Your Trip

Located on North Carolina’s southeastern coastline, Wilmington is a popular getaway for savvy Carolina residents. It is a good idea to make reservations whenever possible and double-check your arrangements just prior
to your trip.

GETTING THERE
Fly into Wilmington International Airport (ILM) and rent a car. The airport remains fully operational during an expansive renovation.

WHERE TO STAY
Front Street Inn in downtown Wilmington is a delightful boutique hotel and bed & breakfast located just one block from the Cape Fear Riverwalk.

MORE INFO
wilmingtonandbeaches.com