Wilmington's residential area lies between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, and the city developed as a commercial port in the colonial era. The city was founded in the 1730s, preceded in its foundation in the area by Brunswick Town and Charles Towne.

From Wilmington’s Historic District to the sun and fun at the Wilmington Beaches, you won’t want to leave. Visitors can expect superlative North Carolina vacations with welcoming weather year-round.

Explore things to do in Wilmington, NC and beaches, like waterparks, outdoor adventures, nightlife and spas. Plan your trip today!

Book these experiences for a close-up look at Wilmington. These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. 1. Battleship North Carolina.

The official website for the municipal government of the City of Wilmington, NC.

Ahead, we rounded up the best things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina, from surfing at the beach to the Azalea Festival to strolling the historic downtown.

Wilmington, city and the seat of New Hanover county located in southeastern North Carolina, U.S. It is the state’s chief seaport and lies on the Cape Fear River, about 30 miles (48 km) above its mouth.

Wilmington is not considered very diverse ethnically, with a diversity index of 0.245. [7] In 2000, Latinos made up 86.6% of the population, while non-Hispanic whites were at 6.4%, Asians at 4.8%, blacks at 2.6% and others at 1.7%.

The shooting happened at Red West Pizza, located on Pacific Coast Highway in Wilmington, police said.