Living the Lifestyle

With over 200 blocks of Historic District and several beaches…this is just a sampling of the many wonderful things that can be found in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. The following are some of our favorite places and things to do in this amazing place:

Downtown Wilmington

• Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
• Farmer’s Market : Saturdays
• Capt.J.N. Maffitt Tour Boat (Foot of Market)
• Battleship North Carolina (Cape Fear River)
• Trolley Tours (Downtown)
• Horse-Drawn Trolley/Carriage Tours (Market & Water)
• City Market (Water Street): Shopping
• Chandler’s Wharf (Water Street): Shopping/Dining
• Cotton Exchange (Water & Front): Shopping/Dining
• Cucalorus Film Festival (November)
• Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington: Guided location and movie set tour: See where movies and television shows were filmed like: "Dawson’s Creek", "One Tree Hill", "Surface", "Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood"
• Screen Gems Studios Tours (N. 23rd St.)
• Bellamy Mansion Museum (Market St.)
• Wilmington Children’s Museum (Orange St.)
• Cape Fear Museum ( Market St.)
• Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
• Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts (Chestnut St.) Wonderful historical venue for all kinds of performances (built in 1858).
• Red Barn Studio Theatre (S. Third St.) Actress and former local resident Linda Lavin produces amazing productions here.
• City Stage (Front St.) See plays in a former 19th century Masonic Temple with adjoining rooftop bar (Level 5). Great views too.
• Community Arts Center (S. Second St.) A useful place for the Arts community housed in the historic WWII USO building.
• Cape Fear Playhouse: Big Dawg Productions (613 Castle St.)
• New Castle Arts and Antique District (Castle St.)
• Greenfield Lake Amphitheater See Shakespeare in the park or hear a concert.
• Greenfield Lake and Gardens (Third St.) 5 miles of walking paths. Boat rentals. www.wilmingtonnc.gov
• Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum
• Wilmington Historic Foundation
• Wilson Center | CFCC Humanities and Fine Arts Center

Wrighstville Beach

• Wrightsville Beach Visitors Center
• Wrightsville Beach Water Taxi
• Wrightsville Beach Museum
• Holiday Flotilla
• Wrightsville Beach Museum

Carolina Beach

• Boardwalk
• Amusement Rides in the summer
• Carolina Beach State Park
• Britt’s Donuts (Boardwalk) Don’t miss out on this Carolina Beach secret.
• Michael's Seafood
• Lots of Charter Fishing and cruises

Kure Beach

• Fishing Pier

Fort Fisher

• N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher (location of many film productions also).
• Fort Fisher Historic Site
• The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry
• Orton Plantation (Orton Rd.) (also the site of many film productions).

Other places in to see in New Hanover County

• Airlie Gardens (Airlie Rd.)
• Arboretum (Oleander Dr.)
• Poplar Grove Plantation (U.S. 17 North) (Also has a farmer’s market and seasonal events).
• Lewis Strawberry Fields (Gordon Rd.) Pick your own strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Homemade ice cream.

Festivals & Events: Just a sample

• N.C. Azalea Festival (April)
• N.C. Spot Festival (September)
• Riverfest (October)
• Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues and Jazz festival (October)
• North Carolina Holiday Flotilla (November)
• Cucalorus Film Festival (November)
• Old Wilmington By Candlelight (December)

Favorite Restaurants

Please keep in mind there are more fantastic local restaurants than I could possibly mention here. If you are looking for something specific please feel free to give me a call and I would be happy to recommend something for you.

• Dock Street Oyster Bar: Great Fresh Seafood
• Elijah’s and Pilot House: Wonderful river views
• Circa 1922: Tapas
• Coastal Cupcakes: Sweet treats
• Port City Java: Honey Ginger shake is heaven.
• Indochine: Thai food at its best.
• Oceanic: Ocean Views and crab dip
• Bluewater: Intracoastal views
• Dockside: Local Favorite Intracoastal Views
• Michael’s Seafood: Best Clam Chowder
• Olympia: Greek Food
• Taste of Italy: Italian food, Best chicken salad and eggplant parmesan.
• La Costa: Mexican. Good Sangria and Pollo a la Crema.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: At the Hilton Riverside
• Brasserie Du Soleil; French
• Yosake: Sushi
• Nikki’s: Also sushi and great variety
• Brooklyn Pizza: NY style
• Elizabeth’s Pizza: Good Old fashioned Italian food and pizza.
• Boca Bay (close to the beach)
• Manna
• Port Land Grille (Four Star)
• Port City Chop house
• Tower 7 - Good Baja Food
• The Harp - Traditional Irish
• Casey’s Buffet - Low country home cooking
• Hieronymus Seafood - Voted Best Seafood.
• Hot Pink Cake Stand - All kinds of flavored cupcake goodness
• Dixie Grill - Great food and atmosphere
• Cast Iron Kitchen- on Market Street. Fantastic low country southern cooking.
• Catch- Bravo TVs Top Chef/2011 James Beard Nominee Chef Keith Rhode. Creative, global twists on local seafood served in a contemporary, nautical backdrop with a bar.
• Sahara-longtime local stand on Market street. Fresh Greek food and more.
• Poe’s- wonderful atmosphere with big burgers and great chili at Wrightsville Beach
• Jester’s Java- One of the best sandwich shops in town on Castle St. with amazing salads, quiche, deserts and Sunday Brunch too!
• Chops Deli- Several locations. The real deli deal! Plus different flavored Mac and Cheese every day.
• Temptations- Two locations. Fantastic lunches and dinners.
• Wilmington has many amazing food trucks that make the rounds too!