Three days in Wilmington
We came to Wilmington to attend a conference that Liat was invited to. Because the only good flight to the area landed in Charlotte, we started our visit in Charlotte and then headed to Wilmington by car.
The Battleship North Carolina is a museum inside a Second World War warship. We enjoyed exploring the decks, living quarters, galley and working spaces, imagining life aboard. The route includes stairs and narrow passages, so check accessibility for anyone with limited mobility. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore. See hours, routes and tickets.
After a break at our hotel near the northern end of the Riverwalk, we explored the Historic District and Cotton Exchange. The restored buildings, shops and passageways made a lovely introduction. In the evening, Pour Taproom let us sample different beers and pay for the amount poured. For two people who enjoy trying new beers, it was a great evening.
The following day Liat joined her colleagues for a conference meeting. I drove to Carolina Beach, island-town south to Wilmington. I walked the sandy beach for more than an hour and then headed to the nearby lake to take a walk around it. It was beautiful.
I then stopped at Carolina Beach State Park, picked up a map near the marina and followed a route of about five kilometres. The view of the Cape Fear River was beautiful. Check trail conditions and visitor guidance and bring water; this is a hiking area, not a designated swimming beach.
Wrightsville Beach lies east of Wilmington, with an ocean beach and homes along inland waterways including Banks Channel. The docks that impressed me are not on the Cape Fear River. I enjoyed the beach walk and the peaceful atmosphere during my visit. Many areas have paid parking, with rates depending on location; check the signs and town parking information before leaving your car.
Back to Wilmington, I walked the gorgeous Riverwalk on the bank of Cape Fear River. The road is part of the Historic Downtown and has many signs telling the story of this historical city. After I reached the end of the Riverwalk on Nun street, I saw that all the houses were exceptional, with a 19th-century look. I took a long walk, exploring those lovely renovated houses, feeling like I live in the past.
As a beer enthusiast and long-time app user, finding the Untappd offices was exciting. I rang the bell and a member of staff kindly showed me around. It was a wonderful personal surprise, not a tourist tour I had booked.
The Bellamy Mansion was built in 1859–1861 for a wealthy Wilmington family. Free Black artisans and enslaved people helped build it, and people enslaved by the family lived and worked on the property. On our roughly 75-minute tour, I learned about everyday life on both sides of that enormous divide. It was fascinating and often difficult. The house belongs to the period around the Civil War, not the American Revolution.
We visited the Fort Fisher Aquarium after Liat’s conference. The displays impressed me less than I had expected, but the touch activity was memorable. That reflects our visit at the time.
September 2026 update: the aquarium closed on 26 May 2026 for a renovation and expansion expected to take more than two years. Check reopening news and alternative activities before planning a visit. Any touch activities depend on staff guidance and the programme operating at the time.
The visit to the aquarium finished our trip to Wilmington, and we started drove back to Charlotte to catch our flight back home.
The historic centre suited exploring on foot, while our car was useful for Charlotte and the beaches. Compare rental cars on DiscoverCars, including insurance and return conditions. For more local history, consider a historian-guided walking tour on GetYourGuide. This is an optional suggestion, not a tour we took.
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All Articles from This Trip
Our Visit to the Untappd Offices in Wilmington
The Lake Park in Carolina Beach