21 Best Things to Do in Wilmington, NC (See, Eat, Drink, Stay)

Wilmington was our first real getaway from Raleigh when we first moved to North Carolina in 2004, and we instantly fell for its charm, history and beautiful riverfront location. 

Since then, we have returned time and time again to discover more of its ample things to do. From walking tours of its historic homes to gliding along the Cape Fear River at sunset to exploring the walkable downtown alive with indie cafés, galleries, and easy Southern charm, there are just so many things to do in Wilmington that you need to make it more than one trip.

The great thing about Wilmington is that there is so much to uncover around it. Beyond the city limits, you’ll find barrier islands unfurling into wide beaches and windswept dunes, movie sets for iconic TV series (Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, and The Summer I turned Pretty) were all filmed in Wilmington, and windswept nature trails.

Wilmington is equal parts laid-back coastal escape and outdoor adventures with plenty to offer; from its historic architecture to a bustling riverfront atmosphere. It’s the perfect vacation destination in NC – here’s what you can do in the city.

Things to do in Wilmington NC

Park your car at the hotel, We just love destinations where we can walk everywhere! Then get ready to explore the city’s National Register Historic District which spans 230-plus blocks of churches, classic architecture, moss-draped live oaks, brick-lined streets and historic homes.

Want more inspiration on activities and top things to do in Wilmington? Watch our video on what we got up to on our vacation there!

1. Coffee at Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods

• Address: 202 Princess Street 
• Website: BespokeCoffee.com

Whenever we visit Wilmington or pass through on road trips, we always stop at Bespoke Coffee, because it makes our favorite coffee in the city. Not only is the coffee good, but the space is aesthetically pleasing with a black and white modern design that invites you to sit for a while – locals tend to gravitate here with their laptops and work online.

There is a Triangle area connection here too! They use Durham’s Counter Culture Coffee, and if you’ve got young kids, ours enjoys their hot chocolates and smoothies, and our teen loves the chai latte.

A scene from The Summer I turned Pretty season 3 was filmed here, which made it even more popular. In 2025, Bespoke changed ownership, and with that came a sleeker design and a movec to being an all-day café and cocktail bar blends world-class espresso with an Italian-inspired aperitivo program. We will be bak for those aperitivos on our next visit!

2. Explore Wilmington Riverwalk

• Reservations are not needed for the tour. 
• Address: They leave from the end of Market St near the water
• Website: HorseDrawnTours.com

We miss being by the water having grown up in Australia and so our favorite activity in Wilmington is to simply stroll along the pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk lined with shops and cafes and the Port City Marina. The Wilmington Boardwalk is 1.75 miles long, but you don’t have to walk that far and I recommend you at least do the section from Market Street to Nun Street to get a close up view of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

We then like to double back on S Front Street to access some of the downtown area’s favorite historical shops, colorful buildings and restaurants. You can also walk the Riverwalk to Market Street (about a 15-minute walk) and enjoy views of the Battleship North Carolina (also known as USS North Carolina) across the river.

Hot Tip: Wilmington takes a while to wake up so take advantage of the early hours to have the riverfront area almost all to yourself (easy to do when you stay overnight on the Riverfront).

3. Take a Horsedrawn Carriage Ride of Historic Wilmington

A relaxing and fun thing to do in Wilmington is to take a horse drawn carriage ride through historic downtown Wilmington and learn about the history of this port city. We learned that 30 years ago this district was dilapidated and you could have bought a house for around $10,000 – but you’d need cash as no bank was willing to loan money for this run down area!

So, the people came together to call it a historic district which then gave them access to federal money and grants to restore the buildings and fast forward to today and now it’s an expensive and well-sought area to live. Black plaques on homes signify they are over 100 years old, and anything new that now gets built in downtown Wilmington must blend in with the historic look and feel. 

You’ll learn all of this and more on one of eight different routes. Prominent homes we passed were the oldest home in Wilmington (284 years old) and the childhood home of President Woodrow Wilson.

NOTE: If you’re wondering about the wellbeing of the horses, the horses are well looked after, ours were two rescue horses from Amish County in Philadelphia. The tour company, Springbrook Farms has saved 18 draft horses in their 35 years of business. 

4. Sightseeing Cruise of the Cape Fear River

• Address: 101 South Water Street
• Website: cfrboats.com

When you visit a port city on a river, I highly recommend you get a perspective from the water. In Wilmington, we enjoyed a relaxing hour onboard a sightseeing cruise on the Cape Fear River.

The Captain J.N. Maffit boat tour took us upriver to where the Cape Fear River forks before turning back south past the pastel-colored shops and historical buildings of Downtown Wilmington on our left, and Battleship North Carolina on our right.

Commentary included a brief overview of Wilmington’s history from the early explorers to Modern day ships from all over the world, and also learned more about the geography of the region, including the fascinating story of Eagle Island – it was once filled with rice fields until river dredging turned the freshwater to salt and destroyed the industry.

We learned about more recent history too. Since the 1980s, Wilmington has been an active film production hub, supporting feature films, TV shows, and independent productions and is known as “Hollywood East” or “Wilmywood” to the locals. Lastly, we got a good look at the shipping industry that gives Wilmington the name, Port City.

If you’re wondering how the Cape Fear River got its name, old merchants would notice the approaching shallow cape and would turn their boats around, only to run aground on the shoals. They would list on their charts that it was a Cape to be Feared.

5. Check out The Bellamy Mansion Museum

• Address: 503 Market Street
• Website: BellamyMansion.org

Embark on a self-guided audio tour of the 10,000 sq. ft and 22 room Bellamy Mansion that was built primarily by enslaved and free black artisans for the Bellamy family from 1859 to 1861. They do retell the story tastefully and do a good job of sharing the truth of the slave story and help develop that understanding and empathy.

The tour begins outside the mansion and then moves to the two-story brick, slave quarters – one of the best preservered ones in the country. You then move up the five levels of the home to see how the Bellamy family lived.

The elaborate parlor room is impressive, as was the Belvedere, the small room that was responsible for creating natural air conditioning by capturing the natural breeze and sending it down to the rest of the house. The magnificent magnolia tree at the side of the house in the small garden offers a peaceful place to rest under its shade. 

All up it took us about one hour to tour by ourselves, but you can join a 90-minute guided tour. Even our kids enjoyed this property and I feel it’s a worthy family-friendly experience and recommend you add it to your list of Wilmington things to do. 

6. Tour the Battleship North Carolina

• Address: 1 Battleship Road
• Website: BattleShipnc.com

If you’re traveling with kids in Wilmington, then one of the most popular attractions for kids in Wilmington is the tour of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, one of the first of ten battleships to join the American fleet in WWII. In case you don’t know, during World War II North Carolina participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars.

This battleship was considered the world’s greatest navy ship and you’ll be mesmerized exploring the ship and seeing the sailor’s and officer’s quarters and mess hall, as well as the vast amount of artillery on the expansive deck. You can tour 9 different levels and arrows guide you along the self-guided tour. See the engine room and learn about navigation!

Off the ship, be sure to walk around the perimeter on the SECU Memorial Walkway – you may even see an alligator or two! The views of Downtown Wilmington opposite the river are impressive. Allow at least an hour here, but if you’re really into Navy ships you could easily spend several hours.

8. Go shopping in Downtown Wilmington

For those that like to browse stories and do a spot of shopping, there is a good selection of local stores in the downtown area and beyond to just wander around. During your walk along the Riverfront, keep an eye out for the small City Market, a historic landmark and retail destination since 1880. There’s a melange of specialty shops as well as art and craft galleries inside.

Pop into Cape Fear Market who sell unique art from local artisans, as well as boutique items including apparel, accessories, jewelry, home décor, and much more!

Also in downtown Wilmington is the Cotton Exchange which is housed within eight restored buildings connected by brick walkways and an open-air courtyard giving a 19th Century Port City vibe from when Cotton was King – there are 30 unique specialty shops and restaurants.

9. Relax in Airlie Gardens

• Address: 300 Airlie Rd, Wilmington
• Website: AirlieGardens.org

If you love gardens, you can get lost among the the 67 acre private garden, Airlie Gardens, consisting of formal gardens, walking trails, seasonal blooms, centuries-old oak trees, artistic sculptures and peaceful waterways. 

Over 200 species of birds have been observed within the gardens, and don’t miss the famous Airlie Oak (c.1545), the largest Live Oak in North Carolina at 128 feet high. You can also enjoy a seasonal Summer Concert Series and the holiday favorite Enchanted Airlie. 

Spring time is a great time to visit these gardens, as they have 75,000 azaleas that bloom from mid-March through mid-April – a site well worth seeing, and smelling!

10. Admire the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden

• Address: 3800 Canterbury Rd, Wilmington
• Website: www.wilmingtonnc.gov

If you’re looking for a hidden gem that not many tourists know about, then I present to you the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden. This is exactly what it says on the tin; it’s a garden full of carnivorous plants.

Set on approximately 0.728 acres of land, this tiny garden features only plants that get their nutrients from small animals and protozoans, such as Venus Flytraps, Pitcher Plants and Sundews.

It opened in 2011 and is accessible by walking the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail in the Piney Ridge Nature Reserve. There is a boardwalk that runs through the garden where you can admire the plants from a safe distance, and plenty of signage telling you what you’re looking at. No entrance fee and no staff managing the garden.

11. Get lost in Brooklyn Arts District

Located on the historic north side of downtown Wilmington, the Brooklyn Arts District is anchored by the Brooklyn Arts Center + The Annex. Our local friend who lives in nearby Carolina Beach took us for a quick tour of this neighborhood and we’d love to explore more.

Originally constructed in 1888 as St. Andrews Church, the Brooklyn Arts Center was the center of Wilmington’s Brooklyn neighborhood for nearly a century and St. Andrews school building was completed in 1910. 

Today, both buildings have been restored and refurbished as an event venue that plays host to live music and concerts, weddings, art shows and vintage flea markets.

And, just up the road is the local’s favorite ice cream joint, Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream, which was a hit with our kids!

12. Wander around the Cargo District

• Address: 1605 Queen St, Wilmington
• Website: CargoDistrict.com

This is a cool and evolving neighborhood in Wilmington. It gets its name due to the business being housed inside reused shipping containers and they’ve done a very creative job with the design.

Explore a variety of shopping and dining establishments including End of Days Distillery, Wilmington’s very first craft distillery. Take a seat – inside or out – in the communal dining courtyard and choose from eight rotating taps at Alcove Beer Garden.

Or, grab a coffee or tea at the Blue Cup Roastery, dine at Mess Hall, which offers a variety of burgers and tasty vegan options, and stop by Cheesesmith for artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches.

During our visit there was also an outdoor market plus live music. This neighborhood reminds me of a similar concept called Container Park in downtown Las Vegas. 

• Address: 1605 Queen St, Wilmington
• Website: CargoDistrict.com

13. Catch a sunset on the river

One of the best free things to do in Wilmington is to watch the sunset down by the Wilmington Riverfront, an activity we’ve been doing as a family for years.

You have a few options; the free option is to stroll along the boardwalk and find a spot to watch the sun go down over the river, or you can eat at any of the Wilmington restaurants along the riverfront or take a sunset cruise. Be sure to book ahead for one of the restaurants, especially on a weekend or holiday period, as they do get busy and some won’t take you in unless you are eating.

One place we have eaten at many times is Elijah’s Restaurant and they have an affordable kids’ menu. We did, however, manage to get a small cocktail table on the deck of the beautifully restored Pilot House Rest for a sunset drink or a meal. We enjoyed a Father’s Day dinner with my parents visiting from Australia on an overnight stay in Willmington. My dad said “that meal with the sun setting was simply magic” Although we had to get our own drinks from the bar, a minor inconvenience to watch the beautiful sunset.

14. Relax at a brewery in Wilmington

With 20+ breweries in the Wilmington area, beer lovers are not short of a spot for a good pint. Flytrap is a popular neighborhood brewery in the booming Brooklyn Arts District- you’ll find some local art hanging on the walls! It’s a family-friendly brewery with a large outdoor beer garden and a lovely spot to rest with an ice cold local brew. 

They specialize in American and Belgian style ales, and I thoroughly enjoyed their light and refreshing Belgian Blonde. They also have unique natural wines and flavored sparkling waters for the kids. 

Front Street Brewery also serves up quality craft beers. Flying Machine Brewing and Wilmington Brewing Company are on my list for when we return. For a full list of breweries go here. 

15. Explore the Wilmington Beaches

Wilmington is near three beautiful beaches in North Carolina and once you’re done with the riverfront, one of the most popular things to do in Wilmington is to go for a beach trip and take in the serene auro of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Our favorite is Wrightsville Beach, but Carolina Beach to the south is also colorful and very family-friendly. So is Kure Beach and Masonboro Island. Each beach location has great options for delicious food, and various beach activities you can do like paddle boarding and surfing lessons.

Wrightsville Beach

The closest beach to Raleigh and just 12-miles from downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville is our favorite beach that reminds us so much of back home in Australia. Known for its laid back coastal living, this is a barrier island (4-miles long) and offers all your beach activities plus watersports on the intracoastal waterway, not to mention some excellent restaurants and bars.

Read More: 1 day itinerary for Wrightsville Beach

Carolina Beach 

Carolina Beach is one of the best family beaches in North Carolina with its famous wooden beach-side boardwalk, restaurants and amusement rides, craft coffees, tiki bars and summer concerts.

This Carolina beach town pops with color and is a fun-loving and free-spirited family destination just 20-minutes from downtown Wilmington. If you enjoy hiking, there are a few beautiful walks in the Carolina Beach State Park, which are a combination of forest and beach hike. The entire Cape Fear area is full of natural beauty, not just the beach.

Read More: What to do in Carolina Beach 

16. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

• Address: 1000 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach
• Website: ncparks.gov

Located just 18 miles south of Wilmington is the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. This state park is known for its ruins of Fort Fisher, a former battlement that played a major role during the American Civil War.

It’s also an adventurers playground. You can go four-wheel driving along the beach, walk along the trails through the salt marshes, surf from the beach, or go camping. In the warm months, the beach is also known to be a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles.

17. Cool off at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

• Address: 5320 Oleander Dr, Wilmington
• Website: junglerapids.com

On a hot summers day, the best place to cool off is at Jungle Rapids, a water park and amusement park in Wilmington. The park is only open from May to September, so check the park’s website before visiting for opening hours.

Zip down water slides, challenge your friends to a game of laser tag, or compete in a game of mini-golf. There are also go-karts, mini bowling, and a rock climbing wall.

18. Learn at Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

• Address: 814 Market St, Wilmington
• Website: nhcgov.com

The Cape Fear Museum is a well curated, interactive museum dedicated to history and science. It offers a mix of temporary and permanent exhibitions, telling the story of some of science’s greatest achievements.

You can learn about the history and discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, learn about Cape Fear’s history, the anatomy of the Giant Ground Sloth, or learn about space exploration. They also have hands-on STEM exhibits for kids, and hold regular workshops and educational programs for little ones, too!

19. Admire Vintage Trains at Wilmington Railroad Museum

• Address: 505 Nutt St. Wilmington
• Website: www.wrrm.org

For those who are fascinated by railroad travel, the Wilmington Railroad Museum has a great collection of vintage trails and railroad memorabilia. You can climb abroad a 100-year-old steam locomotive, learn about the people who worked on the railroads in Wilmington, and let your kids play with the model train set!

20. Catch a Show at Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts

• Address: 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
• Website: https://www.thalianhall.org/community-theatre

If you’re looking for things to do at night, then you can’t go wrong with watching a show at one of the most historic theaters in NC. Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts was built in 1858 and features a combination of Classical Revival and Late Victorian design elements. It often has community theater programs, especially musical theater, and there’s also a cinema. Check the website to see what’s on when you visit.

21. Attend the Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival

• Dates: 8th – 12th April, 2026
• Where: Wilmington
• Official Website: ncazaleafestival.org

If you time your visit right, be sure to attend the week-long NC Azalea Festival, which has been celebrated in Wilmington since 1948! Featuring concerts, a parade, a fair, parties and youth programming, this one of the biggest festivals in Wilmington. There is usually a big name artists playing on the stage at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion. In 2026, it was Lil Jon.

22. Get spooked on a Wilmington ghost tour

There’s no better way to get to know the spirit of a city then on a ghost tour! Wilmington has a deep, long history of pirates, wars, coups, and modern-day mysteries like the death of Brandon Lee on a movie set! A walk through the streets of downtown Wilmington and along the river will unravel the mysteries, teach you some of the history, and introduce you to the ghosts that still wander. The end stop was one of the eeriest I have felt on a ghost tour yet (and I ran back to my car very quickly!!)

Check out the beauty of Wilmington in the video below 👇

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Restaurants in Wilmington NC

There are plenty of places to eat in Wilmington to satisfy all food tastes, whether you desire traditional Southern cuisine, seafood, Mexican, pub style burgers – you name it, it’s all here in Wilmington!

There are over 40 locally owned restaurants in Wilmington in the River District alone lining the Riverwalk, Front Street, and beyond. Here are some places we ate and loved! Here’s a list featuring 11 of our favorite Wilmington restaurants.

Brunch at The Basics

• Address: 319 N Front St
• Website: TheBasicsWilmington.com

If you visit Wilmington on the weekend and crave brunch, one of the most popular brunch spots in Wilmington is The Basics on N Front Street.

Here you’ll find a wide variety of Southern inspired breakfast dishes including crab cake benedict, and cajun shrimp and grits, but other breakfast favorites like Mediterranean scrambled eggs, and blueberry pancakes. And, brunch always pairs nicely with a delicious dragon fruit mimosa or Irish coffee!

Booking your table ahead is recommended or arrive a few minutes before the 10am opening time as this place gets busy.

Seabird Restaurant

• Address: 1 S Front St, Wilmington
• Website: Seabirdnc.com

The fact that we couldn’t get a table at Seabird tells you that this is one of the best restaurants in Wilmington, and came highly recommended by our Instagram followers when we put the call out for recommendations. This historic downtown Wilmington restaurant has a focus on a seasonal seafood menu with ingredients found in North Carolina.

Tastefully decorated and a modern space with full-length subway tiles, blue toned aquatic artwork on the walls, porthole windows on the swinging doors into the kitchen, and blue upholstered chairs. 

While we didn’t eat here, we did find a way to experience Seabird – we were thrilled to discover that they’re another great coffee option in Wilmington with baristas who know how to make a proper latte, so snuck back one morning. And they use Counter Culture Coffee from Durham. Seabird has a limited breakfast menu plus grab-and-go biscuits and pastries. Book ahead for dining in. 

Chef Dean Neff is a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist and received the Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community. at the 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards held by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA.

Tacos at Beer Barrio

• Address: 34 N Front
• Website: BeerBarrionc.com

If you love tacos and margaritas, grab a seat at one of the colorful tables on the sidewalk (or indoors) and enjoy this craft-beer infused Mexican restaurant. 

With choices like a catfish po’boy and beer braised beef tacos and pulled pork on your nachos, bowls and burritos, there’s a Southern flair. And the food is colorful, affordable, and unusually large for a taco!

Beer is the other focus of this restaurant with a local brew finding its way into almost every dish! 

And, they even had a delicious French toast dish on the brunch menu which our exceptionally fussy tween eater devoured. Note: Sundays has an all-day brunch menu.

Indochine Restaurant

• Address: 7 Wayne Dr, Wilmington
• Website: IndochineWilmington.com

Speaking of popular restaurants, you won’t find a more in-demand Wilmington restaurant than Indochine, a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant located a 10-minute drive from historic downtown.

We’ve attempted to eat here twice now, with no booking, and the wait time was estimated at 2-3 hours each time. As we were driving back to Raleigh both evenings, that was too long so opted for takeout. We returned another time during lunch, walking straight to a table and enjoying a fairly authentic Thai lunch!

We lived in Bangkok for 6 months teaching English and LOVE Thai food and were excited to put Indochine to the test, and while waiting for our order did a walk through of the interior and exterior and the exotic, art-filled setting with a gorgeous outdoor garden and gazebo area it took us back to our days in Thailand. 

Let us know if you’ve dined at Indochine in the comments? Next time we’ll make a booking well ahead of time, and recommend you do too.

Rooster & The Crow

• Address: 225 S Water St Suite G & H, Wilmington
• Website: RoosterandTheCrow.com

Located in an industrial brick building, this restaurant and bar focuses on hearty Southern staples with their fried chicken being a stand out (huge portions), and the mashed potato is incredible.

Other popular dishes include the Loaded Cheese Fries, Cheesy grits, Shrimp or catfish Poorboys, fried green tomato BLT, fried cabbage, and the burger!

Sit on the sidewalk, indoors, at the bar, or in their nice courtyard space. Variety of cocktails and beer on offer!

Front Street Brewery

• Address: 9 N Front St, Wilmington
• Website: FrontStreetBrewery.com

Opened since 1995, this downtown Wilmington restaurant and microbrewery offers upgraded pub grub, house beers and daily tours of the brewery.

Front Street Brewery is North Carolina’s 7th brewery to open and Wilmington’s longest operating brewery. With nearly 20 breweries now in the area, FSB is still the Original. Enjoy made from scratch food and craft beer pairings in a historic building on, you guessed it, Front Street.

Ice Cream at Kilwins

• Address: 16 Market Street
• Website: Kilwins.com

Besides the aforementioned Boombalatti’s, the other local favorite ice cream shop is Kilwins and you can’t escape the irresistible smell as you wander past on Market St towards the riverfront, your kids will drag you in there in an instant.

We’ve been taking our 14 year old to Kilwins since she was two, so it’s a very nostalgic place for us to revisit with each trip to Wilmington. 

And it’s not just ice cream here, there’s a very tempting selection of chocolates and dozens of fresh confections and treats on display – you’ve been warned! 

Wake n’ Bake Donuts

• Address: 114 Princess St, Wilmington
• Website: Wakenbakedonuts.com

For another treat, take your kids to Wake n’ Bake Donuts in downtown Wilmington. They make Voodoo Doughnut style with gourmet fillings and unusual flavors. They also bake a gluten-free donut for those who are intolerant like Caroline, which wasn’t too bad.

Other places to eat in Wilmington

We haven’t personally dined at the below listed Wilmington restaurants, but they come recommended from our online community. On our list for next time:

• Cape Fear Seafood Company
• The Copper Penny
• Slice of Life Pizzeria & Pub
• Taqueria Los Portales

Where to stay in Wilmington

If you are looking for accommodation in Wilmington, our hotel of choice is typically the Embassy Suites by Hilton Riverfront. It’s possibly the nicest of the Embassy Suites we’ve stayed in, modern and stylishly decorated. 

The location is great, an easy 10-minute walk to downtown along the riverfront, and your stay comes with a buffet breakfast that has a decent array of offerings including omelet’s made to order, pancakes, grits and pastries. Their suites are spacious and great for families like ours, and if you work remotely you’ll appreciate the living room/office space. 

They also have afternoon happy hours, where you can get two drinks, including standard well drinks, and the Cloud 9 Rooftop bar is a top spot for sunset drinks and panoramic views over the river. See current rates here. You can read our full review of the Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront (includes more photos!)

Houseboat in Wilmington

For an extra special or unique experience, consider staying in a house boat in Wilmington. One of the advantages to staying in Wilmington is being right on the Cape Fear River, and The Cove Riverwalk Villas allows you to stay literally on the river.

These house boats are pet-friendly, modern, and meticulously maintained to a high standard. The boats have a back patio overlooking the Riverwalk, so you’re never too far away from restaurants and bars, as well as places to take your pooch for a walk.

Houseboats are also kitted out with full kitchens, separate bathrooms and bedrooms, and can cater to up to six guests. They are the perfect option for those looking for a home away from home experience and go self catering.

For other hotels in Wilmington, we liked the look of the Aloft and Best Western were also next door to the Embassy and looked good – location wise at least! And, if you want to stay in Wrightsville Beach and drive into Wilmington, you can’t beat the Trailborn Surf & Sound Resort for the ultimate beach vacation!

Getting to Wilmington from Raleigh

If you’re wondering how far is Wilmington NC from Raleigh, it’s almost directly south (about a 2 hour drive), 3.5 hours drive Southeast of Charlotte, and about 1.5 hours Northeast of Myrtle Beach.

To get to Wilmington from Raleigh, you can either drive or get a bus. There is a Greyhound Bus that takes 3 hours 5 minutes and departs from Raleigh Bus Station and New Bern Avenue.

If you prefer to drive, drive along the I-40 E from N Blount St and Hammond Rd, and it will take you directly to Wilmington – easy! Click here for rates and availability if you need a rental car.

Fun Fact: Interstate 40 (I-40) starts or ends in Wilmington and goes all the way to Barstow, California. At a length of 2,556.61 miles, I-40 is the third largest component in the interstate highway system. We have driven it as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Final thoughts

With rich history and plenty of charm, we like to say that Wilmington, North Carolina, is a smaller version of Charleston or Savannah – oodles of Southern Charm with a vibrant, unique personality and plenty to do. 

In this guide, we’ve focused mostly on the historic Wilmington Riverfront District, plus other districts within a short drive. We’ve of course added the two closest beaches, which you must make sure you visit if this is your first trip to Wilmington. Here is an itinerary guide for an overnight stay showcasing the best of Wilmington.

I hope this guide helped you figure out what to do in Wilmington and gave you some inspiration. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below.