With a genteel beauty rivaling any Southern city, a thriving university culture and a laid-back approach to life Wilmington NC is a winning destination for anyone!
First stop? The Wilmington and Cape Fear Coast's Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Located in the old county courthouse on 3rd Street it provides a wealth of information for visiting for an hour or a month.
Settle into Wilmington’s rhythm with a horse and carriage tour. Informative guides steer broad Percheron horses across the centuries telling stories from pirates of old to modern day movie stars.
Sssssss! People aren’t the only living things here – so are snakes. The Cape Fear Serpentarium lessens fears with informative exhibits on the animals, which crawl, swim, hang and slither all around the world. Still afraid? A new small African art wing is also included in the admission.
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington is a total joy! Ahoy Wilmington is an interactive exhibit with facts on local buccaneers, hidden treasure hunts and three story pirate ship – complete with a firing cannon. Keep exploring. Free arts and crafts, a fully stocked mini grocery store, imagination circus with animals of every kind and a science lab are just more of the fun things here.
From her busy docks many of Wilmington’s residents garnered great wealth, and a wonderful example of mid 19th century architecture and craftsmanship can be found in the magnificent Latimer House. Italianate in design and featuring a piazza with wrought iron grape arbor, the house reflects the lives of the Latimer family members for over a century. Hardly a stuffy old house the scattering of personal items –like gloves, fans and purses- on nightstands and tables allows one to imagine the Latimers will return at any moment. Be sure to ask about some of the colorful people who lived here. Like the artist who always kept her bags packed or the daughter-in-law related to Lady Godiva!
Just as grand is the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. Moored across the Cape Fear river, she is dedicated to the memory of the 10,000 men and women of the state who perished during WWII. Heavily active in the Pacific theatre she was slated for the junkyard when in the early 60’s school childen state-wide raised the money to bring her home. Her stories of war and peace continue to inspire.
More next week.
Just a note: Downtown Wilmington has parking meters with two-hour limits. Ask at the CVB how to maximize your touring with a minimal amount of running to restock the meters
