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Cameron Art Museum
Visit Cameron Art Museum to connect Wilmington’s creative side with history tied directly to its grounds. Explore permanent and rotating exhibitions, see outdoor works in the Sculpture Garden, then visit USCT Park and “Boundless,” a life-size bronze sculpture honoring the United States Colored Troops who fought in the Battle of Forks Road. Build in time for CAM Café, which serves lunch and weekend brunch (or Thursday dinner with live music if you’re in town already).
Wilmington Riverwalk
On to one of Wilmington’s most iconic stops: Wilmington Riverwalk. The nearly 2-mile, year-round walkway follows the Cape Fear River and connects more than 200 shops, restaurants, markets, galleries and attractions. Stop at Conlon Pier for river views or fishing, book a narrated tour, or head to the north end for marina views, outdoor concerts, waterfront dining and sunset-ready hotel rooftops.
Seabird
Head to Seabird in the heart of historic downtown Wilmington for a seafood dinner rooted in North Carolina’s coast. Chef Dean Neff, a James Beard Outstanding Chef finalist, leads the kitchen alongside award-winning pastry chef Lydia Clopton, with a menu that spans oysters, seasonal seafood, thoughtful non-seafood dishes, cocktails and brunch favorites. Want a taste of it all? The three-tier seasonal seafood tower is your best bet and worth the splurge.
The Cove Riverwalk Villas
It’s a short stroll to your accommodations, and The Cove Riverwalk Villas gives you a different kind of downtown Wilmington stay: a floating home base on the Cape Fear River. Each villa — including one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts — has a private deck, a full kitchen and spacious living areas, with easy shuttle access to downtown. Add a BYOB sunset cruise from the dock for a low-effort way to see the river. Plenty more overnight options — think classic hotels, waterfront resorts, and B&Bs — abound in the area if you’re looking to stay closer to the beach.
Wilmywood Film & TV Location Walk
Walk through Wilmington’s film legacy on a 90-minute tour of locations used in beloved movies and TV shows. From “One Tree Hill” and “Dawson’s Creek” to Nicholas Sparks film adaptations and “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” the route shows how downtown became one of America’s largest living film sets. After the tour, the day calls for lunch on the Riverwalk.
Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours
Make your afternoon a coastal outing with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. Choose a dolphin cruise, shelling adventure, harbor tour, barrier island shuttle or kid-friendly pirate cruise. Pro tip: Ask about flexible reservations if the listed times don’t fit your schedule. Rather save the sail for date night? Ravens Nest Sailing has you covered with private sunset sails on the Cape Fear River.
Concorde Espresso Bar
After another meal on the Riverwalk, end the evening at Front Street Inn’s Concorde Espresso Bar, an airline-themed spot that works as a café by morning and cocktail bar after dark. The espresso martini flights, string-lit patio and tableside s’mores are so beloved that a second location opened in Porters Neck, north of downtown, in 2026.
The Cargo District
The new and growing Cargo District is a must-stop with its mix of coffee, bars, restaurants, local shopping and creative energy just minutes from downtown. The district spans more than nine blocks, with 90-plus businesses housed in shipping containers, repurposed Quonset huts and other inventive spaces.
Carolina Beach State Park
Head to Carolina Beach State Park for hiking, fishing and one of North Carolina’s most unusual natural finds. The park is home to Venus flytraps — which only grow natively within a 90-mile radius of the park — plus Sugarloaf Dune (where more than 5,000 troops camped during the Civil War), limesink ponds, secluded campsites, ranger-led programs and a marina with an accessible fishing deck.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
End your trip at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, where a new visitor center, exhibits and recovered artifacts explain the Civil War battle that helped close Wilmington’s vital supply route. Afterward, walk the live oak-shaded trail past restored palisade fencing, earthworks and cannons, or cross to the oceanfront Battle Acre Monument for one last coastal view before heading home.
This itinerary was produced in partnership with Wilmington and Island Beaches CVB.