By car

From the south via I-95 N, or from the direction of Charlotte, you should take US 74 E (exit 14 in North Carolina from I-95). It will take you about an 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Wilmington from the junction of I-95 and US 74. If taking this route, you should be sure to stock up on snacks and drinks, use the restroom, and fill up your gasoline tank before merging onto US 74 E, because stops are few and far between until arriving in Wilmington. US 74 (running concurrent with US 17 and US 76 at this point) crosses the Cape Fear River Bridge into Wilmington just south of the Historic District.

From the north via I-95 S, or from the direction of Raleigh, take I-40 E. Again, it will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Wilmington from the junction of I-95 and I-40. You should be aware that stops between I-95 and Wilmington are also infrequent, although there is a rest area near Warsaw, at the exit for NC 24.

By plane

Wilmington is served by Wilmington International Airport (ILM), located at 1740 Airport Blvd, to the northwest of downtown. Three airlines fly into ILM: US Airways, Allegiant Air, and ASA. Although there are direct flights to and from Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, and Sanford/Orlando, many passengers make connections at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA (ATL), or through Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte (CLT).

By bus

Bus service to and from Wilmington is via Carolina Trailways, a subsidiary of Greyhound. Buses connect Wilmington to Charleston, Goldsboro, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh and Savannah. The station is located at 201 Harnett Street in downtown Wilmington. Service is infrequent, with only four arrivals and departures per day, and the station is open for limited hours: 9AM-1PM, and 4PM-6PM.

Bellamy Mansion, Burgwin-Wright House, Cape Fear Museum, Cape Fear Serpentarium, EUE Screen Gems Studio

Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market Street. Tours on the hour Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Offices open M–F 9AM-5PM. Built for planter Dr. John D. Bellamy in 1859, the Bellamy Mansion is Wilmington's most spectacular example of antebellum architecture. Today, the mansion operates as a museum of history and design arts, and is owned by Preservation North Carolina. See exhibits on architectural history, historic preservation and design arts, and see the newly restored carriage house and gardens. Plans are being made at the moment for restoring the slave quarters. Admission for adults $7, Children (5-12) $3, Group tours $5 (20 or more persons with required advance reservations).

Burgwin-Wright House, 224 Market Street,. M-Sa, 10AM-4PM. M-F, tours hourly, with the last tour at 3:30PM. On Saturdays, tours on the half-hour, with the last tour at 3:30PM. From the house museum's own website: "Using the old jail as the foundation, the Burgwin-Wright House was built in 1770 by John Burgwin, planter, merchant, and treasurer of the colony of Carolina. In 1781, 'the most considerable house in town' was occupied by Lord Cornwallis as his headquarters shortly before his defeat and surrender at Yorktown, Virginia."

Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street,. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the Museum is open M 9AM-5PM. The "Cape Fear Museum of History and Science collects, preserves, and interprets objects relating to the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear."

Cape Fear Serpentarium, 20 Orange Street,. M-F 11AM-5PM, Sa-Su 11AM-6PM. Hours may vary seasonally, so phone ahead for confirmation. The Cape Fear Serpentarium features more than 80 exotic snakes from around the world. Tickets are $8 and children under 2 years of age are free. Ask about special group or educational discounts.

EUE Screen Gems Studio, 1223 North 23rd Street,  Tours are offered at 12PM on Saturdays from September to May and Saturdays and Sundays 12PM and 2PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tour of EUE Screen Gems Studios North Carolina takes visitors through North Carolina's film history. This one-hour walking tour includes visits to the sets of Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill.

January - March
October - December

Information not available

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