James L. Hoffman - Day Trips® The Carolinas: Getaway Ideas for the Local Traveler

At the mouth of the Cape Fear River is a pretty port city, bubbling with history and a twist of Hollywood. One of the 20th centurys greatest battleships is moored here against a riverfront backdrop that offers day-trippers much to see and do. This city blends seam-lessly into the coastal community of Wrightsville Beach where vacationers gather at Johnny Mercers pier and surfers from a nearby university hang ten.

Located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington was important through the Revolutionary War and became a major shipbuilding center. With the construction of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad early in the 19th century, it became the worlds largest cotton exchange, the importance of which is still evident in downtown attractions. The surrounding communities flourished with the establishment of plantations, some of which travelers can still visit.

The citys economy has at times struggled, but in the 1970s city leaders committed to downtown revitalization, striking a remarkable balance between preserving history and establishing an economy for the future. Downtown is bordered by a charming riverfront where jazz bands play free concerts at sunset and street vendors offer their wares for sale.

Between the riverfront and coast are shopping malls, chain restaurants, a handful of established attractions, and a spectacular garden. Screen Gem Studios, the largest motion picture studio on the East Coast, made this city the Hollywood of the East when it was established here in 1980. Only fifteen minutes away from downtown is Wrightsville Beach. Located on an island, the small town still retains much of its turn-of-the-nineteenth-century charma nice family getaway.

Wilmington was established as a trading post in 1729, originally referred to as Dram Tree and later New Liverpool, New Carthage, New Town, and Newton. When colonial Governor Gabriel Johnston took office in 1749, he incorporated it as the City of Wilmington, naming it after Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington. General Cornwallis and British forces would occupy the city for a year during the Revolutionary War, but when he withdrew and his armies fell, the area would flourish as a shipbuilding port and a center for export of cotton. Completed in 1840, the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, the worlds longest rail line, would be a critical link for the cotton industry and for more than a century would make Wilmington one of the states largest and one of the countrys most economically stable cities. In 1910 the railroad merged into the Atlantic Coast Line, but its headquarters remained in Wilmington. Surviving the Great Depression and world wars, the city was dealt a major blow in 1960 when the Atlantic Coast Line moved its headquarters. Its 1,000 employees and their families relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, the largest single move of employees ever staged by a southeastern industry.

Resilient downtown developers began a strong revitalization effort in the 1970s while preservationists sought protection for the historic downtown homes and buildings. Their combined efforts resulted in a reborn downtown that still attracts visitors, who take carriage rides and walking tours to learn about the citys history. For information contact the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (505 Nutt St.; 877-406-2356; www.capefearcoast.com). The CVB also operates a kiosk on the river at the foot of Market Street.

getting there

US 17, which runs along the Carolina coast, US 421, and US 74/76 merge on the Cape Fear River as drivers enter Wilmington. I-40 enters the citys center from the north.

where to go

Airlie Gardens. 300 Airlie Rd.; (910) 798-7700; www.airliegardens.org. Designed in the early 1900s, Airlie Gardens encompasses 67 acres of post-Victorian European style gardens, with 10 acres of freshwater lakes. Offered is a 1-mile walking tour amid 100,000 azaleas, camellias, statuary, a butterfly garden, and the historic and amazing Airlie Oak that is believed to be nearly 500 years old. Also significant is the whimsical Minnie Evans Sculpture Garden that includes the Bottle Chapel, a small structure made of bottles, metal sculptures, mosaics, and ceramics. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 6 to 12. Open Tues through Sun 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cameron Art Museum. 3201 S. 17th St.; (910) 395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.org. Formerly St. Johns Museum, this well-established 42,000-square-foot museum highlights two centuries of North Carolina artists such as Minnie Evans, Claude Howell, Mary Cassatt, Jugtown potters, and more. Its permanent collections are displayed on a rotating basis. An outdoor exhibit includes a compelling collection of contemporary sculptures. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 18, and free for children under age 5. Open Tues through Fri 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat and Sun.

azalea festival

NC Azalea Festival (910-794-4650; www.ncazaleafestival.org) is one of the states biggest and best celebrations. Twice listed as a top-twenty event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the coastal city has held the festival since 1958, and now it attracts more than 300,000 people. Appropriately, its held in early April over several days and features big-time pop and country music stars. It begins with the arrival and coronation of the Azalea Queen at the opening on Wednesday and continues with a circus, gospel concerts, a coin show, a horse show, and an air show. At its core, however, is an opportunity to view Wilmingtons gardensAirlie Gardens, Greenfield Lake Gardens, Orton Plantation Gardens, and as many as eight others associated with historic sites and public buildings are included in the events. Discount tickets good for the entire festival are offered for all gardens on the tour. Azalea Belles from the Cape Fear Garden Club are dressed in colorful antebellum hoop skirts and act as hostesses on the guided tours. Speakers and plant sales complete the event.

Cape Fear Museum of History & Science. 814 Market St.; (910) 341-4350; www.capefearmuseum.com. Established in 1898 as a Confederate museum, this is the states oldest history museum. Explore regional history in the exhibition Cape Fear Stories, featuring a model of 1860 Wilmington and a diorama of the historic battle of Fort Fisher, and through the Maritime Pavilion. Discover regional ecology in the Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery or examine the skeleton of a giant ground sloth. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for children ages 3 through 17, free for children under age 3. Open Tues through Sat 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 1 to 5 p.m.

Cape Fear Serpentarium. 20 Orange St.; (910) 762-1669; www.capefearserpentarium.com. Find the worlds largest collection of bushmasters as well as other reptiles from all over the world at this kinda creepy attraction. Come face to face with snakes, crocodiles, dragons, and more. Live shows include the feeding of the residents here, so it really isnt for the squeamish. It also includes the Africa Museum that displays a fantastic collection of African tribal artifacts, including a real voodoo witch doctors ceremonial costume, tribal swords, spears, and ritual objects; nothing creepy about any of that. Admission is $8, ages 2 and under free. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon through Fri and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat and Sun.