Why go
- City in North Carolina, United States.
- 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Nemours Estate & Gardens.
- Served by Wilmington International Airport (ILM).
History
Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 as of the 2020 census, it is the eighth-most populous city in the state. The county seat of New Hanover County, it is the principal city of the Wilmington metropolitan area, which includes New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties. As of 2023, the region had an estimated population of 467,337.
Must-see attractions
1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 · nemoursestate.org
21 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Where to stay
168 Porters Neck Rd, Wilmington, NC 28411 · ihg.com
1706 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · ihg.com
701 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · harborinnwb.com
275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · trailborn.com
2700 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · shellisland.com
3604 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28403 · hotels.cloudbeds.com
839 Medical Center Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401 · ihg.com
160 Van Campen Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28403 · ihg.com
5518 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28403 · hilton.com
711 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · thesurfsuites.com
124 Old Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 · hilton.com
6732 Swan Mill Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 · hilton.com
2320 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · hilton.com
1200 Culbreth Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405 · marriott.com
5001-A Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405 · hilton.com
503 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · bestwestern.com
1989 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 · hilton.com
2177 Stonecrop Dr, Wilmington, NC 28412 · hilton.com
307 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 · marriott.com
229 N 2nd St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · marriott.com
6745 Rock Spring Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 · hilton.com
151 College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 · choicehotels.com
301 N Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · hilton.com
151 Van Campen Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28403 · marriott.com
2657 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412 · extendedstayamerica.com
4929 New Centre Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 · extendedstayamerica.com
Indoor
20 E Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · silvergullmotel.com
Restaurants & places to go
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: 10:00-01:00 Features: takeaway · 5020 Market Street, Wilmington, 28405 · arbys.com
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 819 South 3rd Street, Wilmington, 28401-5125 · bk.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-22:00; Su off Features: takeaway, delivery · 5123 Market Street, Wilmington, 28405 · chick-fil-a.com
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:30-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-01:00; Su 10:30-24:00 Features: takeaway · 3604 South College Road, Wilmington, 28412 · pizza.dominos.com
Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 05:00-20:00; Su 05:30-20:00 Features: takeaway · 5111 Market Street, Wilmington, 28405 · locations.dunkindonuts.com
Bagel, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00 Features: takeaway · 601 South College Road, Wilmington, 28403 · locations.einsteinbros.com
Chocolate, Ice Cream, Popcorn, Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning · 16 Market Street, Wilmington, 28401 · kilwins.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:30-20:00 · 3662 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 19803 · mission-bbq.com
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: 10:30-21:00 Features: takeaway · 3512 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, 28403 · locations.moes.com
Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: 10:00-21:30 Features: takeaway · 11 11 Van Campen Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28403, Wilmington, 28403 · pandaexpress.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-20:00; Sa,Su 05:30-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegan options, air conditioning · 2018… · starbucks.com
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Opening hours: 08:00-03:00 Features: takeaway · 4101 Market Street, Wilmington, 28405 · locations.tacobell.com
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 · locations.wafflehouse.com
Breakfast, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 08:00-14:00 · 116 Market Street, Wilmington, 28401 · dixiegrillwilmington.com
Burrito, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options · 4002 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, 28403 · http://www.flamingamFlaming%20ys.com/Amy's%20website;Wilmington%20Vegan%20Dining%20Guide
Thai, Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su 12:00-21:00; Mo-We 11:00-21:00; Th-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00 · 7 Wayne Drive, Wilmington, 28403 · indochinewilmington.com
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning · norisushinc.com
Seafood, American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning · 128 South… · river128.com
Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-22:30, Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 10:00-14:00 · 402 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, 28401 · savorez.com
German, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 11:00-15:00 · 316 Nutt Street · thegermancafe.com
Fast Food, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-We 11:00-21:00; Th-Sa 11:00-03:00 · 94 South Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach, 28480 · trollystophotdogs.com
Irish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 15:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00 · 3317 Masonboro Loop Road, 28409 · crownandfiddle.com
Wings, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-23:00, Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating · 206 Old Eastwood Road, Wilmington, 28403
Dessert, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 13:00-21:00; Sa-Su 12:00-21:30 · 2722 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, 28412
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, delivery, vegan options · 1127 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, 28405 · boombalattis.com
Diner, Sandwich, Burger, American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-21:00 Features: vegan options, air conditioning · 1015 South Kerr Avenue,…
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 · 4157 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 19803 · longhornsteakhouse.com
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · 16 South Front Street, Wilmington, 28401 · downtownnikkis.com
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · 319 North Front Street, Wilmington, 28401 · thebasicsilm.com
Pretzel, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Salad, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Juice, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream · Features: takeaway
Mediterranean, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 15 Vann Campen Boulevard
Barbecue, Chicken, Restaurant · Barbecue/Chicken restaurant · 3705 Patriot Way, Wilmington, 28412
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-20:00 · 320 Castle Street, Wilmington, 28401-5140 · thecannabus.party
Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: step-free access
Mongolian Grill, Restaurant · Mongolian Grill restaurant · 419 College Road, Wilmington, 28403
New Orleans, Restaurant · New Orleans restaurant · 35 North Front Street, Wilmington, 28401
Asian, Restaurant · Asian restaurant
Greek, Restaurant · Greek restaurant · 1900 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, 28403
Caribbean, Restaurant · Caribbean restaurant
Indoor
Sandwich, Bakery, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa-Su 07:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 1156 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, 28405 · locations.panerabread.com
124 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) 4.8 mi to the centre
1740 Airport Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28405 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 6 airlines (American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines, Air France…) · direct flights to 5 destinations incl. Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 6 airlines, 5 direct destinations
- American Airlines AA (CRJ, A319, CRJ-900, ERD, Embraer 175) · 4 routes: Charlotte, New York*, Philadelphia*, Washington*
- US Airways US (CRJ, A319, ERD, Embraer 175) · 4 routes: Charlotte, New York*, Philadelphia*, Washington*
- Delta Air Lines DL (A319, ERJ) · 2 routes: Atlanta, New York*
- Air France AF (CRJ) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Alitalia AZ (CRJ) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (CRJ) · 1 route: Atlanta*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Pilots Ridge Airport 6.9 mi to the centre
Carolina Beach, NC, US
Winnabow Airport 13 mi to the centre
Winnabow, NC, US
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Wilmington International Airport (ILM); 5 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ILM has direct flights to 5 destinations on 6 airlines (incl. Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Wilmington, North Carolina. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach