City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Wilmington, North Carolina
Located along the Cape Fear River and the ICW, Wilmington sits between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to the south and Topsail Beach, North Carolina to the north (the Outer Banks are just a bit further north). The East Coast city is filled with parks, museums, a historic district and beautiful beaches such as Wrightsville, Kure and Carolina.
Wilmington is also home to one of the largest movie studios – EUE/Screen Gem Studios – outside of Hollywood. The 150,000 square feet of filming and production space has produced movies and TV series like The Conjuring, Sleepy Hollow, Iron Man 3, Muppets in Space and The Secret Life of Bees. Now that we’ve learned some trivia for the day, let’s check out some fun things to do from a private boat lift rental in Wilmington.
Battleship North Carolina
Photo: Wikimedia
Located across the river from downtown Wilmington, the WW II Battleship North Carolina was the first of its type to be built for the U.S. Navy. Take a guided tour to see the living spaces, mess decks, sick bay, barber shop and more. Check out photographs, blueprints, reports, manuals and journals from the archives as you walk the decks.
Cameron Art Museum
Photo: Cameron Art Museum (Facebook)
Established in 1962 (as St. John’s Museum of Art), the Cameron Art Museum features contemporary art by international and native North Carolina artists. Peruse outdoor bronze, concrete and fiberglass sculptures and objects. Indoors, there’s a huge collection of art, crafts and design elements that include paintings, photography, drawings and sculptures. We think it’s an excellent site to visit from a private boat lift for rent.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Photo: NC Aquarium (Facebook)
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is our favorite spot to check out otters, eels and sharks as well as sea turtles, a rescued bald eagle, horseshoe crabs, seahorses and more. You can also participate in conservation programs and marine education events. The aquarium is located on Loggerhead Road (How appropriate is that?). It sits on a prime spot between the Atlantic and the Cape Fear River. This makes it easily accessible from private boat docks for rent.
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Photo: Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park (Facebook)
Slip, slide and splash the day away at the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. From a lazy river and wave pool to thrilling, leisurely and twisty slides, this family-friendly attraction will please the kids and the grown-ups. In addition to the water park, there are go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, an arcade, a rock-climbing wall and a snack shack (you must have a snack shack).
Airlie Gardens
Photo: Airlie Gardens (Facebook)
A favorite among birdwatchers, gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers, Airlie Gardens overlooks Bradley Creek and offers convenient access from private boat lift rentals. The 67-acre public garden, accented with live oaks draped with Spanish moss, offers walking trails, several small lakes and historic structures. Check out seasonal gardens, a pergola, the Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, a tranquility garden and a butterfly house. The garden setting is home to blossoms, blooms, birds and native wildlife as well as annual art exhibits with themes like owls, squirrels and rabbits.
Museum of the Bizarre
Photo: Museum of the Bizarre (Facebook)
The Museum of the Bizarre is the place to go for some of the most unique and utterly bizarre exhibits you’ll ever see. Examples include Alexander Hamilton’s hair, Houdini’s Ouija board, a Chupacabra hand, a bigfoot imprint and unicorn hair as well as movie props (including that certain creepy doll whose name starts with A).
The museum also has a mirror maze and a laser vault escape-type game where you can try your hand (and bending skills) at navigating a maze of green laser lights (à la Mission Impossible). The museum is about a block away from the Cape Fear River and the 1.75-mile-long Riverwalk (which is a fun attraction on its own with shops, restaurants and attractions). It’s accessible from private boat docks for rent.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
Photo: Wilmington Railroad Museum (Facebook)
The Wilmington Railroad Museum, near the Cape Fear River, is in an original 1883 freight warehouse. It offers a wide range of history on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Check out exhibits such as a full-size steam engine, a life-size caboose and a 100-year-old steam locomotive. Other exhibits include Wilmington’s railroad past and important people in railroad history (such as Thomas Edison and George Pullman). There’s a Children’s Hall for the little ones and an interactive model railroad display.
We hope you’ve found some new and interesting sites to check out the next time you’re in Wilmington for a week, a long weekend or an extended stay at a private boat slip rental. Let us know your favorites. Happy travels!
