Wilmington Area

In historic Wilmington, North Carolina, you’ll find much more than great real estate opportunity. The captivating coastal city and its surrounding areas are rich with activity, from lively festivals to tranquil gardens, sites full of history to a thriving arts community. Along the Cape Fear coast, you’ll discover events for all ages and interests, every season of the year.

Airlie Gardens

A lush landscape of azaleas, magnolias and wisteria compliment 67 acres of coastal flora. Inspired by European and Southern garden styles, Airlie Gardens was created in the early 1900s and flourishes still today. Now, you can tour some of Wilmington’s most abundant scenery, unwind to the sounds of jazz, folk, and gospel music at the Gardens’ hosted concerts, or survey the work of local and national artists at the annual Airlie Arts Fest.

www.airliegardens.org

Azalea Festival

Celebrate the arrival of spring at Wilmington’s annual three-day festival of music, culture, history and art. You’ll enjoy a kick-off parade, street fair on cape fear riverfront, tours of historic homes and gardens, live entertainment and music concerts. This year, the 58th Azalea Festival featured Travis Tritt, Hootie & The Blowfish, and this year’s dazzling Azalea Queen, Baywatch’s Kelly Packard.

Riverfest

Every summer, this riverfront festival draws 250,000 Wilmingtonians and visitors who take part in exhibits, classic and custom car shows, and a raft regatta under the sun. If that’s not enough, Riverfest boasts “over 160 craft vendors, 25 concessions, entertainment on two stages, fireworks, the Great Waiter’s Wine Race, Run The River,” and a Children’s Area of kid-friendly activities and games. Riverfest’s newly added HealthFest offers activities to promote health awareness, including yoga, wholesome cuisine, and kayaking.

Battleship North Carolina

Come relive a monumental piece of WWII history on the Battleship North Carolina. Tour what was regarded as “the world’s greatest sea weapon” at the time of her commissioning, a battleship that “participated in every Naval offense” in the Pacific Theatre. Take part in a self-guided tour – or, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of crewmembers’ daily routines and activities in one of the battleship’s periodical reenactments.

www.battleshipnc.com

Lumina Daze

The 12th annual Lumina Daze, to be held this August, will celebrate the heritage of Wrightsville Beach. Sponsored by the Wrightsville Beach museum of history, the event will include popular games from the 1930’s – sack races and cakewalks, among others – and the traditional screening of a movie on the beach at nightfall.

Shakespeare on the Green

Held each summer at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, this family-oriented festival is North Carolina’s “oldest and largest free outdoor Shakespeare festival.” Traditionally, audience members bring pre-show picnics and enjoy the words of Will until the stars appear.

Cape Fear Museum

The “oldest continuously operating museum of history in North Carolina,” founded in 1898 by the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Cape Fear Museum features interactive exhibits, family workshops, and lectures in addition to an extensive permanent collection that consists of over 40,000 artifacts.

www.capefearmuseum.com

Coastal Carolina Air Show

This year’s theme, “Can You Hear the Thunder,” came alive through the renowned and featured US Navy Blue Angels jet team. To the sounds of powerful engines and classic band Herman’s Hermits, spectators enjoyed antique aircraft displays and motorcycle stunt riders in addition to a spectacular air show which also featured acts by Jimmy and Kyle Franklin and the X-Team, among numerous others.

www.coastalcarolinaairshow.com

Cucalorus Film Festival

This 5-day independent film festival showcases a wide spectrum of works by both local and national filmmakers, and has been called “the best kept secret on the indie fest circuit” by MovieMaker Magazine. From shorts to noire, Cucalorus’ featured films fascinate, stun and inspire.

www.cucalorus.org

Fort Fisher State
Historic Site and Museum

Visit the south’s largest eastern fortress, and tour the site that was “key to the defense of the Cape Fear river, the port of Wilmington (the last open Confederate port of the war), and thus, the survival of the Army of Northern Virginia and the Confederacy in general, before its fall in 1865.

www.fortfisher.nchistoricsites.org

Island of Lights Festival

This annual holiday celebration, located at Pleasure Island, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach, includes a nighttime electric parade and Holiday Flotilla, a glittering display of boats and pleasure crafts decorated with lights on the Intracoastal Waterway.

www.islandoflights.org

Level 5 at City Stage

Recognized as one of Wilmington’s most lively community stages, Level 5 features countless theatre performances, comedy shows, dance recitals, film screenings, and other events each year. Its outdoor veranda bar also draws visitors for a great view of Wilmington in the evenings. Productions this year have included Into the Woods, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Fahrenheit 451.

www.citystageatlevel5.com

Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum

Wilmington’s brand new state-of-the-art museum, opened in April of 2002, is the “only institution in the United States dedicated primarily to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the art of North Carolina.” It offers a permanent collection including the works of Mary Cassatt and Wilmington native Claude Howell, as well as ongoing exhibits, workshops, and classes.

www.cameronartmuseum.com

Thalian Hall

In operation for over a century, Thalian Hall features over 450 concerts, film screenings and performances each year. Inside are a 136-seat studio theatre, a 250-seat Council Chamber, and an elegant 752-seat main theatre. Designed by John Montague Trimble, a leading theatre architect of the 1800’s, Thalian has undergone numerous renovations, and is the last remaining theatre of his design.

www.thalianhall.com

UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium

UNCW’s grand Kenan Memorial Auditorium seats over a thousand audience members, and hosts continually hosts numerous university and community-sponsored events throughout the year.

www.uncw.edu/kenan

Wilmington Children’s Museum

Children of all ages enjoy the countless activities offered regularly by the Wilmington Children’s Museum, including an in-house pirate ship, puppet theatre, sand room and grocery store. Visit their website often for upcoming programs and events.

www.playwilmington.org

Other Areas

Green Valley AZ Real Estate

Green Valley Real Estate - Search all Green Valley AZ property and homes for sale with our real estate map search. Marty and Laura Dobos are here to serve your Real Estate needs.