Entertaining out-of-town guests? Here are 7 things to do this summer in the Wilmington area

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·5 min read

Summer is here, and your family is coming to visit. How do you keep them entertained?

Yes, the Wilmington area has plenty of beaches, but what do you do with out-of-town guests that don't like the beach? Here are seven family friendly things to do this summer.

Battleship North Carolina

Visitors can come and explore nine decks of the Battleship North Carolina for a self-guided tour.
Visitors can come and explore nine decks of the Battleship North Carolina for a self-guided tour.

A visit to Wilmington would not be complete without visiting and touring Battleship North Carolina.

The Battleship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific theater of operations, earning 15 battle stars. Today, this authentically restored Battleship preserves the proud Naval history and serves as a World War II memorial for the state.

Visitors can come and explore nine decks of the Battleship for a self-guided tour. Stroll the ADA accessible State Employees Credit Union Veterans Memorial Walkway for a 360 view of this magnificent ship. Visitors can also bring a picnic to enjoy in the park located along the Cape Fear River.

The Battleship is open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit https://battleshipnc.com/.

Kayaking/paddleboarding

If you love getting out in nature and sightseeing the beautiful Wilmington area, try your hand at kayaking or paddleboarding.

Here is a list of a few of companies that offered kayaking and/or paddleboarding:

  • Backwater Adventures and Kayak Rentals serving Holden Beach, 910-782-2444

  • Cape Fear Paddle Company (Pender County), 910-380-2737

  • Cape Fear Paddleboarding in Wrightsville Beach, 686-9787

  • Cape Fear River Adventures in Wilmington, 910-620-0296

  • Greenfield Lake boathouse, managed by Cape Fear River Watch, under a contract with the city of Wilmington, offers 2 or 4-person paddleboats, kayaks or canoes, 910-762-5606.

More: Here are 12 things to add to your bucket list this summer in Wilmington

Carolina Beach Boardwalk/Amusement rides

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk has new and improved rides and attractions for people of all ages. Rides include The Tornado, The Music Express, The Ali Baba with a 60-foot drop, and the permanent 10-story Giant Gondola Wheel, which goes over 100 feet high overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Family attractions include a brand-new carousel, brand new bumper cars, and more. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants, including the popular Britt's Donut Shop.

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

Visitors to the sea turtle hospital observe "Snooki," a 300-pound loggerhead that is unable to dive and thus can't be released back into the wild. She has been a resident of the hospital since fall 2016.
Visitors to the sea turtle hospital observe "Snooki," a 300-pound loggerhead that is unable to dive and thus can't be released back into the wild. She has been a resident of the hospital since fall 2016.

Visitors can tour and learn all about sea turtles, which are iconic to North Carolina's coast.

Celebrating 25 years of service, the volunteers at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center educate, conserve, and protect sea turtles through nest and hatchling monitoring.

These ancient reptiles depend on North Carolina's extensive sandy beaches to lay their eggs. The volunteers also rescue, rehabilitate, and help release stranded sea turtles.

The center is located at 302 Tortuga Lane, Surf City. For more information, call 910-329-0222.

More: Take a stroll through these 7 breathtaking Wilmington-area gardens

Museums

The Place of Encounters exhibit will be on display until January 14, 2024 and is just one of the exhibits you can enjoy over the summer at Cameron Art Museum. The museum off 17th Street in Wilmington is opened from 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS
The Place of Encounters exhibit will be on display until January 14, 2024 and is just one of the exhibits you can enjoy over the summer at Cameron Art Museum. The museum off 17th Street in Wilmington is opened from 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS

Cameron Art Museum: The museum has three exhibitions on view all summer: "Bring to Light;" "Place of Encounters / Lugar de Encuentros;" and "Love." Parental guidance suggested for the "Love" exhibit.

"Mary's Art Explores," a fun hour of reading and art activities geared towards infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, will be held July 13 and July 27.

The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, and open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. CAM Café serves lunch, weekend brunch and Thursday night dinner and offers menu items for children.

For more information and a full list of programs, visit https://cameronartmuseum.org/.

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science: Founded in 1898, it preserves the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear. Visitors will surely want to check out the New Hanover County museum. A few of the museum current exhibitions are "Reflections in Black and White." Explore everyday life for Black and white Wilmingtonians through a selection of period photographs. Also, if you a Michael Jordan fan, the museum two exhibits "Michael Jordan: Achieving Success" and Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery. To view more exhibitions, please visit https://www.nhcgov.com/550/Exhibitions. The museum is located at 814 Market St., Wilmington. For more, call 910-798-4370.

The Children's Museum of Wilmington: Located at 116 Orange St., downtown Wilmington, is hands-on and built for learning for ages 0-10. Educational daily programs, 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. For more information, go to www.playwilmington.org/daily-programs or call 910-254-3534.

Missiles and More Museum on Topsail Island: Exhibits to explore include Operation Bumblebee, which was the U.S. Navy’s secret guided missile testing program that operated on Topsail Island from 1946-1948; Pirates ― From 1630 to 1720 pirates plundered merchant ships traveling up and down the Atlantic. This exhibit features 10 notorious pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. More exhibits can be viewed at https://missilesandmoremuseum.org/exhibits/. For more, call 910-328-8663.

The Museum of Coastal Carolina: Dioramas, interactive exhibits, saltwater aquariums and a live touch tank engage audiences of all ages. Open noon-4 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Located at 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach. For more, call 910-579-1016.

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport: The museum tells the story of the Cape Fear region and its people. The museum shares tales of pirates and pillage, blockade running and riverfront archaeology, and other nautical adventures. There are also educational programs for children and adults. The museum at 204 E. Moore St. is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free. For more, go to https://ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com/.

More: 6 ways to enjoy evening entertainment in the Wilmington area without going to a bar

N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher

The aquarium has been voted a top and regional national attraction to visit. Visitors can make the connection with the natural world ― at Cape Fear Shoals habitat and Coquina Outcrop habitat touch tank. You might see a family of otters, stingrays, sea turtles, sharks, alligators, and more. The aquarium is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located at 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach. Details: 910-772-0500.

Ferries

Take in the sun and take a cruise on two area ferries: the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry or the Bald Head Island Ferry.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington, NC, with family members