Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Website: http://www.thalianhall.com/
310 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Center Box Office: 910-343-3664
Toll Free: 800-523-2820
Business Office: 910-343-3660
THCPA has been in continuous use since it opened in 1858. Forming the east wing of Wilmington’s magnificent City Hall, the facility hosts over 250 performance events annually. The complex houses three performance venues, the Main Stage, the Grand Ballroom, and the Studio Theatre.
Kenan Auditorium
Website: http://uncw.edu/kenan/
601 S. College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
Kenan Auditorium Box Office
910-962-3500
800-732-3643
The 1,016-seat Kenan Memorial Auditorium is the largest performing arts venue at UNCW and in the Wilmington area. It is home to over 170 events per year, including performances by the North Carolina Symphony, Carolina Ballet, Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, Wilmington Youth Orchestra, Moscow Ballet, Theatre Arts for Youth, and Chamber Theatre of Boston as well as a wide range of acclaimed performers presented by organizations such as the Wilmington Concert Association, Cape Fear Jazz Society, UNCW Presents and the UNCW Office of Cultural Arts.
Azalea Festival
Website: http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/
5725 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-794-4650
The Festival is a celebration of Wilmington’s exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture during its five days of entertainment that includes: a parade, street fair, circus, concerts, pageantry, and all that is Southern.
Riverfest
Website: http://wilmingtonriverfest.com
P.O. Box 7735
Wilmington, NC 28406
910-452-6862
The Old Wilmington Riverfront Celebration, Inc. the organization responsible for the Annual Wilmington Riverfest, has been established as a charitable organization to benefit the Cape Fear River environment. In 2008 there were twenty plus committees, over 300 volunteers, a budget of $80,000, over 160 craft vendors, 25 concessions, entertainment on two stages, fireworks, the Great Waiter’s Wine Race, Run The River, exhibits and of course the Kidz Zone.
Greater Wilmington Arts and Cultural Alliance
Website: http://www.creativewilmington.com
c/o Cape Fear Museum
814 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-798-4376
GWACA works in partnership with other community organizations to provide enjoyable artistic and cultural opportunities for all New Hanover County residents.
The North Carolina Battleship
Website: http://www.battleshipnc.com/
# 1 Battleship Road
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-251-5797
Standing with quiet dignity and majesty across the river from downtown Wilmington, the Battleship North Carolina beckons visitors to walk her decks and envision daily life as well as fierce combat that her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
900 Loggerhead Road
Kure Beach, NC 28449
866-301-3476
The Aquariums were established in 1976 to promote an awareness, understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the diverse natural and cultural resources associated with North Carolina’s ocean, estuaries, rivers, streams, and other aquatic environments.
Airlie Gardens
Website: http://www.airliegardens.org/
300 Airlie Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-798-7700
After celebrating more than a century of gardens by the sea, Airlie continues to amaze visitors with its breathtaking combination of formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, views of Bradley Creek, 10-acres of freshwater lakes, and the grandeur of the 462-year-old Airlie Oak. The Gardens are known for a collection of over 100,000 azaleas and countless camellia cultivars, which bloom throughout the winter and early spring. Displays around the Airlie Oak, Pergola Garden, and other areas bloom with continuous color year-round, as the displays are changed seasonally.
Cape Fear Museum
Website: http://www.capefearmuseum.com/
814 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-798-4350
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is the oldest history museum in North Carolina. Since its founding in 1898, the Museum has grown and changed. It began collecting confederate relics, and now collects images and artifacts that help us understand the history, science and cultures of the region.
Cameron Art Museum
Website: http://www.cameronartmuseum.com/
3201 S. 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28412
910-395-5999
The Cameron Art Museum is committed to arts education, and presents exhibitions and public programs of both historical and contemporary significance, with 6-8 changing exhibitions annually, in addition to outdoor, site-specific projects on its park property. The museum also presents lively, ongoing family and children’s programs each month; Alzheimers “Connections” tours for patients and their caretakers; ongoing interdisciplinary public programs (lectures, music, films, literature, dance); and workshops, classes and demonstrations in ceramic arts at the Clay Studio, overseen by resident master artist Hiroshi Sueyoshi.
Children’s Museum of Wilmington
Website: http://www.playwilmington.org/
116 Orange Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-254-3534
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington celebrates the joys of childhood by providing magical and playful experiences for children of all ages. The Museum serves children ages 1-8 and their adult company. Our goal is for all our visitors to learn amazing things about themselves and the world where we live, through informal, playful hands-on and child-directed experiences. In our warm and inviting environment, children and the adults who bring them find ample opportunities to explore and better understand the arts, sciences, culture and more, through engaging exhibits and programs.
Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts
Website: http://www.bellamymansion.org/
503 Market Street
Wilmington, NC
910-251-3700
The Bellamy Mansion is one of North Carolina’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now the house is a museum that focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.
Poplar Grove Plantation
Website: http://www.poplargrove.com/
10200 US Highway 17 N.
Wilmington, NC 28411
910-686-9518
One of the oldest existing peanut plantations in North Carolina. Just a few minutes north of Wilmington, North Carolina, Poplar Grove offers a wonderful experience for families, with plenty to see and do. Tour the big house and tenant farmer’s cabin, spend some time visiting the craft shops and learn about basket making and weaving, and the blacksmith’s shop.
Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
Webstie: http://www.hauntedwilmington.com/
Riverfront at Market & Water Streets
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-794-1866
Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington has been researching the ghosts of downtown Wilmington since 1978. With 24 active sites the tour varies nightly. Join Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington on a family safe, 90-minute journey you will not soon forget.
The Cape Fear Serpentarium
Website: http://www.capefearserpentarium.com/
20 Orange Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-762-1669
See the world’s most fascinating and dangerous reptiles in beautiful simulations of their natural environments.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
Website: http://www.wrrm.org/
505 Nutt Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-763-2634
The Wilmington Railroad Museum provides an educational and enjoyable experience concerning the history, technology, and impact of the rail industry with emphasis on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
Red Barn Theatre
Website: www.redbarnstudiotheatre.com
1122 S. Third St
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-762-0955
The Red Barn Studio in Wilmington, NC is a converted garage that’s been lovingly transformed into a 50-seat theater. The facility provides a venue for theater, the arts and education in a community theater environment.
The Brown Coat Pub and Theatre
Website: http://www.guerillatheatre.com/
111 Grace Street
Wilmington, NC
910-233-9914
The Brown Coat Pub and Theatre in the heart of downtown Wilmington has created a following of regular, dedicated customers who show up to drink, laugh to some stand-up comedy and behold some theater. The theater attracts diverse crowds of friendly people who are aching to show others a good time.
City Stage
Website: http://www.citystagenc.com/
21 N. Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-342-0272
Nestled high in the heart of historic Wilmington, City Stage is a 220 capacity, century-old theatre that now offers a full season of contemporary musicals and plays for a unique entertainment experience. Ranging from The Rocky Horror Show to Fahrenheit 451, City Stage shows have shocked, educated, and, most of all, delighted audiences with stellar casts and suburb direction.
Community Arts Center
Website: http://www.wilmingtoncac.org/
120 S. Second Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-341-7860
The facility includes five studios (including a dance studio) that are available to nonprofit organizations for rehearsals of plays, musicals and recitals. The studios are also used for classes in a variety of artistic disciplines. The building is also home to the acclaimed Orange Street Potters and the Second Street Stage, an auditorium with a stage and technical loft used for rehearsals and performances. The facility, which includes a kitchen, may be rented for corporate and private functions as well.