Discover the Best Outdoor Spots in Wilmington, NC That Reflect the Charm and Vibrancy of Coastal Living

Wilmington, North Carolina is a coastal city that boasts an eclectic mix of residents who are known for their friendly and laidback attitude. When exploring the outdoors around Wilmington, youll find that these qualities are reflected in the natural beauty and historical charm of many outdoor spaces.

One mustvisit spot is Airlie Gardens (300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403), which features 67 acres of beautiful gardens filled with azaleas, camellias, magnolias and more. The garden also has several freshwater lakes where visitors can see turtles sunning themselves on logs or fish darting through the water.

If youre looking to get closer to nature check out Carolina Beach State Park (1010 State Park Road South East Winnabow NC 28479), where youll find miles of pristine beaches along with hiking trails and boardwalks through untouched marshlands. Keep an eye out for native wildlife like whitetailed deer or fiddler crabs scurrying across your path.

For history buffs interested in how humans have interacted with this area over time head to Fort Fisher Historic Site (1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S Kure Beach NC 28449). There visitors can explore historic earthworks from both the Civil War era as well as World War II bunkers while enjoying views of Cape Fear River.

And if funky boutiques or local artisan shops call your name check out Greenfield Lake Park & Amphitheater (1941 Amphitheatre Drive WILMINGTON NC 28401). This lakefront park contains walking paths surrounded by towering trees draped in Spanish moss. You may even catch some locals kayak fishing along its waters!

From tranquil gardens to wild salt marshes; from bustling beaches to historic battles Wilmington truly has it all! Whether youre a seasoned naturalist or simply looking to experience the charm of coastal living, Wilmington has everything you need for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.

*(Fun fact: Did you know that North Carolina is home to more species of salamanders than any other state?)*

Websites:

Airlie Gardens https://airliegardens.org/

Carolina Beach State Park https://www.ncparks.gov/carolinabeachstatepark/home

Fort Fisher Historic Site https://historicsites.nc.gov/allsites/fortfisherstatehistoricsite

Greenfield Lake Park & Amphitheater http://parks.nhcgov.com/greenfieldlakepark/

Twitter accounts:

@AirlieGardensNC

@ncstateparks (Carolina Beach State Park)

@NCHistoricsites (Fort Fisher Historic Site)