2024 Best Attractions

Apartment Complex

Element Barclay Apartments
910-816-0788
elementbarclay.com
Element Barclay Apartments features spacious one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments in a prime location. Residents enjoy amenities such as a saltwater pool, outdoor living space, fitness center, and dog park. To top it off, Element Barclay is situated a short walk away from The Pointe at Barclay’s movie theater, restaurants, and services. 

Bed & Breakfast

C.W. Worth House Bed and Breakfast
910-762-8562
worthhouse.com
Voted Best Bed & Breakfast in America by USA Today, the C.W. Worth House offers exceptional personalized service in the heart of historic downtown. C.W. Worth’s  seven newly renovated rooms, fresh breakfast sourced largely from farm-to-table ingredients, and warm and inviting ambiance make this inn an award-winning place to stay.

Day Care

Creative Minds Preschool
910-686-6775
creativemindspreschool.net
Creative Minds Preschool treats every child as an exceptional individual who learns best through active, hands-on participation. Their experienced teachers create a stimulating and engaging environment, fostering early learning through age-appropriate activities and curriculum. Creative Minds Preschool provides a safe, secure environment where children can learn, grow,and thrive.

Day Cruise

Memory Maker Yacht Charters
910-231-7272
memorymakernc.com
Explore peaceful local islands, beaches, and the Intracoastal with Memory Maker Yacht Charters. With two boats to choose from, they have the perfect vessel for your sunset cruise, special occasion, or family adventure. An experienced captain is also available to lead your trip, if desired.

Family Fun Activity

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
910-772-0500
ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher invites visitors to explore unique aquatic animals, wildlife, and habitats from around the state and the world. Located on a wooded oceanfront area in Kure Beach, the aquarium offers numerous stunning exhibits featuring a rare albino alligator, a rescued bald eagle, loggerhead sea turtles, and much more. 

Hotel/Resort

Holiday Inn Resort Lumina
910-256-2231
ihg.com
Recently renovated with a nod to the historic Wrightsville Beach Pavilion, Holiday Inn Resort Lumina is a top destination for a relaxing beach stay. With direct beach access, three on-site restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, and rooms featuring spectacular views, Holiday Inn Resort Lumina takes top honors for best local hotel.

Neighborhood

The Cargo District
910-408-2177
cargodistrict.com
Established in 2017, The Cargo District is a unique urban business, social, and shopping community made of shipping containers. Committed to innovation and sustainability, The Cargo District has evolved to now include dozens of restaurants, bars, retail stores, and other businesses in a vibrant environment unlike any other neighborhood in Wilmington. 

Overall Attraction

Airlie Gardens
910-798-7700
airliegardens.org
Airlie Gardens’ 67 acres of beautiful formal gardens, the Airlie Oak, and the butterfly house make it a favorite attraction. Airlie offers walking trails as well as accessible transportation for exploring the gardens. They are also known for special events such as the summer concert series and Enchanted Airlie during the holiday season. 

Preschool

Ivybrook Academy
910-427-4978
ivybrookacademy.com
Ivybrook Academy’s half-day preschool program focuses on engaging children’s minds and helping them discover the world around them. With a priority for individualized learning plans that emphasize discovery and compassionate citizenship, Ivybrook Academy sets the tone for a love of lifelong learning.

Private School

Northside School of Christian Leadership
910-791-6295
nsclwilm.org
With a mission of developing students into leaders through a quality Christian education, Northside School of Christian Leadership educates students from preschool to fourth grade. Northside’s educational model develops leaders who are spiritually mature, morally grounded, knowledgeable, and capable. 

Sightseeing Tour

One Tree Hill: TRIC
480-712-9352
fwbcharityevents.com
Fans of the TV show “One Tree Hill” will delight in the One Tree Hill: TRIC sightseeing tour. Take a self-guided tour through the TRIC Nightclub where the popular series was filmed. The tour also includes replicas from Peyton Sawyer's bedroom, Red Bedroom Records, Chase's apartment, and the original Red Bedroom Records door.