Escape to Wilmington for a Hallo-Scream Getaway
Prepare for a hauntingly good time!
As one of the most actively haunted cities in the South, Wilmington has no shortage of spine-chilling stories intertwined with our rich history dating back to 1739. With renowned haunted sites around every corner and as the filming location for horror classics like "The Conjuring," "Halloween Kills" and "Scream," Wilmington is the perfect destination for a hallo-scream getaway. Find beautiful historic mansions where friendly souls still linger, a manor house haunted from a crime of passion and haunted battleship, buildings, bars and graveyards, all of which are ranked as some of the scariest in the nation. There's plenty of Halloween fun for everyone to enjoy in Wilmington and our island beaches this fall.
Attractions
Lights. Camera. Killer Vacation!
Famous for both haunted sites and film and TV locations, Wilmington is a perfect getaway for the horror film enthusiasts. Classics such as "Firestarter," "Silver Bullet," "Maximum Overdrive" and "The Conjuring," are just a few horror movie favorites that have filmed in Wilmington and Beaches. More recent productions include "Halloween Kills," "Scream" and "The Black Phone." Find out more about Wilmington's famous film locations and embark on your own self-guided tour.
Museum of the Bizarre
Stop in to the Museum of the Bizarre to see horror memorabilia and movie props like the "Halloween" Michael Myers mannequin and the Annabelle doll from "The Conjuring," along with frightful sights like shrunken heads and the Fort Fisher Mermaid.
Haunted Happenings
Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
Journey into the depths of old Wilmington on a 90-minute adventure to the city's most actively haunted homes and burial grounds. Listen to true ghostly occurrences told by professional storytellers and ghost hunters, including actual encounters during recent tours. This nationally acclaimed, award-winning tour has appeared on MTV, Haunted TAPS, the Discovery Channel, Learning Channel and History & Travel Channel and was named "One of America's Top 5 Tours" by USA Today and "Top 10 Tour in the U.S." by Trip Advisor. Offered year-round, Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington is the perfect mix of history and haunts.
Haunted Pub Crawl
For the 21+ ghouls, Wilmington and its island beaches offer plenty of mischief just waiting to be discovered. Whether it be a haunted pub crawl or festive block party, get into costume and prepare to have some fun. Grab a pint or two as you adventure around the city’s most extraordinary pubs, hearing true ghostly and grizzly tales of murder, mayhem, love, lunacy, humor, debauchery and more. Haunted Pub Crawls are available year-round
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
The most decorated battleship of WWII is destined to have some lingering souls, so it's no wonder the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA was ranked as a Top 25 Halloween pick of all time by Syfy network’s "Ghost Hunters." Unexplained voices, disembodied footsteps and hatches that move on their own are just a few of the sightings reported. Step aboard for a self-guided tour and dive into this important piece of maritime history or spend an evening investigating the paranormal activities with Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Ghost Hunt USA, offered select dates throughout the year.
Halloween Carriage Ride
Dress up the children for an entertaining evening where even the horses are in costume. Giddyup and enjoy a fun ride through the Historic District in downtown Wilmington on a Halloween Ghost Trolley Ride. During these festive carriage rides, offered select nights each October, costumed drivers will tell ghost stories tailored for young audiences and provide free treats for the children.
Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour
Learn the history and haunts of one of Wilmington's most paranormal locations. In use since the Civil War, The Cotton Exchange was one of the largest cotton export companies in the 19th century. Today, it is home to 30 specialty shops, art galleries and restaurants - but things still go bump in the night. Tour up the stairs, down alleyways and through courtyards of the eight interconnected buildings and hear their haunting history. Offered year-round, this tour can be booked by calling (910) 409-4300. Don't forget to bring your camera, people are always capturing strange things on the Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour.
Where the Dead Rest
Both Bellevue Cemetery and St. James Parish were listed on Fox News Travel's List of "Spookiest Cemeteries in the U.S." As you wander through St. James, look for the grave of Samuel Jocelyn Jr., who was buried alive and tried to claw his way out of his grave. Jocelyn's story is featured on the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, but make sure and ask to hear the full story, as tours vary nightly. Or, download the St. James Self-Guided Walking Tour and explore at your own pace. Bellevue Cemetery appeared in the locally filmed FOX Television series "Sleepy Hollow" and while enchanting during the day, seems fit for a headless horseman by night.
Pair your scare with a stay at the Graystone Inn and walk the grand staircase, a setting used in the Wilmington-filmed Stephen King movie "Cat's Eye," or relax in the library or dining room, used as a set for the FOX Television series "Sleepy Hollow." With a variety of historic inns and period bed and breakfasts to choose from that often embody the spirit of the holiday, plan your stay in a location fit for a Halloween vacation.
