Hidden Sanctuaries & Gems in Wilmington, NC

Peaceful Gardens

Find tranquility in Airlie Gardens’ 67-plus acres of formal gardens and walking trails, 10 acres of lakes, the majestic Airlie Oak (which sprouted in 1545) and hundreds of species of local flora and fauna. Open year-round, Airlie Gardens features a number of hidden oases and structures like the Minnie Evans Glass Bottle House. The whimsical “chapel” was created with hundreds of colored glass bottles, butterflies and shapes surrounding a tree sculpture. Visit the Tranquility Garden’s seasonally open Butterfly House to see species like Monarch, Giant Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary and others – all native to North Carolina – fluttering within this open-air structure.

Tucked away along the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden features a concrete walking trail, wooden observation deck and a collection of native carnivorous flora such as pitcher plants and Venus flytraps, which only grow naturally within a 75- to 100-mile radius of Wilmington. Within the ADA-accessible passive park, the garden is open daily and is protected by a conservation easement held by the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.

Visit the New Hanover County Arboretum and find renewal in 7 acres of community gardens. This outdoor sanctuary is replete with lush landscapes, flowering plants and bushes and one of the largest water gardens in the state. Stroll along paved pathways to discover unique vignettes, including a water garden with hundreds of colorful Koi, catfish and lilies, a Japanese garden with an authentic tea house and vibrant Japanese maples. Little ones will enjoy a children’s garden and cozy cottage. The Contemplation Garden honors the five branches of the military. The Ability Garden is specially designed to provide opportunities for people of all levels of ability to enjoy gardening. The arboretum is free to visit and open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk.

Take a step into the past with a tour of the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens. A superb example of Georgian architecture, the circa-1770 residence is graced with seven separate Colonial-style garden areas, including an orchard with figs and pomegranates, a crabapple espalier and a parterre with trimmed boxwood. Go your own pace on a self-guided tour of all the gardens, which are open year-round to the public.

Historic Sites

One of the most beautiful and historic theaters in America, Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts is home to the oldest painted stage curtain in the country. Now hanging in the ground floor lobby of Thalian Hall’s main stage, the original drop curtain was painted by Russell Smith and hung onstage when the historic theater opened in 1858. The facility, which has been in continuous operation for more than 160 years, hosts more than 500 performance events annually and conducts behind-the-scenes tours with advance registration highlighting the stories and history of Thalian Hall.

Visit North Carolina’s oldest rural cemetery, Oakdale Cemetery, located near downtown. The eloquent epitaphs and symbolic funerary art bring to life the stories of those who lie beneath. The cemetery’s year-round blooming plants are especially resplendent in the spring. On a self-led tour or a guided walking tour with Tour Old Wilmington, visit notable markers, like a Confederate Mound that serves as a burial site for more than 367 unknown soldiers killed during the Civil War. See the graves of North Carolina’s first governor Honorable Edward B. Dudley, and Confederate secret agent Mrs. Rose O’Neal Greenhow. You’ll also find the grave of broadcast journalism pioneer David Brinkley, best known as co-host for NBC’s nightly Huntley-Brinkley Report.

The Battle of Forks Road in February 1865 marked a pivotal moment in Wilmington's history. On the current grounds of Cameron Art Museum (CAM), the United States Colored Troops (USCT) successfully defeated the Confederate Army, leading to Union control of Wilmington. To honor the USCT and their fight for freedom, CAM worked with North Carolina artist Stephen Hayes to create Boundless. This life-size bronze sculpture features 11 USCT soldiers, and Hayes cast USCT descendants, reenactors, veterans and local community leaders to create the likenesses. Boundless serves as the centerpiece of the museum’s USCT Park, the only park in the nation built to honor the USCT and their fight for freedom.

Island Beaches

Wilmington’s nearby island beaches also hold a bounty of lesser-known gems. From serene oceanfront parks to barrier islands and reserves, explore hidden seaside sanctuaries at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach.