Ideal Living magazine would like to take this opportunity to share a very special place with you—Wilmington, NC, where we are headquartered. Located in southeastern NC, between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, the charming port city of Wilmington is over two centuries old and has the character to prove it. It has the biggest historic district in the South, with seven local districts, and an impressive array of architecture, from bungalows to vernacular-style, Queen Anne, Italianate and Colonial Revival.

With 31 miles of sandy shores in Wrightsville, Kure and Carolina Beaches, brick and cobblestone streets shaded by the foliage of ancient oaks, a thriving film industry, four-star dining and a phenomenal array of historic and cultural attractions, Wilmington is a destination that’s hard to beat. Recently, the Port City surpassed a population of 100,000 in the city limits for the first time—a testament to the attraction the area holds for a growing number of folks in the know.

Just across the Cape Fear River lies Brunswick County, the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and home to some gorgeous beaches in its own right. The county includes six small beach towns: the eastern group of Oak Island, Caswell Beach and Bald Head Island, and the western group of Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach, closer to the South Carolina border. The western beaches are not far from Calabash, renowned for its seafood.

The people who live here love it, but you don’t have to take their word for it. MONEY magazine has ranked Wilmington as a premier vacation destination, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Wilmington to its 2008 list of America’s dozen distinctive destinations, for offering cultural and recreational experiences that differ from typical vacation spots.

“A lot of the same things that attract people to vacation here attract them to live here,” says Connie Nelson, Communications and Public Relations Director for the Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There are four distinct seasons, very short winters, a subtropical climate. The landscape is beautiful; we have the ocean and barrier island beaches. It’s a historic riverfront town, and everything’s within a 20- to 30-minute drive. That’s one thing that sets us apart from other coastal destinations.”

Though many people compare Wilmington to Charleston and Savannah, Nelson says that the city’s personality sets it apart. “There’s a funky edge to Wilmington. It’s really a destination of contrasts. You’ve got the ocean, and then you’ve got the historic riverfront. You’ve got the history, and then you’ve got moviemaking and the pop culture that goes along with that,” she says. “You can see downtown by horsedrawn carriage, take a ghost walk or do a haunted pub crawl. More than half of the attractions in our Visitors’ Guide are historical and cultural.”

Historically, Wilmington Is a Great Place to Visit
Incorporated in 1739, Wilmington’s location on the Cape Fear River quickly enabled it to bloom into a thriving commercial center with an active port. In fact, during the 18th and 19th centuries, Wilmington was one of the biggest centers in the world for exporting cotton and naval stores, and the port is still active today. “A lot of the stones used in downtown Wilmington are ballast stones. People came up with empty ships to pick up cotton, and used the stones for weight,” says Gareth Evans, Associate Director of the Historic Wilmington Foundation. “Then they offloaded the stones…they either wound up at the bottom of the river or incorporated into the architecture.”

The city’s downtown historic district boasts over 230 blocks of homes, museums, markers, churches, cemeteries, museums and more. “The national historic district is massive. It’s one of the oldest historic districts in the country, and it’s very well established,” says Evans. Downtown Wilmington is a pedestrian’s paradise. Market Street, the District’s main artery, ends at the Riverwalk, which borders the Cape Fear River. Across the river, the U.S.S. North Carolina, World War II’s most decorated battleship, is moored on permanent display. When the weather’s fine—which it generally is—residents and visitors alike stroll the Riverwalk, watching boaters and kayakers go by, greeting friends and stopping in for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that overlook the water.

North and south of Market Street, lovingly restored mansions, bungalows and cottages line the streets. The downtown area is home to boutiques, bookstores, award-winning restaurants and bed and breakfasts like The Verandas (910-251-2212) and The Graystone Inn (888-763-4773), Wilmington’s two AAA four-diamond B&Bs.

History buffs will want to pay a visit to the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts (910-251-3700), an amazing example of antebellum architecture located at 503 Market Street. Be sure to check out The Latimer House (910-762-0492), a Victorian family home replete with furnishings, gardens, and portraits of the period located at 126 South Third Street, and the Burgwin Wright House and Gardens at 224 Market Street (910-762-0570).

Wilmington used to be home to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad—in fact, in 1840, the railroad was the longest continuous rail line in the world. Visit Wilmington Railroad Museum (505 Nutt Street, 910-763-2364) to catch a glimpse of history in motion.

“One of the last major battles of the Civil War was fought at Fort Fisher; it’s a protected inlet to Wilmington. During the war, Wilmington was arguably the most important port in the South,” says Evans. Explore the Fort Fisher Recreation Area, tour the remains of the fort and view artifacts recovered from sunken blockade runners.

The Wilmington Economy: How Does It Add Up?
Even in challenging times, Wilmington is enjoying economic growth that is more rapid than both the state and the national average. Between 2002 and 2006, the city enjoyed an annual growth rate of 6.3%—a rate that, if it continued, would double the size of the economy in 11 years. As it is, the growth rate projected for 2008 is a solid 4.5 to 5%. The country is taking note—in 2007, the Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities Index placed Wilmington second on its national ranking of 379 metropolitan areas, based on its ability to create and hold on to the highest number of jobs, a substantial rise from its ranking of 59th in 2006.
Tourism is a major industry for this area, and in 2006, the economic impact from domestic travel in New Hanover County was estimated at $388.31 million, an increase of more than 10.8% over 2005 revenues. This increase was the largest experienced by any coastal county in the state. That same year, the travel and tourism industry was responsible for over 5,440 jobs and $93.54 million in salaries—mainly in the service industry.

By the end of 2009, downtown Wilmington expects to have a new convention center in place—a very exciting development for the Port City. “There is no large facility on the North Carolina coast,” says Scott Czechlewski, Director of Communications for the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “This will bring a lot of economic growth and tourism into the area, and will help in the ‘non-tourist’ season to even out the economy. It will bring a lot of people who may not have been to Wilmington, and they might be people who own companies and are looking to relocate.” The proposed construction for the north side also includes a marina, office space, retail outlets and condos.

Currently, Wilmington offers a range of meeting options. “We have excellent meeting facilities and off-site facilities. You can have a luau in the fantail of the Battleship, a shrimperoo on the beach, or an elegant reception at an antebellum mansion. The aquarium has a lot of receptions, with the beautiful fish tanks as a backdrop,” says Nelson.

The growth expected to take place in the local economy, especially the construction of the convention center, has led to an agreement to place a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the Hilton Riverside—the first time that this upscale chain has located one of their restaurants in this size market.

The Chamber of Commerce is currently at work on Cape Fear Future, an initiative dedicated to attracting and retaining what Czechlewski terms “knowledge workers—those people who get paid to think for a living, like doctors, lawyers or writers.” The consultants for Cape Fear Future are none other than Catalytix, the firm founded by Richard Florida, author of the seminal book The Rise of the Creative Class. “We had to audition for them,” says Czechlewski, smiling. “They’ve worked with Austin, TX, with Las Vegas, with 12 New York counties. They’ve met with Hillary Clinton. And they’re going to work with us. They looked at our numbers, and saw that we have something special going on here.”

Enjoying the Great Outdoors
If surfing, kayaking, fishing and swimming appeal to you, you’ve come to the right place. Just a short drive from downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is known for its sandy shores and sparkling blue water. The island’s north end is a bird sanctuary, while the south end has a larger beach and jetty.

There are several surf shops down here that can hook you up with a board and even with lessons. In 2006, Frommers.com featured Wrightsville Beach in its BEST BEACH roundup, and in May 2006, Outside Magazine included it among the Best North American Beginner Surf Spots. Three East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Recipients, Will Allison, Bill Curry and Ben Bourgeois, call the area home, and there are several craftsmen in town who design, shape and paint their own boards.

Fish off Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, cast into the surf, or charter a boat for a deep-sea experience. If you’re into extreme sports, visit Blowing in the Wind (www.gokitesurf.com) for kiteboarding lessons, or try out parasailing. Of course, you can always take it easy… dip your toes in the surf and listen to the waves lap the shore.

The inlets, creeks, sounds and waterways of the Cape Fear area make it a perfect place for kayaking, since these small, agile boats can find their way into nooks and crannies where larger craft can’t reach. From a kayak, you can glimpse elements of nature and wildlife that you wouldn’t otherwise experience—plus, it’s a great workout. Wrightsville Beach does have a five-mile tour of the out-island marshes, and Salt Marsh Kayak Company (www.saltmarshkayak.org) provides both rentals and tours.

As beautiful as Wrightsville Beach is, it’s not the only game in town. Wilmington folks have the option of driving south to Pleasure Island, a large barrier island home to Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher. You can camp at Carolina Beach State Park, which has the Venus Flytrap Trail (the plant only grows within a 75- to 100-mile radius of Wilmington), take to the water at the Marina and Fishing Center, or visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

All summer long, Carolina Beach offers free family-friendly movies and fireworks. Whatever you do, be sure to stroll along the recently renovated boardwalk, complete with fresh paint, planters, bike racks, water fountains and a landscaped buffer along the ocean.

“Some beach communities shun visitors,” says Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duke Hagestrom. “We still want all of the beautiful, nice things we have here, but we welcome visitors and tourists. We’re growing, but we want to grow smart, in a way that people like. Come play, come stay, make a life here, buy a second home.”

Arts and Culture
Wilmington is a Mecca for the arts community. Wilmington’s status as the third busiest filmmaking destination for U.S. film production, second only to New York and Los Angeles, has given rise to the label ‘Hollywood East.’ Since 1983, over 400 projects have been filmed in Wilmington and on the Cape Fear Coast. The lengthy list includes David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, Sleeping With the Enemy, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Forrest Gump, and the television shows Matlock, Dawson’s Creek, and One Tree Hill (now in production). EUE/Screen Gems Studios, the largest movie production facility east of Los Angeles, offers weekend tours (call 910-341-3433) and self-guided walking tours of downtown movie locations are also available (visit www.hollywoodnc.com). “Downtown is often used as a movie backdrop in panning shots because it’s so intact,” Evans says.

The city plays host to a wide range of performance venues, including Thalian Hall (www.thalianhall.com), which is now celebrating its 150th anniversary and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The local public radio station, WHQR, has an active presence in the community, boasts an art gallery, and partners with Thalian Hall to host Cinematique, an independent film series. The Opera House Theatre Company is also known for its stellar performances. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) brings in a stellar range of performers and speakers.

The only art museum in southeastern North Carolina, The Cameron Art Museum (www.cameronartmuseum.com) is located on a nine-and-a-half-acre woodland park complete with outdoor sculptures, nature trails, a pond and a separate clay studio operated by renowned artist Hiroshi Sueyoshi. With over 35 art galleries in the community, it’s no wonder that Wilmington Downtown, Inc. has organized Fourth Friday Gallery Nights from 6 to 9 PM. The gallery tours are free and feature art in a wide variety of genres at downtown galleries and studios. An overview of the artistic community in Wilmington would be incomplete without mentioning the Cucalorus Film Festival (www.cucalorus.org). Founded in 1994, Cucalorus was lauded by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the top 25 film festivals that’s worth the entry fee, listed among the Southeastern Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, and hailed by Time Magazine as “a film festival for the rest of us.” Festival director Dan Brawley says, “It has the reputation of being a real filmmakers’ festival—it’s not competitive, there are no awards. The atmosphere is about creative exchange.” Each November, Cucalorus delivers a stunning menu of independent films.

Shopping—What’s in Store
Whether you’re looking for the perfect beach outfit, nautical memorabilia or a painting that captures your experience on the Cape Fear Coast, the Wilmington area has it all. The downtown riverfront is bracketed by The Cotton Exchange at one end and Chandler’s Wharf at the other, both of which have unique shops that sell everything from handmade jewelry to homemade desserts. Near Chandler’s Wharf, the Old Wilmington City Market is home to an eclectic selection of crafts and goods.

Toward Wrightsville Beach, Lumina Station and The Forum have an incredible range of clothes, spa products, furniture and more. Mayfaire Town Center is a relatively new shopping complex with a wide range of stores, including major chain stores. In town, there’s also Independence Mall for everyday shopping needs.
The New Castle Art and Antique District, located on Castle Street close to downtown Wilmington, is well worth browsing. Here you’ll find oriental rugs, antique clocks, handblown glass and paintings by local artists. Make sure to stop at Jester’s Java (606 Castle Street) for a bite to eat. Their pimiento cheese deluxe is divine, as are their quiches and Cobb salads.