Do you want to visit museums in Wilmington, NC? Wilmington is home to many great museums that have a lot to offer to visitors of all interests!
Visiting a museum is one of the best ways to learn something new if you’re in a city. And in Wilmington, the museums have a lot to offer! For example, you can see art, learn about trains and railways, and get to know more about local history. Also, there are great museums to go to with kids as well.
Here are the best Wilmington museums that you should definitely not miss out on!
Best Museums in Wilmington
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
One of the best museums in Wilmington is the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science.
This is a museum that was established in the year 1898, and you can find the museum in downtown Wilmington.
The museum houses a collection of more than 50,000 different historic objects, and you can see some of this collection on display at the museum.
The objects that you can find here relate to history, culture, and science, and the exhibits focus in particular on the Lower Cape Fear region.
There are several exhibits at the museum that focuses on very specific things. For example, there is an exhibit about native plants that is very interesting.
Also, there is an exhibit about the 19th century, and there are many other interesting exhibits.
Address: 814 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Cameron Art Museum
Do you like art? Then, this is a great museum to check out when you are in Wilmington. You can go to the Cameron Art Museum.
This is an art museum that was founded in the year 1962 in the city center of Wilmington.
At the museum, you can find a very diverse permanent collection. This collection consists of works by regional, national, and international artists.
Furthermore, the works come from many periods in time, and you can see all kinds of artistic styles here.
Besides that, there are often temporary art exhibitions at the Cameron Art Museum that can be great to attend.
Also, if you like to expand your creative skills, you can take part in one of the classes at the Cameron Art Museum.
Address: 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28412
Wilmington Railroad Museum
If you want to learn about trains and railroad history, this is a great place in the city for you to check out.
You can go to the Wilmington Railroad Museum.
At this museum, you can find all kinds of interesting exhibits through which you can learn about trains and railways in Wilmington.
You can find many interesting objects here, including historic trains. Also, the museum has all kinds of other objects on display that can be interesting to check out.
For example, there are model railroads at this place as well.
Furthermore, there are often events at the museum that can be a lot of fun to attend.
Address: 505 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is a great museum if you want to learn about local history.
You can go to this place to learn about the story of Wrightsville Beach, which lies next to Wilmington-Salem.
At this museum, you can find lots of interesting exhibits with local historic artifacts. Also, you can see a lot of photos here through which you can see Wrightsville Beach by yourself.
Also, you can find models of Wrightsville Beach here that can be very interesting to see.
Address: 303 W Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
The Latimer House
The Latimer House is a place where you can learn about what life was like in the city of Wilmington during the Victorian time.
You can do so at this place, because you can find a very historic house, the Latimer House, here.
This is a preserved house that belonged to the Latimer family.
At the house, you can find a lot of historic objects that are very interesting to see.
Also, you can do tours of the house to learn about it.
Furthermore, what’s great is that there are beautiful gardens that surround the house. These are perfect for a relaxing stroll when you are here.
Address: 126 S 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Museum of the Bizarre
The Museum of the Bizarre is a wonderful museum in Wilmington that you can check out when you are spending some time in the city of Wilmington, NC.
It is a local museum where you can see all kinds of very unique items, including rare, unique, and creepy ones.
The collection of this museum is very diverse, which makes it a very cool place. The many different items will surprise you for sure. The only aspect that the items of the collection have in common is that they are odd.
Also, what’s amazing is that you can see often see a live show at this place. For example, you can go here to see a sword swallowing show, which is very unique.
Address: 201 S Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Battleship North Carolina
Battleship North Carolina is a great place to visit if you want to learn about military history.
You can find the USS North Carolina (BB-55) at this museum.
This is a ship that was built in the year 1940 and the ship played an important role in the Second World War. The ship was in several fights and was used for a variety of military missions.
Since 1962, the ship can be found in the city of Wilmington, NC.
You can see the museum through a self-guided tour, which can be very interesting. During such a tour, you can explore the several decks of the ship on your own. Also, it is possible to do a guided tour of the ship.
Address: 1 Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington, NC 28401
Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens
You can go to the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens when you are visiting the city of Wilmington.
This is a historic house that was built in the year 1770 and it is the only building in the city from the colonial era that the public can visit.
This is a historic house museum where you can learn about what life was like in the city of Wilmington before the revolution.
What’s great is that the house has furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. Also, there are all kinds of other historic objects that are interesting to see.
You can do a guided tour of the house daily. Through these tours, you can learn new things from an expert guide.
Address: 224 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Bellamy Mansion Museum
The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts is a wonderful museum in the city of Wilmington.
At the museum, there are many interesting changing exhibits of history and design that take place.
Also, the museum organizes events throughout the year through which you can be fun to attend.
The mansion itself is very interesting as well. This is a mansion that was built at the end of the 19th century.
The mansion has a neoclassical architectural style that includes both Greek and Italian design elements, and the building is a great example of antebellum architecture.
It is often possible to do a tour of the museum through which you can explore the mansion and learn about its history.
Address: 503 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Children’s Museum of Wilmington
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington is not only one of the best museums to visit in the city, but it is also a great museum to visit with kids in Wilmington.
You can find this museum in downtown Wilmington and it is a great place for children to learn new things.
You can find a lot of interactive exhibits at the museum that are both fun and informative.
For example, there is an exhibit about grocery shopping.
Also, there is an exhibit that focuses on trains.
Each exhibit is different and a lot of fun for your child.
Also, there are monthly special events at the museum. For example, the NC Science Festival takes place here and there are many other fun events to attend with kids here.
Address: 116 Orange St, Wilmington, NC 28401
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Wilmington Museums Tips
When deciding on which Wilmington museums to visit, there are several factors that you need to think about.
For example, do you want to learn about history? Then, there are plenty of options in the city, such as the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, but some museums aren’t very good for this.
Also, you need to think about who you are going to visit the museums with. For example, Battleship North Carolina can be great to visit with kids.
Furthermore, there are some days of the year during which some museums have no admission fee. For example, some of the museums in the city are free on the first Sunday of the month for residents of the county.
Museums in Wilmington Map
This was my guide to the best museums in Wilmington, NC. As you can see, there are lots of interesting ones to visit in the city!