FAQ

Visitor Parking, Pets and Other Frequently Asked Questions

From where to go and how to get there to parking options and insider tips, make planning a trip to Wilmington and Island Beaches easy with a list of the most frequently asked visitor questions and answers. Not seeing the answer you need? Reach out to our Visitor Information Specialist or stop by one of our Visitor Information Centers.


Know Before You Go 

General Information

  • Yes! Please call us at (910) 341-4030 with your information questions and requests or you can request information.

  • The University of North Carolina Wilmington is located at 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403. Find more information about the university including things to do on campus and places to stay nearby.

  • Yes! Please contact our Sales and Services team who can assist you with your questions and planning. Find more information on Meetings & Conventions, Groups & Weddings or planning a Sports Event, including venues, services and more.

  • Sales and use tax on purchases, including food, clothing, and other retail are taxed at the rate of 7%, grocery store food designed to take home is 2%, and prepared food at restaurants is 7%. In addition to the 7% sales tax, there is a local county room occupancy tax at a rate of 6%.

Transportation and Accessibility

  • The City of Wilmington has 970+ metered spaces downtown, four city-owned and two other parking decks plus two surface lots. City decks on 2nd Street and Market Street are free the first 30 minutes. You can park free of charge at on-street meters after 6:30 p.m. daily and all day Sunday. Parking in metered spaces is $2.00 per hour and is enforced Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Metered on-street parking for those with properly displayed, valid handicapped placards is free of charge. Find more parking information including a map of city lots available.

    One hour parking is available on some downtown residential streets. Be sure to observe all posted parking signs and time limits on residential streets in downtown Wilmington as some are permit-based only.

  • Bike Cycles Shop rents bicycles and provides delivery for a fee. Shore Break Bikes offers bicycle rentals for pick-up as do many outfitters at our island beaches. Find a full list of bicycle rental outfitters and more information about bicycling in the area including trails and self-guided bicycle tours.

  • The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail and River to Sea Bikeway are two of the major bicycle trails found in Wilmington. Find biking trail maps for the Wilmington area and information on biking and nature trails.

  • No, the Wilmington Riverwalk is designed for pedestrians. Find information about bicycling and nature trails in the area including trails and self-guided bicycle tours.

  • For information on free beach ability equipment and services, call Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation at (910) 458-2977, Kure Beach Fire Department at (910) 458- 2014, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area at 910-458-5798 and/or Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation at (910) 256- 7925. Find a list of handicap accessible hotels, restaurants and attractions. For more vacation and travel information for people with disabilities, visit ACCESS North Carolina.

    • City of Wilmington Parking:
      • The Market Street Parking Deck has Chargepoint DC-Fast Electric Vehicle Chargers and ChargePoint Level 2 Electric Vehicle Chargers on the ground floor
      • The 2nd Street Parking Deck and the RiverPlace Parking Deck have ChargePoint Level 2 Electric Vehicle Chargers
    • Businesses in Wilmington:​​
      • Tesla Supercharging Station in Mayfaire Town Center
      • Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire
      • University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Central Parking Deck
    • Carolina Beach/Kure Beach:
      • 1140 N Lake Park Blvd STE J, Carolina Beach - (3) Level 2 charging stations
    • Wrightsville Beach:
      • Wrightsville Beach Park - Four (4) Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger

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