Known for its historic charm and rich Southern culture, Wilmington is home to vibrant neighborhoods – each with its own distinct vibe and variety of experiences. Read on to discover more about Wilmington's unique neighborhoods.
South Front District
Taste your way through South Front District’s delicious restaurants, funky breweries and more within its transformed warehouses. Indulge in a woodfired pizza at Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria, owned by Vivian Howard, a James Beard Best Chef Southeast Semifinalist and star of PBS’ “A Chef’s Life.” Another foodie favorite in South Front District, True Blue Butcher & Barrel features a butcher counter and serves aged steaks, burgers and more.
Unwind at Satellite Bar & Lounge, located in a former 1940s grocery store that was renovated using salvaged materials from the original structure. This dog-friendly establishment offers craft beers, wine and a full bar, as well as an outdoor patio where Bluegrass Jams take place Sunday evenings. While you’re there, grab a bite from the walk-up BlockTaco next door.
On the covered patio at The Second Glass, choose from a variety of wines, beers and cocktails to sip alongside savory bites like house-made focaccia, pimento cheese and charcuterie boards.
Once a part of the original Block Shirt Factory warehouse, a landmark in the district, theArtWorks has transformed the space into an art village, gallery and studio space where local artists showcase their unique works to the public. For a special after-hours exhibition, attend the monthly Fourth Friday Gallery Night. Embrace health and wellness with a visit to nearby Native Salt Cave and Wellness for a relaxing salt cave session, and soak in the holistic benefits of halotherapy.
Brooklyn Arts District
Home to revitalized industrial buildings and historic churches, Brooklyn Arts District is anchored by the Brooklyn Arts Center + The Annex, a church building originally constructed in 1888 that served as the center of the neighborhood for nearly a century. Today, the fully restored and refurbished building operates as an event venue for concerts, weddings, art shows, vintage flea markets and more.
Sip on a cold beer at Flytrap Brewing, a small-batch brewery named for the native Venus flytrap, where you’ll often find rotating art exhibitions, live music and food trucks. Indulge in artisanship at Bottega Art & Wine, a local wine bar featuring artwork and jewelry from Wilmington designers. Visit the century-old firehouse that today contains Edward Teach Brewing, which has a two-story ship-shaped bar with rotating beers on tap.
Located in the restored Allen-Oliver historic home, Three10 offers fresh and sustainable fare that highlights traditional ingredients of the coastal and low country Carolinas. Taking inspiration from the Brooklyn Arts District and surrounding community, The Kitchen Sink is a lunchtime soup, sandwich and salad spot.
Castle Street Arts and Antiques District
Visit the Castle Street neighborhood to discover unique cafés, locally owned shops and more just blocks from the riverfront. Browse an extensive selection of vinyl at Gravity Records, and search for vintage finds at Jess James + Co, a boutique curated by a local style editor and fashion consultant.
Helmed by Chef Sunny Gerhart, a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast, Olivero combines Spanish and Italian influences with family recipes – resulting in a menu of steaks, pastas and other delectable dishes inspired by the Carolina coast. The district’s Rx Chicken & Oysters is dedicated to serving the highest quality local produce and seafood – even serving personally harvested oysters and spearfished fresh catch, including the invasive Lionfish.
For breakfast, lunch or Sunday brunch, consider Jester’s Cafe. This quirky bistro serves quiches, homemade desserts and French inspired fare inside a charming house that was once a private residence. Castle Street Kitchen serves up Southern comfort food at its finest, from loaded fries to heirloom tomato pie.
Cargo District
Home to an array of dining options and creative businesses, this innovative district has something for everyone. Pick up a new houseplant from The Plant Outpost, then visit Crafted Outpost to find a curated selection of gifts, art and home décor. At hello, love., browse fair trade finds alongside products crafted by artisans and makers in the Carolinas.
Choose from eight rotating taps at Alcove Beer Garden or stick around for live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Grab a drink with your furry friend at Ruff Draft Dog Park & Bar, located in the west end of the neighborhood. Visit End of Days Distillery, Wilmington’s first craft distillery, and take a guided tour to experience the thoughtful approach to crafting its award-winning spirits. Afterward, stop by the lounge to sample cocktails and snack on charcuterie plates. Adjacent to the distillery, The Concept Kitchen Co. provides a distinctive dining experience with chefs showcasing new concepts on a rotating basis.
As seen on the Cooking Channel’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” CheeseSmith features inventive takes on the classic sandwich, like Maple Bacon and Buffalo Baby, as well as delicious sides and desserts. The ever-changing menu at Beat Streat takes inspiration from global street food recipes, while Mess Hall (also on the west side) serves casual bites like smash burgers and tots in a relaxed setting.
Soda Pop District
Discover the emerging Soda Pop District, named for a former Coca-Cola bottling plant built in the 1930s. At Folks Café, enjoy small-batch organic coffee alongside delicious baked goods in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. Hi-Wire Brewing boasts an expansive selection of craft beers – from seasonal options to specialty mainstays – and outdoor beer gardens, as well as a pet- and family-friendly taproom with foosball and table tennis.
Visit Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard for specialty gourmet burgers and rotating taps. Located in the old Electric Bottling Co. building, the brewyard also offers live entertainment, a game area and an outdoor patio. The Ibis, Soda Pop’s new coffee and cocktail bar and lounge, showcases high fidelity tunes coordinated by Gravity Records’ team. The district is also home to Jengo’s Playhouse, a cinema venue that plays host to the annual Cucalorus Festival, which has attracted cinema lovers to Wilmington for three decades.
Midtown
In Midtown, explore outdoors with a stroll through one of the South’s premier gardens, Airlie Gardens, where you’ll discover the nearly 500-year-old Airlie Oak and seasonal Butterfly House. Wander through Cameron Art Museum’s rotating indoor and outdoor exhibits – and visit the museum’s U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Park, which features Boundless, a life-size bronze sculpture honoring the USCT’s victory at the Civil War Battle of Forks Road. Take the whole family to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park to enjoy the seasonal waterpark or year-round activities like miniature golf, go-karts, laser tag and more.
Shop ‘til you drop at Lumina Station, a distinctive shopping village with a collection of charming boutiques like Airlie Moon, a popular spot for coastal-inspired home décor. Explore more than 90 shops and restaurants at Mayfaire Town Center, a one-stop destination for retail, dining and entertainment. Blue Moon Gift Shops, which is consistently voted as the “Best Gift Shop in Wilmington,” showcases goods from dozens of craftspeople, artists and retailers all under one roof.
Wherever your adventure takes you, Wilmington’s unique neighborhoods each offer their own brand of charm and experiences to enjoy while on vacation. Check out this blog post to learn about another must-visit part of the city: Historic Downtown Wilmington and the River District, where you’ll find everything from historic home tours to al fresco waterfront dining on Wilmington's award-winning Riverwalk.
