Guided & Self-Guided Tours in Wilmington, NC

Historic Homes Tours

Experience the architectural wonders of the historic Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design, the Colonial-style Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens and the Victorian-era Latimer House Museum.

All three of these homes offer tours that provide a glimpse into the domestic lives of prominent families who once called Wilmington home. Join interpreter-led night tours at the Burgwin-Wright House, held on the first Friday of every month, to learn about the rituals and superstitions of Colonial nightlife. Catch a live outdoor jazz performance during Bellamy Mansion's Jazz at the Mansion Concert Series every second Thursday May through September. At the Latimer House, explore the influence of gas technology on Victorian-era domestic life through a special tour program held on the first and third Saturday evenings of each month.

Walking Tours

If history is your passion, let Tour Old Wilmington take you to the many landmarks which make our historic riverfront city notable. Discover the city’s authentic heritage with a Historic Downtown Walking Tour, Oakdale Cemetery Walking Tour and other offerings. Or, go on a Wilmington Walking Tour to discover the history and architecture in the National Register Historic District. Family-owned and led by local historians, Wilmington True History Tours also offers a range of guided tours that showcase Wilmington's legends and heritage – from the era of pirates to the Civil War and beyond. Join costumed character Jaq Sparrow of Wilmington Pirate Walk for a guided walking tour through historic downtown and learn about the area's local pirate legends and lore.

Bibliophiles and history buffs alike will want to check out Old Books on Front Street, where you can request a private Literary History Walking Tour to venture down the streets of famous novels and into the lives of authors who passed through and lived in Wilmington. Take a self-guided walking tour of notable filming locations of beloved movies and TV shows, such as "One Tree Hill," "Dawson's Creek" and "The Summer I Turned Pretty.”

Learn all about Carolina Beach State Park’s coastal flora and fauna, including native carnivorous plants, through ranger-led hikes year-round on Saturdays. Sightsee and hear the vintage Carolina Beach Boardwalk’s long history of seaside amusement on Historic Boardwalk Tours, which occur regularly in the summer. Step back in time with a self-guided walking tour of Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Historic Site, home to the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War, featuring an outdoor trail with interpretive exhibit panels, a reconstructed 32-pounder seacoast gun and more.

Tours on Wheels

Experience downtown Wilmington and our 230-block National Register Historic District at the pace of days gone by on a horse-drawn carriage tour. Let Springbrook Farms’ rescued Percheron draft horses and a costumed carriage driver guide you on a narrated journey through our beautiful coastal city. Learn about African American achievements and influence in the city’s history with WilmingtoNColor Shuttle Tours. Coast around town on a guided E-Bike tour with Wilmington Bike & Brew Tours, which offers options that showcase Wilmington's history, local craft brews and famous film sites from "One Tree Hill."

Haunted Tours

Book a local haunted tour and get in touch with the paranormal side of a city that’s among the South’s most actively haunted locales. Take an eerie adventure through the past with Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington to hear stories of haunted homes, ghost encounters and burial grounds. The Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour from Tour Old Wilmington leads guests through the former cotton market – now a collection of boutique shops and restaurants and one of the most haunted locations in Wilmington. For the beer (and ghost) lovers, the Haunted Pub Crawl raises a glass to the most ghostly downtown pubs.

Behind-the-Scenes

Head "behind the hatch" of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and search through the hidden nooks and crannies from the inner bottom of the ship's hull all the way to the top of the fire control tower. Request a full guided tour or opt for a themed offering like the firepower-focused Big Bang Tour. In Kure Beach, take a special behind-the-scenes tour of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Reserve tickets in advance to explore the animal holding area and husbandry, get backstage access to exhibits and more.

Artistic Tours

Make your way to one of America's most beautiful and historic theatres, Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts, for a one-hour guided tour of the theater that has been in operation since 1858. Reserve a tour to gain backstage access to the 19th-century lobby and main stage, the historic gallery level and more.

Get the inside scoop on Wilmington’s vibrant arts and culture scene with the Arts Council of Wilmington. Find info on the various arts venues, local artists and pedestrian art installations throughout the city. See temporary installations of sculptures on a self-guided tour as part of the Arts Council's Pedestrian Art program. In addition, Cameron Art Museum offers weekly guided tours that enhance your museum experience through exhibition-inspired hands-on activities.

In Carolina Beach, join Tasting History Tours’ Carolina Beach Mural Tour to explore colorful public murals illustrating the island’s history and culture. For a sneak peak, check out the interactive Virtual Mural Tour.

Food & Brew Tours

Wilmington and its beaches showcase a diverse range of coastal cuisine and fresh local ingredients – earning recognition from Yelp as a "Top Foodie City.” Sample numerous local favorites, famous hotspots and coastal flavors on a gourmet food tour with Taste Carolina. The Downtown Tasting Tour offers the opportunity to enjoy local food and drink, meet the chefs and learn about downtown.

With the help of the Wilmington Ale Trail, a map to local breweries and bottle shops, craft your own self-guided tour and sip unique brews. Craft cocktail lovers will enjoy a visit to the award-winning End of Days Distillery, where a behind-the-scenes tour shows visitors the process of sourcing, fermentation, distillation and finishing.

Capture the flavor of Carolina Beach on a Signature Food Tour or History in a Glass Tour (21+) with Tasting History Tours. Walk along the streets of Carolina Beach on this guided tour and into several of its most popular restaurants to taste local delights.

eTours

Embark on a self-guided tour with the Wilmington History smartphone app. Guided by your device's GPS coordinates, choose from the African American History Tour, Pub Crawl, Civil War or Old Wilmington tours and explore at your own pace.