| Natalie MacLees | http://www.nataliemac.com |
| natalie@nataliemac.com | © 2002 |
Written September 2001
In the mood for a hip little resort town where you can see movie stars, ghosts, beautiful beaches, gorgeous botanical gardens and even Michael Jordan's first pay stub for $119? Then plan a trip to Wilmington, NC. Wilmington is the hometown of Michael Jordan, Screen Gems Movie Studio (the biggest movie studio outside Hollywood), and my alma mater, UNCW. See? I know a lot about Wilmington because I lived there for two years. Let me plan your perfect trip:
First, there's the beaches, and lots of them. Everything from the busy Wrightsville Beach to the uninhabited Masonboro Island to the private Figure Eight Island where Michelle Pfeiffer, Antonio Banderas and Bruce Willis own vacation homes.
After you've had your fill of sand, sun and surf, head the Historic District to visit homey little West-coast-style coffee shops, elegant boutiques, and gourmet restaurants as well as historic mansions and museums. The best shopping is in the Cotton Exchange. This building used to serve as a market for the buying and selling of cotton in the plantation days, but has since been converted to a unique shoppes and restaurants, right on the riverfront. Also downtown you can find Airlie Gardens, the Poplar Grove Plantation and the Arboretum.
Wilmington's been around since 1729, so you can visit mansions that have survived both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Tales abound of tortured souls wandering various mansions and shops. Bellamy Mansion is said to be home to the ghost of a spurned lover who committed suicide after engraving the name of his beloved on an upstairs window. The Latimer House and the Burgwin-Wright house are home to the souls of those who were kept in captivity in the alleged torture chambers during the wars. And the Bald Head Island Lighthouse is home to the ghost of a woman who drowned.
There are several museums in Wilmington, but the most interesting is the Cape Fear Museum. This is where you can see Michael Jordan's first pay stub as well as learn about the unique history of the area. Some historians contend that the original settlers meant to call the area "Cape Fair" but their accents mangled the name.
And if you're star-struck, you don't have to go all the way to California to indulge your passion. Movie and television crews at work are a common sight in and around Wilmington. Wilmington's movie credits include 28 Days, Elmo in Grouchland, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Lolita, Empire Records, Sleeping with the Enemy (in 1996, Hurricane Fran finally knocked over that beautiful beach-side house), The Exorcist III, The Crow and Firestarter, among many, many others. TV credits include Matlock and Dawson's Creek.
And finally, it's evening and time to hit the town. If you're looking to hang out with the stars, head to the Deluxe, Mollye's or the Rhino Bar. UNCW students hang out at The Brewery (true to it's name, they make their own beer) and the Ice House, which served as Joey and Bessie's fish restaurant on Dawson's Creek.
And if all this doesn't provide enough excitement for you, then be sure to visit Wilmington during one of its festivals. Wilmington celebrates RiverFest October 6&7, the Jazz Festival during the first week of February, and the Azalea Festival April 4-7, 2002. If you're planning a trip, keep in mind that hurricane season begins in June and lasts until November, so keep an eye on the Weather Channel.