This place is so gorgeous! This week we got lucky and discovered that Airlie was hosting a Bird…read moreWalk during our vacation. We had an amazing time and saw so many birds! The gardens were beautiful as always. I also found some more unique earrings at the gift shop, along with a magnet and keychain as souvenirs.

Airlie Gardens is one of those places that reminds you why folks used to put on a good pair of…read morewalking shoes and spend an afternoon outdoors instead of staring at a screen. The grounds are beautiful, peaceful, and rich with history. Even though only some of the flowers are blooming right now, there is still plenty to enjoy--towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss, winding paths, ponds, sculptures, and the feeling that you've stepped back into old Wilmington. The famous Airlie Oak and the historic chapel make it feel more like wandering through a living postcard than just another garden. Airlie dates back to the late 1800s and was created by Sarah and Pembroke Jones before becoming a public garden preserved for future generations. The gardens are well kept, easy to stroll through, and especially lovely this time of year with the Azalea Festival season beginning. It is the kind of place where you slow down, take a deep breath, and remember that nature did landscaping long before homeowners associations started issuing warning letters. The one drawback--and for us older folks it is a real one--is that there simply are not enough restrooms spread throughout the grounds. With so much walking involved, having a few more bathrooms around the gardens would make a tremendous difference and would make the experience more comfortable for seniors and families. Overall: 4 out of 5 stars. A beautiful, historic Wilmington treasure that is absolutely worth visiting, especially in the spring--just be sure to make a restroom stop before setting out on the trails.

I have lived here for 25 years and always wanted to stop in and see this little place. Today I…read morefinally had the chance. The girl that was working there so was so genuinely happy about working there and I appreciate that. It is a free museum but donations are welcome. I walked through the rooms and took my time. There are some very cool pictures, and a lot of old memories. It was nice to see how much history has been kept alive.

The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is the perfect place to go back in time and learn of the…read morehistory of the beach town. The museum is located inside Meyers Cottage. The cottage is very basic and has thin walls. I was warmly greeted when I arrived and given a guided tour through the museum. The replica of Wrightsville Beach is what you first see when you enter and the closer you get you notice the fine details of the display down to the movie screen outside a hotel. I didn't know trolley was the original way to get to Wrightsville Beach or that there was a hospital just for babies. The walls contain endless photos and business signs. Fire destroyed some buildings and hurricanes damaged others. Outside of the museum is some of trolley tracks out front at the entrance. If you are in the area, make sure to stop at this museum.

I don't have much unique photos of this place, but it did intrigue all my family when we went here…read moreon a Wednesday afternoon! They were all surprised about a good museum down here on Topsail!

Missiles & More Museum was such a fantastic stop during our casual bike ride! As two adults just…read moreexploring, we were blown away by how much history this place packs into every corner. What truly makes the experience unforgettable, though, is the staff--they are incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and make learning about the exhibits genuinely fun. It's obvious that the people who run this museum put an incredible amount of care and attention into every detail. From the displays to the stories behind them, everything feels thoughtfully curated. We left with a greater appreciation for the history and a huge smile--highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area, and it is kid friendly with engaging activites!

We attended a wedding at this venue. It was a beautiful setting. I loved all the different areas…read moreand the ease to which they moved us around and each area had a different vibe. The bourbon bar upstairs was really unique. The staff were all great as well.

Great venue for a wedding or party. Very accommodating. Lot's of space. Not any private parking…read more You have to park in the street.

I've experienced a few docent lead tours and believe (strongly) the experience is greatly enhanced…read moreby the docent/tour guide. Our tour guide/docent, Courtney was very good, her knowledge of Wilmington is immediately apparent and based on many years of working and living in the area. My colleagues and I learned a great deal about Wilmington and its food scene, which apparently is very diverse and plentiful for any card carrying foodie! The only thing I regret is that my colleagues and I didn't do this sooner during our visit to Wilmington. I'd recommend this tour for anyone (history buffs to foodies or those who want a fun activity in Wilmington ) and to take tour this upon arrival to set up your meals for the days to come; there are lots of good restaurants in Wilmington that deserve business!

Perfect way to tour the city sampling artisan crafted cuisine & adult beverages. Our tour guide…read moreDonna loves the area, food, a good night out, and sharing those recommendations with others!! She was very knowledgeable and charming! It was as if we did a history tour, a movie tour, a folk lore tour, local crime tour, the music and art scene all in one; while getting to stop at the best local restaurants. The perfect experience for a tourist's introduction to the city or a local trying to become more immersed with their area. 10 stars.

Mike and Allie are amazing to work with! They have curated so many beautiful pieces and it is a…read morewonderful place to find unique and one of a kind keepsakes and gifts in downtown Wilmington. Definitely a must visit on Front Street

This is one of my favorite galleries that I've been into in a very long time…read more This is on bye Allie and Mike, a great husband and wife team. Allie greeted us as we walked in the door with her wonderful southern charm. So many things to choose from, from Art, jewelry, and many many novelty items. Mike definitely has an eye for art. What he he does with the pictures that he takes his self is incredible. He touches them up to bring out the beauty of the colors and then puts them on a wrapped canvas. I would love to decorate my house with at least 20 of his photos. If you are in Wilmington North Carolina, this is a must. I will guarantee that you WOULD LOVE the store. I am so happy that we found this place.

My niece was recently married here and it was perfect! This hall is so beautiful with its tall…read morestained glass windows and brick walls. It has a huge dance floor, a perfect place for a DJ to set up, and an overall warm and loving atmosphere. They have a place downstairs for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready. The staff were attentive, professional, and easy to work with. The only downside is that the restrooms are located downstairs, and they are authenticate stairs from way back, and they are steep and precarious. Of course, this wasn't enough of a reason to knock a star off but it's worth noting. So so pretty. We had such a great time.

Absolutely beautiful venue!! Shannon was amazing to work with. She answered all of our (many)…read morequestions and gave great suggestions for the best way to use the space. We Would recommend this space to anyone for any event!!

We were hoping for something more…read more The place was easy to find and had a lot of parking for it being on that part of the island. They have a banner on the outside of the building that gave a good photo backdrop to match the pirate themed room. We booked a 12:45 "Lost Treasure of Topsail" room and got there a little early to use the bathrooms before we started. The bathroom was nice and clean, and the employee was very friendly. We were told we had to lock our phones up in the lobby area so it did not interfere with the technology in the room, but then they gave us an iPad to use in it. The iPad was used to unlock the room and start the clock, but that was about the extent of the technology that was used in the room. Without giving away any clues, I'll just say we were not impressed with any of the puzzles, it felt as if all but one puzzle was controlled by the host and not by actually triggering an opening. We've done a ton of escape rooms over the years, and while this gave us something to do to escape the hottest part of the day, I don't see us doing the "Lost Treasure of Topsail" room again. Hopefully the other room and the outside escape are better and something we could try later on.

They're rebuilding new rooms but the zombie was fun and caused my family to scream a few times…read more It's hard but I definitely recommend it.