Wilmington, North Carolina

The city was founded in the 1730s. After going through a series of different names (New Carthage, New London, Newton), its name became Wilmington in 1740. Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County. New Hanover County, it is the principal city of the Wilmington metropolitan area, which includes New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties. As of 2023, the region had an estimated population of over 467,000. Wilmington's downtown includes a 1.75-mile riverwalk along the Cape Fear river, developed as a tourist attraction in the late 20th century. In 2003, the city was designated by the U.S. Congress as a "Coast Guard City". The World War II battleship USS North Carolina, now a war memorial, is moored across from the downtown port area, and is open to the public for tours.Other attractions include the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and the Children's Museum of Wilmington. The city is home to the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Wilmington is also the home of Cinespace Wilmington, the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside California. Numerous movies and television series have been filmed/produced in or near the city, including Blue Velvet, The Crow, Dawson's Creek to name a few. There are many yearly events that take place including the Azalea Festival, River Fest, 4th of July Festival and many other events. With its surrounding beaches, historic downtown and vibrant lifestyle, Wilmington is a desired location for many.