For the past 250 years, the Wilmington, NC area has had a passion for arts and culture. This proud tradition continues today with theater, dance, art and music befitting a city twice its size. There are also cultural organizations for patrons of every persuasion, from photographers and quilters to calligraphers and poets! Wilmington's dedication to the arts extends to a growing film industry, which has been a production site for many feature films, TV movies and mini-series since its start in 1983.

The Cape Fear Coast is also home to a wide variety of museums and historic sites … from fascinating Ft. Fisher at Kure Beach … to the nostalgic Wilmington Railroad Museum … to St. John's Museum of Art, featuring a large collection by 19th century artist, Mary Cassatt. Original works by contemporary local and national artists can be seen in nearly 20 area galleries, including a large artists' cooperative with working studios. Just a short drive from Wilmington you'll find some of the most spectacular gardens in the Southeast. Don't miss Orton Plantation Gardens, a former rice plantation and ante-bellum estate, with acres of azaleas, camellias, live oaks and magnolias. You'll also want to see Airlie Gardens