Pierre...
You will love a visit to Wilmington, my home town for a few years. As you know, I live 45 miles south in Ocean Isle Beach, but still use Wilmington as my "go to town destination.
Just a few facts...
Wilmington has one of the largest "Old Town" districts in the country, encompassing nearly 57 city blocks. Thats big big big for a town the size of ours.
We are the nations third largest feature film destination, behind Hollywood and New York. Many films you have seen, and TV shows you watch were filmed here.
Get a tour of EUE Tri Star pictures studios. There is lots of movie magic here!!
Also the home of many Movie stars and TV personalities, we make them feel like regular folks. The recently deceased Dennis Hopper said it was the only place in the country he could live a normal life. He lived here for 30 years. That says a lot about our community. Others, include Andy Griffith, Valerie Betinelli, Huey Lewis,and John Travolta and his missus Kelly Preston. JT used to visit my old EAA chapter 297 at at Stag Airpark. I also lived 5 houses down from a home he built, but have never had the pleasure of meeting him.
Stag Airpark, and the guys and gals of chapter 297 will show you what EAA is all about. Great folks, and some very interesting projects have come out of this very neat community. The first customer built Sonex from Tony Spicer has graced magazine covers, and a scratch built Ryan that truly amazed me. There are a couple of amazing helicopters too. Nice grass strip too.
A very good town to dine in. I have heard a rumor that there are more restaurant licences per capita issued in Wilmington than in NYC. I am not real sure about that, but it's hard to get a bad meal. The previously mentioned Saltworks is a favorite of mine. Best pizza south of NYC at Elizabeths. It's the real deal, and cheap too!!
Our beaches are some of the best on the East Coast. Seems like a big secret. Wrightsville, basically in the city, and further south, Ocean Isle, and Sunset beach offer a real quiet vacation. Metal detecting is good on our beaches as they face to the South. You can watch the sunset over the Beach here on the East Coast. Affordable, clean and pleasantly under commercialized.
Fort Fischer Aquarium is just awesome. Not as big as some, but has a very interesting presentation.
Ingraham planetarium in Sunset is a good relax. See the stars. Great place to take a nap too.
Battleship North Carolina. Not to be missed. Makes me feel a little like you were there.
Orton Plantation and Gardens offers a glimpse into the past. 17th century rice plantation, and impressive gardens.
I could go on and on, but it's worth a visit anytime. A great example of an ancient low country southern city full of interesting things to see and do.
Hope to see you soon,
Chris