Best Museums in Kure Beach

"No visit to Wilmington is complete without a visit to one of the city’s most prominent “museums,” the USS Battleship North Carolina. This former military vessel that earned an impressive 15 battle stars during World War II has been decommissioned and transformed into a unique museum, with a stately location on the edge of the downtown waterfront. Visitors can step aboard and enjoy a guided or self-guided tour through a series of “exhibits” which includes the ship’s spacious decks, intricate engine rooms, and interpretive plaques and exhibits that chronicle the USS North Carolina’s years of service."

"During World War II, the Battleship North Carolina earned 15 battle stars and became the first of 10 fast battleships to join American fleet. The ship, located at 1 Battleship Road N.E., serves as a memorial honoring the 11,000 North Carolinians of all branches of service who gave their lives in World War II. Explore nine levels of the ship from the main and secondary plotting rooms to the bridge during a guided tour to learn more about the ship and it's role in the war."

"As you walk the decks of the NORTH CAROLINA, imagine yourself at sea in 1942 searching the sky for enemy aircraft, anticipating what may happen next. Discover how this heroic Ship and brave crew fought in every major naval offensive in the Pacific of WWII. This is an historic adventure you don?"

"The Cameron Art Museum, located at 3201 South 17th St., is one of Wilmington's cultural hubs, offering programs, exhibits and classes which aim to enrich lives through the arts. Check out the museum's exhibits, some that are on view for a limited time like Illumination, an exhibition of artist-made lanterns, demonstrating what light means to each artist personally through their style, content and choice of material. The exhibit will be viewable until Jan. 10."

"Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum highlights North Carolina’s rich artistic heritage. The museum boasts 15 galleries, displaying a unique blend of artwork from 18th century paintings to 20th century ceramics, decoys, sculptures and computer generated art. After viewing the renowned permanent collection and traveling exhibitions, visit the Museum Shop or stroll the 10-acre campus including the Civil War Battlefield and Sculpture Park."

"Selections from the museum's permanent collection of fine arts, decorative arts, and design by local, national, and international artists include a large number of works on paper by artists that include Mary Cassatt and Ando Hiroshige. Art from these collections is not on permanent display, but the works are presented in rotating themed exhibits. Collections are especially strong in works by North Carolina artists."

"One of Wilmington’s newest attractions is the Expo 216 – a two-story art space that’s found along Front Street, and which features more than 5,000’ square feet of gallery space. The interior of the museum features commissioned artworks, media loops, and informational panels which outline the various environmental and social issues that are distinctly highlighted every 10 months or so. The end result is a cumulative experience, where global issues and regional artistic talents are effortlessly intertwined."

"We stopped at the Bellamy Mansion, Custom House, DeRossett House, Thalian Hall, and more. We learned so much about the city during the war. The National Register Historic District spans more than 230 blocks–one of the largest in the country. Wilmington was the last major open port of the Confederacy, and after its fall in 1865, the war soon ended."

"Include one of Wilmington’s historic houses, such as the Burgwin-Wright House (colonial era), Latimer House (Victorian era) or Bellamy Mansion (antebellum mansion). Check out the antique shops in downtown’s central business district and along the Castle Street Arts & Antique district."

"New Anthem Beer Project (116 Dock Street) has so much to offer that earlier this year, New Anthem opened a second location (110 Greenfield Street), the large building behind Satellite Bar and Lounge on the corner of Greenfield Street and Carolina Beach Road, if you’re familiar with Wilmington. This makes New Anthem the only brewery in Wilmington that operates two locations simultaneously. The second location houses the majority of the production and spirit barrel aging and has a huge open taproom."

"Their original brewery was located in the historic McLellan Building, but New Anthem Beer Project now has a beautiful taproom south of downtown where they serve up frothy pints. Pushing the boundaries of traditional methods, this is one of those breweries in Wilmington that’s best known for hoppy beers and barrel-aged choices."

"Flavors at New Anthem Beer Project steer heavily towards the hoppy and the dark. Names of the beer make popular references, like Hold My Beer, Throwing Shade, and Daddy Issues. With a beer philosophy of “push on the edges every time from both the inside and outside,” New Anthem’s beer is constantly evolving."

"Based in Midtown, this brewery is a hidden gem in Wilmington. The building it’s situated in was totally renovated, creating a stunning cabin-like interior that makes you cosy in and never want to leave. They carry a large offering of award-winning handcrafted beers such as fresh lagers, invigorating seasonal Belgian ales and succulent IPAs."

"The inside is adorned with recycled wood, creating a cozy cabin feel. They use a seven barrel steam system to brew; take a peek at the exposed tanks while you’re deciding on your draft. The selection is varied, with four flagships and an assortment of seasonals."

"Boasting two locations across town, Catch is a modern seafood restaurant that James Beard award-winning Chef Keith Rhodes and his wife Angela opened in 2006, and they have been serving outstanding seafood ever since. Striving to support North Carolina’s organic farmers, local fisheries, and sustainable fishing practices, Chef Keith Rhodes presents a menu of produce caught and farmed off the Cape Fear Coast. On the menu you will find creative dishes such as Red Miso Glazed Scottish Salmon served with wok-seared “drunken” rice noodles, bean sprouts, fresh coriander, and Thai basil, Cajun-fried North Carolina Oysters with Mindoro Blue Cheese Slaw and Texas Pete Aioli, and Pan-Roasted Oriental Back Fin, and Lump Crab Cakes served with White Truffle Mash and Pamlico Shrimp in a Cognac Bisque."

"The historic public garden at 300 Airlie Road has a host of exhibits to offer visitors, including its seasonal native wildlife exhibit, which is filled with terrariums and an aquarium featuring some of the gardens native wildlife. Take a self-guided tour along the gardens to see seasonal blooms, live oaks, walking trails and historic structures. From June to October, visit the garden's 2,700-square foot butterfly house, which sees Butterflies native to North Carolina flying about."

"Visitors, and especially garden lovers, appreciate the beautiful scenery at these historical gardens that date back to 1886. The grounds are lush with azaleas, camellias, and the signature Airlie Oak, which is more than 400 years old. Guests can take a self-guided walking tour of the 67-acre estate to admire the formal gardens, historic buildings, sculptures, live oaks, pines, lakes, and diverse ecosystems that are habitats for a rich variety of wildlife."

"Historic Airlie Gardens encompasses 67 acres of beautiful Gilded Age gardens and lakes. Admire the azaleas, gaze at the camellias, and stand in the shade of the historic Airlie Oak tree, which dates back to 1545. Airlie Gardens is also home to the region’s first permanent butterfly house with some of nature’s most delicate, lovely and ephemeral creatures."

"Built in 1852, the Latimer House Museum and Gardens presents an introduction to the opulent lifestyle of the antebellum and Victorian-era elite though a series of 14 total rooms that are furnished with more than 600 period antiques. Flanked by exterior gardens that are stocked with Victorian period herbs and flowers, as well as additional servants’ quarters, a visit to this historic downtown residence is a step back in time for visitors who want to uncover the roots of early Wilmington history."