Just a short drive from Brunswick Forest, only 5.7 miles north on Hwy. 17, is the historic riverfront town of Wilmington, offering eclectic shopping, a vibrant nightlife, rich cultural amenities and a wide array of outdoor recreation, including miles of unspoiled beaches.

At the heart of this coastal community is the 230-block National Historic Register District running along the picturesque Cape Fear River. Beautifully restored antebellum homes shaded by stately live oaks grace the brick and cobblestone streets bearing names like Red Cross, Castle and Queen, reflecting Wilmington's English heritage.

The city's charming coastal setting has served as the backdrop for a flourishing film industry that has produced more than 300 movies and seven television series on location since 1983.

Dozens of outstanding restaurants, shops, coffeehouses, jazz clubs and theaters, along with the famed mile-long Riverwalk, make downtown Wilmington a pleasure to explore by foot, trolley or horse-drawn carriage. History buff or art lover, beachcomber or water sports enthusiast, you'll find more to do in Wilmington than hours in the day.