Skip to main content

Greater Wilmington, North Carolina

Real Wilmington neighborhoods — Masonboro, Landfall, Carolina Place/Ardmore, and Myrtle Grove — plus The River House, a riverfront retreat at Holly Shelter in Pender County, about 30 minutes out on the Northeast Cape Fear River.

Neighborhoods

Masonboro

Masonboro

On the southeast side of Wilmington along the Intracoastal Waterway, about 8 miles from both downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, with mature live oaks and a public boat ramp at nearby Trails End Park.
Landfall

Landfall

A 2,200-acre gated golf and waterfront community about a mile from Wrightsville Beach, with a private country club offering 45 holes of golf designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, plus tennis and miles of walking and biking trails.
Carolina Place / Ardmore

Carolina Place / Ardmore

Historic, tree-lined neighborhoods of bungalows and early-1900s homes close to downtown and the hospital. Carolina Place was Wilmington's first suburban neighborhood, with houses built mostly between 1906 and World War II.
Myrtle Grove

Myrtle Grove

A peaceful, family-friendly neighborhood on the southeast side of Wilmington, close to the Intracoastal Waterway and Myrtle Grove Sound.
Holly Shelter & The River House

Holly Shelter & The River House

The River House is a riverfront retreat at Holly Shelter in Pender County, about 30 minutes out on the Northeast Cape Fear River. Holly Shelter is home to the roughly 64,000-acre Holly Shelter Game Land, with trails and boat access to the river.

What to Do

Airlie Gardens

A 67-acre botanical garden with more than a dozen gardens to explore on foot, the Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, a 500-year-old live oak known as the Airlie Oak, and a seasonal Butterfly House.

Botanical garden

Greenfield Park

A 4- to 5-mile paved loop around a cypress-lined lake, with bridges and boardwalk sections, plus paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. Look for turtles and alligators from the bridges and gazebos — and never feed or approach the alligators.

Park

Mayfaire Town Center

A town center with more than 100 stores, around 20 restaurants, and a 16-screen Regal cinema with IMAX.

Shopping & dining

The Forum

Restaurants and shops about a mile from Wrightsville Beach.

Shopping & dining
  • 1125 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405

Masonboro Island Reserve

One of the longest undisturbed barrier island ecosystems in southern North Carolina, reachable only by boat, kayak, or canoe. Water taxi and tour providers run out of Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington.

Coastal reserve

Where to Eat

Roko Italian Cuisine

Traditional Italian cuisine in the heart of Mayfaire Town Center, in a cozy, dimly lit dining room.

Italian

True Blue Butcher & Table

At The Forum — locally sourced ingredients, quality cuts of steak, and an extensive drink selection.

Steakhouse

Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn

A Wilmington burrito spot on Oleander Drive, with a second location in Carolina Beach.

Mexican

Indochine Express

Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean favorites in a quick-service setting on Oleander Drive.

Thai & Vietnamese
wilmington-north-carolina-usa-cityscape-2026-09-24-08-58-02-utc

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March through May) and fall (October and November) bring comfortable weather with fewer crowds and lower prices than summer. June through August is high season, and the heat and humidity peak. September tends to be the wettest month, and winters are cold and quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which areas does Greater Wilmington cover?
Real Wilmington neighborhoods including Masonboro, Landfall, Carolina Place/Ardmore, and Myrtle Grove, plus The River House, a riverfront retreat at Holly Shelter in Pender County.

How far out is The River House?
About 30 minutes out, on the Northeast Cape Fear River at Holly Shelter in Pender County.

Do you have guides for other areas?
Yes — we have local guides for Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and historic downtown Wilmington. Find them all under Explore the Area.

Where to Stay

Hand-picked homes across Wilmington's neighborhoods.