Outside Magazine, October 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 22

Wilmington, North Carolina

Next Big Thing

By:
Downtown Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington    Photographer: Logan Mock-Bunting

Wrightsville Beach

Similar to Charleston: southern charm, a 300-year-old harbor, ample seafood. But what sets Wilmington (pop. 106,500) apart from its genteel South Carolina neighbor is an economy in overdrive—not long ago, it was the second-fastest-growing economy in the U.S. Thanks to EUE Screen Gems, it's also home to the largest motion-picture and television studio outside California. (The local film industry employs some 800 people.) Situated where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic, the former military port's recreation options are mostly water-based—sea-kayaking, sailing, deap-sea fishing—and the biggest party of the year is, naturally, Riverfest, a frenzy of vendors, fireworks, music, athletic competitions, and invading pirates.

Comments

22
Sarah

Wilmington is a wonderful place to live...nice people, great weather and lot's of outdoor activities & festivals to keep you busy! The historic downtown area keeps getting better and the beach towns all have something different to offer. Thanks for putting Wilmington on the list!

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Sarah

Wilmington is a wonderful place to live...nice people, great weather and lot's of outdoor activities & festivals to keep you busy! The historic downtown area keeps getting better and the beach towns all have something different to offer. Thanks for putting Wilmington on the list!

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Jarhead

Don't forget to mention that, every weekend, Wilmington is invaded by 50,000 young, drunk Marines looking to chase your women. Oorah!

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Kay Baker

Wilmington NC - Proud to call it home. The people enhance the natural beauty of our hometown.

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Kay Baker

Wilmington NC - Proud to call it home. The people enhance the natural beauty of our hometown.

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Iain Wells

Sure do miss that southern charm and that sweet Ice tea that the people in Seattle, WA have no idea about.

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Iain Wells

Sure do miss that southern charm and that sweet Ice tea that the people in Seattle, WA have no idea about.

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Chris Herndon

Been here 27 years and wouldn't want to live anywhere else! Surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, boating, wonderful art and restaurant scene, one of the largest National Register of Historic Places areas (encompassing over 300 blocks!), plus soooo much more! Great area, can't say enough about it. We love being a hidden treasure but we also like the occasional spotlight!

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Chris Herndon

Been here 27 years and wouldn't want to live anywhere else! Surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, boating, wonderful art and restaurant scene, one of the largest National Register of Historic Places areas (encompassing over 300 blocks!), plus soooo much more! Great area, can't say enough about it. We love being a hidden treasure but we also like the occasional spotlight!

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Andrea The Giant

This town is freaking lame!!! Something to do?!! Yeah, if you like drinking!! Riverfest is just vendor crap. The only thing worse than this dump is Death Valley!!

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Matt

As a former Marine I have to say the only thing that does suck about the town is the 50,000 Marines that invade downtown every weekend. If it weren't for that I'd move back in a heartbeat! Great nightlife way under rated surf awesome skuba, the coast is lined with shipwrecks and kayaking is good too and an amazing historic district! Yeah riverfest kind of sucks during the day but after hours it's a pretty good party and so is just about every other holiday. Kind of sad it made the list I'd hate to see it ruined.

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Matt

As a former Marine I have to say the only thing that does suck about the town is the 50,000 Marines that invade downtown every weekend. If it weren't for that I'd move back in a heartbeat! Great nightlife way under rated surf awesome skuba, the coast is lined with shipwrecks and kayaking is good too and an amazing historic district! Yeah riverfest kind of sucks during the day but after hours it's a pretty good party and so is just about every other holiday. Kind of sad it made the list I'd hate to see it ruined.

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Deborah Fountain Fugazy

Wilmington is my hometown. Most people appreciate the real warmth and hospitality of the local residents. If you are a person with real values for the finer deeper things in life- surrounding yourself with home, family, nature, good people, good food, healthy life styles and giving back to society then you will love Wilmington. For the "down to earth" and wholesome lifestyle seekers...welcome! I am proud to be one of "ya". Love, Debbie

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Anonymous

If you think that your elected officials should allow a cement plant to move into your already fragile ecosystem just to bring in a hundred jobs and a few dollars in tax revenue and allow them to pollute your water and air with mercury and sodium dioxide then this town is for you.

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Say not to Titan

That's right. This is a special place that will be so polluted if they are allowed to build the cement plant just up river. Locals and visitors alike need to act to save Wilmington!

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Say not to Titan

That's right. This is a special place that will be so polluted if they are allowed to build the cement plant just up river. Locals and visitors alike need to act to save Wilmington!

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MP

Our coastal town has an incredable diversity in local restaurants that accompany the arts in theater and music. There are so many things to do and a tour for everyone; River, Culinary, Segway, walking. Discover Wilmington and enjoy the mild climate that allows outdoor activities all year long...even gardening has two seasons here! A great place for families. We love it!

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MP

Our coastal town has an incredable diversity in local restaurants that accompany the arts in theater and music. There are so many things to do and a tour for everyone; River, Culinary, Segway, walking. Discover Wilmington and enjoy the mild climate that allows outdoor activities all year long...even gardening has two seasons here! A great place for families. We love it!

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anony mouse

Screen Gems ran to Atlanta 'cause the tax breaks were better. Those employed by Screen Gems are not local people. They import folks. The locals are poor folks who work at the plentiful fast food restaurants in town. There are no jobs, limited culture and a racial divide that you can easily ignore if you only want to surf and beach bum, and go clubbing. Diversity is lacking, limited Gay and Lesbian support or activities. Yeah, Outside works, but if you only judge a city by what resources you can "use" to entertain yourself, you're missing the mark.

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anony mouse

Screen Gems ran to Atlanta 'cause the tax breaks were better. Those employed by Screen Gems are not local people. They import folks. The locals are poor folks who work at the plentiful fast food restaurants in town. There are no jobs, limited culture and a racial divide that you can easily ignore if you only want to surf and beach bum, and go clubbing. Diversity is lacking, limited Gay and Lesbian support or activities. Yeah, Outside works, but if you only judge a city by what resources you can "use" to entertain yourself, you're missing the mark.

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Livin in NC and Lovin it

Wow. I am always a proponet of constructive criticism but some of these comments are out of line. 50,000 marines on the weekend? Overstated, no? I'm glad we have marines that are putting their lives on the line for us. Roudy downtown sometimes? So are the students from UNCW. I guess we should close the university too? You don't have to like Wilmington, you can move to anywhere you think life is as you like it. Better yet, why not get involved and make it a better place? I have lived in Metro Washington, Metro NYC and chose to come here because I enjoy the pace of life, the people, the weather, the activities.

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Livin in NC and Lovin it

Wow. I am always a proponet of constructive criticism but some of these comments are out of line. 50,000 marines on the weekend? Overstated, no? I'm glad we have marines that are putting their lives on the line for us. Roudy downtown sometimes? So are the students from UNCW. I guess we should close the university too? You don't have to like Wilmington, you can move to anywhere you think life is as you like it. Better yet, why not get involved and make it a better place? I have lived in Metro Washington, Metro NYC and chose to come here because I enjoy the pace of life, the people, the weather, the activities.

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