Lionel train set magic at Wilmington Railroad Museum

The Railroad Museum in Wilmington is one of the most pleasant travel surprises this year. It has everything! Large scale and intricate layouts, a “build it yourself” play room for kids, amazing historic artifacts and even ghost legends!

In front of the Railroad Museum

Outside you can climb aboard a real steam engine, wander through a red caboose, and experience the hobo lifestyle in a Atlantic Coast Line boxcar…

Best of all my daughter loved it!

Go Thomas! Go!

Hours and Ticket Price
The museum is open Monday to Saturday 10AM – 4PM and Sunday 1 – 5PM (except in winter when is closed). Closed on major holidays. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors and military and $3 children 2-12.

The Railroad Museum is located downtown Wilmington at 505 Nutt Street, right by the river next to the Chamber of Commerce and the Community College.

Let the train show begin!

Forever young at the Wilmington Railroad Museum!

If time permits visit the terrific Cape Fear Serpentarium, the world’s largest selection of venomous snakes (live shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3PM) and the fun-packed Wilmington Children’s Museum. Both are located on Orange Street and admission is $8 for each.

Be awed, inspired and humbled aboard North Carolina, the most decorated battleship during WWII (admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors and military, $6 children 6-11 and FREE for children 5 and under).

“I’m too foxy to eat” meet the Nile Crocodile diva at Cape Fear Serpentarium

Must see TV, entertainment it’s free for me! That’s the attitude of the Nile Crocodile, Cape Fear Serpentarium’s MVP.

We were told His Majesty is the zoo most intelligent resident. He loves to watch the weekend live feedings of his neighbor snakes.

It took some convincing but in the end the belly won and the crocodile accepted the “bribe”. Part of the show I bet

While in Wilmington visit the “The Showboat” North Carolina, the most beloved and decorated WWII battleship. It will lift your spirit!

If alligators, giant crocodiles, Galapagos turtles and green anacondas are your thing, then Alligator Adventure “The Reptile Capital of the World” is your answer. Best time to visit is April – October when the gators are “awake”.

Battleship North Carolina, a magnificent WWII memorial in Wilmington harbor

North Carolina is one of the most decorated and beloved battleships in US naval history. During World War II North Carolina participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific and earned 15 Battle Stars. She became the first of 10 fast battleships to join the fleet in WWII.

Military Highlights (courtesy of Battleship NC website)

The Showboat North Carolina

• The Battleship carried out 9 shore bombardments, sank an enemy troopship, destroyed at least 24 enemy aircraft, and assisted in shooting down many more. Despite its extensive combat North Carolina had only 10 men lost and 67 wounded.

• North Carolina was considered the world’s greatest sea weapon. Armed with nine 16-inch/45 caliber guns in three turrets and twenty 5-inch/38 caliber guns in 10 twin mounts, North Carolina proved a formidable weapons platform.

• 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including 100 Marines had the privilege to serve on the Battleship. Here are some of the most intimate combat encounters and funny recollections about the life on the Battleship.

Despite all her accomplishments, she was almost scrapped in 1958. Luckily a statewide SOS campaign led by NC citizens saved her from destruction and on April 29, 1962, North Carolina became a state memorial to its WWII veterans.

Exciting Things To Do on the Tour

Battleship Stern Turret 3 with 16-inch Guns

• Explore 9 open decks, enter gun turrets, view the officers and crew quarters, mess hall, engine room, and more.

• Discover the ship’s city-like lifestyle with diners, movie theater, church, post office, laundry, ice cream shop, newspaper, barber shops and repair shops.

• See one of the 7 remaining Vought Kingfisher floatplanes in the world.

• Make a Wish – You will see several ammunition loading trunks on the tour. A trunk is a series of openings for transporting supplies (projectiles, powder cans). One of them was turned into a Wishing Well. All coins go to the Restoration Fund.

Tips to Know Before You Go

• Wear very comfortable shoes. Get ready for steep walks and even crawls up and down the decks. Beware there is some construction going on the main deck. When in doubt, just pick-up and carry the kids to avoid any drama.

• The tour is well marked. You may end up going in circles but you can’t really get lost. Just follow the “Yellow Road” signs and you’ll be fine.

Checking Turret 2

• Spend time and read the inscriptions. The are touching stories and funny quotes from former Battleship seamen. This is when the ship really comes to life!

• The only handicap accessible area is the main deck. Accessibility to most of the exhibits should increase once Phase III of the Restoration Project is complete.

• You can spice up your trip and arrive at the Battleship by water (from downtown Wilmington) aboard the historic Maffitt River Taxi.

They also do sightseeing cruises on the Cape Fear River. Call 1-800-676-0162 for details.

Battleship Admission and Hours
Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors and military, $6 children 6-11 and FREE for children 5 and under.

North Carolina is open daily year round. Memorial Day through Labor Day from 8AM to 8PM. All other days the ship is open 8AM to 5PM.

The self-guided tour usually takes 2 hours to complete. For the enthusiast, it can easily take 4 hours to fully experience the ship given the extensive signage throughout the ship.

Drive to Charleston SC to pay tribute to “The Fighting Lady”, the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier and to see the historic Fort Sumter National Monument where the Civil War started.

While in Wilmington visit the one and only Cape Fear Serpentarium featuring the world’s largest collection of deadly venomous snakes. It cost only $8 to get it and see the incredible live feedings.

Also downtown Wilmington you can see the NC Railroad Museum, a magical place for kids of ages, featuring the largest museum-quality model trains layout in the Southeast. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors and military, $3 children 2-12 years old.

Be a proud American aboard Battleship North Carolina!