Cape Fear Museum
Cape Fear Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Exploring the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear region. Founded in 1898. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 9 AM-5 PM Sunday: 1-5 PM.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
285 within 5 kms
Attractions
128 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
239 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
82
Average
15
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Chaperone2013
Springfield, VA91 contributions
Oct 2021
We're not big readers, so we spent less than an hour at this museum. There were some neat exhibits like the GE space section. Not crowded. Includes history of the area, like a city museum, but nothing fancy or exciting.
Written 11 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting!
Written 15 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stan W
Boothbay, ME33 contributions
Feb 2020
An excellent museum that showcases the history of Wilmington and surrounding area. Very well organized. Allow at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours to see it. The Michael Jordan exhibit (in it's own room) was quite interesting.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting and the wonderful review! So happy you enjoyed the history!
Written 26 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Keisha S
Wilmington, NC9 contributions
Apr 2022
My children and I really enjoyed this museum. The prices were fair for the visit. Typically when visisting either myself or the kids would get bored depending on the type of museum, but this one kept us all enthralled! We spent hours taking in the knowledge and I still feel like I could go back and see more that I missed. I am glad this place is in my backyard so-to-speak. Can't wait to revisit for more memories.
Written 22 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting! Happy to hear you enjoyed the museum.
Written 27 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nancy A
296 contributions
Aug 2022
I enjoyed this museum more than I thought I would. The diorama of the city was lots of fun and the section on the International Space Station was very informative and great info. The special fire exhibit was well done and enlightening.
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting! We appreciate the great review!
Written 1 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christi S
Roanoke, VA17 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We had a rainy day on our beach trip and this museum was a perfect activity for the whole family. Our kids are 1, 3, and 4 and they had a great time. Lots of hands-on exhibits for them to explore. It was interesting for us, and entertaining for the kids. Definitely recommend!
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review! We appreciate you visiting!
Written 1 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NCt
Forest City, NC11 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
I was in the area for other events and was able to make it over.
Gives a great over view of the history for the area. All the displays are professionally done. I like to know why city exist where they do and this was a great help. Lots of displays.
The large scale diaroma of old Wilmington port was very cool.
Gives a great over view of the history for the area. All the displays are professionally done. I like to know why city exist where they do and this was a great help. Lots of displays.
The large scale diaroma of old Wilmington port was very cool.
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting and happy to hear you enjoyed the Museum!
Written 27 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bernardo F
New York City, NY15,081 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Lots of history here. Tons of exhibits and ots well organized and has. Nice flow. If you're interested in the area. Definitely. Worth an hour . Staff was very friendly and even gave is free passes!
Written 20 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting!
Written 19 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bseashore
Carolina Beach, NC434 contributions
Feb 2012
On a very rainy gray day in February our family decided to visit this museum which was new to us. There were three adults and children, 14, 13 & 8. The museum does have "free" days but this was not one of them. The price was around $30+ for all six of us.
There are two floors and it is divided into sections which all run together in a story book fashion that relates a history of the area through commerce and development throughout the different time frames with a lot of imagination going into the planning of displays. It has an area focusing on the beaches, animals and other nature activities of note. They also have some outside exhibits which were closed due to the weather.
I think the defining statement was made the next day by one of the teenage boys who stated that it was a "fun" museum and he wanted to return. The other two chimed in to agree. The three boys were not bored the entire time and there was enough interest for adults and children to stroll at a leisurely pace.
Being a new resident to North Carolina, I found the information presented to be clear and easy to understand without going into too much detail - which can sometimes seem overwhelming when visiting for the first time in a new area. It outlined information about the city, the countryside, the coast and the port with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. While downtown Wilmington is not directly on the Atlantic Ocean , it is on the Cape Fear River and the information provided about the importance of this link was very interesting. I discovered the importance of Wilmington as a port city in bygone days and how things changed during the Civil War and afterward, the growth of tourism on the beaches and how things developed along the way.
It is a very good opportunity to see some Michael Jordan memorabilia with some personal items and insight into his life in the area.
The museum does also have a small gift shop, elevators, and easy access, if needed. Don't miss the amazing front wooden doors.
Enjoy!
There are two floors and it is divided into sections which all run together in a story book fashion that relates a history of the area through commerce and development throughout the different time frames with a lot of imagination going into the planning of displays. It has an area focusing on the beaches, animals and other nature activities of note. They also have some outside exhibits which were closed due to the weather.
I think the defining statement was made the next day by one of the teenage boys who stated that it was a "fun" museum and he wanted to return. The other two chimed in to agree. The three boys were not bored the entire time and there was enough interest for adults and children to stroll at a leisurely pace.
Being a new resident to North Carolina, I found the information presented to be clear and easy to understand without going into too much detail - which can sometimes seem overwhelming when visiting for the first time in a new area. It outlined information about the city, the countryside, the coast and the port with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. While downtown Wilmington is not directly on the Atlantic Ocean , it is on the Cape Fear River and the information provided about the importance of this link was very interesting. I discovered the importance of Wilmington as a port city in bygone days and how things changed during the Civil War and afterward, the growth of tourism on the beaches and how things developed along the way.
It is a very good opportunity to see some Michael Jordan memorabilia with some personal items and insight into his life in the area.
The museum does also have a small gift shop, elevators, and easy access, if needed. Don't miss the amazing front wooden doors.
Enjoy!
Written 20 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maxona
Fort Walton Beach, FL557 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
This museum is located on Market street a few blocks east of the historic district. I originally wasn't planning on this being one of my first stops in Wilmington, but I am glad I did. There is a lot of reading at this museum. So bring glasses if you need them. The museum does a really good job of describing the start of Wilmington, thru it's history of the war, to the railroad and then to the decline of Wilmington's popularity to current day. They have such things as a replica of a giant sloth fossils discovered near where the university is. A model of both the old riverfront and you will see a model of Fort Fisher in it's day (you will not see that at Fort Fisher).
This museum would be appropriate for anyone interested in history of Wilmington, war history and even African American history. Personally I think that very young children would get bored with the museum. It is more geared towards reading and observation, rather than interactive. So just keep that in mind.
I would highly recommend this museum if you plan on seeing some of the historical sights in the area. It will give you a good base to start from. I felt a little more 'up to date' on Wilmington history when I went to the Wrightsville beach Historical museum as well as the 3 home tours at the Riverfront. It helped to add to my experience.
There is parking, and it is free. There is a fee to get in. There was a gift shop. I found the museum chilly, so if you tend to get cold, you may want to have a jacket or sweater in your car. I do think if you have even a small interest in history, you will find this museum well done and informative.
This museum would be appropriate for anyone interested in history of Wilmington, war history and even African American history. Personally I think that very young children would get bored with the museum. It is more geared towards reading and observation, rather than interactive. So just keep that in mind.
I would highly recommend this museum if you plan on seeing some of the historical sights in the area. It will give you a good base to start from. I felt a little more 'up to date' on Wilmington history when I went to the Wrightsville beach Historical museum as well as the 3 home tours at the Riverfront. It helped to add to my experience.
There is parking, and it is free. There is a fee to get in. There was a gift shop. I found the museum chilly, so if you tend to get cold, you may want to have a jacket or sweater in your car. I do think if you have even a small interest in history, you will find this museum well done and informative.
Written 12 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara H
Wilmington, NC97 contributions
Jul 2018
The Cape Fear Museum near Historic downtown Wilmington is a very interesting and well presented overview of the history, ecology, industry and people of the Cape Fear River/Wilmington area. It's relatively small, but comprehensive and the presentations are very insightful (& without a political agenda) so the history of the area can be seen in the cultural context of the times. Michael Jordan's family donated an interesting wing focusing on the Ecology of the Cape Fear River Basin. Well worth you and your family coming by to learn and enjoy!
Written 16 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting and so happy you enjoyed the Museum!
Written 20 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Were coming for a visit this week and were wondering how long it takes to go through the museum?
Written 26 December 2020
Hi. It takes most people around 2 hours to visit and see all of the exhibits. We hope you will stop by!
Written 27 December 2020
kenwhitt1
Kernersville, North Carolina
We are putting together class trips for middle school 7th graders and looking at Wilmington as one of our options. We are interested in any types of discounts for a group of students? Is there a limit as to how many can visit the museum at one time? Would there be a possibility of guided tours? We are looking at 150-180 students, split into two groups that would visit at separate times.
2 minutes ago Answer
Written 19 April 2017
Hi there! Please contact us regarding field trips, group rates, etc. 910-798-4362 or visit the programs page on our website. Look forward to seeing you!
Written 24 April 2017
Yes, items from Dawson's Creek are on view in our Starring Cape Fear! exhibit, which is open through October 1, 2017.
Written 21 March 2017
Is there an admission fee to visit the Cape Fear Museum? My husband and I will be making a trip there in a few weeks.
Written 7 March 2016
Daria275, yes there is, as per my earlier review, reprinted here for your convenience.
"...814 Market St., $8, Mon-Sat, 9-5. Well put-together exhibits detailing the area's early history through the present day. Rise and fall of pine tar production for Naval stores on Eagle Island; rise and fall of rice production. Blockade running during the Civil War. Education and civil rights. Very well done little local museum. Allow at least an hour."
Written 8 March 2016
We are planning to be in Wilmington on Memorial Weekend. Is the Museum open May 24th and/or May 25th-Memorial Day? If so what hours. Thank you
Written 15 April 2015
Showing results 1-6 of 6
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing