Historic Airlie Gardens encompasses 67 acres of beautiful Gilded Age gardens and lakes. Admire the azaleas, gaze at the camellias, stand in the shade of the 467-year old Airlie Oak, experience nature's most delicate and ephemeral creatures - butterflies - in the region's first permanent butterfly house. Location: 2 miles west of Wrightsville Beach.

910-798-7700

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Built as the city residence (c.1861) of a prominent planter, this is one of North Carolina's most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture.  This historic house is now a museum that focuses on history and the design arts with changing exhibits.  Tour the magnificent 10,000 sq foot home, visit the meticulously re-created gardens and walk through the recently restored slave quarters, one of very few preserved urban slave quarters in the country.

910-251-3700

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The Cameron Art Museum celebrates 51 years and is committed to arts education and presents exhibitions and public programs of both historical and contemporary significance, with 6-8 changing exhibitions annually, in addition to outdoor, site-specific projects on its park property which includes a historic Civil War site. This 42,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art museum functions as a cultural gathering place and features two centuries of NC and US art boasting one of the world's major collections of the romantic color prints of Mary Cassatt (periodically on view). The Museum School at Cameron Art Museum offers ongoing classes for adults and youth, workshops and demonstrations, including ceramic arts at the Clay Studio, overseen by resident master artist Hiroshi Sueyoshi. The museum also presents lively, ongoing family and children's programs each month; Alzheimer Connections tours for patients and their caretakers; ongoing interdisciplinary public programs (lectures, music, films, literature, dance). A full service cafe is located in the heart of the museum and serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm; Sunday 10 am to 3 pm and Thursday evenings 5pm to 9pm. HOURS: Mon:Closed, Tues-Sun: 10am-5pm, Thurs: Open late until 9pm, Closed: Independence day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day Features: Motorcoach Parking on Site, Credit Cards Accepted

910-395-5999

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Explore the rich history, science, and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear region at the state's oldest history museum. Discover the past in Cape Fear Stories, where you can see a scale model of 1863 Wilmington waterfront and watch the Civil War Battle of Fort Fisher unfold before your eyes. Investigate coastal ecology in the hands-on Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery. Meet Wilmington's oldest resident, a 20-foot-tall Giant Ground Sloth. Enjoy educational programs for children and families every Saturday and programs for adults throughout the year. Changing special exhibits always on view. Check Out our Summer Camp Programs. Museum Summer Camps teach kids that science and history are FUN! FALL/WINTER HOURS: Mon: Closed, Tues-Sat: 9am-5pm Sun: 1pm-5pm SPRING/SUMMER HOURS ( Memorial Day-Labor Day ) : Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun:1pm-5pm  ** First Sunday of Every Month is Free for New Hanover County Residents***

910-798-4350

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