Chasing Southern Charm in Wilmington, North Carolina

For a long time, Wilmington, a small southern port town in North Carolina has been on my list of must places to explore. Why, you ask? Wilmington was first introduced to me on the American TV show One Tree Hill, which I started following rigorously while studying English at the Human International Academy in San Diego in the summer of 2006. Still in high school myself at that time, I quickly related to the storyline of One Tree Hill and the fact that I was dreaming of attending an American high school only added to my obsession with this TV show. Later on, as I grew a bit older, the heart wrenching Nicolas Sparks books and films, which are all set in mesmerizing North Carolina, sparked an even bigger desire to one day explore this state and its featured cities.

And finally, this summer, I went on a weekend trip to famous Wilmington, a city full of hidden beautiful victorian houses often featurd in films. Moreover, I got to finally explore the town native to the characters I have loved on films and shows back when I was just a young girl.

Upon arrival and after check-in at our beautiful hotel, located downtown, the blistering heat made it almost unbearable to walk the historic streets and enjoy searching for familiar views and places. However, with the first sights in sight, the feeling of being worn down by the heat and sun faded and my sense for exploring emerged.

The Cotton Exchange is one of the sights I was looking forward to the most. In the late 19th century, the stunning brick complex comprised of eight buildings housed the biggest exporter of cotton in the world. Today, you can find tiny shops and cafes in The Cotton Exchange and it is rather cute to walk around in.

                     

Wilmington's famous River Walk is another must do when in town. Had it not been for the extreme heat, I bet I would have taken more photos of the stunning views and river front restaurants and cafes.

And just because the river walk was so beautiful, we went back there every evening of our stay.

My conclusion? Wilmington truly is a southern belle. Together with its historic buildings, delicious southern food, as well as the southern friendliness of the local people, this weekend getaway is a treat for the soul aching for some old-fashioned romance and the opportunity to walk the streets once crossed by actresses and actors portraying their skills.