About Wilmington
Wilmington is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It lies at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. The population was 70,898 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of New Castle County. Wilmington is one of the major cities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and the core city of the Wilmington metropolitan division, which had 740,426 residents in 2020.
Places to visit in Wilmington
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Wilmington Riverwalk
LandmarkA boardwalk along the Cape Fear River in the historic district, lined with restaurants, shops and benches with views of the battleship across the water.
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Wilmington Historic District
HistoricA large area of nineteenth-century homes, churches and commercial buildings near the river, best explored on foot, by horse-drawn carriage or on one of the trolley tours.
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Bellamy Mansion Museum
HistoricA grand antebellum mansion downtown that also preserves rare urban slave quarters, offering a balanced look at the lives of everyone who lived and worked on the property.
Where to stay in Wilmington
Popular hotels in Wilmington, out of 85 properties you can book.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
From $462 per night
Holiday Inn Resort Lumina On Wrightsville Beach
From $199 per night
Home2 Suites Hilton Wilmington Wrightsville Beach
From $127 per night
Wingate By Wyndham Wilmington
From $97 per night
Best Western Plus Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach
From $95 per night
Hampton Inn Wilmington-University Area/Smith Creek
From $106 per night
Best Western Plus Coastline Inn
From $191 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Wilmington Mayfaire Town Center
From $125 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC
From $112 per night
Beau Rivage Golf & Resort
From $132 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach
From $159 per night
Homewood Suites By Hilton Wilmington/Mayfaire
From $144 per night
Best time to visit Wilmington
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Wilmington is April and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–75°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Wilmington weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 62° 46° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 65° 46° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 60° 47° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 61° 44° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 64° 46° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 67° 49° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Wilmington
These are the airports closest to central Wilmington. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ILM Wilmington International Airport400 mi (644 km) from the city centre
Getting around Wilmington
DelDOT's network of DART First State buses serve Wilmington and adjacent areas in northern New Castle County, but these are designed primarily for commuters. DART First States buses primarily operate Monday through Friday with several routes offering Saturday service and a few routes offering Sunday service. Fares for DART First State buses are $2.00 per ride and transfers are not issued.
Wilmington travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Wilmington?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Wilmington is April and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–75°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Wilmington?
July is usually the warmest month in Wilmington, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 36°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 264 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Wilmington?
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is the closest airport, about 400 miles (644 km) from the centre of Wilmington.
What time zone is Wilmington in?
Wilmington uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Wilmington?
DelDOT's network of DART First State buses serve Wilmington and adjacent areas in northern New Castle County, but these are designed primarily for commuters. DART First States buses primarily operate Monday through Friday with several routes offering Saturday service and a few routes offering Sunday service.
What are the best places to visit in Wilmington?
Top sights in Wilmington include Wilmington Riverwalk, Wilmington Historic District and Bellamy Mansion Museum. A boardwalk along the Cape Fear River in the historic district, lined with restaurants, shops and benches with views of the battleship across the water.
Where should I stay in Wilmington?
Popular areas for hotels in Wilmington include Wilmington. Well-reviewed options include Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront and Holiday Inn Resort Lumina On Wrightsville Beach.
How many hotels can I book in Wilmington?
Destina Holidays currently lists 85 properties in and around Wilmington, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
