Wilmington Riverwalk

The Wilmington Riverwalk is a 1.75-mile-long riverside walkway located in Wilmington, North Carolina, running parallel to the Cape Fear River in the historic downtown area. Wilmington Riverfront is city’s #1 tourist destination.

Length: Approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Opened: 1984
Surface: Wooden boardwalk

The Riverwalk was conceived in the 1980s as a way to generate interest in the city’s waterfront and downtown.

The Riverwalk provides pedestrian access to various attractions and amenities along the Riverfront Wilmington area. It features extensive native plantings, including over 5,000 trees and shrubs, 36,000 grasses, perennials, and annuals, and 27,600 wetland plants.

Along the Riverwalk, visitors can find numerous gathering areas, benches, and the Hare Pavilion, a 30×40 foot pavilion overlooking the Christina River that can accommodate up to 300 people for events.

Access & Parking

The Riverwalk is easily accessible from various points in downtown Wilmington, with several public parking decks and street parking available nearby.

Visitors can access the Riverwalk from various entry points, including the Riverfront Park, Water Street, and Market Street.

Points of Interest

The Riverwalk is home to several notable landmarks and points of interest, including:

U.S. Merchant Marine monument: A 6,000-pound monument honoring American Merchant Mariners serving in peace and war since 1775, dedicated in 2017.

Dram Tree sculpture: A sculpture commissioned by the City of Wilmington in 2013, commemorating the historic Dram Tree that once stood in the Wilmington harbor.

“Coastal Dolphins” Whaling Wall mural: A large mural painted by renowned artist Wyland, celebrating the beauty of the sea and coastal dolphins.

World War I memorial monument: A monument honoring World War I soldiers, originally located at 13th and Market streets and later moved to the Riverwalk in 2014.

Stone dolphin: A beautiful stone dolphin sculpture visible at low tide behind Cape Fear Community College.

Wind Harp sculpture: A harp-shaped rock sculpture adorned with 47 aluminum rods that create a reedy sound when struck by the wind.

The Wilmington Riverwalk is a popular destination for both residents and visitors, offering a scenic and engaging way to explore the city’s waterfront and downtown areas