What's it like in Downtown Wilmington?

Downtown Wilmington is an historic neighbourhood known for its stunning river views. Make sure that you visit Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear River as part of your Downtown Wilmington travel plans.

What's the best accommodation in Downtown Wilmington?

Based on our traveller data, Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is one of the top choices for your stay in Downtown Wilmington. This hotel is steps from Riverwalk, and offers a restaurant and an outdoor pool. Other good choices for your stay in the neighbourhood include Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront and Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center .

How many hotels should I expect to find in Downtown Wilmington?

Expedia has 217 hotels and other accommodation options in Downtown Wilmington to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Wilmington area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown Wilmington, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel bookings are refundable if you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable reservation, you might still have the option to cancel and receive a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to get the best options available in Downtown Wilmington.

What is there to do around this Wilmington neighbourhood?

Downtown Wilmington's sights and attractions like Wilmington Railroad Museum, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and City Stage Theatre offer insight into the local culture. Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear River are some other stops worth a visit in the neighbourhood. The Cotton Exchange, The Eagle's Dare and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts are just a few of the places to visit in and around Downtown Wilmington. While you're out sightseeing in Wilmington, make sure that you visit other sights such as Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews or Burgwin-Wright House.

Top 10 Downtown Wilmington Hotels of 2026

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Our top choices for Downtown Wilmington hotels

1. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

Downtown Wilmington

Jennifer

RM633 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

2. Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

Downtown Wilmington

Walter

RM462 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Sept - 7 Sept

3. Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown

Downtown Wilmington

Amanda

RM558 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

4. Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

Downtown Wilmington

Sally

RM736 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Sept - 7 Sept

5. Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

Downtown Wilmington

Gabriel Armando

RM579 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

6. ARRIVE Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington

Andrew

RM594 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

7. Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Downtown Wilmington

Katia

RM596 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

8. Water Street Retreats

Downtown Wilmington

David

RM1,028 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

9. The Hive

Downtown Wilmington

Kaseem

RM1,455 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sept

10. Dreamers BNB

Riverfront District, 0.8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Amy

RM1,018 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Sept - 4 Sept

11. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington West - Medical Park by IHG

4.9 km from Downtown Wilmington

Kyle

RM530 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

12. Hampton Inn Wilmington-Medical Park

5.1 km from Downtown Wilmington

Dewey

RM483 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

13. Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Lisa

RM555 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Sept - 4 Sept

14. Tru By Hilton Leland Wilmington

6.7 km from Downtown Wilmington

Xuxa

RM437 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

15. Home2 Suites By Hilton Wilmington Medical Park Downtown

7.3 km from Downtown Wilmington

Amy

RM446 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

16. Wingate by Wyndham - Wilmington

New Market Center, 6.5 km from Downtown Wilmington

Kathy

RM470 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sept - 3 Sept

17. Spark by Hilton Wilmington

5.8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Vicki

RM412 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

18. DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC

6.2 km from Downtown Wilmington

Lindsey

RM446 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sept - 3 Sept

19. Coastal Inn & Suites - Wilmington, NC

4.4 km from Downtown Wilmington

Mary Grace

RM329 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Aug - 28 Aug

20. Hotel Lela Wilmington, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

6 km from Downtown Wilmington

Fausto

RM521 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Wilmington

Property	Property class	Guest rating
ARRIVE Wilmington	4.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 939 reviews	View
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront	3.5 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,100 reviews	View
Best Western Plus Coastline Inn	2.5 star property	9.0 Wonderful 1,010 reviews	View
Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center	3.0 star property	9.0 Wonderful 634 reviews	View
The Hive	4.0 star property	9.0 Wonderful 20 reviews	View

Where to stay in Downtown Wilmington

Find the best Downtown Wilmington areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A historic white building with columns, a fountain, and lush green trees.

Wilmington Historic District

Wilmington Historic District is known for its stunning river views, and with sights like Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Wilmington.

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A historic brick building with a sign reading "The Cotton Exchange".

Riverfront District

If you're spending some time in Riverfront District, Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts are top sights worth seeing.

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Landfall

While there might not be top attractions in Landfall, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mayfaire Town Center and Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.

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A wooden pier extending into calm water with a covered seating area and a bridge in the background.

Wrightsville Sound

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Wrightsville Sound and surrounding area, you can visit New Hanover County Arboretum and Mayfaire Town Center.

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The Bottom

While The Bottom may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts and Bellamy Mansion Museum.

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Top Downtown Wilmington Hotel Reviews

Shell Island Resort - All Oceanfront Suites

10/10 Excellent

"Beautiful beach and view from rooms."

Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

10/10 Excellent

"On the riverwalk across from the battleship New Jersey for nice sunsets. Very close to where the walking tours start downtown. Air conditioning worked so well. Lots of excellent shops nearby like The Black Cat. Great restaurants of all types in walking distance. Ice cream shops open late and lots of restaurants and bars open even later. Downtown is quite walkable. Parking available for an additional fee. The parking was close to an entrance neat the pool."

ARRIVE Wilmington

8/10 Good

"My husband and I needed a getaway for 3 days from our jobs. Wilmington was on our bucket list. We arrived at the Arrive Hotel on Friday afternoon and check in was a little hard to find though I wish there was a clearer sign on where to go since I was completely lost. But upon check in I was greeted from the young lady at check in super sweet and accommodating on where to park. There is a parking lot available for guest staying at the hotel across the way. Have to pay but it was well worth it. Everything is easily accessible in walking distance in the heart of downtown. The room itself was amazing. Only complaint I had though is during the night we got a bad smell of sulfate from the ac unit it was pretty strong. But didn't complain since it had to be from the rain that occured but we were so worn out from all the activities we just slept thru it. I also wish there was a microwave in the room though. The hotel has housekeeping but must request it. We did and they were quick to deliver. Definitely a must stay for anyone looking for a hotel. My husband and I will be back to stay here. Perk was Carolina Beach wasn't a far drive either."

Hotels in Downtown Wilmington, Wilmington

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Our top choices for Downtown Wilmington hotels

1. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

2. Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

3. Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown

4. Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

5. Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

6. ARRIVE Wilmington

7. Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

8. Water Street Retreats

9. The Hive

10. Dreamers BNB

11. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington West - Medical Park by IHG

12. Hampton Inn Wilmington-Medical Park

13. Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

14. Tru By Hilton Leland Wilmington

15. Home2 Suites By Hilton Wilmington Medical Park Downtown

16. Wingate by Wyndham - Wilmington

17. Spark by Hilton Wilmington

18. DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC

19. Coastal Inn & Suites - Wilmington, NC

20. Hotel Lela Wilmington, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Wilmington

Where to stay in Downtown Wilmington

Wilmington Historic District

Riverfront District

Landfall

Wrightsville Sound

The Bottom

Top Downtown Wilmington Hotel Reviews

Shell Island Resort - All Oceanfront Suites

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