We recently went to Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in the 1730s along the Cape Fear River, the city became the state’s largest by the Civil War. Although Wilmington never rebounded after the war, the port city still boasts many historic sites and house museums. 

The Historic District encompasses over 200 blocks and includes a riverwalk, restaurants, shops, businesses, and residences. One of the most famous residences is the Bellamy Mansion, built on Market Street in 1861. While my family decided to tour the battleship USS North Carolina, I opted to visit the Bellamy Mansion instead.