Wilmington is a quintessentially North Carolinian city that sits on the Atlantic coast. A famous port city, Wilmington is home to the USS North Carolina (BB-55) Museum. This battleship played a pivotal role during naval operations of World War II. For a breath of fresh air head to the Airlie Gardens. With 10-acres to explore you could easily spend a whole day here admiring the azaleas and dipping your toes in the freshwater lake. You can face your herpetophobia fears at the Wilmington Serpentarium and observe over forty different species of venomous snakes, as well as crocodiles and lizards.