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Local guide · Wilmington

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

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North Carolina’s oldest history museum, founded in 1898, moved into a brand-new downtown building in August 2026. It has a two-story climbing live oak for little kids, a 60-seat planetarium, hands-on science zones and a giant ground sloth skeleton.

  • Wilmington
  • New building
  • Planetarium
  • Rainy day

Why families go

Even in its old building, visitors praised the mix of hands-on science for kids and serious regional history for adults, and many stayed three hours. The new building more than doubles the exhibit space. A display about Michael Jordan’s Wilmington childhood is a hit with sports fans. Parents of young children may want to preview the history gallery’s film about the 1898 coup.

Don’t miss

  • The Live Oak ClimberA two-story climbing tree in Port City Play, the gallery for kids 7 and under.
  • The nCino PlanetariumShows included with admission. Reserve a seat at the front desk early in the day.
  • Science MattersFive hands-on zones, from simple machines to powering the Cape Fear.
  • Cape Fear StoriesRegional history from the ice age on, opening with a giant ground sloth skeleton.
  • The rooftop terraceWater play, a crawl-through log and live Venus flytraps.
Giant ground sloth skeleton
The giant ground sloth
Live Venus flytraps on the rooftop terrace
Rooftop flytraps

Photos: Cape Fear Museum

Before you go

  • Use the new address, 230 Grace Street; older maps still show the former Market Street building.
  • Park in the county deck at 212 N. 2nd St.; the first hour is free.
  • Arrive by early afternoon to reserve seats for the daily 3 p.m. planetarium show.

Plan your visit

  • Where: 230 Grace St., Wilmington, NC 28401 (new building, opened August 2026)
  • From Topsail: About 45–50 minutes from central Surf City.
  • Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Admission: Paid; children 2 and under free; senior, student and military rates.
  • Official site: capefearmuseum.com
  • More nearby: more family fun in Wilmington

A short drive from the island. Browse our Topsail Island vacation rentals, all cared for by our local team.

Based on official information from the attraction and on recurring themes in public reviews; checked October 2026. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.