[cover story]

Discover Downtown:
Centuries of historic architecture alongside eateries, shopping and live theatre

By: Shea Carver

Last week we discovered the coastline of our Southeastern abode, from Topsail down to Caswell Beach. We learned life isn’t all that bad if we’re looking to stick around this summer to save a few bucks rather than travel outside of our home for a summertime vacation. In keeping with the philosophy of vacationing locally, this week we explore the cobblestone streets of downtown and how it offers so much in its eclectic environment, from restaurants to retail shops, bars to live theater.

Find out about what’s up and coming for downtown, according to John Hinnant, executive director of Wilmington Downtown, who gave us a lengthy interview and insight into our city’s innerworkings. Also check out new businesses infiltrating the area, as well as a local art show at Bottega that is hailing everything downtown: people, places and things as interpreted by a slew of local artists. Music venues are packing in shows of all varieties to take in this summer, and if you’re wondering how you could spend a day downtown without breaking the bank, then check out Downtown on a Dime.

Just visit and enjoy our historic district in all of its worth—and there is much worth to take in and many people to talk to along the way.

Painting the Town:
Local artists get inspired by historic downtown
[more]

Revitalizing the Riverfront:
Downtown execs have big plans
[more]

Downtown on a Dime:
Rediscovering ways to keep our spending local
[more]

Downtown’s Up and Coming:
New businesses flourish in our historic district
[more]

Sounds of Downtown:
The music scene in Wilmington congregates in the historic district
[more]

Taking the Stage:
Downtown welcomes opens new theatre venues
[more]

A Reviving Taste of Water:
Water Street revises menu, decor and ups the ante on live music
[more]