Location — Hotel, Restaurants, Beaches, Attractions
Hotel Information
Hotel Ballast is the host hotel for the Cold Chain Summit
Nearby Restaurants
- The Basics (319 N Front St, Wilmington): Creative spins on traditional Southern cuisine served in a homey, brick-walled bistro setting
- Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria (206 Greenfield St, Wilmington): Airy, rustic-chic dining space dishing out Italian staples such as pizza, pasta & house gelato
- Caprice Bistro (10 Market St, Wilmington): Bistro serving French fare like mussels & crêpes in a cozy yellow space with a pressed-tin ceiling
- Elijah’s (2 Ann St, Wilmington): Seafood-heavy American fare in a relaxed space with maritime decor and a waterfront deck
- Floriana Wilmington (2 Market St, Wilmington): Classic Italian eatery with balcony seating serving brunch, pasta, seafood & meat dishes, plus wine
- Fork ‘N’ Cork (122 Market Street, Wilmington): Gourmet burgers, sandwiches & appetizers are offered at this quaint, brick-walled bar with TVs
- Indochine (7 Wayne Dr, Wilmington): Thai & Vietnamese fare served in an exotic, art-filled setting with an outdoor garden & gazebos
- manna (123 Princess St, Wilmington): Seasonal New American fare in posh, romantic environs, plus craft cocktails and extensive wine list
- Quanto Basta (107 N 2nd St, Wilmington): Award-winning, heritage-inspired Italian cuisine and a carefully selected global wine list
- Rumcow. (121 Grace Street, Wilmington): Your favorite southern plates with a bit of a global twist
- Tarantelli’s (102 S 2nd St, Wilmington): A family-owned restaurant sharing family recipes and Italian cuisine from around the world
- Seabird (1 S Front St, Wilmington): Seafood restaurant serving oysters, fish, breakfast and cocktails amid a retro, white-tiled interior
Beaches
- Wrightsville Beach (8.5 miles from Wilmington): Enjoy watersports and outdoor health and wellness activities.
- Carolina Beach: Enjoy outdoor adventures like biking the Island Greenway, hiking at Carolina Beach State Park or hanging ten. Take in beautiful oceanfront views and sweet treats from the vintage Carolina Beach Boardwalk or check out the live music scene and events.
- Kure Beach: Get up close to amazing sea animals at the aquarium, hike the Basin Trail at a state park, embark on kayak excursions and experience maritime history like no other. Or, simply slow down and take in scenic views from an oceanfront park. It’s all waiting for you in nature’s playground.
Area Attractions
- Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (1 Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington): Moored across from historic downtown Wilmington, the Battleship welcomes visitors daily. Battleship NORTH CAROLINA participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II, earning 15 battle stars. This authentically restored National Historic Landmark proudly serves as her State’s World War II Memorial to the 11,000+ North Carolinians who made the ultimate sacrifice.
- Airlie Gardens (300 Airlie Road, Wilmington): Explore 67 acres containing formal gardens, wildlife, ten acres of lakes, more than 75,000 azaleas, the tall Airlie Oak which dates back to 1545, and a seasonal butterfly house all located two miles west of Wrightsville Beach. Walk the trails or ride a tram to discover landscapes where something is always in bloom.
- Fort Fisher State Historic Site (1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach): Step back in time at the state’s most visited historic attraction, Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, where the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War was fought.
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach): The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher connects visitors with the wonders of nature and aquatic wildlife. The Aquarium is dedicated to inspiring appreciation and conservation for aquatic environments in North Carolina and around the world.
- Historic Downtown / River District: Stroll along nearly two miles of scenic walkway alongside the historic Cape Fear River. Stretching from Nunn Street to the Isabella Holmes Bridge, lined with an assortment of markets, unique boutiques and art galleries, the Riverwalk is home to outdoor cafes and narrated tours. The marina at the north end accommodates larger vessels, with an outdoor concert venue as well as a restaurant featuring spectacular river and sunset views.
- Wilmington Municipal Golf Course (311 Donald Ross Dr, Wilmington): This 18-hole public championship golf course was designed in 1926 by Donald Ross.
