5 things to do in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach that don't involve the beach

When I think of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, I automatically think of going to the beach and putting my toes in the sand. We've done many day-trips to the beach there!

But there are many other options to explore that don't involve going to the actual beach. Sometimes it's a little too cold to play in the water.

Here are five ideas for spending the day or weekend in the Wilmington area without going to the actual beach:

Take a horsedrawn carriage ride through downtown Wilmington

This was one of our favorite things during a recent visit! We took one of four tours offered by Springbrook Farms. Just go to Market Street, between Water and Front streets, and you will see the carriage or a sign that tells you when the carriage will be back from its latest tour.

It is located across from Kilwin's Chocolates & Ice Cream, so you can always stop in there for some yummy ice cream and fudge while you wait! Springbrook Farms rescues abused and unwanted Percheron draft horses. You learn about the horses as much as the history of downtown during these tours. The tour guides are funny and very knowledgeable about the architecture of the buildings. We learned so much and had a great time. You pay at the end of the tour. It is $14 for adults and $6 for children. Tours are offered Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

See the latest exhibits at Cameron Art Museum

There are things to see indoors and outside at this museum. One of our favorite exhibits was Boundless,a public sculpture honoring United States Colored Troops (USCT). We had no idea but Cameron Art Museum was the site of the Battle of Forks Road during the Civil War. The United States Colored Troops won that battle and it led to the fall of Wilmington. North Carolina artist Stephen Hayes created this really amazing tribute featuring life-size bronze sculptures of soldiers. He was able to make the sculpture using "the cast features of 11 African American men connected to the site and its story -- USCT descendants, re-enactors, veterans, and community leaders," according to the art museum's website. You can see the sculpture outdoors along the trail near the museum.

There is also a really great interactive section for children to enjoy. You can see bugs and other organisms up-close under microscopes!

We were also blown away by State of the Art, which is a new exhibit that is running through Sept. 18. It is a huge collection of contemporary art by artists either currently living in or from North Carolina. There is so much to see in this exhibit. There is everything from photography to 3D art and sculptures. There is a blue giraffe in the center that I couldn't take my eyes off of. Admission for this exhibit is $5 in addition to regular museum admission. Those 18 years and younger though are admitted for free.

Cameron Art Museum is located at 3201 South 17th St. in Wilmington.

Take a sunset cruise

When we visited the area, we stayed at Blockade Runner resort. It was beautiful with private beach access, hammocks and its own garden. We saw lots of kids playing on the grass near the gardens and we even spotted a big brown bunny running around! The hotel also offers cruises along the coastal waters. There are sunset cruises that offer a relaxing and scenic view of the beach. We really enjoyed the peaceful cruise and sunset views. If you'd rather "island hop," they also have adaytime cruise that takes you to nearby uninhabited islands. Both cruises are about 90 minutes and are $50 for adults and $25 for children.

Explore nature

Airlie Gardens is in bloom right now so you will want to make your way over there for a tour of their 67 acres! The walking trails and gardens are spectacular this time of year. The gardens have also been the site of several movie and TV shoots including "Dawson's Creek" and "One Tree Hill."

Airlie Gardens is located at 300 Airlie Road in Wilmington. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults, $3 for children ages 4 to 12 years old. You must purchase tickets in advance online. All tickets are valid one year from the purchase date and cannot be used for entry into special events

Another fun fact we learned while in Wilmington - the area is the only place in the world where Venus Flytraps grow naturally in the wild. These carnivorous plants grow in a small section within a 75-mile radius of Wilmington. We saw some at the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve, 3800 Canterbury Road in Wilmington. There are many Venus Flytraps growing along this trail which runs about three-quarters of an acre. We couldn't find them at first, then we realized they are much smaller than expected. They actually grow close to the ground too! Don't touch them and also don't even think of stealing one because that's a felony in North Carolina!

Take a tour of the Battleship North Carolina

You can see the battleship across the river from downtown Wilmington. It is pretty big and has lots to explore. During World War II, the battleship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars.

The boat nearly went down when a Japanese torpedo hit the battleship's hull in 1942. There is so much to see onboard the ship (plus you can even buy a piece of the ship!).

I took a short daytime tour and stayed after-hours for a special paranormal investigation with The Ghost Guild (more on that in an upcoming story!).

Battleship North Carolina is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last ticket sales are 4 p.m. Tickets are $14 for those ages 12 years and older; $10 for those 65 years and older and $6 for children ages 6 to 11 years old. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Active or retired military and their spouses and dependents are admitted for $10.

Where to eat while in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach

You need to eat while in town and these are some of our favorite spots to grab some food!

• Seabird, 1 S. Front St, Wilmington - Fantastic seafood!
• Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill, 106 S Water St, Wilmington - a floating barge on the Cape Fear River
• Oceanic, 703 S Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach - Wonderful beachside dining on the pier (get the fish tacos)
• The Donut Inn, 1427 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington - Yes, Britt's Donuts in Carolina Beach is amazing, but we also love The Donut Inn. Great flavors and they are huge!!

• Marina Grill, 18 Harnett St, Wilmington - Nice outdoor seating and menu options for just about everyone. We loved the crab stuffed salmon.
• East Oceanfront Dining at Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach - They host a weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch that is worth checking out! Plus, Friday and Saturday nights they offer a lobster special - which features an entire lobster! The menu also boasts fresh seafood and kid-friendly options like chicken tenders and French fries. It's no wonder the menu is good though - it is run by Executive Chef Jessica Cabo, who was a semi-finalist in Season 1 of the Gordon Ramsay's "Hell’s Kitchen." And you know Chef Ramsay knows talent!