Hanover County Arboretum

The New Hanover County Arboretum, located on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington on Oleander Drive, is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers everywhere. With seven acres of greenery, and gorgeous foliage that changes with the season, every visit offers a new way to experience the native and beloved plant life of Wilmington in a perfectly tranquil setting. There is NO admissions charge to visit the Arboretum.

New Hanover County Arboretum

The Arboretum itself was formally opened in 1989, and continues to grow with new gardens and statue displays that are contributed by local artists and landscaping experts. Currently, the Arboretum contains 33 distinctly different gardens which include varying species that are either native to the Cape Fear area or thrive in the coastal Carolina environment.

New Hanover County Arboretum

Highlights of the gardens include an aquatic garden complete with a red wooden pedestrian bridge that stretches over a water-lily filled pond, a bog garden with gorgeous spring and summertime flowers, and a Japanese garden with intricate statues and specimens set against the Wilmington landscape. Kids will love the children's garden, which features a small but inviting yellow "clubhouse" with a wooden purple fence, brightly colored mushroom stools, and plenty of seasonal blooms, as well as the coy pond in the aquatic garden, which is always well-stocked with colorful gold, black and white coy fish.

New Hanover County Arboretum

Visitors are advised to keep an eye out for the statues and local works of art which are found throughout the Arboretum grounds, from the lemon yellow rabbit that hangs around the kids' clubhouse to the metal dragon that hovers above the pond.

Colorful flowers atNew Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

While many of the statues and works are permanent attractions, visitors will find that every season brings a new dose of color and local species to admire at the Arboretum. The early spring and summer months are prime bulb season, clustered primarily next to the children's garden, while the summertime brings acres of azaleas and fragrant rose bushes. In the summer and fall, look for the diverse selection of edible plants in the herb gardens, as well as the hardy camellias, which bloom throughout the winter. The water lilies in the aquatic garden are a favorite attraction for visitors, but really, any garden located along the brick and cement walking path that winds through the Arboretum certainly holds its own charms.

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

Admission is free for visitors and residents alike, and a gift shop is located by the Arboretum's entrance, with plenty of goodies for every age, taste, and pocketbook size. Gift shop proceeds of sales going to benefit the non-profit Friends of the Arboretum which keeps the gardens looking beautiful, and sponsors community events and projects.

Picnic areas at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Arboretum also hosts a number of seasonal art exhibits, as well as a very popular annual Master Gardener Association plant sale, which takes place in the prime Wilmington planting season, generally early April or late March. Here, plant shoppers can purchase a number of locally grown herbs, vegetables, flowers (including annuals and perennials), shrubs, trees, and even rose bushes, as they chat with master gardeners for advice on planting and long-term care. Open to the public, with several acres of plants available to purchase, this annual plant sale has become a must-see for local and regional gardeners everywhere.

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

Garden lovers will adore a leisurely tour through Wilmington's New Hanover County Arboretum, while families of all ages will appreciate the decadent blooms, well-appointed children's gardens, and intricate works of art that are scattered throughout the diverse and enthralling themed gardens. Open to everyone, with natural exhibits that change with every season, a visit to the New Hanover County Arboretum is truly a breath of fresh air for visitors who need to slow down, relax, and enjoy the Cape fear region's sunning local scenery.

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum

New Hanover County Arboretum

Hanover County Arboretum

Hanover County Arboretum

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

Hanover County Arboretum

A sea monster sculpture at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NCNew Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

An elevated path at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Japanese Garden at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Japanese Garden at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Japanese Garden at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Japanese Garden at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Japanese Garden at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

The Japanese Garden at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum is colorful year-round

Beautiful gardens at New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

 

New Hanover County Arboretum

New Hanover County Arboretum

 

New Hanover County Arboretum

New Hanover County Arboretum

Hanover County Arboretum

 


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Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni