Free in Wilmington: the Riverwalk, Greenfield Lake and Halyburton Park, the Arboretum, library story times, resident free days and free Sunday parking.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Every item comes from the city, the county or the venue’s own page, linked below. “Free” means no admission charge; parking may cost money downtown on weekdays.

Plenty of Wilmington costs nothing: a riverfront boardwalk, a lake loop, a nature park, a public garden, story times and, for county residents, a free day each month at two of the big attractions.

Who to call

  • Wilmington Parks and Recreation: 910-341-7852
  • New Hanover County Arboretum: 910-798-7660
  • Downtown parking (Park Wilmington): 910-762-5678

Outdoors

  • The Riverwalk: 1.75 miles along the Cape Fear River downtown, from Nun Street to the Isabel Holmes Bridge, with views of the Battleship and the Orange Street Landing, part of the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (city page).
  • Greenfield Park, 1739 Burnett Blvd.: a 4.8-mile paved path around Greenfield Lake, an accessible fishing dock, the Rotary and Fragrance gardens and year-round birding (city page).
  • Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St.: a 1.3-mile paved loop through 60 acres of sandhills and longleaf pine, with a nature center and playground. See parks and trails.
  • Gary Shell Cross-City Trail: 15 miles for walking and biking. See walking and biking trails.
  • New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive: a 7-acre garden run by N.C. Cooperative Extension; the grounds are open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the plant clinic and gift shop open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; its site lists no admission charge for the grounds (website).
  • Empie Park dog park, 3405 Park Ave.: free, fenced and open dawn to dusk. See dog-friendly Wilmington.
  • City playgrounds at 22 parks, and the Northside Splash Pad in season. See kids’ activities.
  • Mayfaire’s 3-mile walking loop, lit at night (trail page).

Free days and passes

  • Cape Fear Museum, 230 Grace St.: free for New Hanover County residents and county employees on the first Sunday of each month; reservations and proof of residency are required, and one ID covers two adults and accompanying children (free day page).
  • Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road: free for county residents on the first Sunday of each month; reserve tickets in advance, as they can sell out (events page).
  • Children’s Museum of Wilmington: free community memberships can be reserved at the New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender county public libraries and through Smart Start; a pass covers two adults and all the children in the family, though not special events (hours and admission).

For families

  • Library story times run most weekday mornings at the Main, Northeast, Northchase, Pine Valley and Pleasure Island branches, free; schedules are on the library calendar and our kids’ activities guide.
  • City events: many Parks and Recreation programs are free, such as the Dads & Donuts morning at Maides Park and the Wilmington Changemakers teen camp. See the city’s seasonal programs page.

Free events through the year

  • Burgwin-Wright House craft markets, 224 Market St., four times a year, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free to attend, and the free Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 (craft markets).
  • The Holiday Parade on Front Street and the tree lighting at Riverfront Park. See Christmas parade and tree lighting.
  • The Battleship’s Memorial Day Observance, free to the public. See Memorial Day.
  • Fourth of July fireworks downtown. See Fourth of July fireworks.
  • Halloween: free library movie nights and the downtown pumpkin hunt. See Halloween events.

Free parking

Downtown street meters are free after 6:30 p.m., all day Sunday and on city holidays, and the Market Street (115 Market St.) and 2nd Street (114 N. Second St.) decks give the first hour free, the city’s parking page says.

What this means for you

  • County residents: mark the first Sunday of the month for the Cape Fear Museum and Airlie.
  • Reserve a free Children’s Museum pass at your library.
  • Go downtown on a Sunday and park on the street for free.

Related: things to do this weekend, farmers markets and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

What are free things to do in Wilmington, NC?

Walk the 1.75-mile Riverwalk or the 4.8-mile Greenfield Lake path, visit Halyburton Park or the New Hanover County Arboretum, use the Empie Park dog park, or take children to a free library story time.

Are there free museum days in Wilmington?

Yes, for New Hanover County residents. The Cape Fear Museum and Airlie Gardens are free for county residents on the first Sunday of each month, with a reservation and proof of residency.

Can I get into the Children’s Museum of Wilmington for free?

Families can reserve free community memberships at the New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender county public libraries; a pass covers two adults and the children in the family.

Is parking free in downtown Wilmington?

Street meters are free after 6:30 p.m., all day Sunday and on city holidays. The Market Street and 2nd Street decks give the first hour free.