Life in the Cape Fear Area

Few other locations in the Southeast can rightfully claim to cover as much ground as does Wilmington, North Carolina. It’s a small to moderate sized city filled with many cultural amenities typically found in a much larger metropolitan area. With its own airport, Wilmington is easy to travel to and from. The city possesses a revitalized downtown filled with restaurants on the Cape Fear River. In the downtown area, a quaint, historic atmosphere serves as a backdrop for trendy happenings. The city quite literally occupies a position squarely between the past and the future. It is this position that makes for a rather exciting present. The live oaks and the Spanish moss still abound; you can still see occasional glimpses of oyster shell-paved streets.

A quick tour around Wilmington is all you need to realize that you are in a very special place, where a diversity of experience is possible. A view of the Cape Fear River and a tour of several centuries of architectural styles make downtown the place to go for a walk. Near the thriving residential and business district, homes dating from American Revolutionary era are immaculately restored as private residences and museums. Retail shops and restaurants, art galleries, and offices populate the waterfront from Chandler’s Wharf to the Cotton Exchange and east to Fifth Avenue.
 

The arts scene in Wilmington is thriving. Due to its moderate climate, mild winters, and constant sunshine, Wilmington is an ideal place for filmmaking – earning it the nickname “Hollywood East.” It is the home to Screen Gem Studios, where countless films (such as Cape Fear, Blue Velvet, and Sleeping with the Enemy) and television shows (such as One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek) have been filmed. The city can also easily boast more small theater companies than any other in the state – even if their performances are sometimes held in underground pubs and former churches. Dating from 1858, historic Thalian Hall, located downtown, is home to the oldest continually-operating theater company in the United States. Within its complex, full-scale musicals and internationally-renowned dance companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet have performed. Independent and foreign films are shown as part of Thalian Hall’s Cinematique series. Avant-garde and experimental theaters as well as adult comedies are produced in the Studio Theater. More than 35 area art and civic organizations regularly use the facility. In addition, for the last fifteen years, the annual Cucalorus Film Festival has taken place in Wilmington, where feature films, short films, and documentaries are presented.
 

UNC Wilmington has been close to the heart of Wilmington’s growth. Leading the nation in marine science education and recognized consistently by U.S News and World report as one of the South’s top schools, the university draws students from around the world. UNCW is now academically ranked third among the 16 sites of UNC branches around the state. Adding to the local educational offerings are Cape Fear Community College, Shaw University, Mount Olive College, and Miller-Motte Business College.
 

Traveling from the downtown south along U.S 421 will eventually bring you across Snow’s Cut Bridge and into the lower section of the Cape Fear peninsula. Here you’ll reach Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher, and the North Carolina Aquarium. This is where one of the final, and determining, battles were fought during the Civil War, as the South’s last open supply port fell to the Union armies. What remains of the fort still offers a wealth of knowledge about its historic importance. Proximal to Wilmington is Wrightsville Beach, a popular vacation spot known for its beautiful beaches and surfing scene. The Intracoastal Waterway makes for great boating and sport fishing. With its laid-back attitude, warm weather, and many coastal attractions and activities, Wilmington is a wonderful place to live. As a result, many of our residents choose to live and work in the greater Wilmington area after completing their training.

For more information on our program, please contact:

Ruth H. Smith, Program Administrator
John E. Snyder, MS, MD, FACP, Program Director
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
SEAHEC
imresidency@seahec.net
910-667-9308
910-762-6800 fax
 

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