Wilmington

The city's long history, including its part in the American Revolution, is revealed in sights downtown and in the surrounding area. The Cotton Exchange and Market are old buildings now used as shopping and entertainment centers. Henrietta III, a boat resembling paddle wheelers that once plied the Cape Fear River, has been put into service as a tourist vessel. Wilmington, also a college town, hosts special annual events such as the Azalea Festival, North Carolina Jazz Festival, spring Food and Wine Festival, Christmas candlelight tours, fishing tournaments and Cucalorus Film Festival. The city also hosts EUE Screen Gems Studios, which claims more than 350 film, television, and commercial productions including the popular CW network shows Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill.