Introducing Wilmington

The peaceful, tree-lined streets of historic Wilmington belie this sedate coastal city’s stature as a thriving industrial center and movie industry Mecca. Ever since 1983, when Dino De Laurentiis and his crew descended upon the region to film “Firestarter,” Wilmington has remained true to its moniker “Hollywood East.” The unassuming north Caroline city has played host to the production of more than 400 movie features, mini-series, and made-for-TV movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Sleeping with the Enemy,” and “Before Night Falls.” Wilmington has generated more film revenue than any U.S. city with the exception of Los Angeles and New York. With an enviable seaside location and a large historic district encompassing nearly 300 blocks—one of the largest districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places—Wilmington’s fledgling tourist industry has spread its wings.

Wilmington is hailed as an exemplary case of cultural preservation, with an architectural time line of restored antebellum, Victorian, Georgian, and Italianate homes; Orton House, built in 1725, is archetypal antebellum architecture. At night, a more hedonistic vibe prevails as packed bars and nightclubs cater to students from the University of North Carolina. Over the last decade,Wilmington has enjoying strong job growth in the medical, electronic, nuclear fuel, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications industries. Ramshackle warehouses on the northern fringes of downtown have been demolished to accommodate multi-million dollar projects such as PPD’s (Pharmaceutical Product Development)World Headquarters and a state-of-the art convention center.

Airports within a 50-mile radius of Wilmington:

  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Popular aircraft charters* in the Wilmington area include:

*This is just a sample. Zephyr provides access to aircraft at every end of the spectrum, from luxurious VIP airliners, to ultra long range business jet, helicopters, and economical turboprops.