With some great road trip options available in the surrounding area, renting a car makes sense. Without one, it’d be much more difficult to explore all that Wilmington, 17 miles away, has to offer. Battleship North Carolina should be toward the top of your list here. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts are must-see attractions too. Don’t miss Carolina Beach either! Just 30 miles away, Kure Beach Pier, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Fort Fisher State Historic Site are must-sees here.