Echo Farms - Wilmington, NC Area Guide

Because of its location in Wilmington, Echo Farms is tied to much of the port's history. Founded in 1737 and discovered nearly a century before by explorers, Wilmington has seen much of New World and American history.

The Cape Fear Museum of Science and History is a great place to delve into Wilmington's history. Some past exhibitions include Mail Call, the story of military mail and communication, and A View from Space.

For an even more hands-on experience with Wilmington's history, consider joining the Historical Society of Lower Cape Fear. The society depends on members of the local community to help preserve the city's history which includes the restoration and exhibition of the Latimer House, a Victorian Italianate merchant's house in the heart of Wilmington's Historic District.

While it may be on the beach, Echo Farms offers more than just the typical seafood cuisine. Restaurants range from Chinese to Mexican, most of which are family-owned and located along Carolina Beach Road and South College Road.

Located on Carolina Beach Road, Pirate's Table Seafood is a hotspot for fried shrimp. Locals enjoy the shrimp with hush puppies and deviled crab. Throw in a cold southern iced tea and you have a great meal for a great price. Just down the road, stop by Bon Appetit Restaurant on a weekend morning for its weekend breakfast specials. Enduring the crowd is worth the frittatas, omelets, and stuffed pancakes.

For a fun night out on the weekends, drive a little further down Carolina Beach Road to Monkey Barz for karaoke and dance nights. For a lighter feel, head down to the Cape Fear River to Le Catalan French Cafe & Wine Bar. Located right on the river so that you enjoy the breeze off the water while dining, the bar expertly pairs wine with light dishes like the shrimp and orzo gratin.

Echo Farms's location along U.S Route 421 is an ideal location for transportation to other areas of Wilmington, such as Silver Lake or Carolina Beach. The neighborhood is designed to accommodate its residents so that walking and cycling are made easy.

The most common form of transportation in Echo Farms is driving, which is accommodated through free public parking. For those who wish to ride bikes, there are several paths thoughout the neighborhood. Along Independence Boulevard, the sidewalks are wide enough for bike riders and trails are available for walkers and bikers alike.

While taxi cabs aren't common enough to hail, several services, including the MMM Coastal Taxi service, are only a phone call away. For a more private experience, Uber serves Wilmington as well.

For an outdoor experience, Echo Farms offers numerous options, as does the city of Wilmington. Echo Farms provides wide and easily accessible walking and biking paths.

For an a more intensive experience, Halyburton Park is only minutes away and offers a variety of free activities for both people and pets, including a handicapped-accessible 1.3 mile walking and biking trail, picnic shelters, playgrounds, nature programs and even yoga and Pilates classes.

Residents of Echo Farms can enjoy the range of annual events the city of Wilmington hosts, including the Island of Lights New Year's Eve Celebration and the Azalea Festival. Music lovers never miss the Cape Fear Blues Festival, a 3-day event highlighted by a river cruise featuring blues bands on deck.

Adding to the allure of Echo Farms, the costs of living are affordable and reasonable. The average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is just $663 compared to the average Wilmington city cost of $950.

Wave Transit, the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority, provides multiple methods of transportation throughout the Cape Fear region including buses, shuttles and a free downtown trolley. The transit service provides bus routes and stops along Carolina Beach Road and Independence Boulevard, both of which outline the Echo Farms area. The bus fare for adults is $2. For senior citizens, public school students and the disabled, the fare is reduced to $1. For students at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, the fare is free.

The gas prices in Wilmington average approximately 30 percent lower than the national average. Even more appealing is that beaches, area attractions, shopping and restaurants are all within minutes of Echo Farms. The cost of a domestic beer is $2.50 at a local bar. For an imported beer, the cost is around $4.

Echo Farms is located a convenient distance from several nearby shopping clusters along Carolina Beach Road. One useful stop that's close to home is The Silicon Savior Computer Repair Service. Here they will make your IT problems go away or can help you build a new computer that better, faster and stronger than before.

With only a short 15-minute drive to downtown Wilmington, go to explore its specialty stores like Lula Balou, a trendy spot for teenagers and women alike, and Second Skin Vintage, an authentic vintage store that caters to men and women for any occasion. If you're planning a day at the beach, BW's Surf Shop on North Front Street is a great place to start.

For grocery needs, Food Lion is conveniently located on the corner of Carolina Beach Road and Independence Boulevard. Just a few minutes down Carolina Road are a Lowe's Foods, featuring locally-sourced foods, and a Walmart Supercenter.

For a fresher grocery selection, head to the Riverfront Farmer's Market located in historic downtown Wilmington. Open on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, the market provides a great way to start the weekend.