Cape Fear Museum

The importance of ecology can't be stressed enough in the Lower Cape Fear Region and is highlighted spectacularly in the Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery. The Gallery, funded in part by the Michael Jordan Foundation, is interactive and hands-on education in a fun environment for the whole family. It showcases the areas ecological diversity from the Upland Forest to the Maritime Forest. The kids can get involved and go hog wild with plenty of hands-on activities. When they want to get a close encounter of a rodent kind, they can crawl inside a life-sized beaver lodge in the gallery. One of the skeletons found near the region looks like something out of a 1950's science fiction movie and the replica skeleton of a giant sloth is displayed made from castings from the original skeleton now housed in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science. Increased concerns for environmental issues have made the Human Impact display highly popular, as it explores how humans impact the environment, for better or worse, and is a learning experience for young and old. Before you enter the Gallery there is a display case of Michael Jordan artifacts including childhood memorabilia, his basketball uniform from UNC-Chapel Hill and his first paycheck stub from his after school job at Whitey's El-Berta Restaurant, a local Wilmington landmark.

Don't forget to load up on any number of books and other items from the Museum Store. It also includes apparel, toys and games that stress learning and education which is the foundation of the museums mission.

Cape Fear. Don't let the movie scare you. Wilmington and the Cape Fear Museum have much to offer the family vacationer for an experience you'll never forget. The museum is located in the heart of the downtown historic district at 814 Market Street and hours do vary so check ahead for schedules and information at (910) 798-4350. You can also visit their website for upcoming events and schedules at Cape Fear Museum.