The Cotton Exchange — Attraction in Wilmington

The Cotton Exchange contains a variety of businesses which would probably close if tourists were barred from Wilmington. You are thinking: "Why would they bar tourists from Wilmington?" It's a hypothetical statement, please bear with me. Thank you.

I am not a certified tourist, but rather, a brother of one of your lovely residents and an upstanding citizen. She is upstanding. I am lazy and like to sit most of the time. Down sitting. Anywho, I love this place just as much as Charleston, South Carolina where I served in the Navy. The Cotton Exchange is one of those places where you browse, find things you don't need, but really "gottahaveit". Like glass frogs. There are many little surprises, such as finding the rest room just in time . Yes, there is "just-in-time" rest rooms on the premises and they are clean. If you read my reviews you will notice my fixation with restrooms. It is just near that time for getting mentally prepared for old age and the physical peculiarities that accompany that epoch journey from birth to chilling out permanently.

Spoiler Alert

Should I tell you? Okay........A sign is posted about a ghost who had frequently taken up residence here, but she/he doesn't buy anything because she/he is maxed out on her/his credit cards. Yeah, I was surprised too! Ah, you've been here and know what I'm talking about! Oh yeah, you caught that! It is a well-known fact that Ghosts have had gender equality for 557 years in North Carolina. Some say it's a woman. I think it was, but you know what? I am now at Port City Java finishing my dark roast. I will bicycle over there now and fact check my own review because now I am REALLY curious. What if it's Freddie Mercury from Queen? That would be so cool. In the final analysis you really cannot be too sure. Whoa, you say you are skeptical about the 557 years? Blasphemy!!! Prove me wrong. YES, the anniversary is coming up soon.

If you are still skeptical, follow a Hall of Famer's advice: Casey Stengle would tell you "you can look it up". "Casey who?" you say? Jeez, I give up. Hey Millenials, G-O-O-G-L-E it! Casey would if he had an Iphone.

I am off-track here.

There has just occurred a lost-my-mind-for-a-second moment. Slow down William. Breathe, focus, continue at a slower pace. You can get through this ridiculous review... Okay, I'm good. Let's continue....

In all serious mirthfulness (is that a word?), the area is a lot of fun in the middle of the Business District, nearby the USS North Carolina. Take your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/all of the above/none of the above/fill in the blank________ shopping, buy ice cream, and find a souvenir or two. When you have covered every square inch of the Cotton Exchange, go for lunch at Elijah's (yeah, after the ice cream, but don't tell Mom you had dessert before supper), then visit the ship.

The next day wash, rinse, and repeat visiting The Cotton Exchange. Your mission: Find witty refrigerator magnets. Discover glass frogs. I have done all of these things with my sweetheart and left the in-laws and out-laws at home. Now my life is complete. By the way, you don't need to pay for parking. The boardwalk is long. Park away from this tourist trap then walk here. Avoid obesity and heart attacks on your way to emptying your wallet. Yes, the same money you would have given to your cardiologist. Fun place if you have a sense of humor. My wallet survived. We survived with smiles on our faces and so will you. Maybe. This epoch needed to be written because most Google reviews bore me to tears.

Update: There seems to be multiple ghosts in residence. The explanation may me found on the walkway adjacent to...

Love all the little shops within the Cotton Exchange! There is everything from hot sauces-my son purchased a few bottles and they are fabulous. The gentleman that helped my son(I think he was the owner)was super knowledgeable about the sauces in the shop. He asked my son what kind of flavors he liked and made suggestions for him. You can have samples of the different sauces which is very nice.They are super delicious! You can also find eclectic jewelry and clothing to flavored olive oil and vinegars. I have purchased different Balsamic vinegars at The Olive Shop and we love them so much! They also offer sample flavors which is so great to be able to decide based on the actual flavor profile and not just imagine what they will taste like😋 While we were there, I purchased a very pretty ring at Gems4U, a nice little shop of handmade one of a kind pieces. I have several necklace pieces like the gems in this shop and I love them all, so when I saw the ones here, I had to check them out. There are beautiful wire wrapped pendants with all kinds of gems, sea glass and fossils. There are gem beaded bracelets and cool rings. My son got a cool snake ring gift for his girlfriend and I purchased this purple heart 💜 ring for myself. Make sure to stop at this shop and see Mary who creates the most beautiful pieces, she is super sweet and very knowledgeable about her products. Very happy with our purchases! I just wanted to buy them all🥰😍Don't miss out on visiting The Cotton...

An amazing experience, a historic site filled with shops, we had a great time! The bead shop has more beads than you will probably ever see in your lifetime, the t shirt store was hilariously fun, the pajama shop had just what we needed for the kids Yule gifts. The coffee shoppe not only smelled delicious, the vanilla iced coffee with espresso was fantastic. We had a wonderful time, and our last shop was at the Tibetan store, the lady there, a refugee from Tibet, was as kind a lady as you'll ever meet. I've never had someone try to sell me something harder, and I walked out with a Karma bracelet for Virgos and a promise to send her some of my art.

We finished the day at tge German Cafe with Pfeffer Steak and Sausage platter, delicious. And everywhere we went people were being proactive against covid 19.

I've been going to the Cotton exchange fir decades now, every time I come to Wilmington. I hope you have a...