Right here on American soil, there are plenty of places to connect to. ILM has been a national airport since its inception in 1927, and it serves several domestic airports: you can fly to Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia or New York direct, or use these cities to make convenient connections to more global spots. The number of airlines connecting ILM to the rest of America keeps growing, but American Airlines and its counterpart Delta continue to lead, with daily flights to the cities mentioned.
LAXLos Angeles, CA
There are several flights heading there, across a range of prices that depend mostly on when you book — the further out your travel date, the cheaper the fare. So start planning early and get your booking made.
While there, remember you are in the city of films. A tour of Hollywood, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros Studios and Universal Studios — where you can go behind the scenes of the most popular movie sets — belongs at the top of your list. Mingle with celebrities and photograph the iconic sites. Griffith Park, east of the Santa Monica Mountains, is a must-visit with its wealth of activities and things to watch, and a drive through the mountains delivers an experience of a lifetime as you look down over the city. Disneyland's theme park is surely another iconic stop.
The city of films, watched from Griffith Park.
MIAMiami, FL
Various airlines will take you to Miami from Wilmington International — Delta, American Airlines and others. Once you set foot in the city, there are more than enough places to go and things to do. Your exploration might start with a speedboat tour, which should shake up your experience as you head for the Port of Miami.
Once you've figured out how vessels manoeuvre the deep waters, take a well-deserved Everglades airboat adventure — a chance to see alligators, and to learn a thing or two along a jungle walking trail.
ORDChicago, IL
The shores of Lake Michigan beside this great city — also the third-largest in the US — make Chicago another popular destination. It ranks as the world's eighth city for sheer number of skyscrapers. Among the tallest is the 100-story John Hancock Center, a prominent fixture of the city's skyline, with the Willis Tower — rising 1,450 feet above the ground — taking first position. Find your way into one of the rooftop hotels and watch the world from above the skyline.
Beyond the skyscrapers, Chicago is known for other landmark destinations. There is Grant Park, nicknamed "Chicago's front yard," home to iconic spots like Millennium Park with its welcoming architectural mystery known as "the Bean" — in whose exterior you'll see the Downtown skyline mirrored wonderfully. The Art Institute of Chicago sits within the same park. And we can't forget Navy Pier, a destination dynamo whose landmark signature, the Ferris wheel, lifts riders 200 feet into the air.
As you go round and about, you can sample a wide variety of cuisines, including at the rooftop restaurants here in Chicago.
ATLAtlanta, GA
Atlanta is rich in attractions, with places of interest around almost every corner — and it has been made especially easy for newcomers, thanks to efficient transport and well-thought-out tour-guide systems. You can go sightseeing aboard an electric car or a bus, guide included. The places to visit are diverse, ranging from historic sites like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Site to museums, nature parks, and a sampling of the nightlife. Never miss the chance to watch the anchors doing their thing live at CNN's headquarters — and of course, you cannot leave without sampling Atlanta's Southern food.
Several airlines will take you there from ILM; just be sure to let your tour guide know your intended travel dates well in advance.
- Direct from ILM: Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York.
- LA for the movie studios; Miami for the Everglades; Chicago for the skyline; Atlanta for history and Southern food.
- American Airlines and Delta lead, with daily flights.
- Book early — the further out, the cheaper the fare.
See the full list of airlines with daily flights from ILM to local destinations on the ILM website.