The action is river street. They no longer allow smaller boats to tie up on the docks. For some reason they still allow larger sailboats etc., but I suppose they are trying to keep all the recreational day boaters from clogging up the docks. Your best bet is to call the Westin on Hutchinson island, they may allow a short term stay, and the little tug boat ferry crosses over to river street every 15 minutes.
Otherwise your probably looking at staying at Thunderbolt on the Wilmington river. Its fairly close, but you wont be walking to the action from there. There's a couple of marinas there, ones is called Morningstar, but I'm don't recall the name of the others.
A little further away but some of the nicest facilities is Isle of Hope marina. That would be a pretty good uber ride into river street though.
I'm no expert, and there may be better options, this is just what I'm aware of.
