First, I'd suggest contacting Mimisharon on this board. She is from Jacksonville (jome of Camp LeJeune) and I believe still works part-time at one of the 3 quilt shops in Jacksonville.
Places I'd recommend seeing would be: Shackleford Banks- it's only inhabitants are the 100-125 wild Spanish mustangs that are decendants of the explorers of colonial America. The Tryon Palace in New Bern which is the birthplace of Pepsi Cola. Any and/or all of the lighthouses Ocracoke, Cape Lookout or Cape Hatteras lighthouse and the Wright Brothers museum.
I don't know when your coming but the Azalea Festival is in Wilmington the weekend of April 8th. Eastern NC is a great place to visit. All of the beaches are beautiful. Depending on when you are coming the weather may be great. This week it's a bit chilly. But I see you are from Wisconsin so my chilly and yours are probably two different things.
Have a great visit.