For postcard-perfect long weekends, or full week stays that have exceptional access to indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, and amenities, there's nothing quite like the convenience of a stay at a local hotel or motel. A number of area hotels have been welcoming guests for decades, and as a result, vacationers have come back year after year for the fantastic service and the million-dollar views.
Visitors are often surprised at the number and variety of weekly vacation rentals throughout the area.. Vacation rentals are, in fact, an increasingly popular accommodation available to vacationers, and visitors will find that the sheer number of rentals available allows them to find an ideal retreat to fit their crew, from quiet condo complexes to brightly colored oceanfront sand castles.
The Historic Riverwalk in Downtown Southport will quickly introduce newcomers to the waterfront scene in this coastal community, and will surely instill a newfound appreciation and overall enthrallment with this scenic laid-back region.
Surfing is big in the Cape Fear area, and it’s a sport that has been enjoyed by decades of locals and vacationers alike. With gentle summertime waves that are perfect for beginners, and larger and more challenging swells that can make an appearance with a passing storm or hurricane, the surfing scene in the Cape Fear area can be as wild or as laid-back as a surfer wants. Visitors who want to get their toes wet in this popular beach activity will find ample destinations – and ample learning opportunities – to hit the waves. From cool camps that are perfect for young surfers just learning the ropes, to popular tournaments where East Coast’s best surfers shine, there’s something for everyone when it comes to the Cape Fear surfing scene.
The New Hanover County Arboretum, located on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington on Oleander Drive, is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers everywhere. With seven acres of greenery, and gorgeous foliage that changes with the season, every visit offers a new way to experience the native and beloved plant life of Wilmington in a perfectly tranquil setting.
Accommodating and altogether fun, Ocean Isle Beach is a favorite family-friendly destination for vacationers from all over the East Coast. Well stocked with fantastic beaches, challenging area golf courses, great fishing, local attractions, acclaimed restaurants, and virtually every amenity a beach lover could ask for, this barrier island community clearly has it all. With the added bonus of an easy-to-get-to location just over the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors will find plenty to love about this exemplary North Carolina beach town.
Mariners of all varieties will find that the Intracoastal Waterway in this corner of coastal North Carolina has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike. Following the Cape Fear coastline, and bypassing a myriad of cool towns and attractions along the way, mariners taking a cruise along this famed stretch of water may want to settle in for a day to discover what the Cape Fear region is all about.
Enjoy a freshwater environment just a block or so away from the beach with a visit to Carolina Beach Lake Park. This public park is centered on the 11-acre freshwater lake, which was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the closest freshwater lake to a major body of saltwater. This unusual feat has produced a sunny and surprising environment that’s perfect for off-the-beach relaxation and entertainment.
One of the most popular pastimes in the Cape Fear region is boating, and for very good reason. Surrounded by water that can range from the Cape Fear River itself to a network of salty canals and inlets that connect with the Atlantic Ocean, there are literally hundreds of miles to explore in this divinely coastal region. Enjoy a long and scenic trek down the Intracoastal Waterway, or just enjoy a cruise or tour of the downtown Wilmington waterfront. No matter how you prefer to explore, the Cape Fear boating scene is always beautiful, diverse, and ideal for an open water ride.
The northernmost coastal region of Carolina Beach is home to the Freeman Park Recreation Area, a stretch of shoreline that is well known to adventurous, beach-loving 4WD truck owners. Unlike other stretches of the barrier islands off the coast of Wilmington, this park is special because it is completely undeveloped, and allows beach driving to off-roaders who like to cruise along the sand.
Holden Beach is a gem of a vacation destination. Accommodating a world of outdoor sports and interests, with crystal clear beaches that are uncrowded even during the busiest summer days, the island was recently ranked as one of the top family friendly beaches in the country. An ideal launching point for boating, kayaking, fishing, surfing, and any number of sandy and salty past times, Holden Beach is a nationally acclaimed barrier island that is a perfect escape for families who want to throw on the flip flops, spread out the beach towel, and enjoy the laid-back, coastal scene.
Sandwiched in between the towns of Shallotte, Ocean Isle Beach, and Holden Beach, the Shallotte River and the Shallotte Inlet are popular attractions for water lovers who want to explore the local watery terrain outside the Atlantic Ocean. Renowned for great fishing, boating, and incredible scenery throughout, enjoying this relatively large area of saltwater is an easy feat. And after a kayaking or beachcombing adventure, visitors will surely agree that the local Shallotte River and Shallotte Inlet adds a new perspective of North Carolina’s inherent love of life by the waterfront.
From the beautifully undisturbed coastal beaches to the cool resort-style accommodations found just an easy trek away from Wilmington, the Cape Fear region is bustling with amazing camping options. As a result, visitors of all tastes will find exactly the type of stay they are looking for – regardless of whether it’s a cool family-friendly environment, or just a stretch of shoreline in the middle of nowhere.
With Wilmington's distinguished history as a thriving port community, few folks recognize at first that part of this reputation stemmed from its legacy as a bustling railroad center. In fact, for well over 125 years, railroading was the top industry in this town, surpassing importing and exporting goods along the Cape Fear River, (although the two businesses were certainly intertwined.)
Nature lovers who want to take an in-depth and self-guided exploration of Southport's wild terrain can take an easy stroll down the "Marsh Walk." This long boardwalk that begins along Brunswick Avenue on the edges of the busy downtown ends, essentially, in the middle of nowhere, with incredible views of the Cape Fear River, Elizabeth River, and miles of the waterfront terrain that defines Southport as a uniquely coastal town.
The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is one of three maritime museums sponsored by the state that lies along the eastern portion of NC. The Southport branch focuses on the maritime history of the lower Cape Fear River, and contains a detailed and fascinating collection that covers shipwrecks, piracy, the Civil War, commercial fishing, hurricanes, and a number of other natural and manmade events that have left a permanent mark on the North Carolina coast. Voted one of the best attractions in Southport by newcomers and frequent vacationers alike, an afternoon at the museum is a must for any coastal lover who wants to dive right into the fascinating history and culture that this region supplies in abundance.
While Downtown Southport has an ample supply of wide front porches to take a load off and enjoy a breeze, many longtime visitors attest there's no better place to relax than the Southport waterfront Park.
Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear Coastline in between the bustling towns of Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, the Masonboro Island Estuarine Reserve is a unique slice of undeveloped and natural barrier island shoreline that’s an important habitat for countless coastal species. Hard to reach but wonderfully isolated, visitors who make a trip to this literal deserted island will be rewarded with great shelling, beautiful landscapes, and miles of beaches to go around.
Not for the squeamish, the Cape Fear Serpentarium will surely thrill all of the reptile lovers in your crew, with one of the largest collections of live exotic venomous snakes in the country. Serpentarium owner and founder Dean Ripa, as well as the Serpentarium itself, has had local and national notoriety as one of the best places to come virtually face-to-face with an exotic but deadly critter. The Serpentarium has even been the focal point of a number of magazine articles, news articles, and even an Animal Planet television show, Fatal Attractions.
The Cape Fear shoreline is one of the most unique shorelines in North Carolina. Comprising of both hopping beach towns as well as delicate barrier islands that are completely undeveloped, the sheer diversity of the area beaches make them an enticing attraction for virtually any vacationer.
One of Kure Beach’s newest pubic parks is already becoming one of its most popular, thanks to a prime location along the oceanfront, and a host of concerts, shows, and special events that have all been held within its borders. The Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion is home to the town’s largest public green space, and is perched along the oceanfront, inviting visitors to stop by and admire the scene. Fun for big community-wide events and everyday visitors alike, this park is charming both the visitors and locals of Kure Beach.
The Coastal Carolina region has long been known to frequent visitors as a golfer's paradise, and Oak Island is certainly no exception. The Oak Island Golf Club is a favorite destination among Wilmington residents, and has gained notoriety along the East Coast as one of the most entertaining, and scenic golf courses, along the southern North Carolina shoreline.
Known in local mariner circles as one of the easiest inlets to cruise through in North Carolina, Masonboro Inlet is much more than just a straight-shot channel to the Atlantic Ocean. The waters and the cool beaches surrounding the waters are ideal for a myriad of activities, including fishing, shelling, surfing, and just enjoying a gorgeous day on the beach. Plan an outing to the beaches that border this sliver of water, or take a cruise to explore abundant Cape Fear waters, and enjoy one of the most popular waterways west of Wilmington.
The Oak Island Lighthouse and Coast Guard station have a long history together, and the tall lighthouse tower stands as a welcoming beacon to visitors who head to these picturesque shores. As the newest lighthouse in North Carolina, the distinctive white, gray and black structure is unlike any other on the coastline, prompting both curiosity and amazement from visitors, and making it a "must-see" on any lighthouse lover's road trip list.
Literally on the international map for nearly 500 years, the Cape Fear region is steeped in history, with ties to virtually every important American era from the first wave of settlers to the Civil War. Always renowned as an important port for the southern states, the myriad of stories to be found in the Cape Fear region truly span the centuries, and provide fascinating insight into this unique coastal community.
The Old Brunswick County Jail is a favorite stop along any historic Downtown Southport walking tour, as the early 1900s structure is chock-full of stories which span from its stately brick architecture to its original sprinklings of graffiti, still legible after more than a century.
From the sunny beaches to the educational museums and attractions, the Cape Fear region is seemingly designed for kids. The towns that dot this coastal region are filled with tempting options for the young and young-at-heart, which includes cool watersports, outdoor activities, historical treasures, and just about everything in between. Make your Cape Fear vacation a trip that your family will never forget by ensuring that these kid-friendly activities and destinations are on your agenda. With so much to see, discover and do, it’s no wonder that the Cape Fear area has been ranked as one of the best family-friendly vacation destinations along the coastline.
Fishermen, sightseers, and even history buffs will find plenty of reasons to take a quick trek to the Sunset Beach Fishing Pier, a sprawling wooden pier that is conveniently located at the end of Sunset Blvd., the main road on and off Ocean Isle Beach. Veritably located where the pavement meets the sand, the local landmark features plenty of on-site entertainment that begins with fantastic fishing, but also includes great eats, prized souvenirs, and a bit of local history that lies just underneath the rugged pier planks.
Visitors who take a trip to the very southern tip of the North Carolina coastline will be treated to a wild landscape where the local wildlife thrives – the Bird Island Reserve. Situated on the border of North and South Carolina, this collection of marshy islands and shoreline is a paradise for beachcombers, kayakers, birdwatchers, and any visitor who enjoys a pristine piece of the coastline. Fairly easy to reach and yet wonderfully isolated, the Bird Island Reserve is a breath of fresh air for anyone who appreciates a purely natural exploration.
