Area Attractions

Oak Island Nature Center / Register Park Overlooking the marsh and Intracoastal Waterway, the Oak Island Nature Center offers a wide range of educational activities for children and adults alike with live animals on display, a talking tree trail and interpretive trail. Restrooms, picnic area and walkway. FREE 5202 E. Yacht Dr., Oak Island, NC. 910-201-1392 or 910-278-6552 or 910-278-5518   The Fort Fisher Civil War Museum: Remains of the earthen fort that kept the Cape Fear River and the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which delivered vital supplies to the Confederate armies until the fort fell on January 15, 1865. The visitor center contains exciting exhibits, a 16-foot fiber optic map detailing the second battle, a video presentation and gift shop. Guided tours daily. Hours: April-Sept. Mon-Sat. 9-5; Sun. 1-5; Oct.-March Tues.-Sat. 10-4. 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd.S, Kure Beach, NC. 910-458-5538   The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium is Alive and Swimming... Explore environments where sharks and sea turtles glide. Self-guided tour takes 60-90 mins. Also enjoy live animal and scuba dive presentations as well as animal feedings. Daily 9-5; Open until 9 pm Thursdays in July. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 900 Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach, NC. 910-458-8257 or 800-832-3474   Silver Coast Winery: Coastal North Carolina's premier producer of premium wines. A lovely setting, its the perfect place to learn wines, have a picnic and enjoy art by local artists. The Barrel Room, with an enchanting waterfall, is perfect for special events, meetings and weddings. Free daily wine tours. Monthly wine festivals. Hours: Mar-Dec. Mon-Sat 11-2; Sun 12-5; Jan-Feb Wed-Sun 12-5. 6680 Barbeque Rd., Ocean Isle Beach, NC 910-287-2800   Orton Plantation & Gardens: Orton Plantation Gardens is an historic landscape designed around the 1735 mansion and colonial rice frields overlooking the Cape Fear River. With 20 acres of secluded walking trails surrounded by hundreds of acres of rice fields, you will find Orton a memorable place to visit. Among the predominant species in the garden are live oaks, camellias, azelias, flowering fruit trees, daphne, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, dogwoods, and colorful spring and summer annuals. Lawns and water gardens lend variety to the lush vegetation. Orton has also been the site for many dramatic documentaries and action films. Open March-August 8-6; Sept-Nov. 10-5. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Dec.-Feb. 9149 Orton Rd.SE, Winnabow, NC. 910-371-6851   Old Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site Brunswick Town, a colonial site dating from 1726-1776, served as a Cape Fear River Port that was the major export of Naval stores and the location of the Stamp Act Rebellion. Fort Anderson was a Confederate fortification, which was part of the Cape Fear Defense System until the Civil War engagement of February 1865. There is a 14-min slide presentation and gift shop at the visitor center. A map and knowldgeable volunteers are available for a self-guided tour. Great picnic area. FREE Tues.-Sat. 10-4. 8884 St. Phillips Rd.SE, Winnabow, NC. 910-371-6613   North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport Houses a collection of memorabilia pertaining to the vast nautical history of Southport, the Lower Cape Fear and Southeastern North Carolina. Special exhibits of artifacts from ancient wrecks. Self-guided tours through 12 designated stations, or ask a knowledgeable guide to lead the way. FREE 116 N. Howe Street, Southport, NC. 910-457-0003   Franklin Square Art Gallery: An association of local artisans who bring the arts alive in many different forms. The association includes artist, craft persons and potters who show, sell and teach in this beautiful historical building. A unique non-profit cooperative endeavor between the Associated Artist of Southport and the City. Gallery hours - Mon.-Sat. 10-5. FREE 301 E. West Street, Southport, NC. 910-457-5450   Battleship North Carolina: Welcome aboard! Step onto the decks of North Carolina's official WWII memorial. Discover how this heroic Ship and brave crew fought every major naval offensive in the Pacific of WWII, earning 15 battle stars. Preserved in all her glory, she will captivate your heart by giving you a deeper appreciation of what it took to bring victory and peace to the world. OPEN EVERYDAY - at the junction of hwys 17/74/76/421 #1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington, NC. 910-251-5797   Oak Island Beach Towns The towns of Oak Island and Caswell Beach feature fourteen miles of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, shopping and accommodations. Additional information is available at: Southport-Oak Island Welcome Center 4841 Long Beach Rd. SE Southport, NC. 910-457-6964 or 800-457-6964   Progress Energy Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant Visitors Center Come explore the world of energy! Over 30 interactive energy related exhibits covering production of electricity, electrical safety, laternative energy sources and energy conservation. Fun for the entire family! FREE - Visitation Hours Vary - Closed Holidays and Weekends 8520 River Rd (Hwy 87) Southport, NC. 910-457-6041   Bald Head Island Lighthouse and Historic Tours Bald Head Island Take Hwy 211 into Southport, turn right on 9th St. follow signs to the ferry terminal. Ferries leave at the top of the hour. 910-457-5003 For nearly 200 years, North Carolina's oldest standing lighthouse, Old Baldy, has marked the mouth of the historic Cape Fear River. Take an exciting journey to learn about the island's rich maritime past, visit a civil war fort; hear stories of pirates, river pilots and life saving crewmen. Then experience Old Baldy up close - including the climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the surrounding area's outstanding natural beauty. Ferry and guided tours reservations required - 910-457-5003 Take Hwy 211 into Southport, turn right on 9th St. follow signs to the ferry terminal. Ferries leave at the top of the hour.   Ingram Planetarium Eastern North Carolina's only planetarium offers exciting programs in astronomy, science and space exploration. Take a seat under the 40' domed theater, find the locations of planets, constellations and distant galaxies that are visible in the coastal Carolina skies. Telescope viewings and special sky events are scheduled throughout the year. Holiday laser shows light up the dome in December and July. Fee Charged 7625 High Market St.(Hwy 179), Sunset Beach, NC. 910-575-0033   Museum of Coastal Carolina The area's premier museum of Nature..learn what makes Coastal Carolina such a unique environment. Hands-on exhibits and extensive wildlife dioramas depict animals that live in the Green Swamp, Barrier Islands and Coastal Plains. Experience the Ocean Reef, the southeast's largest dry aquarium. The Sea Shore gallery has a salt water touch tank and over 200 shells to identify. Explore a loggerhead turtle nest from the inside the sand dune. Special summer afternoon programs for all ages. Fee charged. 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, NC. 910-579-1016   The Old Brunswick County Jail The jail was built in 1904 for a low bid of $6,738. It is a two story brick building with two cells and runabout on the second floor. Still visible upstairs is graffiti drawn by prisoners. The most notorious "criminal" to be booked in the facility was actress, Sissy Spacek. Some scenes for the movie "Crimes of the Heart" were filmed during the summer of 1986. The structure houses the Southport Historical Society. FREE 318 E. Nash St., Southport, NC. 910-457-0575   Tregembo Animal Park South Eastern North Carolina's oldest zoo. The gregembo family has owned and operated the zoo in the same location for over 50 years. More than 75 species of animals inhabit the zoo. Call for hours of operation. Fee charged 5811 Carolina Beach Rd., Wilmington, NC 910-392-3604   Old South Tour and Carriage Company Southport 910-713-2072 Southport's most widely recommended Tour Service. All tours presented by accredited Historian and Oral Interpreter of Southern Traditions, Katie M. Stewart. Classic Carriage Tour - Step aboard and back in time as you are soothed by the river's salubrious breezes. Listen to the history of Pirates, River Pilots, Blockade Runners, Cape Fear Indians and Civil War Spies to name a few. Your guide and historian will enlighten and entertain your family as your carriage passes through stunning Southport. Enjoyed by the avid history buff and young visitor alike, this tour, drawn by mules is guaranteed to delight! Private Carriage Tour - Private Carriage Tour - "Clip-Clop down oak lined avenues in style! Whether a romantic exursion or just a way to better acclimate yourselves to beautiful historic Southport the "surrey with a fringe on top" will usher you in quiet comfort. These tours are tailored to fit your interests - advanced reservations are requested. Lantern Lead "Spirits & Specters" Ghost Walk - A Southport Favorite since 2004! Ninety minutes of spine tingling fun for the entire family! Dressed in an antebellum mourning gown,carrying an oil lantern, your guide will relay Southport's darker history. Filled with local legends, lore, trips to Old Smithville burying ground and old jail the less than 1 mile walk will make your visit memorable. You are invited to get acquainted with the night! Additional Information: Call - 910-713-2072 and visit website - www.oldsouthtourcompany.com