Area Attractions
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Historic Southport
Explore this fascinating seaport via the self-guiding walking tour along the Southport Trail with 25 interesting stops. Guide maps are available at the Visitors Information Center, 113 W. Moore Street Mon-Sat from 10-5, Sun 1-4. Riverwalk starts at Howe and Bay Streets meandering along the river front and Old Yacht Basin via a boardwalk. 457-7927 FREE
North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
116 North Howe Street, Southport. Museum preserves the rich maritime heritage of Southport and the Lower Cape Fear area. Special exhibits of artifacts from ancient wrecks. Extensive book and video library. Open Tues-Sat 9-5. FREE. 910-457-0003 www.ncmaritime.org
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher “Waters of the Cape Fear”
Newly expanded facility is open with over 84,000 square feet and 2500 specimens. 910-458-8257 Open daily 9 to 5. except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day. $8 adults /$7 Seniors & active duty military $6 youth (6-17)/ Kids 5 & under and North Carolina Aquarium Society Members FREE. www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm
Battleship North Carolina at Wilmington
The USS North Carolina participated in every major naval battle in the Pacific during World War II earning 15 battle stars. Open Sept 16-May 15, 8-5; May16 -Sept 15, 8 - 8; Last Tickets sold at 7 & 4. $9 Adults / $8 Seniors & Military, $4.50 Children 6 to 11, under 5 free. 910-251-5797. www.battleshipnc.com
Progress Energy Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant Visitor’s Center
Located on Highway 87. Educational exhibits about making electricity from nuclear energy through models and interactive displays. Call for times-457-6041 Closed holidays and weekends. FREE www.southport-oakisland.com
Franklin Square Gallery at Franklin Square
A huge gallery of works by local artists featuring paintings, sculpture, ceramics and other media. A unique non-profit cooperative endeavor between the Associated Artists of Southport and the City. FREE. Monday-Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday - Labor Day, 4th of July, and Memorial Day weekends Location: 130 E. West Street, Southport (behind Franklin Square Park).
Phone: 910.457-5450 www.franklinsquaregallery.com
Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson
Located on Highway 133. A North Carolina State Historic Site preserves the original settlement and port on the Cape Fear River founded in 1726. Excavated ruins and a museum offer insights to colonial life. The ruins of Fort Anderson from the Civil War period are included in the preserve. Monday-Saturday 9-5PM Closed Sundays 910-371-6613 FREE.
Oak Island Beach Towns of Oak Island and Caswell Beach
Featuring fourteen miles of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, shopping and accommodations. Stop at the Southport - Oak Island Welcome Center on Long Beach Rd. (NC133) for information. 910-457-6964
The Cotton Exchange
Restored turn-of-the-century buildings in the 300 block of N. Front St. Wander along cobblestone streets and the 19th century buildings of Chandler’s Wharf at the corner of Water and Ann Streets. Wilmington City Market (c. 1880) 120-124 S. Front Street to the River, downtown Wilmington. Stroll through the historic market featuring unique shops, bakeries and outdoor vendors.
Cape Fear Museum
814 Market St. Wilmington. Tells the Lower Cape Fear story through long-term and changing exhibits and programs. Winter: Open Tues-Sat 9-5. Summer: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day Mon. - Sat 9-5; Sun 1-5. $6 adults/ $5 Seniors or college with ID & Military/$3 children 3-17/ under 3 & members FREE. Free to public 1st Sunday each month 910-341-7413. www.capefearmuseum.com
Wilmington Historic District
One of the South’s great seaports. Much of the Antebellum splendor of the city is preserved in the magnificently restored homes and buildings of the Historic District. Carriage and walking tours available from private operators.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
501 Nutt St., Wilmington, NC Artifacts pertaining to the railroad industry from 1840. Model railroad displays. Hours: April 1- Sept 30 M-Sat 10-5 / Sun 1-5; Oct 1-March 31, M-Sat 10-4 /Closed Sunday Closed major holidays. $7 adults/ $6 seniors & military/ $3 for children 2-12 910-763-2634. www.wrrm.org
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St., Wilmington. Magnificent theater built in 1855-1858 with active list of plays and concerts. Tours are available- call for information 910-343-3664. www.thalianhall.com
Orton Plantation Gardens
Located on Hwy 133. A riot of color and beauty. One of the great beauty spots of the Old and New South. Mar-Aug, 8-6, Sept-Nov, 10-5; $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3 children 6 -16, under 6 free. 910-371-6851. www.ortongardens.com
Fort Fisher Civil War Museum
The largest earthwork fortification in the South and the last stronghold of the Confederacy. April 1- Sept 30 Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun, 1-5. Oct 1- March 31 Tues-Sat 10-4 Closed major holidays FREE- Donations appreciated 910-458-5538. www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm
Latimer House
(c. 1852) 126 S. Third St., Wilmington. Tour the house & garden of this Italianate style residence to recreate the opulent lifestyle in Wilmington before the Civil War. House tours: Mon-Fri, 10-4, Saturday, 12 - 5. Guided tours: Adults $10, Children $5 910-762-0492. info@latimerhouse.org
Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum
42,000 square foot state of the art facility; “The Forks” Restaurant; museum gift shop; temporary exhibitions, educational and outreach programs and invitational exhibitions for the regions artists. 3201 South 17th Street, Wilm, NC 28412- 910-395-5999 Adults $8 /Students with valid ID $5 /Children 2-12 $3 Members free / First Sunday of each month “pay what you can”. Gallery & Gift Shop Hours T-Fri. 10-2/ Sat & Sun 11-5pm
Ingram Planetarium info@ingramplanetarium.org 7625 High Market Street Sunset Beach, NC 28468 Phone: 910-575-0033/ Fax: 910-575-0031 Eastern North Carolina’s only planetarium and our area’s newest theatre attraction. School groups, Special show and times available. Hwy. 179 in the Village of Sunset Beach. Open Tuesday- Saturday 12:30-4PM, Summer T- Sat 1-7pm /June 18 - Aug 21 Thursday - Friday 12:30 - 7:00 pm Adults $8.00/Seniors 50 and up $6./Students K-12 & College ID $6./Pre-school 3-5 $4./2 and under FREE
Museum of Coastal Carolina
The area’s premier museum of Nature…. all our coastal creatures in vivid dioramas. 21 East 2nd. St. Ocean Isle Beach, 910/579-1016 Summer hours Mon, Tues, Thurs 10 am until 8:30pm /Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5, Sun. 1-5pm /Adults $8/ Seniors 60 & up $6/ Students K-12 and College $6/Kids 3-5 $4. Under 2 FREE. info@museumofcc.org
Southport, NC
