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2025 History Guide

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Wilmington Sunset Beach Ocean Isle Beach Holden Beach Oak Island Bald Head Island Southport Kure Beach Carolina Beach WrightsvilleBeach
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Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based...

Hope Sand Dreams: Modern, Elegant Home w...
5.0
(1)

3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Bathrooms1 King | 1 Queen | 1 Twin-over-queen Bunk Bed | 1 Twin TrundleIn a prime location on the wooded side of Oak Island Drive, Hope Sand Dreams is just a seven min. walk or one min. drive to the 40th Street public beach...

  • Oak Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

There’s an ocean of adventures waiting for visitors at the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Featuring a full range of entertainment options including a water park, mini golf course, go karts, arcade, and so much more, veritably every visitor...

Brand New Construction w elevator and pe...
5.0
(1)

Don't you just appreciate that new car smell? Well, how about the freshness of a new home? That's just what you'll get at "Salty Paws", just constructed in 2023 this townhome provides a limited ocean view from the upper deck. There are Four Bedroom...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 9
Fort Johnston - Southport Museum

Fort Johnston is a remarkable visitors’ center and museum that has deep historic roots in the early years of Southport’s long and storied history. Located on the edge of the waterfront downtown area along Bay Street, the stoic and regal...

Cozy beachfront property with amenities,...
4.9
(32)

Elegant 3 bedroom 2 bathroom , newly modernized ocean side condo located on 1st floor for painless access (1st floor above parking level, one level of stairs for access). It freshly received a complete remodel of kitchen and living area with freshly...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Southport, NC Shelling Guide

Southport can easily serve as a launching point for a myriad of shelling adventures. From this small community on the Cape Fear River, visitors can board a ferry to Bald Head Island, Fort Fisher, or even take a cruise to smaller and lesser-known...

Southport Educational Activities

Established in the 1700s, and boasting a landscape of unique coastal ecosystems, Southport is a prime destination to learn about the history, environment, and culture of the scenic Brunswick region. From unique museums and monuments, to outdoor...

Stunning oceanfront views on huge deck. ...
4.8
(56)

My happy place is your ideal get away. It is unique and fresh with a gorgeous granite kitchen and a glass bar with color changing lights. You'll find more LED lights in the 2nd bedroom which has a constructed in bunk bed with a trundle, sleeping 4...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Freeman Park

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...

Southport, NC Museums

The lower Cape Fear region has played a role in American history since the region was first discovered by Spanish explorers and English colonists. At the same time, the local coastal habitats have been heralded (and preserved) as some of the most...

Cozy Coastal Cottage.
4.8
(31)

Our comfortable bungalow has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and sleeps 6-7 in a cozy home setting. Appreciate the screened porch and the sundeck with an unobstructed view of Intracoastal Waterway 75 yds away. The roughly dozen golf courses...

  • Ocean Isle Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
The 7 Best Fishing & Beach Carts for 2025

For families travelling to the beach, or fishermen carrying tackle/coolers, a beach cart can be the best purchase of your vacation. These carts feature extra-wide wheels to move across soft sand, even when loaded. Carts are often built for specific...

Brunswick Islands Beach Rules & Guidelines

The Brunswick Islands offer a number of communities where enjoying the beach is always a breeze. From the small town of Caswell Beach to the enticing and hopping town of Ocean Isle, here’s everything you need to know about enjoying this...

Hobbs Realty - \

Sea the View has, undoubtedly the best vistas on the island. Sea the View is the last oceanfront home on the west end of the island showcasing the most spectacular sunsets year-round. This luxury home is located on the beach amidst 50 elegant palm...

  • Holden Beach
  • 7 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 20
The 7 Best Beach & Fishing Coolers 2025

Nothing beats an ice-cold beverage while relaxing on the beach. Nothing is worse than reaching for an icy drink and finding your cans swimming. Coolers are essential for family days on the sand. A good modern cooler will keep food and drinks fresh...

Southport, NC Activities for Kids

When it comes to activities for kids, Southport is a veritable playground. Stocked with unique public parks, a collection of shops, and ample places to explore, there’s no shortage of adventures waiting for visitors of all ages and interests...

Saw Mill Sunset Beach, NC

Be one of the first to stay in this property, located in gorgeous Sunset Beach, North Carolina:Brand new Townhomes, Completed Spring 2024Roomy (1,900 - 2,200 sq ft)Inside Sea Trail Golf Resort (3 Championship Golf Courses on site)Three-bedroom...

  • Sunset Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
The Blu Belle

Located in the former downtown Masonic Temple building constructed in 1899. Classic yet timeless. Step into The Blu Belle and enter into virtual American History, where the past meets the present. Surrounded with Sunset Vistas, Coffee Stores...

  • Wilmington
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 2
Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry

Visitors to historic Southport who want to make a beach escape, or Carolina Beach travelers who need an easy yet scenic route to head south will find the Southport / Fort Fisher ferry a convenient yet completely unique way to explore the southern...

Southport, NC Rainy Day Activities

One of the great aspects about a cultured and unique destination like Southport is that the occasional rainy day never puts a damper on the fun. The town is brimming with unique attractions, shops, and activities that are perfect to enjoy on a rainy...

Howards Haven
4.8
(24)

Appreciate this striking golf course view villa. Just steps away from the beach access #13 and steps away from the esteemed Bald Head Island Club. Comes equipped with two 4 passenger golf carts. This is a 3 bedroom 21/2 bathroom villa with 1...

  • Bald Head Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Southport Pier and RIverwalk

Cap off a leisurely day of exploring Southport with a scenic walk along the waterfront, courtesy of the Southport Pier and Riverwalk.  Located on the edge of Howe and Bay Streets, and therefore easy to reach for veritably any Downtown Explorer...

Southport, NC Camping Guide

From picturesque beaches that straddle the state border, to sunny destinations found just inland of the Cape Fear River, the Southport region is dotted with an array of campgrounds that will entice visitors of all outdoorsy tastes. The options are...

Hobbs Realty - Oceanfront Home w/Private...

This handsome oceanfront home (4K, Pyramid Bunk Bed w/Trundle) is a fabulous choice for your Holden Beach vacation! The crystal blue oceanside pool with a sizable furnished poolside deck (open from Easter - October) is the ideal complement to the...

  • Holden Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

The fascinating galleries throughout this extensive complex encourage visitors of all ages to meet and mingle with their aquatic neighbors, from interactive exhibits to "touch tanks" where patrons can have personal encounters with local bamboo...

Fort Johnston - Southport Museum

Fort Johnston is a remarkable visitors’ center and museum that has deep historic roots in the early years of Southport’s long and storied history. Located on the edge of the waterfront downtown area along Bay Street, the stoic and regal...

Old Brunswick County Jail Museum

Take a trip back in time without ever leaving the heart of Southport for a fascinating and educational visit to the stoic Old Brunswick County Jail Museum. Found within a multi-story brick building on the corner of Nash and Rhett Streets, this...

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Enjoy miles of pristine beaches, salt marshes, and scenic views in every direction with a visit to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Located just south of Kure Beach, and renowned for its 6 miles of undeveloped shoreline, this sunny beach...

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Clean and uncluttered beaches and a remarkable local history combine to make the Fort Fisher State Historic Site one of coastal North Carolina's most treasured barrier island attractions. This incredible locale, just miles away from Carolina Beach...

Bald Head Island Lighthouse - Old Baldy

It's hard to confuse the Old Baldy Lighthouse with the other Carolina lighthouses that guard the Eastern Seaboard. The unique structure has undergone some interesting natural and manmade changes during its nearly 200 year lifespan, but many visitors...

Oak Island Lighthouse

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...

Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington

With more than four centuries of history, it’s understandable that some of Wilmington’s rich past lingers on, and visitors with a darker side can get face-to-face with some of these ghoulish legends via an entertaining and spine-tingling...

Museum of Coastal Carolina

The Museum of Coastal Carolina is the only North Carolina Natural History Museum that’s located on a barrier island, and is a fun destination for visitors of all ages to dive deep into the unique and beautiful coastal region. Located in the...

The Cape Fear Museum, (shorthand for the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science), has been educating and entertaining visitors for well over 100 years. Founded in 1898, the museum is the oldest operating museum in North Carolina, and welcomes...

The small but well-stocked Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is a charming little attraction that may not take very long to explore, but nevertheless presents a complete and fascinating portrait of this surprisingly long-standing beach town.

Visitors can celebrate Wilmington's deep-rooted history in trade with a visit to the historic Cotton Exchange. The complex of eight buildings features over 30 shops and restaurants that are worthy of exploration, and will provide an enjoyable...

The USS Battleship North Carolina is an unmistakable site in Downtown Wilmington. Taking up a large portion of the waterfront docks, this historic World War II moveable landmark is a must-see for Cape Fear vacationers.

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...

E-BIKE TOURS — An Experience For All Levels! Our goal is to make you feel like a local as you explore all Wilmington has to offer. If you’re looking to check out some of the best breweries in town, visit unique neighborhoods, and take in...

Bald Head Historic Island Tours works in conjunction with the Old Baldy Foundation to introduce Cape Fear vacationers to the historic Bald Head Island, or “Old Baldy” lighthouse. Located on a 10-acre site on the secluded Bald Head...

Take a trip back in time and embark on an exploration of one of the East Coast’s oldest lighthouses with a visit to “Old Baldy,” or more formally, the Bald Head Island Lighthouse. Located on the western heart of Bald Head Island...

When driving or strolling past the Bellamy Mansion, visitors are often transported back to a different time, when the Antebellum South was in full prestige, and Wilmington was a bustling, pre-Civil War port town. Located on Market Street, just...

The Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is the oldest and largest historic site in downtown Wilmington.  They’re eight colonial structures left in Wilmington, four on are the property. Three ballast stone buildings, circa 1744, once the city...

Fort Anderson, also known as Brunswick Town, is the historic site of the first permanent settlement in the Cape Fear area. Established nearly 300 years ago in 1726, and destroyed just a few decades later by British Soldiers during the start of the...

The eastern tip of Oak Island is figuratively guarded by the long abandoned Fort Caswell, a centuries old but still relatively intact structure that originally encompassed a huge portion of the island. Today, the structure is a landmark within the...

Military members in need of a beach vacation will find the Air Force Recreation Area in Carolina Beach a welcome home base. A unique mix of cottages, mobile homes, and RV and tent sites, this veritable waterfront resort has a fantastic location and...

Take a step back in time and discover the remnants of one of North Carolina’s most famed Civil War forts with a visit to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. This former Civil War site was instrumental in protecting the port city of Wilmington...

Serving as a regional hub for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center is a unique destination in the heart of Wrightsville Beach that offers a wealth of events and activities to appeal to coastal...

The Latimer House Museum and Gardens has a key role in Wilmington's historical culture. Built in the early 1850s and still preserved as one of the region's many opulent homes which have been converted to museums, this "residence" has also been the...

Visitors can enjoy a peek into Revolutionary War history while embarking on a natural expedition through the picturesque inland regions of the Cape Fear area with a visit to Moores Creek National Battlefield. Famed as the site of the February 27...

Military history buffs can explore decades of local and national artifacts that range from medals to actual tanks and helicopters with a visit to the North Carolina Military History Museum. Equipped with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, this unique...

Visitors to the Fort Fisher Museum and State Recreation Area can further their education about the region’s rich maritime and military history with a visit to the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Center. Located along Fort Fisher Blvd and...

History buffs and ghost story fans will love a stroll through Wilmington’s own Oakdale Cemetery. This prestigious cemetery, which dates back to the 1850s, is the final resting place of a number of notable residents, which range from Civil War...

Outdoor lovers and active visitors of all tastes will have a fine time at the engaging Ogden Park. Located just northeast of the Downtown area, and convenient to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach visitors alike, this vast public park has veritably...

Wilmington visitors can enjoy a visit to one of the oldest peanut plantations in the country with an easy drive to the Poplar Grove Plantation. Located just north of the center of Wilmington along US Highway 17, this semi-remote site is a...

Though the Port of Wilmington is a comparatively new landmark in this centuries-old city, it is nevertheless a fixture along the downtown waterfront, and an integral aspect of the region’s economic success. An unmistakable sight along the Cape...

Take a step back in time and discover the stories behind North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse with a visit to the Smith Island Museum of History. Located in a replica of an 1850’s lighthouse keeper’s cottage, and featuring a...

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...

The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts not only sets the stage for some of Wilmington's most opulent and engaging performances, but it also reigns as one of Wilmington's most distinguished buildings in its historic Downtown region.

The Wilmington National Cemetery was established in 1867 by the US Government as a final resting place for the Union Troops who had perished during the Civil War in the battlefields surrounding the Wilmington area.

Take a step back in time and dive into an antebellum world of charm and culture with a visit to the exquisite Zebulon Latimer House. Located in the heart of the historic downtown region, and just a couple blocks away from the Cape Fear Riverfront...