Have you ever driven through a town for the first time and felt like you’ve come home? That’s what it was like when I discovered Southport, North Carolina thirty years ago.
In this quaint Southern town, you’ll find a welcoming community of Victorian homes decked out in gingerbread trim, with front porches equipped with swings and cool glasses of sweet tea. Southport beckons visitors to “sit and rest for a spell” in the shade of its many live oaks.
This gem sits at the confluence of the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, with sea views from practically every vantage point. In fact, the town holds many a mystery for travelers to uncover, and a weekend getaway will give you just a taste of its unique Southern charm.
Here’s how to make Southport, North Carolina the perfect weekend getaway.
Video source: North Carolina Weekend
10 Things to Do in Southport, North Carolina
Here are the top 10 things to do to make your getaway a memorable one.
1. Take in the ocean air.
When you enter Southport, drive directly to Waterfront Park and take in the ocean air from a swing. You’ll see ships pass in front of you, and no doubt, several dozen seagulls will vie for your attention. But the overwhelming sense of peaceful relaxation will pin you to your seat as your feet dangle mid-air and your body gently sways to the beat of beach time.
2. Check out Howe Street.
It might be hard to leave that swing, but venture down the main drag, otherwise known as Howe Street, peaking in several antique shops, art galleries and restaurants. Don’t miss a stroll through Franklin Square, where 200-year-old live oak trees tower over the bandstand. After, walk the length of the town pier to enjoy the smell of salt water and the sounds of ibis, terns and raptors soaring overhead.
3. Learn something new at the Maritime Museum.
A visit to the Maritime Museum at Fort Johnson will awaken the pirate in you. Discover the results of high seas theft in the story of Stede Bonnet, and see historic nautical equipment, commercial fishing gear, and Civil War influence in the area.
4. Get sporty in Southport.
Once known as Smithville, the small settlement was built around the garrison of Fort Johnston, which was constructed in 1754 as defense for nearby inland communities. Officially christened “Southport” in 1887, the town soon developed into a fishing village.
Though the town’s industry has centered around fishing for years, in recent years recreational activities have grown in importance. Visitors from around the country come to enjoy sport fishing, golfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and beach combing.
5. Hunt for movie locations.
Another specific industry has given rise to outsiders’ discovery of Southport: a growing number of movies and television shows have been filmed here. This has made the area instantly recognizable to many.
Check out the movies “Crimes of the Heart,” or “Safe Harbor” to see what has drawn Hollywood to this scenic community. Even Ben “Matlock” liked to solve a few mysteries on the streets of Southport.
A quick Google search will inform you of some famous movie locations that you can visit. There are even some tour companies in the area that will take you to see your favorite locations!
6. Embark on a walking tour.
Wander over to the old yacht basin for some great seafood and atmosphere, with sailboats bobbing in the background. Then download Southport Historical Society’s walking tour to your mobile phone and walk the streets of this quaint town.
Among dozens of sites, you’ll venture past the old river pilots tower, so note the houses in the area with “widow’s walks.” Just imagine wives walking along their roofs, looking for their husbands to return from the sea on stormy nights—long before technology could aid in their navigation.
7. Explore the old forts.
Take a short drive across the Intercoastal Waterway to Oak Island for endless beaches and a little history. On the northeast end of the island is Fort Caswell, built in 1825 as a defense against piracy, which ran rampant in the area. This earthworks fort was used in the Civil War, Spanish American War, and World Wars I and II. Today it resides on private land but can be seen from the road and from across the waterway.
If forts are your thing, take a ferry boat ride across the Cape Fear River to Fort Fisher. It was active during the Civil War and used to keep the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which supplied the Confederate Army. You can walk its old battery, view armaments, and envision historic battles along the ocean.
8. Become a swamp person at Orton Pond.
Don’t miss a visit to Orton Pond, about 20 minutes north of Southport along the Cape Fear River. Its haunting cypress trees with Spanish moss conjure up images of gators and snakes. Well, actually, you won’t have to imagine them—chances are you just might see both in the area.
Across the road from Orton Pond lies Orton Plantation. Once open to the public, this spectacular home has stunning gardens and a beautiful small chapel on the property. The current owner is a descendant of the original builder and has plans to return the plantation to its former splendor and may open it for tours in the near future.
9. Have a leisure day in Brunswick County.
You may be looking for more leisurely activities while in the area, and Brunswick County will not disappoint. The county is home to 25 golf courses, giving it the nickname “Golf Coast of North Carolina.” Or enjoy an afternoon of biking around Bald Head Island. Home to the “Old Baldy Lighthouse,” this island is off limits to motorized vehicles, but allows bicycles and golf carts to cruise its quiet lanes.
10. Experience Christmas on the water.
If you visit during the summer season, find your way to any one of a number of beaches in the area to relax in the sun and sand.
But Southport specializes in fun during the holiday season. Join the locals for the Christmas Flotilla in December, when the cannon at Fort Johnson signifies the start of a holiday boat parade on the water. Various watercraft decked out in Christmas lights float from the yacht basin to the town pier after dark, hoping to be voted the most decorated ship in town.
Discover the hidden treasure that is Southport, North Carolina
With so many “distractions,” it’s easy to see why this port town has captured the hearts of many. So why not rent an RV from Outdoorsy for a southern adventure of your own?
Southport is home to two campgrounds, including Carolina Beach State Park, where motorhomes and travel trailers set up home base close to the beach. You can explore Brunswick County and the barrier islands, search for starfish and loggerhead turtles on any one of almost a dozen sandy beaches in the area, and cater to your inner pirate by discovering the numerous treasures found in this gem along the Cape Fear River.
Get started planning your road trip today!
