Well, North Carolina is not short of cute coastal towns that would make you think it had come straight from a movie set. One of them was so dang cute that I couldn’t resist such a write-up. That town Southport, North Carolina
Southport, little more than a dot on the map between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, sits perched at mouth of Cape Fear River where its marina plays host to boaters travelling along the Intracoastal Waterway in search refuge from heavy seas or safe harbour from threatening quartz; waylaid journeyers stepping ashore come discover history by waterside–with town right near Brunswick Island’s beaches (a nice beach getaway).
This village has history dating back to the 1700s and is one of North Carolina’s top small coastal towns (it was even dubbed as “America’s Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living Magazine). And there’s plenty to do here, given its tidy size! From museums to on the water experiences, you can get out and enjoy the best activities in Southport. Welcome To Our Blog Voy Trips and I am your Friend Frank Richard.
Best Things To Do In Southport, North Carolina
I took a visit to Southport, North Carolina during the quiet shoulder season one April (a great time for beach location if you can’t bear the hot mid-summer!), and absolutely loved it. These were some highlights of my time there:
1. Explore Fort Johnston Museum & Visitor Center
Southport The Fort Johnston Museum & Visitor Center offers a hard-earned history of centuries gone by in Southport. Built in 1745 to protect the Cape Fear River from Spanish invaders, today Southport, North Carolina was incorporated as a town only after it was officially settled around Fort Johnston in 1792.
This museum details the fort and the town. It is also a perfect spot to have some information about the best things to do in Southport.
Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday Admission is free.
2. Take a Movie And TV Location Golf Cart Tour
Southport may only have a population of just over 4,000 residents but it has some rich history appearing in movies and tv shows! Southport has also been a location for films such as A Walk to Remember, The Secret Life of Bees, and Safe Haven and television shows including Dawson’s Creek and Under the Dome.
Southport, North Carolina Fun Tours offers tours via golf cart that will take you to filming locations of many of these productions. You’ll also spin through the town’s historic waterfront district and your local guide can share a tip or two on some of their favorite places.
Fair – Adults: $15 Ages 12 & under: $7
(There are other local movie spots you can explore yourself like the Southport Historic Riverwalk Marsh boardwalk, which culminates in a wooden gazebo made famous by A Walk to Remember.)
3. Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum
There is also the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport. A quick guess of the name and you would expect this museum to be all about local waterways. The area once enjoyed a strategic port location, which means it is historically a maritime focus.
Oh, and if the mysteries of maritime history are a tad too dull for you… well, maybe not. All things pirate, shipwreck and storm are here to be viewed at the museum.
The museum is open from Tuesday-Saturday 10 a. Admission is free.
4. Walk around Waterfront Park.
Waterfront Park is a great park next to the Cape Fear River located in downtown Southport. The waterfront is a great place to go for an evening walk, especially at the time of sunset.
There is a boardwalk you can stroll along and many benches with rocking chairs located on the walking path.
5. Shop downtown
Downtown Southport is small and charming, full of cute shops and boutiques. Also they have some nice gift shops, home goods and a couple of pretty darn ok antique stores as well. The Christmas House — This year-round store is like a visit from Santa every. single. day and packs an assortment of holiday decorations, including tons works by local artists *and* the keys to your tacky sweater party game plan.Writer’s pick
6. Get out on the water
Taking to the water is a must do in Southport. One of the best ways to accomplish that would be with a boat tour. Southport is surrounded by stunning countryside, providing countless islands and rivers for cruising.
Southport Water Tours: You can get a view of the island heritage and waterfront by taking one through Captain Andy or take a private sunset charter with South-port By Seaside, to see downtown from another angle. They will get you into the Cape Fear River and Intracoastal Waterway.
7. Rent a kayak
You can also rent out a kayak for an hour on the water. Waterfront Park, Dutchman Creek Park and Southport Marina are the hot spots for putting your kayak in those sites while Mr. Beach Rentals offer Kayak rentals — two cool ways to tour our waters on a “personal raft.”
Alternatively, book a kayaking tour with the likes of TourH2O Southport or The Adventure Kayak Company if you’re flying solo and want someone to show you around.
8. Book a fishing trip
Southport is also a popular spot for fishing, with plenty of good locations in the waterways surrounding town. If you are going on holidays and want to experience a little bit of fishing in Southport, the best way is by booking one of our tours.
Fish Southport and Bald Head Island Charters are two of the top companies for fishing trips in this seaside area. Expect to catch red fish (red drum), flounder, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, grey trout and even Cape Fear tarpon, and shark species.
9. Southport Yacht Basin – Check Fresh Seafood
As you might expect of a city on the coast, Southport has excellent seafood! At the Southport Yacht Basin you’ll find several waterfront restaurants where they can house a feast of fresh seafood.
There are few bad places to eat in Southport where the cafes and eateries get their seafood fresh from the fishing boats moored alongside, but you can rely on both Fishy Fish Cafe and Provision Company.
10. Silver Coast Winery Tap
In addition, the Silver Coast Winery is further away as it takes almost forty minutes to get there from Southport in Ocean Island Beach. The winery does have a location, there is wine tasting located downtown Southport!
Take in the award-winning local wines with tastings or make samples of craft beer. There is even a gift shop and art gallery to pick up the perfect memento of your time in Southport.
11. Have a beach day
Last but by no means least, go to the beach — which is one of top things on offer in Southport. Southport has no real beaches, per se – the proper parks are on the waterfront.
However, if you’re in search of the true sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, there are a few that take only around an hour to get to from Southport. Just a 15-minute drive from Southport is another beach to behold, Oak Island Beach as one of the great beaches in North Carolina. Caswell Beach would put you about a 15-minute drive from Southport or, not too far away in the opposite direction, North Carolina’s Myrtle Beach.
Both places are good for you to enjoy a day out with the beach estate. The two beaches have ample parking, but you will probably be fighting with the other droves of people who visit during high season (summer) or on weekends; both towns also boast many beachfront restaurants for lunch and dinner as well.