Southport, NC
Southport, NC
Southport was originally named Smithville after Benjamin Smith who served under Gen. George Washington in the Revolutionary War. The first Spanish explorers arrived in 1521 and settled up the Cape Fear River in what became known as Brunswick Town. In the early 1700 Southport was a harbor for pirates, including Stede Bonnet, the "Gentleman Pirate," who was a frequent visitor. What began as a small fishing and military town has blossomed into a community for retirees and commuters working in Wilmington.
Waterfront Park offers breathtaking views of the Cape Fear River and is a great spot for a leisurely walk or a rest on one of the many front porch-style swings facing the water. There is also a fishing pier. If you run out of things to do (which we doubt), take a ferry to Bald Head Island to explore its beaches, lighthouse and nature trails.
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The heart of the historic district in Wilmington is its riverfront. Once a bustling wharf of warehouses, boatsheds, docks and stables, today, a cluster of shops and restaurants span several city blocks along the Cape Fear River. The 1-mile-long Riverwalk follows the borders of the Cape Fear River and provides beautiful views framed with antebellum homes wrapped in picket fences, jasmine and magnolias. The wooden walkway passes shops and restaurants as well as a number of landmarks including the USS North Carolina Battleship and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
If you have transportation, take a trip to 67-acre Airlie Gardens and stroll through the beautiful gardens. The iconic Airlie Oak is here–a 128-foot-tall live oak that is nearly 500 years old. Also home to a butterfly house, sculptures, a chapel made from recycled bottles and beautiful views of Bradley Creek. In addition to massive live oaks, Wilmington knows how to grow azaleas and still hosts the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival that first took place in 1948. Held in spring when the azaleas are at full bloom.
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