Things to do in Southport, NC

Small Town Series – North Carolina

There are many unique small towns across the United States. Many times we just drive right through them on our way to a bigger city or attraction. In this series, I will highlight small towns from each state. We have found that if you take the time to stop, shop, and eat in these towns, you will be pleasantly surprised! Small towns are usually “hidden gems” among the big, bustling cities.

Southport

The town of Southport is located on the coast of North Carolina, about 32 miles south of the city of Wilmington, North Carolina. This is a charming little town with a population of about 3800, located near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Southport’s beauty has made it a perfect location for many movies and TV shows; Dawson’s Creek, Under the Dome, Revenge, I know what you did last summer, Nights in Rodanthe, and more! It’s also famous for its Fourth of July festival which attracts between 40,000 and 50,000 visitors annually.

History

During the 18th century, British settlements along the Carolina coast were prone to attacks by pirates and were unable to defend themselves. In 1744, the Governor appointed a committee to look into building a fort to defend this region by the Cape Fear River. In 1748 the fort was finally built and named, “Fort Johnston”. The town developed around Fort Johnston. It was named Smithville, after Benjamin Smith, a colonel in the continental army during the Revolutionary War and later Governor of North Carolina. The town grew as a fishing village and was renamed Southport in 1887 to promote it as a major shipping port.

Places to stay in Southport

Hotels

• River Hotel of Southport, with views of the Cape Fear River
• Hampton Inn & Suites, highest rated hotel in Southport with a Exceptional rating
• Comfort Suites Southport
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Southport
• Wingate by Wyndham Southport

B&Bs

• SinderellasRockefellas B&B, with garden views
• LaPolena Bed & Breakfast is great for a romantic getaway
• Bell Clemmons House B&B, rooms with a patio or balcony
• Calypso

Campgrounds near Southport

• Holden Beach RV Campground
• WaterWay Family Campground
• Wilmington KOA

Holden Beach RV Campground

This campground is about 25 miles south of Southport. The campground has wooden sites and is about 2 miles from Holden Beach, and it’s open year-round. Amenities;

• Full Hook-ups
• Pet Friendly
• Picnic Tables
• Wi-Fi
• Walking Trails
• Bathrooms/showers
• Laundry Room
• Playground
• Camp Store
• Playground

WaterWay Family Campground

Located in Shallotte about 25 miles from Southport. They do not have a website so information is limited. Here is their Facebook page.

Wilmington KOA Campground

Wilmington is located about 38 miles north of Southport, and is open year-round. The campground is located 5 miles from Wrightsville Beach and 8 miles from historic downtown Wilmington. Amenities;

• Swimming Pool
• Computer/TV room
• Camp Store
• Cable TV
• 50 Max Amp
• Bike Rentals
• Wi-Fi
• Propane available
• Pavillion

Restaurants in Southport

• Mr P’s Bistro
• Joseph’s Italian Bistro
• Loco Jo’s Bar and Grill
• The Provision Company
• Ports of Call
• Oliver’s on the Cape Fear
• Frying Pan

A tale of two lighthouses

Two lighthouses are located near Southport. One lighthouse is located about 9 miles from Southport just over the G.V. Barbee bridge(NC 133) on Oak Island. The other is on Bald Head Island and that takes a 20 minute ferry ride.

Oak Island Lighthouse

Oak Island Lighthouse was completed in 1958, it is 153 feet tall. You can climb the 131 steps to the top but must schedule a tour ahead of time.

Bald Head Island Lighthouse

Bald Head Island Lighthouse, known as “Old Baldy” can be reached by ferry from Southport to Bald Head Island. This is the second lighthouse on Bald Head Island, the first was endangered by a hurricane in 1764 and torn down in 1813. The new lighthouse, “Old Baldy” was completed in 1817 and is 110 feet tall. You can purchase tickets to visit the Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum inside the Keeper’s cottage, and climb the 108 steps to the top.

Things to do near Southport, NC

• City Pier and Waterfront Park
• Take the G.V. Barbee bridge to Oak Island
• Take a ferry to Bald Head Island
• Southport – Fort Fisher Ferry
• North Carolina Maritime Museum
• Fort Johnston Museum and Visitor’s center
• Silver Coast Winery Tasting room

City Pier and Waterfront Park

I spent some time each morning on the City Pier and Waterfront Park. It’s a great place to start your day! People are fishing off the pier, everyone is so friendly and willing to show you what they caught! You can sit on a bench and relax for a while as the sun rises. There is a small sandy beach area with the waves lapping against the shore.

Oak Island

Oak Island is just across the G.V. Barbee bridge which crosses the Intracoastal waterway. Oak Island has about 8300 permanent residents. It is seaside town who’s main industry is tourism.

The ferry ride to Bald Head Island

The Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. passenger ferry will transport you from Deep Point Marina in Southport, NC, across the Cape Fear River to Bald Head Island. The island is about 12,000 acres. You will find beautiful untouched beaches.

Southport to Fort Fisher Ferry

This is a vehicle Ferry which only costs $7 to get back and forth from Southport to Fort Fisher, NC Aquarium, and Kure & Carolina Beaches. It’s a fun and scenic ride! North Carolina has a great ferry system!

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport

The museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, admission is free. The permanent exhibits focus on fisheries, shipwrecks, hurricanes, and military conflicts ranging from piracy to World War II. It’s a nice little museum and the price is right!

Fort Johnston Museum

Fort Johnston was a British fort, later used as a United States Army post, on Moore Street near Southport, North Carolina. It stands on the west bank of the Cape Fear River, four miles above its mouth. The Museum is open Monday – Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Fort Johnston was the first fort constructed in the state of North Carolina and named for Provincial Governor Gabriel Johnston. The Fort was built in 1749 by the British to defend the area from the French and Spanish. The fort was used during the civil war by Confederate soldiers.

The Garrison House of the Fort is the only surviving structure and is now home to the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum and Visitors’ Center.

In Conclusion…

The town of Southport, NC, is a great town on the Cape Fear River and just minutes from coastal beaches. We have been there several times, my favorite part of the city is the waterfront & pier. I would love to hear about your favorite small town! I am going to continue my series with more towns in North Carolina.

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*This post has been completely updated, it was originally published on June 21, 2019*

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