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2025 History Guide

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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...

Beautiful quiet home on Bald Head Island...
4.9
(78)

Welcome to Sheltering Oaks, a 3Br/3Ba home in the maritime forest. Our home is just a short walk to the beach (under a quarter mile) and the Maritime Market (about a third of a mile). House is on a peaceful cul-de-sac, down a private driveway...

  • Bald Head Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 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...

Southern Marsh
5.0
(2)

Unwind with the whole family at this marsh view beach bungalow. 3 bedrooms (1 King/2 Queen), 2 bath, outdoor shower, completely equipped kitchen and screened porch. Supplied are beach chairs, wagon, and freshly added fire pit and corn hole in the...

  • Oak Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
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...

Spectacular views! 5 bdrms perfect for f...
5.0
(30)

"Southern Exposure" is a gorgeously decorated duplex with great expansive vistas of both the ocean and canal from the top level kitchen, dining and living rooms. Located in a quieter area of Carolina beach, our home has 6 roomy decks to...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 11
Best Surf Fishing Gear for 2025

Once you have your coastal recreational fishing license in hand, it’s time to start thinking about gear. Anglers will find tons of options when it comes to equipment for casting into the surf, from custom designed rods and reels at local...

Driving on the Beach - Cape Fear and Brunswick Islands

The coastline of North Carolina is unique in that beach-goers have ample opportunities to explore the shoreline from the comfort and convenience of a 4WD vehicle. From the northern Outer Banks along the Virginia state border to the sunny beach towns...

Beach Front Oasis - Oceanfront condo jus...

Striking ocean front condo with impressive vistas of the ocean and dunes. This unit is up one flight of stairs and is the first floor above parking, which makes it simple to navigate to and from the beach. The beach access is just steps away. Vistas...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
The Loop at Wrightsville Beach

New visitors to Wrightsville Beach may hear the phrase “The Loop” tossed around by locals and long-time visitors in-the-know. This initially unfamiliar term actually refers to one of the town’s literally largest attractions &ndash...

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...

Luxury 5-Bedroom Beach Retreat with Ocea...

Welcome to your dream coastal hideaway! This attractively designed 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom beach home in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, is the ideal getaway for families and groups looking to relax in style. With ocean vistas, a private pool, a poolside bar...

  • Ocean Isle Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Top Activities for Kids in Wilmington, NC

Wilmington is brimming with activities that are ideal for the younger crowd. From amazing tours on the Cape Fear River to a host of sites and attractions that are ideal for kids, keeping everyone in the family – especially the youngest members...

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...

4 Night Summer Minimum: Charming Cottage...

If you are looking for the ideal location to relax and let your troubles melt away, this is the place for you. Located in the Maritime Forest in the center of Bald Head Island, this beautiful coastal bungalow is located just mins. away from the...

  • Bald Head Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Zeke's Island Coastal Reserve

Zeke's Island Coastal Reserve is found just south of the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, and is one of the three original 1985 National Estuarine Research Reserve components dedicated by NOAA and the Division of Coastal Management. Encompassing a...

Rainy Day Activities in Wrightsville Beach

A Wrightsville Beach vacation may center on long sunny days on the seashore, but the occasional rainy day presents a perfect opportunity to get out and about and discover the historically and culturally rich Cape Fear region. From top rated museums...

Dune It Right – Oceanfront 3BR Condo |...

Welcome to Dune It Right, a brand-new oceanfront condo with impressive vistas and direct beach access. This 3-bedroom getaway sleeps 7 and features:???? 1 King bedroom???? 1 Queen bedroom???? Bunk bed with a trundle (sleeps 3 total)???? 2 full...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Brand New, Gorgeous 7BR 6.5BA House, Oce...

Magic Hour - 7 Bedroom 6.5 Bath House, Oceanfront, Pool, Elevator, Sleeps 16Brand New Construction and New to the Rental Market!Pool Heating Available (for an additional fee)!Bed and Bath Layout: 3K, 2Q, 2BB T/F Sleeps 16 *Five Bedrooms with...

  • Oak Island
  • 7 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 16
Wrightsville Beach Camping Guide

Wrightsville Beach is one of the Cape Fear region’s favorite vacation hot spots, and as a result, it’s a popular destination for campers and RV explorers who want to discover everything that this town and area has to offer. While there...

Wrightsville Beach Surfing Guide

Surfing has always been big on Wrightsville Beach, and visitors and surfers from all across the East Coast are starting to take notice. The town was named one of the “World’s 20 Best Surf Towns” by National Geographic Magazine, and...

Updated Beach Cottage with Wonderful Poo...

Key Conveniences:Private Pool Fire Pit Totally Fenced-In BackyardShort Walk to the BeachFenced-In Backyard4 Bedrooms (Sleeps 8)Primary Bedroom with King Bed, TV, EnSuite (Shower), and Closet/Dresser2 King Bedrooms, 1 Queen Bedroom, 1 Twin Bunkbed...

  • Oak Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Wrightsville Beach Educational Activities

Because of Wrightsville Beach’s longstanding status as a popular beach town, as well as its proximity to historic sites like Fort Fisher and Downtown Wilmington, the area is the perfect spot to add a little learning to a traditional beach...

Scenic Spots in Wrightsville Beach

With a location that borders water in veritably every direction, it’s not surprising that Wrightsville Beach has more than its fair share of scenic spot around the town. Close to incredible beaches, local landmarks, and neighboring communities...

Beach house chic meets mid-century moder...
5.0
(8)

This handsome Carolina Beach townhome, constructed Sept '21, is blocks up from the boardwalk and centrally located to all the landmarks, nightlife, and one of a kind appeal that make this beach town so vibrant and special. Sea Merchants Grocery, Fat...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
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...