A friendly seaside city near the entrance of the Cape Fear River, approximately halfway between Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Southport offers small-town charm, breathtaking views, a storied history, an abundance of unique shopping and dining and inviting tree-lined streets. It has enchanted and delighted residents and visitors for more than 200 years, and its culture and traditions continue to thrive.
A walking tour of this historic area showcases wonderfully restored churches, homes and landmarks such as City Hall, the quaint two-cell Old Brunswick Jail, the Old Smithville Burial Grounds, and the River Pilots Tower, where parts of the TV series “Under the Dome” are shot. The Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors’ Center is an excellent resource for info on the vicinity.
Southport Pier & Riverwalk is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, with a wide walkway along the Cape Fear River and the yacht basin. Saltwater fishing spots dot the area, and it’s a great place to spot ibis, raptors, terns, and other wildlife. The adjacent nine-acre Southport Waterfront Park features benches and swings with spectacular water and barrier-island views, a gazebo, a water fountain, lights for evening visits and seasonal vendors.
Dozens of eclectic restaurants, refectories, galleries, and boutiques beckon, with the largest concentration of them along Howe Street. This picturesque setting has been the backdrop for numerous movies and TV productions, including “A Walk to Remember”, “Crimes of the Heart”, “The Secret Life of Bees” and “Safe Haven”.
