2021 History Guide

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

All aboard for a fun exploration of the Port City that’s hosted by the Wilmington Trolley Company – an engaging tour company that allows new visitors and longtime Wilmington fans alike to explore the area...

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...

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...