The Area

Southport, NC

Time has not forgotten Southport. Although it still remains a small community of about 2,600 full time residents, Southport has and continues to be a major destination for those who like to boat and/or fish. In fact, Southport is drawn from its quiet sleepiness every year during the Cape Fear Fishing Tournament, when thousands descend upon the coast to participate in the annual event. Southport also happens to be the site of the filming of many major motion pictures including “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Crimes of the Heart” as well as serving as the exterior scenery for the television show, “Dawson’s Creek.” Southport does cater mostly to those who appreciate the beauty of the landscape including bikers, fishermen, boaters and kayakers, and yet despite that, Southport continues to be a destination for those seeking that authentic small town Southern charm.

Southport has always and will likely to continue to be, a small, quiet, peaceful hamlet where the land and water are of paramount importance, where the food is always warm, and where people still say hello to each other when they walk down the street. All who live there will almost certainly tell you they are proud to call Southport their home.

Wilmington, NC

North of Carolina Beach and west of Wrightsville sits the Port City of Wilmington and all that it has to offer. For years, Wilmington has been a target location for many people looking to vacation in an area with a broad spectrum of social diversity. Its proximity to the beaches of the Cape Fear, as well as its rich history and temperate climate, make it an ideal spot that many call home. But what brings many people to Wilmington?

Historic Downtown Wilmington is a favorite for many who come to catch a glimpse at beautiful Antebellum architecture, such as the Bellamy Mansion Museum. Built from 1859-1861, gutted by fire in 1972, and finally restored and opened in 1994, the Mansion plays host to historic and design arts exhibits, as well as the occasional wedding and formal. Just a walk through the gardens shows the beauty that Wilmington has continued to maintain for hundreds of years. In addition, a stroll down Market Street through the historic district, beneath the shade of Spanish moss-draped trees, is a wonderful exploration of the growth of the city, from 1729 to today, and beyond to the future.

The downtown area is alive with numerous shops for all tastes, be it clothing, antiques, or unique wares, like the shops at Chandler’s Wharf and the Cotton Exchange. Restaurants such as Roy’s Riverboat Landing, with Sweetheart Balconies overlooking the Cape Fear River, or Elijah’s and The Pilot House, with deck seating along the Riverwalk path, present many local and world cuisines for every pallet. As you stroll along the Riverwalk path, look just across the river to see the USS North Carolina, permanently moored as a Monument and Museum. Nightlife is in no short supply, with various establishments offering live music throughout the week. Level 5 at City Stage, built in 1899 and with the theatre added in 1914, features comedy troupes weekly, as well as a number of musicals and plays throughout the year. Thalian Hall, the oldest continuously operating little theatre company in the United States, was built in 1855 and hosts a number of performing arts events to this day.