Day Trippin the North Carolina Coast

Sometimes travel isn't just about the grand European trips or the African Safari getaways. Sometimes it's just about a change of scenery and not making your bed - the same old bed - everyday. I think it does everyone's mind good to have a change of scenery. And that's where your day trips or weekend getaways come in. We spent a day driving and ferrying the North Carolina coast for a fun day trip getaway - and it was a wonderful change of scenery.

Carolina Beach We began in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, a town on the Atlantic Coast of the Tarheel State. Carolina Beach has one of the last vintage boardwalks in the country and you can rent a surrey bike to pedal the family down the boardwalk. Or head to the famous Britt donuts - prepare to stand in line - for the homemade, hand glazed donuts. We chose to visit the Tiki Bar at Ocean Grill for a sunny day visit to watch the waves and have a beverage. The Tiki Bar is on the remnants of Center Pier which was destroyed by Hurricane Fran in 1996 and has been named one of the best beach bars in the US.( I went with the Chavo Habanero & Mango cider - which, though it doesn't sound it, was surprisingly tasty)

Fort Fisher State Historic Site Next we drove south through the town of Kure Beach and made our way to the Fort Fisher Historic Site. Fort Fisher was a Confederate Fort during the American Civil War. It's a National Historic Landmark and a State Historic Site located where the coast and the Cape Fear River meet. This fort was instrumental in keeping the port city of Wilmington safe until it fell to the Union in 1865. Today only 10% of the fort remains but you can visit the Visitor Center to learn more about it. You can also visit the wide beaches here, walk amongst the live oaks and see some of the state's only remaining coquina outcrop - mounds of clumped shells - in front of the seawall by the fort. 

Southport We caught the ferry at Fort Fisher to take us the 45 minute ride down the river to Southport. At Southport - a delightful river town where movies like Safe Haven were filmed - we drove the town and then stopped at the Old American Fish Company ( which was the restaurant Katie worked at in the movie) for Happy Hour. Perched where the Cape Fear River meets the Intracoastal Waterway, the Old American Fish Company is in a fantastic spot to watch the sunset. And that's just what we did. 

Provision Company Dinner was next door at Provision Company. One of the most unique places to eat in Southport, you order at the cashier and then pick our your drinks on the honor system. Once you've ordered, you head through the screen door to the patio on the Intracoastal Waterway. We enjoyed our dinner with sunset and water views - and it was the perfect end to a day on the North Carolina Coast.

How about you? Have you been to Fort Fisher? Or Southport? Do you enjoy a good day trip?


As I'm hitting publish on this post, the ginormous Hurricane Florence is bearing down on this part of the North Carolina coast - and South Carolina, also. We are in the middle of prepping for the storm at our house. Please keep this area in your prayers and send some good mojo their way, too. It seems they're going to need it. And once the storm has passed and clean-up finished,which is far down the road,  consider a trip to the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts - one of the best remedies to help a storm stricken area is to bring in tourism dollars. You may also donate to the American Red Cross monetarily here:
https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-florence-donations.html/?cid=hurflorence&med=cpc&source=google&scode=RSG00000E017&gclid=CjwKCAjwuO3cBRAyEiw
or always give of your time if available.


Linking up with: Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global, The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and Sharon's Souvenirs!