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!
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.
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!
Hahaha, you are so right, travel isn't always about exotic destinations, but simply just about a change of scenery and not making your bed. You were lucky to have visited North Carolina during such a beautiful time of year. I can't imagine what must be there right now, with this hurricane. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteThey got hit badly - very badly - and the Provision Company showed damage they suffered online. Fortunately, there was advance warning so people were able to get out and evacuate. Thanks for visiting, Anda - and for the link-up!
DeleteNorth Carolina's coastline is sooo pretty! Hopefully after Hurricane Florence it will look like this again soon enough! Would love to drive the entire length! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
ReplyDelete(www.caliglobetrotter.com)
I agree - it is so pretty! It's definitely one of my happy places. Every time I visit I think, Why don't I visit here more often? I'd love to drive the entire length also. And they got hit badly - very badly. It will be awhile for recovery. Thanks for the link-up - and for visiting!
DeleteIt's sad that I live in NC but rarely go to the beaches in the southern part of the state. My home is really the coast of Virginia, so I grew up on vacationing in the Outer Banks and that has just stuck with me! I really would love to visit Southport at some point and hope they weather the storm well. I have seen some photos from Wilmington and Wrightsville from yesterday and it is definitely going to take some time to clean up after this!
ReplyDeleteI love the Outer Banks, too! I hope you make it to Southport someday. It's one of my favorites.
DeleteAnd I've seen the destruction from Florence and it's bad - but at least they had advance warning so people could evacuate. The flooding is what will be so hard to recover from
Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
I agree, a change of venue has many benefits. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteWe loved our RV trip along the Carolina Coast i....your pics are great and bring back memories of the beauty and interest and good food. ....(Our visit was around eight years ago) , but all along as I read I kept thinking how I hoped all these beaches and places are still there and undamaged by the wrath of Florence.....horrid storm. Sounds as if you live in its path...be safe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool place to RV! The Wilmington, New Bern and Lumberton areas were decimated and are still flooded - across the river or north of where we were. I saw photos of Southport's Provision Company and it is underwater but it looks like they prepared as best as they could - and I'm sure they will repair. I was prepared for flooding and power outages where I live but Florence turned north before it got to me. My prayers go out to all that were affected and struggling.
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