When it comes to charming coastal towns that will make you feel like you’ve been dropped into a movie set, North Carolina sure is not spoiled for choice. One such town was so darn charming that I decided I needed to write about it. And that town is Southport, North Carolina.
Located about halfway between Wilmington, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Southport is a historic coastal town on the Intercoastal Waterway at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, close to the Brunswick Islands (a great beach destination).
The town dates back to the mid-1700s, and today is one of the nicest small coastal towns in North Carolina (Coastal Living Magazine even named Southport “America’s Happiest Seaside Town”). And there’s quite a lot to do here, considering its size!
From museums to outdoor activities on the water, here are the best things to do in Southport.
Best things to do in Southport, North Carolina
I visited Southport during the quiet shoulder season one April (and excellent time for a beach location if you hate the oppressive heat of mid-summer!), and absolutely loved it. Here were my favorite things I did there:
1. Learn about local history at the Fort Johnston Museum & Visitor Center
Southport has centuries of history that you can discover at the Fort Johnston Museum & Visitor Center. Fort Johnston was constructed in 1745 to defend the Cape Fear River from potential Spanish attacks, and the town of Southport was officially established in 1792.
You can learn more about the fort’s history at this museum, as well as the history of the town. It’s also a great place to grab some information on the best things to do in Southport.
The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
2. Take a movie and TV location golf cart tour
For such a small town (the population is just over 4,000 residents), Southport has a surprising track record as a filming location for many popular movies and TV shows! Parts of movies like A Walk to Remember, The Secret Life of Bees, and Safe Haven, and TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Under the Dome were filmed in Southport.
You can see filming locations from many of these productions on a golf cart tour with Southport Fun Tours. You’ll also ride through the town’s historic waterfront district and get recommendations on the best spots to check out from your local guide.
Tours are $15 for adults and $7 for children aged 12 and under.
(And you can visit some other movie locations on your own, including the Southport Historic Riverwalk Marsh boardwalk, which ends in a wooden gazebo that was used in A Walk to Remember.)
3. Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum
Another museum in Southport that’s worth checking out is the North Carolina Maritime Museum. As you can probably guess by the name, this museum focuses on the history of Southport’s nearby waterways. Its coastal location made it a strategic port historically, so there’s plenty of maritime history.
And if the idea of maritime history doesn’t sound too thrilling to you, you might be surprised. This museum houses interesting exhibits on everything from pirates to shipwrecks to storms.
The museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free.
4. Stroll through Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is a great park along the Cape Fear River in downtown Southport. This is an excellent place to take a stroll along the waterfront, especially in the evening around sunset.
There’s a pier that you can walk down, as well as plenty of benches and rocking chairs along a paved path where you can simply sit and relax while enjoying the view.
5. Shop downtown
Southport has an adorable downtown core, with lots of unique shops and boutiques to explore. There are gift shops, home good shops, and even a few good antique stores. One shop you can’t miss is The Christmas House, which is a year-round Christmas store.
6. Get out on the water
One of the things you must do in Southport is get out on the water! A great way to do that is with a boat tour. The scenery around Southport is beautiful, with numerous islands and waterways to navigate and see.
You can take a sightseeing cruise with Southport Water Tours, a private sunset charter with Southport By Seaside, or even a dolphin-watching tour with Captain Andy Water Tours. These will take you into both the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway.
7. Rent a kayak
Renting a kayak is another great way to get out on the water. Some of the best places to launch your kayak are Waterfront Park, Dutchman Creek Park, and Southport Marina, and Mr. Beach Rentals offers kayak rentals.
If you aren’t a confident kayaker or just want the expertise of a local guide, you can also book a kayaking tour with a company like TourH2O Southport or The Adventure Kayak Company.
8. Book a fishing trip
Southport is a popular destination for fishing, too, with several good areas for fishing in the waterways around town. The best way to experience fishing in Southport if you’re just visiting is to book a tour.
Two of the best companies for fishing trips in Southport are Fish Southport and Bald Head Island Charters. You can expect to fish for things like red fish (red drum), flounder, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, gray trout, Cape Fear tarpon, and even sharks.
NOTE: You’ll need a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License to fish anywhere in Southport; these are $10 for non-residents, and you can purchase one at any bait shop, or simply buy one online.
9. Eat fresh seafood at the Southport Yacht Basin
Naturally, with its coastal location, Southport is also a great destination for fresh seafood! Down by the Southport Yacht Basin, you’ll find several waterfront restaurants where you can eat your fill of delicious seafood.
Some of the best spots to check out are Fishy Fishy Cafe and the Provision Company, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them here, as they all get their fresh seafood straight off the fishing boats moored nearby.
10. Visit the Silver Coast Winery Tap & Tasting Room
Silver Coast Winery is actually located in Ocean Isle Beach, which is about 40 minutes from Southport. However, the winery has a tasting room located in downtown Southport!
You can enjoy tastings of their award-winning local wines, as well as craft beer tastings. There’s also an art gallery and gift shop where you can shop for the perfect souvenir from your trip to Southport.
11. Have a beach day
Finally, one of the best things to do in Southport is to have a beach day! There aren’t actually any proper beaches in Southport – the closest thing you’ll find is the parks along the waterfront.
But if you’re looking for actual sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, there are several that are easily accessible from Southport. One great beach to visit is Oak Island Beach, which is just a 15-minute drive from Southport. Another option is nearby Caswell Beach, which is also a 15-minute drive from Southport.
Both of these are great spots to spend the day relaxing on the beach. Both beaches offer free parking nearby, and there are several waterfront restaurants where you can grab lunch or dinner on your beach day.
Southport is such a charming coastal town, and makes a great addition to any trip to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands region.
Have you been to Southport? If so, what’s your favorite thing to do there?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she’s actually traveled!
