Attractions in Southport/Oak Island/Bald Head, NC

Southport, NC Attractions

Waterfront views, annual community events and nautical history characterize Southport, NC. The Southport Visitors Center located in the Fort Johnston Garrison House on Davis Street is a great place to begin. You will find a fascinating wall-display of the film history of the area; historical artifacts and playbills from Southport's cinema appearances. Pick up a complimentary brochure for the Southport Trail, and enjoy the leisurely pace of your own self-guided tour. One of the friendly and knowledgeable volunteers will be happy to guide you on your way.

Adjacent to the visitors center is the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. Wander through the museum on your own or take a guided tour. Enjoy the exhibits of maritime life from the time of American Indians to the present; including a pirate exhibit, and interactive exhibits such as a deep diving research periscope, and a nautical knot board. You can purchase souvenirs, including pirate memorabilia, from the gift shop.

If you are interested in chartering a sailing cruise you may want to check out Priority Sailing. S/V Kelly Allen Cruises offers cruises aboard the Kelly Allen, a 37-foot O'Day center cockpit, sloop.

Landlubbers can participate in a lantern-lit Ghost Walk, recounting spooky tales of this port town. Historical Southport Bicycle Tours offer another informative and fun way to learn about the town; contact Emma at The Adventure Kayak Company in the 800 block of N. Howe Street. If you prefer to simply stroll the tree-lined streets, there are a number of sites you will not want to overlook. Southport’s oldest churches, Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip's on E. Moore Street and Trinity United Methodist Church on E. Nash Street; both are lovely to behold yet distinctly different. You can visit The Grove at Franklin Square Park on Howe Street, where the low walls were constructed of ballast stones, remnants from ships that sailed these waters more than 100 years ago. Stroll to Keziah Memorial Park on W. Moore Street, where the main attraction is the Indian Trail Tree estimated to be more than 800 years old. You will find a free library here where you can take a book, leave a book. At the corner of Nash and Rhett Streets you will find the Old Brunswick Jail and across Rhett Street, the Old Smithville Burial Ground. Then head back to Waterfront Park at Bay and Howe Streets and relax on the swings while taking in the gorgeous water views.

Oak Island, NC Attractions

It should come as no surprise that most of the attractions on Oak Island are nature related. Though the island has quite a large year-round population, it is a family vacation destination. You will find uncrowded beaches, fishing piers, nature trails, nature centers, lighthouse tours, outdoor arts festivals and more.

At the eastern tip of the island, in Caswell Beach, sits namesake Fort Caswell. The earthen ramparts here are the remains of the original 2,800 acres of the fort and make for interesting exploration. The Town of Oak Island maintains a number of Environmental Overlook Trails. At the western end of the island, paths wander through the dunes and stop at overlook points where you may see indigenous animals and shorebirds. You will find The Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden on the trail behind the Recreation Center at 3003 E. Oak Island Drive. Here there are elevated platforms overlooking the path. To the east end of 31st Street, next to the Oak Island Recreation Center, is Tidal Waves Park. You can bring a picnic lunch and dine al fresco at a small picnic shelter near the floating dock – then launch your canoe or kayak and paddle at your leisure using the canoe/kayak trail maps from the recreation center. The Environment Crossover is here as well. You can walk across Davis Canal to the adjacent wetlands on this elevated boardwalk. The trail winds through the trees to the south side of the island where a crossover walk will take you to the ocean.

The town operates the Ocean Education Center located on SE 49^th St., across the street from the beach and the Oak Island Nature Center. Located on the north side of the island at NE 52^nd Street and Yacht Drive, the nature center offers walking trails.

The Oak Island Lighthouse in Caswell Beach makes for an interesting visit and tours to the top of the structure can be arranged in advance.

Bald Head Island, NC Attractions

On Bald Head Island you will find some unique attractions. You will most likely ride the Bald Head Island Ferry to the island and that in itself is an exhilarating experience – especially if you ride outside. You can climb to the top of the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina, named Old Baldy, for a bird’s eye view of this intriguing island. You can visit the Smith Island Museum located next to the lighthouse. You can go on a turtle walk, hike the trails of the maritime forest, take a guided nature tour and visit the nature center all provided under the auspices of the Bald Head Island Conservancy, located at 7000 Federal Road. You can go kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing or canoeing. You can drive a golf cart all around the island, play a round of golf, or spend the day at the beach watching shorebirds fly by. You may choose to take the Bald Head Island Historic Tour which combines a number of the aforementioned activities and includes lunch at Mojo’s on the Harbor.