Battleship North Carolina
A WWII veteran of every major Pacific battle.
Wilmington and Cape Fear
A handsome port on the Cape Fear River, with a battleship, a Riverwalk and beaches just over the bridge.
The USS North Carolina is moored across the river. Downtown's 19th-century streets and the movie studios have made this a popular film site. Wrightsville Beach is great for surfing, and Fort Fisher saw one of the Civil War's largest land-and-sea battles.
- Best Time
- April–June and September–October
- Time Needed
- 2 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About two and a half hours by car southeast of Raleigh.
What to See
1 of 3 are freeWrightsville Beach
A top East Coast beach.
Fort Fisher
Earthworks of the Confederacy's last big port.
Know Before You Go
- Hurricanes can hit from August to October.
Where to Stay
Stay downtown or at the beach.
Where to Eat
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
If You're NearbyRaleigh and Durham
North Carolina
North Carolina's Research Triangle: free state museums in Raleigh and Duke University's gardens and chapel in Durham.
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A 120-mile chain of barrier islands, from the Wright brothers' dunes down to the shipwreck museum, the free ferry and sandy old Ocracoke.
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If You're NearbyMyrtle Beach and Hilton Head
South Carolina
South Carolina's two seaside favorites: Myrtle Beach's 60-mile Grand Strand of boardwalks and golf, and quieter, leafy Hilton Head Island.
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Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Southeast list.