All about Southport
Wilmington, North Carolina is located in Hancock County. With a population of nearly 76,000, it serves as the county seat Settled on the Cape Fear River, Wilmington offers its historic downtown as a main tourist attraction and business center and is minutes away from nearby beaches. The city residents have the advantage of living nestled between a river and the ocean.
Wilmington is also known as the childhood home of basketball great Michael Jordan and journalist David Brinkley; famous Wilmington natives include Sugar Ray Leonard, Charles Kuralt, Charlie Daniels, Roman Gabriel and Meadowlark Lemon. It is also home to the WWII Battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55). Now a war memorial, the ship is open to public tours and is on display across from the downtown port area.
During the Civil War the port was a major base for Confederate blockade runners. Since almost all the action was some distance from the city itself, a number of Antebellum homes and other buildings are still extant. See the historic district's mansions and landmark buildings via horse-drawn trolley or carriage tour, riverboat cruise, restored trolley car, or take a walking tour
Due to Wilmington's location on the Cape Fear River near the Atlantic Ocean, water sports and beachcombing are popular activities. Kayaking, sailing, golf and sun bathing can be enjoyed for much of the year. For scuba divers the thousands of wrecks off the coast makes Wilmington a great destination to practice diving techniques. Anglers come to the Cape Fear Coast's for more than 60 fishing boat charters and a dozen or so annual fishing tournaments.
Pleasure Island offers the beach lover more than most costal regions can think about delivering to visitors. It's Boardwalk, piers, marinas and amusement park add to its appeal. There are party cruises, deep sea fishing excursions, shopping and attractions galore, including a state park where you can wind your way through nature trails. North of Pleasure Island is Wrightsville Beach, take a harbor cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway or visit the island's history museum.