New Hanover Beaches

Captivating Vacation Destination

New Hanover County, formed in 1729, is in the southeastern section of North Carolina and is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Fear River, and Brunswick and Pender counties. It lies midway between New York and Florida along the southeastern coast of North Carolina, and it consists of several towns and cities including Cape Fear, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Kure Beach, Pleasure Island and Wrightsville Beach.

The history of the area directly coincides with its proximity to the water. Without the existence of a relatively narrow river, there probably would have been no successful European settlements here.

That river, the Cape Fear River, is a deep, fast-moving body of water beginning at the confluence of the Haw and Deep rivers near Greensboro. It winds through Fayetteville and empties into the Atlantic Ocean 200 miles south of its original source.

Historic Wilmington and North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast boasts 31 miles of pristine shoreline with sandy island beaches and a historic riverfront town. Area attractions, more than 45 in all, include gardens, historic sites and homes, museums and movie studios. From art galleries, to unique architecture, to an active arts scene, to annual festivals, to year-round golf, to fishing (off piers, the shore and deep-sea charters)-New Hanover County has it all, and then some.

In addition to the Cape Fear River's influence, the area is also shaped around its involvement in the Revolutionary War, Civil War and World War II. In January 1865, Fort Fisher in Kure Beach provided one mile of sea defense and one-third of a mile of land defense. More than 500 African Americans, both slave and free, worked with Confederate soldiers on its construction. Fort Fisher was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. When Fort Fisher fell on January 15, 1865, its defeat helped seal the fate of the Confederacy. Two major battles were fought there, and many Union soldiers received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their gallant participation in that fighting.

Before its fall, Fort Fisher kept Federal blockading ships at a distance from the Cape Fear River and protected Wilmington from attack, also providing safer passage for Confederate naval travel.

About 10 percent of Fort Fisher's original structures still stand, along with a restored palisade fence. The North Carolina Underwater Archaeology headquarters is also located on the property.

Brunswick is another area steeped in war history. In 1726, this port town was founded and quickly became a busy shipping area for exporting tar, pitch, and turpentine. The port of Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old Brunswick village site. In the late 50s and early 60s, archaeologists uncovered foundations from Brunswick's earliest days. The most visible structure is that of St. Philip's Anglican Church, with surviving walls dating back to 1754. Another foundation is Russellborough, an old sea captain's house that was used by royal governors.

There is also a cannon on display that was recovered from the river in 1986 and is believed to be from the Spanish ship Fortuna, which blew up in the river as the townspeople regained control of the port.

"New Town" or "Newton" was the first county seat. It was changed to Wilmington in 1739. New Hanover County was named in honor of the royal family of England, members of the House of Hanover. In 1840, Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina. Nicknamed the Port City, it rivaled other southern ports such as Charleston, Galveston and New Orleans.

When the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad pulled out of Wilmington in the 60s, the city spiraled downward. It was only after local entrepreneurs revitalized and restored Wilmington that, in 1974, downtown Wilmington became the state's largest urban district listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Wilmington is still one of North Carolina's largest historic districts, numbering approximately 230 blocks.

Across the river from Wilmington, on Eagles Island, sits the Battleship North Carolina, a restored World War II memorial.

Architecture fanatics and history buffs will enjoy the number of Victorian, Georgian, Italianate and antebellum-style homes, buildings and churches that have been carefully restored in Wilmington. Many of these buildings are used today as museums, shopping venues and bed-and-breakfasts.

Downtown Wilmington offers something for everyone, from shopping, to exciting evening options, to theatrical productions, to coffeehouses and restaurants. Active visitors will also enjoy the area's many golf courses, parks, entertainment complexes, and plantations.

And both locals and visitors enjoy traditional festivals including the North Carolina Azalea Festival and RiverFest.

You can open a window into the past at the North Carolina Room at the New Hanover County Public Library, throughout the Cotton Exchange and at Chandler's Wharf in downtown Wilmington, at the Cape Fear Museum, and at the Wilmington Railroad Museum.

Wrightsville Beach, one of the two barrier islands on the Cape Fear Coast, was established in 1899 and was once accessible only by water. The beach offers many relaxing activities including beachcombing, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and fishing. Exercise can be found at the city park, replete with tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts, and football and soccer fields. There's also the "Loop," a fitness trail that circles the inner island. For water lovers, there are full-service marinas and charter cruises. And historians can visit the island's museum of history and narrated scenic cruises along the Intra-Coastal Waterway.

Wrightsville Beach locals and visitors celebrate the annual Lumina Daze festival and Castles & Scoops Sand Sculpting Contest, held each summer, and the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla.

Established in 1857, Carolina Beach is located on Pleasure Island, the larger of two barrier islands on the Cape Fear Coast. Carolina Beach establishments include marinas, the Boardwalk, piers, a Ferris wheel, gazebo, arcade, and specialty shops.

Fishing is very popular, and there are many favorite spots on piers, in the surf and on deep-sea charter boats. Hikers, picnickers, and campers can enjoy the state park, and waterslides, miniature golf, and a large amusement are great family and kid activities. Annual festivals include the Island of Lights Holiday Flotilla (lighted boat parade) and the Beach Blast Music Festival.

At the southern tip of Pleasure Island is Kure Beach, which offers scenic views of the Cape Fear River, the Atlantic Ocean, and Zeke's Island estuarine complex. Anglers love the 711-foot long Kure Beach Fishing Pier, and historians can tour the remains of Fort Fisher.

Next to the fort is the North Carolina Aquarium, with a 235,000-gallon saltwater tank and a 20,000-square-foot conservatory, as well as live exhibits of sharks, sea turtles, alligators, and other native marine life.

The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a state park with a four-mile stretch of undeveloped beach and several amenities. The Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry offers views of the Cape Fear River. Area festivals include the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival.

Due to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach have subtropical climates year-round. Typical summer temperatures are in the 80s, there are mild seasons, and about 212 sunny days and an average winter temperature of 50 degrees.

Among the many area attractions already mentioned, there are three more that you won't want to miss.

Airlie Gardens, which encompasses 67 acres of Southern gardens with 10 acres of freshwater lakes, also features azaleas, camellias, statuary and the historic Airlie Oak. The once privately owned garden was purchased for the public by New Hanover County in January 1999 and is located near Wrightsville Beach.

The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts was incorporated in 1963 under the name of the Thalian Hall Commission for the purposes of restoring and operating historic Thalian Hall as a regional center for the performing arts. In 1990 in co-operation with the City of Wilmington, the stage was renovated and the building was expanded by 25,000 square feet. That addition houses the new entrance lobby, box office, stage right extension, studio theatre and administrative offices. Thalian Hall forms the east wing of Wilmington's City Hall and is located four blocks east of the Cape Fear River in Wilmington's historic central business district.

The Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington is the only institution in the U.S. dedicated primarily to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the art of North Carolina. The 42,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility features a permanent collection of North Carolina and American art from the 18th century to the present, as well as the color prints of Mary Cassatt. Also featured are a sculpture garden, "The Forks" restaurant, the Pancoe Art Education Center and an expansive museum shop.

There is one Interstate Highway, I-40, as well as U.S. Highways 17, 74/76, 117, 421 in the area. In addition to driving, there are also air and sea travel options in and out of the area.

There are four area airports. Major airline service is offered through two - Wilmington International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport. Brunswick County is midway between both airports and about 45 minutes away from each. There are also two small airports in Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island.

The New Hanover Beaches

• New Hanover Beaches
• Carolina Beach
• Kure Beach
• Topsail Island
• Wilmington
• Wrightsville Beach

Discover New Hanover Beaches!

• New Hanover Area Activities
• New Hanover Area Attractions
• New Hanover Area Restaurants
• New Hanover Area Services
• New Hanover Area Shopping
• New Hanover Area Entertainment
• New Hanover Area Churches
• New Hanover Area Golf
• New Hanover Area Weddings

For More Information

• NCBeaches.com
• Cape Fear Coast CVB
• Wilmington Chamber of
  Commerce
• Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce
• Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce