Beyond the Ordinary
Founded as Smithville in 1792 and renamed in 1887, Southport is celebrated for its picturesque waterfront, charming downtown, and status as a popular filming location for various movies and TV shows. It also hosts a large annual NC 4th of July Festival that attracts visitors from around the world. Oak Island, Southport's sister beach community, is five minutes away accessible by bridge. Some would characterize Southport as a quaint or sleepy seaside town, but in its quiet charm is hidden a vibrant arts and recreation scene. As it grows Southport strives to balance the old with the new. The older sections of Southport nestled towards the riverfront retain their coastal charm and style, rarely found in other coastal towns. As a relative newcomer and loving it, I would characterize Southport as being beyond the ordinary.
A view of N. Howe St., Southport's main street.
Shops on S. Howe Street looking north, up from the Cape Fear River.
A quaint flower shop on N. Howe Street.
Waterfront gift shop, a short walk from the Cape Fear River and Intracoastal Waterway.
The City Pier, a popular fishing spot and pedestrian walkway.
Popular restaurants nestled along Yacht Basin Drive. The specialty of course is seafood.
Looking south along Yacht Basin Dr. to the restaurant district.
A view of waterfront restaurants along the Old Yacht Basin and marina.
Nouvelle cuisine eateries off N. Howe Street, popular with locals and visitors alike, serve up a variety of dishes. Not all seafood in Southport!
Southport water tower.
Southport's iconic Pilot's Tower.
View of the Oak Island water tower.
The Historic Riverwalk shoreline is a popular walking and shell hunting spot.
W. Brunswick St. Pier extends into the Old Yacht Basin providing a popular fishing and resting spot.
Downtown's main intersection of Howe and Moore Streets is home to a variety of popular shops and restaurants.
The mermaid of Howe Street stands watch in the Business District of Southport.
The Caswell Beach road on Oak Island at dusk leading up to the lighthouse.
Being at the right place at the right time one can watch ships heading out to sea. Here it's the Independent Future, one of the larger ships on the Cape Fear.
A slow week night at the Bistro on Howe St.
A quiet end to the evening in downtown Southport.
More to see of Southport on the People page. Click any button to continue.
