Part of the business district on North Howe St., Southport's main street.
Southport, NC - Beyond the Ordinary
Founded as Smithville in 1792, renamed in 1887, Southport is celebrated for its picturesque waterfront, charming downtown, and status as a popular filming location. It also hosts an annual NC 4th of July Festival that attracts visitors from around the world. Some would characterize Southport as a quaint or sleepy seaside town, but in its quiet charm is hidden a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Southport is growing. It strives to balance the old and the new. Older sections of Southport nestled towards the riverfront retain their coastal charm and style, rarely found in other coastal towns. Oak Island, Southport's sister beach community, is five minutes away accessible by bridge. As a relative newcomer I love Southport's laid back vibe. The photos here show Southport is anything but ordinary.
Shops on S. Howe Street looking up from the Cape Fear River.
Wild By Nature flower shop on N. Howe Street.
Waterfront gift shop, a short walk from the Cape Fear River and Intracoastal Waterway.
Southport's 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.
Rear 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!
Always fresh caught at Potter's on the Basin.
The 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.
Arts and crafts vendors abound during Southport's numerous events and festivals.
Southport's fall Wooden Boat Show hosts hundreds of vendors and exhibits annually.
Franklin Square park in the downtown in spring.
Overlooking the Cape Fear River on the boardwalk at the Pilot's Tower.
Walking along the beach near the Pilot's Tower.
Southport sculpture at the Basin, a novel use of fishing floats.
The Mermaid of Howe Street stands watch in the Business District of Southport.
Downtown's main intersection of Howe and Moore Streets, home to a variety of popular shops and restaurants.
The Caswell Beach road at dusk leading up to the old lighthouse.
The Independent Future container ship on the Cape Fear. At the right place, at the right time you see ships heading out to sea.
A view of the popular Ports of Call Bistro on Howe St.
A quiet end to the evening along Howe Street in downtown Southport.
More to see of Southport on the People page. Click any button to continue.
