SPORTS & RECREATION / GETAWAYS & DAY TRIPS
Cape Fear Coast
Offering diverse attractions, the Cape Fear Coast region claims picturesque boardwalks, rich aquatic life, and a rare carnivorous plant. The Fisher Aquarium just east of the ferry landing reopened in 2002 after a $17.5 million expansion. Exhibits follow a Piedmont-to-the-ocean theme, following the Cape Fear River system. The remains of a Confederate stronghold, Fort Fisher, stands on 262 acres along U.S. Highway 421. North of Fort Fisher is Kure Beach, claiming the oldest fishing pier along the Atlantic Coast. Further north, Carolina Beach offers excursion boats for dinner, dancing, and scenic cruises. On the west side of Highway 421 is Carolina Beach State Park, favored for camping, hiking, and picnicking. One of the most popular trails winds through a bog with Venus Flytrap plants, an insect-eating plant that so rare it can only be found within 75 miles of Wilmington. For more information, contact:
Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau
877-945-6386
http://www.coasthost-nc.com/
Charleston, South Carolina
Often recognized among America’s most beautifully preserved architectural and historic treasures, Charleston claims a 300-year history. Hundreds of colonial and antebellum structures grace the charming streets in the Historic District. Among the virtually endless attractions are the Charles Towne Landing, the site of the original 1670 settlement; the Charleston Museum, distinguished as the nation’s first museum; and Patriots Point, the world’s largest Naval and maritime museum. Tour boats travel to the man-made island fortress of Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. Internationally famous plantations and gardens harmonize with lush sea islands and sun-kissed beaches, exceptional golf courses, charter fishing, wonderful shopping, and fine dining. For more information, contact:
Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-774-0006
https://www.charlestoncvb.com/
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Just a few hours drive from Charlotte in South Carolina, Hilton Head Island has been a leading vacation destination for decades. This sub-tropical setting offers pristine beaches washed by warm, gentle Atlantic waters for an atmosphere that is as relaxing as it is beautiful. In spite of the island’s close proximity to the mainland, visitors feel as if they have taken a cruise to another world apart from the traffic and crowds of many beach resort areas. Sport enthusiasts will enjoy some of the nation’s most highly acclaimed golf courses, beach volleyball, championship tennis, personal watercraft, kayaking, swimming, boating, sailing, parasailing, and biking along miles of serene island trails. Fine dining, shopping, and nightspots harmonize beautifully with the natural paradise to cater to every interest. Live entertainment creates a real “island” atmosphere when the sun’s crimson hues fade into a starry evening. For more information, contact:
Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau
800-523-3373
https://www.hiltonheadisland.org/
Outer Banks, North Carolina
First-rate surfing is only one of the many attractions that draw vacationers to the Outer Banks. This “land of beginnings” where England first tried to colonize the New World offers great piers that stretch into the Atlantic Ocean, spectacular surfing on restless waters, and shipwrecks that beckon adventurous divers. Not far from the windswept beach, the Wright Brothers ushered in the aviation age. Fortunately, the federal government realized the natural treasure of this area and protected the fragile environment of the islands as the nation’s first national seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Today, these sandy barrier islands allow visitors to enjoy breathtaking natural beauty in an atmosphere where the pace is slow, the feeling is relaxed, and recreational opportunities are unparalleled. For more information, contact:
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
877-629-4386
https://www.outerbanks.org/
Rockhouse Vineyards, North Carolina
Nestled in the southwestern corner of the state, the Tryon area reaches an altitude of 1,100 feet and maintains an average temperature of 60 degrees. The annual rainfall is 62 inches, creating a mild and lush environment that is ideal for growing grapes. Tryon played a significant role in North Carolina’s wine-making history, once home to more than 10 vineyards that distributed grapes to distant locations. Although the area’s importance as a grape-growing center diminished in the 1940s, recent years have seen a revitalization of this age-old industry. Rockhouse Vineyards near Metropolitan Charlotte produces a wide selection of wines that include Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, and Chambourcin. For more information on Rockhouse Vineyards and the other leading wineries and vineyards in North Carolina, contact:
North Carolina Grape Council
800-VISITNC
https://www.visitnc.com/wine
Trout Fishing
Newcomers to North Carolina who enjoy fishing will discover a natural paradise of ocean, river, stream, and lake environments. In fact, North Carolina ranks second only behind Idaho in the commercial production of rainbow trout. Would-be anglers need only purchase a North Carolina fishing license and a trout permit to enjoy some of the finest fishing in the nation. On the Cherokee Indian Reservation, the state license is replaced by a tribal fishing permit that is available at a number of reservation businesses. Beginners who have yet to master the intricate skill of fly-fishing can visit one of North Carolina’s many trout farms and bring in a large, fresh fish with a rod and a spinning reel. Several of these establishments offer scenic ponds that are stocked “to the gills” with hungry rainbows that are anxiously waiting the cast of a line. For more information on fishing at the Cherokee Indian Reservation, contact:
Cherokee Indian Reservation
828-497-3113
https://visitcherokeenc.com/#home
