Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.ncparks.gov
;
8am-9pm Jun-Aug, shorter hours Sep-May)
draws crowds to its
reconstructed Civil War fort.
Wilmington
If you're driving down the coast, carve out a day or two for Wilmington. This seaside
charmer may not have the name recognition of Charleston and Savannah, but eastern
North Carolina's largest city has historic neighborhoods, azalea-choked gardens and cute
cafes aplenty. All that plus reasonable hotel prices and a lack of crowds. At night the his-
toric riverfront downtown becomes the playground for local college students, tourists and
the occasional Hollywood type - there are so many movie studios here the town has
earned the nickname 'Wilmywood.'
Sights
Wilmington sits at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, about 8 miles from the beach. The
historic
riverfront
is perhaps the city's most important sight, abounding with boutiques
and boardwalks.
through evening.
Cape Fear Serpentarium
SNAKE ZOO
( 910-762-1669;
www.capefearserpentarium.com
;
20 Orange St; admission $8; 11am-5pm
Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat & Sun)
Herpetologist Dean Ripa's museum is fun and informative - if
you don't mind standing in a building slithering with venomous snakes, giant constrict-
ors and big-teethed crocodiles. They're all behind glass but…ssssssss. Just hope there's
not an earthquake. One sign explains the effects of a bite from a bushmaster: 'It is better
to just lie down under a tree and rest, for you will soon be dead.' Enjoy!
The Serpentarium may close on Monday and Tuesday in the off-season. Live feedings
are held at 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, but call ahead to confirm.
Battleship North Carolina
HISTORIC SHIP
(
www.battleshipnc.com
;
1 Battleship Rd; adult/child $12/6; 8am-5pm Sep-May, to 8pm Jun-Aug)
Take a river taxi ($5 round-trip) or cross the Cape Fear Bridge to get here. Self-guided
tours take you through the decks of this 45,000-ton megaship, which earned 15 battle
stars in the Pacific theater in WWII before being decommissioned in 1947.
