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My grandparents have a house outside of Wrightsville, and my family will soon be gathering there for our annual summer vacation.
I'd like to venture out one day for a day trip to the aquarium at Ft Fisher and to ride the ferry to Southport for lunch and shopping. I think my seven-year-old would really enjoy it.
What's the best schedule for this trip, do you think? Aquarium, ferry, then Southport? Or vice versa? Should I take my car on the ferry to SP? Can you walk to downtown? Suggestions for restaurants and shops?
Also thinking about tacking on a visit to Battleship NC in Wilmington. Do you think we could fit all of that in?
Downtown Southport is a bit far to walk from the ferry dock, especially with younger/older family members in hot weather.
The Battleship is a great place to visit, so is the aquarium. I would double check the hours of operation and ferry schedules but you could potentially do the aquarium in the morning (get an early start, plan on a couple of hours, hours 9 to 5), ferry over to Southport, eat downtown, visit a few shops (the kids will love Bullfrog Corner), then visit the Battleship later in the afternoon (hours are 8 to 8), (allow probably 2-3 hours). Ferry schedule is every 45 minutes from Ft Fisher to Southport at 1130, 1215, 1300, 1345.
It would take some planning and be a full day but I think you could do it.
Hit the aquarium at 9, plan on a 1215 or 1300 ferry, lunch and walk around Southport, visit the battle ship about 1530 - snack ... have dinner .. done
it is a grill located right on the harbor. they have a covered patio and get a nice breeze off the water. there is a dock for boats right there by the patio. it has this jimmy buffet type vibe
Downtown Southport is a bit far to walk from the ferry dock, especially with younger/older family members in hot weather.
The Battleship is a great place to visit, so is the aquarium. I would double check the hours of operation and ferry schedules but you could potentially do the aquarium in the morning (get an early start, plan on a couple of hours, hours 9 to 5), ferry over to Southport, eat downtown, visit a few shops (the kids will love Bullfrog Corner), then visit the Battleship later in the afternoon (hours are 8 to 8), (allow probably 2-3 hours). Ferry schedule is every 45 minutes from Ft Fisher to Southport at 1130, 1215, 1300, 1345.
It would take some planning and be a full day but I think you could do it.
Hit the aquarium at 9, plan on a 1215 or 1300 ferry, lunch and walk around Southport, visit the battle ship about 1530 - snack ... have dinner .. done
I second this itinerary. And you can't walk from the ferry to Southport, its close to 2 miles. When you leave S'port to go to the Battleship, don't get back on the ferry; instead, drive up to Wilmington via River Road (Hwy. 133) and Hwy 74.
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