Wonders of Wilmington Abound
Beach blankets, loggerhead turtles and some history in the sands.
Looking for a destination which will please every interest and age group? Your quest needs to include Wilmington NC's Carolina and Kure Beaches!
Grab your boogie boards, sunscreen and curiosity its time to head for some of Wilmington’s beaches. Better yet – decrease your drive time and increase your beach time by staying at a beach hotel like the Courtyard by Marriott on Carolina Beach.
Cruising into Kure (cure-ee) Beach the houses get more colorful. So do some of the fish at the nearby North Carolina State Aquarium at Ft. Fisher.
A school of sculpted fish greets visitors at the entrance.
The first exhibit is the “Cape Fear Conservatory”, and highlights the many paths the river takes before reaching the Atlantic.
Mists periodically envelope the walkways and exhibits where spotted turtles, Venus flytraps, alligators and largemouth bass are among some of the residents. Next wander into the varied waters as the river rolls into the ocean and beyond.
Throughout the facility; blue-shirted staff and volunteers are ready to answer questions –even ones you did not think to ask.
Size of an adult loggerhead turtle’s brain? Walnut sized.
Look around every corner because something of interest is waiting!
A tank of stingrays, suspended sharks chasing schools of mackerel, life-sized replicas of “Salt” and “Salsa” and TV screens with fishy factoids.
Want to experience our finned friends’ lives? Go to the multi-storied Cape Fear Shoals tank.
Inside are hundreds of fish including barracudas, tarpon, rough tail stingrays and sandbar sharks. Want a really good look? Go downstairs and seat in the popeyed window. Be prepared for some thrills. Also check for the scheduled feedings.
From nature to history is covered at the aquarium, but for more of the region’s colorful history – be sure to stop at Ft. Fisher State Park.
In early 1865 Union troops won a decisive battle, which some say was the final blow to the Confederacy. The museum in free and takes about 20 – 30 minutes to walk though.
With interesting exhibits of period clothing, an interactive map and recordings of simulated soldiers voices wafting overhead – anyone can follow the days of war and glory.
Ready for some rays? Ft. Fisher State Park or the Carolina Beach State Park provide terrific tanning spots.
Need more information?
http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ncparks.html
Just a note –North Carolina celebrates is diverse coastline with three aquariums. The other two are at Pine Knolls off Atlantic Beach, and by Ft Raleigh on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks. Visiting all three lets you appreciate Nature and her waters.
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