Discover Southport’s captivating history on this 1.5-hour waterfront walking tour. Explore scenic views, pirate tales, and historic homes while uncovering the soul of coastal North Carolina.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels with minimal walking and no steep terrain.
Wildlife
History
Southport was established in 1792 and played key roles in maritime trade and Civil War coastal defense.
Conservation
Southport emphasizes sustainable tourism, encouraging walkers to stay on paths to protect fragile marshlands and wildlife habitats.
Wilmington Walking Tours
Discover Southport’s captivating history on this 1.5-hour waterfront walking tour. Explore scenic views, pirate tales, and historic homes while uncovering the soul of coastal North Carolina.
Wilmington Walking Tours offers guided walking tours in Wilmington, North Carolina, with additional experiences in nearby Southport. The business focuses on history and architecture, presenting routes through Wilmington’s National Register Historic District, Market Street Mansions, and Carolina Place neighborhoods. Tour options range from shorter neighborhood strolls to a half-day combination that pairs a historic neighborhood walk with entry to a Victorian mansion museum at a discounted rate.
Experiences include evening prohibition-era speakeasy tours that explore historic bars and the city’s architectural fabric, a happy hour history walk with local bar stops, a mansions and bungalows neighborhood tour, a sunset history and architecture loop that finishes with views over the Cape Fear, a general history and architecture walking tour through significant homes and churches, and a Southport waterfront walking tour along a scenic one-mile loop. Tours emphasize local stories from Colonial times through modern revitalization and highlight notable buildings, cemeteries, and waterfront sites.
Wilmington Walking Tours is featured on The Adventure Collective and lists tour durations, distances, and meeting locations publicly in each tour description. Prospective participants should consult individual tour listings for meeting points, exact start times, accessibility details, and any bundled museum admission information for combination packages.
Tours Offered
8 tours
History, architecture, and speakeasy walks
Typical Durations
1–4 hrs
Short walks to half-day combinations
Featured On
The Adventure Collective
Curated travel platform feature
Locations Covered
Wilmington & Southport
Historic downtown and waterfront tours
Secure tickets for history, architecture, sunset, or speakeasy experiences — view available dates and tour details to find the best fit.
Wear comfortable shoes
The tour involves a 1-mile walk on varied surfaces; sturdy walking shoes will keep you comfortable throughout.
Bring water
Stay hydrated, especially during warmer months as the tour is outdoors with limited shade.
Check weather before you go
Tours run rain or shine but waterproof gear is useful during wet conditions.
Arrive early
Arriving 10 minutes before tour start time ensures you don’t miss the introduction and can ask questions.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive footwear is key for enjoying the walking tour comfortably.
Sun hat
Protects against midday sun exposure on exposed waterfront areas.
summer
Light rain jacket
Useful for sudden spring showers common along the coast.
spring
Reusable water bottle
Keep hydrated with easy access to water during the tour.