New Hanover County: Coast between the Atlantic and Cape Fear River

New Hanover County lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. Coastal landscapes and waterways are among the possible outing themes, along with forests, swamps and gardens. The Venus flytrap is native to Carolina Beach State Park. Here, the 3-mile Sugarloaf Trail winds through evergreen forest, Carolina bays, coastal sandhills, a longleaf pine savanna and a cypress swamp. The variety of habitats makes the trail interesting beyond its coastal setting.

Coastal trails, dunes and access to the water

Sugarloaf Dune also makes its own impression: the 50-foot-high dune served as a landmark for boaters on the Cape Fear River for more than three centuries. The marina at Carolina Beach State Park provides access to both the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway. You can include the landscape and waterways in your outing plans without reducing the park to a beach view.

At Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, the grounds provide access to a beach for four-wheel-drive vehicles. A salt marsh trail leads to an observation platform overlooking Zeke’s Island and the Cape Fear River. This is a different focus on nature than the Sugarloaf Trail: at Fort Fisher, marshland and views take center stage, while the trail at Carolina Beach State Park passes through several habitats.

Fort Fisher: Landscape and history

Fort Fisher kept the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners until the final months of the Civil War, allowing them to transport essential goods to Confederate armies inland. A tour route with 15 informational panels runs around the restored remains of the historic fort. You can explore the area as both a landscape and a history destination.

Gardens and nature watching

The historic grounds of Airlie Gardens cover more than 67 acres and include gardens, walking paths and historic structures. A self-guided tour takes you through more than a dozen gardens; more than 200 bird species have also been observed there. History tours are scheduled for the first and third Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Check the dates before your visit, as the schedule may change.

The New Hanover County Arboretum offers a different garden focus. The 7-acre educational green space opened on October 5, 1989, and includes more than 10 gardens designed for local homeowners and landscape designers. While Airlie Gardens also includes walking paths and historic structures alongside its gardens, the arboretum gardens are designed around specific interests in garden planning.

Wilmington: Market, museum and aquarium experiences

The Wilmington Farmers Market takes place year-round every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Discovery Bay is a mini-aquarium experience at Independence Mall in Wilmington. Offerings there include encounters with ambassador animals, habitats for marine and freshwater species, and environmental education programs.

The new home of the Cape Fear Museum includes a 60-seat planetarium and Port City Play, an area for young children. These are two distinct offerings: the planetarium and a dedicated space for the youngest visitors. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher closed on May 26, 2026, for a multiyear renovation and expansion; the project was expected to take more than two years.

Using outings to guide your hotel search

When searching for a hotel in New Hanover County, you can first decide which outings you want to shape your stay: coastal and river landscapes, historic sites, gardens or attractions in Wilmington.

Discover more destinations: Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Yadkin County, Ashe County, Polk County, Mitchell County, Pitt, Wake.

For the overview of destinations: North Carolina.