Local guide · Southport
North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
In this free state museum in Southport, kids can look through a real submarine periscope at ships on the river. The exhibits cover the pirates, shipwrecks and blockade runners of the Cape Fear.
Why families go
It’s a small museum that’s easy to love. Visitors praise the scavenger hunt, which keeps kids reading and exploring, and the periscope from the USS Dolphin is a hit. It’s a cool, free break from the heat on a Southport day, and it’s a short walk from the waterfront.
Don’t miss
- The submarine periscopeFrom the USS Dolphin, aimed at real river traffic.
- Pirates of the Cape FearIncluding Stede Bonnet, the ’gentleman pirate’ captured nearby in 1718.
- Shipwrecks and blockade runnersThe river’s Civil War story.
- The scavenger huntFree, and a favorite with kids.
Photo: NC Maritime Museum at Southport
Before you go
- Closed Sunday and Monday.
- Street parking only; it’s an easy walk from the waterfront park.
Plan your visit
- Where: 204 E. Moore St., Southport, NC 28461
- From Topsail: About 1 hour 20 minutes from central Surf City by road, or take the ferry from Fort Fisher.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (call ahead; some listings show 4 p.m.).
- Admission: Free (donations welcome).
- Official site: ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com
- More nearby: more family fun in Southport
A short drive from the island. Browse our Topsail Island vacation rentals, all cared for by our local team.
Based on official information from the attraction and on recurring themes in public reviews; checked October 2026. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.