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Cape Fear River Circle Tour A Circle Tour brochure is available at the ferry
offices; the Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, 24 N. Third
Street, Wilmington, (910) 341-4030; and visitor information racks
throughout the area. It directs you around a loop that includes a ride
on the Fort Fisher/Southport ferry and connects Wilmington, Pleasure
Island, Southport and eastern Brunswick County. The Circle Tour will
bring you to seven major attractions: Battleship North Carolina
(fee), Orton Plantation Gardens (fee), Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson
(free), Southport Maritime Museum (fee), Progress Energy's Brunswick
Nuclear Plant (free), North Carolina Aquarium (fee) and Fort Fisher
Civil War Museum (free). Total time for driving is about two hours,
which includes about 30 minutes riding the ferry. The brochure provides
information on the attractions and ferry schedule. Historic Poplar Grove Plantation This 1850 Greek Revival house and plantation were supported by as many as 64 slaves prior to the Civil War. Today, costumed guides lead visitors through this lovingly restored mansion and recount the plantation's history. Skills important to daily nineteenth-century life, such as spinning, weaving, smithery and basketry, are frequently demonstrated, and visitors are invited to walk the estate's grounds and view the plantation's outbuildings, including a tenant house, an outdoor kitchen and more. The 63-acre Abbey Nature Preserve has a 2.4-mile nature trail winding through woods and crossing over the mill pond. Once the original site of Poplar Grove's gristmill, the preserve is now part of the North Carolina Birding Trail system and a wonderful escape from the city. Poplar Grove, dedicated to education, preservation and service to the community, maintains a busy schedule of classes and activities throughout the year. Annual events include a Halloween festival, an Herb and Garden Fair, the Classy Chassis Car Show & Flea Market, the Baskets of Summer celebration and a Christmas Open House. Check out our Annual Events chapter for details on these events or call the Poplar Grove plantation offices. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Poplar
Grove Plantation is 9 miles north of Wilmington on U.S. 17 at the Pender
County line. Farm animals, a gift shop, a playground, a picnic area, a
restaurant ,and wedding and party facilities are located on the grounds.
Poplar Grove Plantation is open Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and
Sunday noon to 5 PM. Please note that the last guided tour of the plantation
house is at 4 PM daily. Fees for the guided house tour are $8 for adults ($6
each for groups of 15 or more), $7 for seniors, $5 for students ages 6 to 15
and free for children 5 and younger. Group rates are available. Poplar Grove
is closed for Easter, Thanksgiving and from mid-December until the beginning
of February. Call for Christmas hours. Parking is plentiful, and access to
the estate's grounds is free.
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Moore's Creek National
Battlefield This 86-acre National Park Service site
commemorates and preserves the land where the Revolutionary War Battle of
Moore's Creek was fought in February 1776 between Loyalists and Patriots of
North Carolina. A one-mile walking history trail enables you to see much of
the battlefield, and there are also exhibits and an audio-visual program in
the visitors center. The battle is commemorated annually during the last
full weekend in February. The event features living history encampments,
weapons demonstrations, colonial and military music and a wreath-laying
ceremony. There is a picnic area with a covered shelter, tables, charcoal
grills and restroom facilities. The park is located along N.C. Highway 210
approximately 20 miles northwest of Wilmington. Take I-40 north to Exit 408,
then travel west on N.C. Highway 210 for 15 miles.
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Continue To Wrightsville Beach & Vicinity
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