Fort Fisher State Historic Site

During the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept the port of Wil­mington open to blockade­ runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. Its defeat in January 1865 helped seal the fate of the Confedera­cy. A quarter-mile tour trail surrounds what remains of the fort today. Features along the route include way­ side exhibits,a reconstructed palisade fence, and a par­tially restored gun emplacement . The visitors' center offers audio-visual programs and an extensive collection of artifacts. There's also a fiber optic-powered map that shows the final battle for the fort in 1865. Free.

610 Fort Fisher Blvd South, Kure Beach, NC 28449 Phone: (910} 458-5538

Hours: 9 am - 5 pm Tuesday - Saturday

Open Sunday afternoons (Memorial Day through Labor Day) Noon - 5 pm

Driving Instructions to the next stop: From the Fort Fisher State Historic Site to Downtown Riverwalk, Wilmington, NC Distance: 20.1 miles - Time: 37 min.

• Head northeast on US-421 N/Fort Fisher Blvd S toward Fort Fisher Historical Museum. Drive for 2.0 miles

• Turn left onto K Avenue - Drive for 0.5 milesK Avenue turns slightly right and becomes Dow Rd S - Drive for 3.5 miles

• Turn left onto US-421 N/N Lake Park Blvd - Continue to follow US-421 N - Drive for 6.1 miles

• Continue straight onto Carolina Beach Rd - Pass by Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (on the right in 0.4 mi) - Drive for 0.5 miles

• Turn left to stay on Carolina Beach Rd - Drive for 4.3 milesContinue straight to stay on Carolina Beach Rd - Pass by McDonald's (on the right) Drive for 1.6 miles

• Continue straight onto S Front St - Drive for 1.6 miles

• Turn left onto Market St - Drive for 367 feet

• Turn left onto S Water St - Drive for 144 feet.