Nicholas Sparks cites the charming seaside town as the inspiration for the book and the movie. Want to create some Hollywood-style romance here in North Carolina? Consider booking a weekend at the Robert Ruark Inn (119 North Lord Street, Southport; (910) 363-4169) and take a romantic “onlocation vacation.”
Friday
4 p.m. — Take the Fort Fisher to Southport ferry. The ferry is featured in two scenes in the film: when Katie and Alex spend a splendid day with his young daughter and son at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, and in the penultimate crisis in the film, when Katie almost leaves Alex and Southport to escape her troubled husband, who has tracked her down in Southport. The ferry affords excellent views of the river and notable historic sites such as Price’s Creek Lighthouse. You may feed boat-tailed grackles and laughing gulls from the back of the ferry. So if you bring the kids, take along some stale bread. The Southport ferry is located at 1650 Ferry Road Southeast, Southport. The Fort Fisher ferry is located at 2422 South Fort Fisher Boulevard, Kure Beach. For the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry schedule, visit www. ncdot.gov/ferry or call (910) 457-6942 6 p.m. — Dinner and sunset at Old American Fish Company. This indoor/outdoor waterfront restaurant was renamed Ivan’s Fish Shack for the movie, and it’s where Katie got a job waitressing thanks to her fairy godmother, Maddie (Robin Mullins). Sit outside if the weather is good, and enjoy the view of the small harbor with its sloops and trawlers. Though Ryan’s Port Market, the family store where Alex worked, was removed after filming, you can visit Potter’s Seafood on the harborfront, just 200 yards to the west. Potter’s is a fifth-generation commercial fishing outfit. You may want to bring a cooler to take some fresh shrimp home with you at the end of your trip. Old American Fish Company, 150 Yacht Basin Drive. Open weekdays, 4 p.m.–close; weekends from 1–9 p.m. Information: www.oldamericanfishcompany.com Potter’s Seafood, 94 Yacht Basin Drive. Information: (910) 457-0101. 7:30 p.m. — Stop by Waterfront Park (at East Bay and South Howe Street) and enjoy a long stroll along the riverfront. Katie and her mysterious friend, Jo, had several heart-to-heart talks along Southport’s well groomed “front porch.” It’s the perfect place to take in the sunrise or sunset. The town has installed benches, a picnic area, a community pier and porch swings.
Saturday
9 a.m. —Enjoy breakfast at Moore Street Market. Katie’s friend, Jo, scurries to greet her out in front of this converted double galleried home. This popular breakfast and lunch spot features fair trade organic coffee and unique sandwiches. Egg salad and bacon on a soft pretzel roll is a local favorite. Moore Street Market, 130 East Moore Street. Information: (910) 363-4203. 10 a.m. — On-location vacationers often request a trip to the pond where Alex and Katie canoed. Unfortunately, that pond is on Pleasant Oaks Plantation, which is private property. However, the good people at The Adventure Company will book a two-hour tour for you that will take you on a canoe or kayak trip through similar stands of ancient cypress trees. If
The Art & Soul of Wilmington
you’re lucky, maybe you too will get caught in the rain with your sweetheart just like Alex and Katie. Bring a towel and a change of clothes, just in case. The Adventure Company, 807-A Howe Street. Information: (910) 454-0607. 1 p.m. — Have lunch at the Wildlife Grill. This is the homey little café where Katie and Alex shared their first dance to the song “The Journey” by FM Radio. Snuggle up in a cozy booth and enjoy down home cooking and long lingering gazes. Wildlife Grill, 4381 Fish Factory Road Southeast. 3 p.m. — Take a tour of the Old Smithville Burying Ground. When Alex discovers Katie is married, he feels betrayed, and refuses to listen to her side of the story. As Katie flees, weeping, she wrecks the bike that Alex gave her beside this beautiful historic cemetery, which was established prior to the Revolutionary War. It’s the final resting place of soldiers, river pilots and families who worked the sea. You can spend quite a while wandering the grounds. The faded markers and obelisks are shaded by magnificent live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and resurrection fern. Old Smithville Burying Ground, East Moore Street. 5 p.m. — Have a beer at Loco Jo’s gastropub. This fun, funky little spot was popular with the Safe Haven cast and crew. Indoor and outdoor seating. A bewildering large selection of craft beers and the best fish tacos in town. Loco Jo’s, 602 North Howe Street, Suite E. 7:30 p.m. — Candlelight dinner at Ports of Call. This is the lovely Mediterranean-themed restaurant where Katie and Alex enjoyed an intimate dinner and talked, for the first time, about his grief. It’s also where actor Josh Duhamel learned how to shuck an oyster from head chef Christopher Wheeler and where actress Julianne Hough chose to celebrate her 23rd birthday. Reservations are accepted but not required. They also serve Sunday brunch. Ports of Call, 116 North Howe Street; Information: (910) 457-4544.
Sunday
10 a.m. — Stroll the promenade. The town square and North Howe Street were featured in the film’s exciting Fourth of July parade scene. (Yes, Southport has an annual July Fourth parade that attracts thousands.) On non-parade weekends the main thoroughfare is loaded with great antique shops and upscale boutiques. Southport Antiques has two floors of antique furnishings, everything from cruets to captain’s wheels. For the fashionista in your family, check out Shop Girl, which has hip yet feminine clothes with a decidedly coastal flavor. Julianne Hough is said to have visited the shop while filming. Shop Girl, 701 North Howe Street; Information: (910) 457-9575. 12 p.m. — Still can’t get enough? Take a movie-themed electric tram tour with Southport Fun Tours. You’ll visit the historic Grey Burris house, which was used as Alex’s home in Safe Haven, visit the historic Southport Jail where Sissy Spacek was filed for Crimes of the Heart, and the Pilot Tower seen on Stephen King’s Under the Dome mini-series. Information: www.southportfuntours.com; dan@southportfuntours.com; or (910)713-3373; (608) 334-0617. b Author Virginia Holman teaches in the Creative Writing Department at UNC Wilmington. She is also ACA certified Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor and guides part time with Kayak Carolina. Februar y 2014 •
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