For the first time in decades, Battleship North Carolina has a new area open to visitors.   The ship’s cold storage compartments, the first new spaces added to the tour route in decades, can now be explored on daily tours. The World War II vessel could store 200,000 pounds of fresh food and fed 2,000 men while it was in service and at sea.   Loc ...

With Brooke Bloomquist’s background in marketing and special events and her father’s naval career and business prowess, their masterminding of Blue Shark Vodka seemed almost inevitable.   Five years ago, it started with drinks by the pool while Bloomquist was living in Hawaii, and it evolved into the first spirits distillery in New Hanover County. Blue S ...

Visitor spending in the Cape Fear region soared to its highest heights in 28 years during 2018, despite Hurricane Florence shutting the area down for several days in September, according to an announcement Thursday from Gov. Roy Cooper. Brunswick County's year-over-year visitor spending total rose by the highest percentage in the tri-county region, 6.48% compared to ...

While alternative lodging offered through Airbnb is gaining in popularity – and availability – travel officials say it’s not necessarily hurting hotels. But it is benefiting travelers in more ways than one.   data indicates that Airbnb and the vacation rental host community appear to be complementing – rather than competing with – the N ...

Bellamy Mansion Museum officials announced that executive director Gareth Evans was appointed to the N.C. Museum of History Associates Inc. Board of Directors.   “Having long enjoyed visiting the North Carolina Museum of History, I’m honored to have been asked to serve on the Board,” said Evans, in a news release.   Evans will serve on the B ...

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is among the top 10 aquariums in the country, according to a USA Today poll. Voters ranked the state’s aquariums No. 7 nationwide in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Award for best aquariums.   “This distinction means we are accomplishing what we set out to do, from making a personal connection with our guests to p ...

The city of Southport has a new hotel. Hampton Inn & Suites Southport, 4820 Port Loop Road, opened earlier this spring and features 88 guest rooms.   A Hilton brand property, the Brunswick County hotel replaces the Hampton Inn Southport, formerly located at 5181 Southport Supply Road.   The hotel is owned by C3 Investments of NC Inc., and was developed by ...

A Wilmington vacation rental dubbed "The Great Escape" landed recently on an Airbnb popularity list. The vacation rental, which is located not far from Mayfaire, was the No. 1 wish-listed rental in New Hanover County, according to an Airbnb report on the most wish-listed properties in each of the hospitality company’s top 20 home-sharing counties in ...

With the internet and automation changing the landscape of many jobs, it is no surprise that online travel planning services would force the travel agency world to adapt. But people are still turning to real agents, opting for professional advice over online research done alone, according to local agents.   The online travel market has become saturated with services ...

With new regulations on short-term rentals requiring owners to register their lodging with the city of Wilmington,125 had registered their short-term rentals as of April 16. Of those 125, 33 are homestays -- individual rooms that are rented in the host’s home -- and 92 are whole-house rentals, an entire house rented without the host present, according to the city. ...