Tourism

With a smoking ban under consideration at Wrightsville Beach, many people wonder if the town could even enforce such an ordinance. So what is legal? What's not? And where? At Wrightsville Beach the line in the sand is drawn at high tide. It's called the 1939 Line, which defines town property from the dunes to the high water mark. Full story...

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and many people are excited to spend the long weekend outside, but those outdoor activities may have to wait. Full story...

Just like tourists and warm weather another popular beach fixture is coming back. Just off of the boardwalk at Carolina Beach they are bringing back the rides. Full story...

Don't expect much free parking at Wrightsville Beach this summer. Town leaders say starting Memorial Day, if you park in the residential parking district without a permit you're likely to get a ticket. Full story...

Warmer weather earlier in the season means more people are already making their way to the beach. That's boosting business and morale. Full story...

New Hanover County Commissioners put a new plan into place to make sure the sand on Carolina Beach will be replenished after a project cooperation agreement with the government runs out. Full story...

The Battleship North Carolina announced today that attendance continues to increase with the best December in 18 years. Almost 6,800 paid visitors came to the ship in December 2011. Fiscal year visitation numbers are also up, reaching an increase of 13 percent. Full story...

About 500 miles of the planned 1,000-mile trail are complete. Plans call for the hiking trail to stretch from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks. Full story...

Like we need an excuse to go to the beach, today Johnnie Mercer's Pier was the scene of a big announcement. Full story...

Turning back the clock set a record at the Battleship North Carolina over the weekend. The Battleship charged 1961 prices Sunday in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ship's arrival in Wilmington. Full story...

Fifty years ago Sunday, the Battleship North Carolina finished its long journey from New Jersey to Wilmington. It took great vision, lots of cash and some careful navigation to get "The Showboat" into the slip where she lives now. We celebrate the Battleship's history as a protector of democracy during World War II and then as one of the state's greatest tourist attractions in the WWAY NewsChannel 3 special Battleship North Carolina: 50 Years in Wilmington. Full story...

Seven decades after entering World War II, the Battleship North Carolina has earned another honor. Last night the North Carolina Travel Industry Association honored the Battleship as its 2011 Attraction of the Year. Full story...

For most beach towns, Labor Day Weekend is considered the end of the summer season; and although the weather is beautiful this holiday weekend, is it enough to get people out and about to make up for last weekend's losses due to Irene’s visit? Full story...

The greater Wilmington area was branded as the Cape Fear Coast in the late 1980's and eventually became the Wilmington Cape Fear Coast, but now that name is being left behind and the region is moving forward with the name Wilmington N.C. Historic River District & Island Beaches. Full story...

The threat of the Hurricane Irene has people keeping a close eye on the storm, including vacationers and emergency management in Pender County. Full story...