Wind your way through one of North Carolina’s most quietly captivating coastal landscapes along Brunswick Town Road, a state-designated scenic byway that traces the lower Cape Fear region’s storied past. This route carries you through corridors of ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, past tidal marshes shimmering under wide Southern skies, and alongside the Cape Fear River where history runs as deep as the current.

The crown jewel of this drive is Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, where the ruins of a colonial port town and Civil War earthworks stand among towering trees at the river’s edge. Nearby, Orton Plantation’s gardens offer a breathtaking display of azaleas, camellias, and centuries-old oaks lining a grand allée.

The surrounding lowcountry terrain reveals salt marshes alive with egrets and herons, while glimpses of the river appear through breaks in the maritime forest. Small rural churches and weathered structures speak to generations rooted in this landscape.

Spring brings the most spectacular show, when azaleas and dogwoods paint the roadsides in vivid color. Allow one to two hours to drive the route at a leisurely pace, with time to explore the historic sites along the way.

Explore Nearby

• Federal Point Light — Lighthouse in North Carolina
• Fort Fisher State Recreation Area — State Park in North Carolina
• Campbell Island Light — Lighthouse in North Carolina
• Masonboro Island State Natural Area — State Park in North Carolina
• Croatan National Forest — National Forest in North Carolina