IN THIS STORY:
> Camp Lejeune
> Fort Bragg
> Seymour Johnson AFB
>North Carolina Visitor Resources

Printable version

The Tarheel State has something for almost everyone.

It's easy to see why fun-lovers consider North Carolina one of the nation’s great vacation destinations. The weather usually is pleasant, with only occasional seasonal extremes, and the state's unique geography offers gorgeous beaches to the east and stunning mountains to the west, with plenty to do in between. In other words, North Carolina has something for almost everyone. The Tar Heel State is proud of its military heritage, especially the southeastern region, which is home to Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, and Seymour Johnson AFB. As a result, a lot of military folk — both active duty and retired — pass through North Carolina each year for work and play. The towns and cities that surround these military installations have much to offer those who find themselves with some free time for fun. Whether your idea of a good time is shopping, visiting the hottest attractions, or exploring our nation's magnificent military past, there's always something of interest to do.

CAMP LEJEUNE (ONSLOW COUNTY)

Southeast of Jacksonville, N.C., Camp Lejeune has been the home base for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Force Service Support Group and other combat units and support commands for more than 50 years. Because it is conveniently located near historic Wilmington and North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast, visitors to Camp Lejeune have so many day-trip options that it can be difficult to decide what to do first. 

Before heading east, however, visitors staying in or around Jacksonville are encouraged to take advantage of the area’s many natural and historic attractions. They include:

• The Mill Avenue Historic District offers a walking tour of 18 stately homes on the National Register of Historic Places. (910) 937-7222.
  
• The Montford Point Reading Room at Camp Johnson showcases a unique collection of memorabilia about the only Marine Corps training center for black Marines during the early years of World War II at what was then called Montford Point. (910) 353-9559 or (910) 450-0833.
  
• The Onslow County Museum, in nearby Richlands, features numerous changing as well as long-term exhibits, including "The Water and the Wood: A History of Onslow County." The focus of this remarkable exhibit is an 800-year-old, 38-foot canoe found in the Half Moon Branch of the New River. Admission: $1 for adults. (910) 324-5008.
  
• Onslow County also offers more than 30 miles of wide, unspoiled beaches, which are favorite nesting sites for the endangered loggerhead turtle. In addition, Hammocks Beach State Park, just off the mainland near Swansboro, has received national acclaim as a coastal nature preserve.
  
• An hour's drive to the east will bring you to Wilmington, home of the Battleship North Carolina on the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington. A forerunner to the new era of fast battleships, the North Carolina served in every major naval offensive in the Pacific in World War II, earning 15 battle stars for distinguished service. The North Carolina has been preserved almost exactly as she was on active duty, and visitors can tour nine decks, including the bridge, crew's quarters, and engine room. Self-guided tours take approximately two hours. Admission: $9 for visitors 12 and older; $8 for visitors 65 and older and for retired and active duty military with military ID. (910) 251-5797, www.battleshipnc.com.
  
• Visitors with families also will want to check out the North Carolina Aquariums, three state-supported public education facilities along the North Carolina coast. The closest to Camp Lejeune is the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, about 15 miles south of Wilmington in Kure Beach. Daily programs include marine life videos, live animal programs, audience participation games, demonstrations, and much more. For small additional fees, you and your family can breakfast with the fishes, enjoy sand casting, or learn gyotaku, the ancient art of Japanese fish printing, among other activities. Admission: $7 for adults; $6 for seniors and active duty military. (866) 301-3476.

FORT BRAGG (CUMBERLAND COUNTY)

Fort Bragg (originally named Camp Bragg) was established by Congress in Fayetteville, N.C., in 1918 as an Army field artillery site. Today, Fort Bragg is one of the world’s largest airborne facilities with such prestigious units as the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps. The U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, also calls Fort Bragg home. There is much to do in and around Fort Bragg, including:

• Visitors with a passion for military history, the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum is a must-see. It houses an extensive collection of weapons, uniforms, aircraft, parachutes, and other items from World War I to Operation Desert Storm and also features film and outdoor aircraft displays. Admission: Free. (910) 432-3443.
  
• The JFK Special Warfare Museum provides a behind-the-scenes look at unconventional warfare, with an emphasis on Special Operations units from World War II to present day. Admission: Free. (910) 432-4272.
  
• The Airborne and Special Operations Museum tells the story of Army airborne and special operations from 1940 to the present using photographs, artifacts, and interactive displays. Don't miss the Pitch, Roll, and Yaw Vista-Dome Motion Simulator. Admission: Free; $4 for motion simulator. (910) 483-3003.

Continued>>