Sure the mountains have their show-stopping brilliance during the fall, but the Cape Fear Coast has mild temperatures, uncrowded beaches and peaceful river cruises that afford guests the chance to see a deer wading into the river.

Tour company Cape Fear Riverboats owns the Henrietta III, a boat modeled after showboats of the 1850s, and the 49-passenger Captain J.N. Maffitt.

The 600-passenger Henrietta III cruises the Cape Fear River up to three times a day, with a sightseeing lunch tour, then a non-meal sightseeing tour, typically followed by a dinner cruise.

Sightseeing cruises during the day take passengers down the river, through the city and then down through the port. Guests learn about the days when Wilmington was mostly shipyards and rice fields.

Capt. Carl Marshburn narrates the tours, giving visitors a summary of Wilmington’s history – from the 1700s up to today. While some things, such as the rice fields, are no longer present, a few things still exist, such as Gov. Dudley’s Mansion, the home of Edward Dudley, governor from 1836 to 1841.
When the sun is setting, passengers can relax with a good murder mystery dinner, redneck wedding or just some good music. Buffet dinners are included in the price.

Every Tuesday evening, guests become the sleuth, trying to solve the crime. Prizes are given to successful detectives.

And Wilmington just wouldn’t be part of the South without a redneck wedding aboard a riverboat. Passengers are encouraged to dress as wedding guests and dig in to the barbecue wedding buffet. Bride and groom "Sally Jean" and "Bubba" get hitched Thursday evenings.

And for those who love to dance or enjoy listening to a banjo and guitar duet as the breeze curls around, Friday and Saturday nights are the ticket. An acoustic mini-concert begins the evening in the main, air-conditioned level before making way for a DJ to fill the dancefloor. The banjo and guitar then move to the upper deck to take requests.

Prices for tours range from $14 - $42 for adults with discounted prices for children.

Nature Cruise
Aside from the riverboat scene, Capt. Marshburn has a few nature cruises scheduled aboard the smaller Captain J.N. Maffitt. He takes this boat up the Cape Fear River to the Black River, a relatively undeveloped area.

“Our passengers are amazed that in just minutes after leaving the dock, they find themselves looking at the banks of a river that appears almost as it did to the early explorers,” Marshburn said. “This feeling of remoteness creates a sense of relaxation for passengers who enjoy observing nature along the river.”

According to Marshburn, passengers may see deer swimming the river, an alligator basking along the banks, or a young osprey looking for a meal.
For more information about the Cape Fear Riverboats, call 800-676-0162.

Fall Festival Fun
The Cape Fear region really knows how to enjoy nice weather with tons of festivals and Halloween celebrations that last for weeks.

Riverfest, Oct. 6-8, offers entertainment that winds along the Cape Fear River. Dance performances, live music, arts and crafts, fireworks and plenty of food make this a fun time for the family.

The next weekend, Oct. 14-15, is the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival. The Fabulous Thunderbirds will be headlining the event this year, on the river’s edge at the Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area in Kure Beach.

With Wilmington’s rich history, ghost stories are doubly fun. Some of the Halloween fun includes a ghost walk of old Wilmington, a Halloween History-Mystery Tour, ghostly horse-drawn carriage tours and Poplar Grove Plantation’s Halloween Festival.

For details about festivals and other events, contact the Cape Fear Coast CVB at 800-222-4757.