The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher takes visitors on a virtual journey down the Cape Fear River, from freshwater streams and swamps to tidelands, reefs and open ocean Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors and active military, $5 children 6-17. To get there: From Southport, take Fort Fisher Ferry. From ...more details