When it comes to great views along the Lower Cape Fear, it's a no-brainer to include the Battleship North Carolina among them.

Arguably the Wilmington area's most popular tourist attraction that's not a beach, the Battleship — a retired war vessel that's been moored on Eagles Island across from downtown Wilmington since 1961 — has views of the area like few, if any, other places.

It costs about $15 for adults to get on the Battleship, which gets you not only more history than you have time to absorb during a long afternoon but also two or three distinct views of the Wilmington area.

The views

From the ship's bow, which is its highest point, you can not only look down the barrels of the Battleship's formidable cannons, but you can see the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge rising above the tree line, as well the cranes and the giant, white, wood-pellet filled Enviva globes at the State Port.

View from the bow of the Battleship North Carolina, May 28, 2025.

Move to the stern, and you've got picture-postcard views of downtown Wilmington, with church steeples peeking out from over the trees and historic homes nestled into the landscape. Views of more modern structures, like the River Place condominiums, aren't what I call spectacular, though others might disagree.

To the west of the ship, you can get an idea of how wild Eagles Island and its wetlands looked before humans came there to tame it some 300 years ago, the acres and acres of bright green marsh grass blowing in the humid breeze.

The west side of the ship is also a good place to look for wildlife. I didn't see any gators the day I went, but I did spot a bright white ibis.

View of Eagles Island from the Battleship North Carolina.

And you don't even have to pay to get on the Battleship to experience good views of the area around it and the ship itself.

A wooden walkway built around the Battleship a few years ago provides not only spectacular views of the ship, but it also offers great views of downtown Wilmington. You can look directly across the Cape Fear River toward Market Street and see tourists strolling the Riverwalk or entering shops and restaurants.

Or, look to the north of downtown across the sea-like expanse of marsh grass, with ghost trees rising up like abstract sculptures.

The walkway, which is dedicated to the memory of veterans, is free to enjoy when it's open, which is mostly during Battleship hours.