Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg is a distinctive Outer Banks winery set among coastal farmland just inland from the barrier islands. The vineyard is notable for successfully growing vinifera grapes, which is rare in coastal environments with Albariño being one of its most recognized varietals.

Eastern NC is unique for its coastal lowland forests, pocosins, swamps, and refuge systems that support robust black bear populations. These areas are ideal for photographers seeking authentic wildlife shots of bears in the wild, including the possibility of observing sows with cubs in spring and early summer (following den emergence).

Photography Priorities: 

• Black bears in natural habitat (feeding, roaming, interacting).

A quirky oddities museum in historic downtown Wilmington featuring an eclectic collection of unusual artifacts and curiosities, from shrunken heads and bizarre specimens to movie props and rare objects. It’s housed in a 19th-century brick building near the riverfront.

Photography Priorities: