Pick up your reserved mid-size SUV or sedan in Columbia; confirm one-way drop-off at Portland (PWM), add insurance and roadside assistance, and check luggage/cell phone charging options. Allow 30–45 minutes for paperwork and vehicle inspection.
Tour the WWII battleship moored on the Cape Fear River to learn naval history — museum and ship tours typically operate daily; check the official site for exact hours (often 9:00am–5:00pm).
Waterfront dining with classic seafood and Southern sides — a pleasant first-night dinner option near the Riverwalk; reservations recommended for evening seating.
If you missed parts of the USS North Carolina yesterday, return for a more thorough visit; alternatively, tour the Bellamy Mansion Museum for antebellum history (check museum hours, typically late morning to mid-afternoon).
Drive the Park Loop Road with stops at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Cadillac Mountain overlooks for sweeping coastal vistas; park open year-round though visitor center hours vary.
Head back down the coast to Portland to return the rental car and catch an evening flight; plan roughly 3–3.5 hours for the drive depending on traffic and light conditions.
Evening commercial flight back toward Columbia, SC (may require a connection); book a flight that departs after car drop-off and allow 1.5–2 hours for airport check-in.