Take a Trip on the Bald Head Island FerryThe Bald Head Island Ferry takes passengers from the Southport ferry terminal to Bald Head Island. Cars are not allowed on this ferry - it only has capacity for pedestrians, bicycles, and electric carts. A round-trip ferry pass is $15.00 per person, $8.00 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids under 2 years old. The ferry operates daily and leaves the Southport Ferry Terminal every hour from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., except at 12:00 p.m. (noon.) To return to Southport, the ferry leaves Bald Head Island every hour on the half-hour, except at 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact the Bald Head Island Ferry at (800) 234-1666. Attend the Annual a Day at the Docks FestivalA Day at the Docks is an annual event held on the waterfront of Holden Beach each April. Free charter boat rides, live entertainment, free Coast Guard boat inspections, crafts, a sunset boat parade, and a blessing of the boats are activities enjoyed by attendees of the event each year. This event was created to celebrate the area's heritage, as well as to welcome the spring. Admission is free to the event, which is welcome to those of all ages. For more information, contact A Day at the Docks at (910) 842-4820. Learn about the Agri-Tourism Industry of Brunswick CountyThere are a number of local farms in Brunswick County that are available for tours. Your family may enjoy an afternoon tour of a produce farm, aquatic farm, cattle or swine farm, or a tobacco or cotton operational farm. Several of the produce farms allow you to pick your own tomatoes, strawberries, and other in-season fruits and vegetables, while the other types of farms will enable you to get a glimpse into the farm operation lifestyle. For an informational guide about the various farms in the area, contact the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at (910) 253-2610. Practice Your Swing at the Driving RangeIf you enjoy golfing but don't have time to golf a full round at a local course, you may want to check out a local driving range. Holden Beach Driving Range is a lighted facility that has lessons available on-site. A pro shop and batting cages are also available at this location. At this range in Holden Beach, you can practice your swing 24 hours a day, because when no staff is on duty, there is a self-payment booth for your convenience. For more information, contact the Holden Beach Driving Range of Holden Beach at (910) 842-3717. Another option is the Pro Tee Practice Range in Ocean Isle Beach. They have 36 fully lighted stations, a pro shop, refreshment area, batting cages, and a mini golf course. This facility is open daily and operates with a self-payment booth. For more information, contact the Pro Tee Practice Range at (910) 754-4700. Spend an Afternoon Shopping in Area Antique StoresThough there are many nice gift shops in the area, many visitors prefer to do their shopping at area antique stores. Shopping at antique stores is a great way to find unique items of the area that can't be purchased by just anyone at a souvenir shop. If you are interested in antiques, Brunswick County has a number of shops available. In Southport, you may enjoy Magnolia Gifts and Antiques at (910) 457-4982, Northrup Antiques Mall at (910) 457-9569, or Southport Antiques at (910) 457-1755. Also, you may want to travel to nearby Burgaw, which is home to the Burgaw Antiqueplace, which consists of items from 50 dealers. The Burgaw Antiqueplace can be reached at (910) 259-7070. Take a Break on the Southern Elegance Casino CruiseIf you enjoy gambling but can't make it to Las Vegas, you may enjoy taking a casino cruise on the Southern Elegance. This Southern riverboat is a 175-foot boat that docks on the waterfront of Little River, which is located on U.S. Highway 17 just three miles north of North Myrtle Beach. Table games, video poker and slot machines are located on the three decks of this boat, which also has an observation deck, food and beverage service and an elevator. If needed, free shuttle service to and from the ship is provided. For more information, contact the Southern Elegance Cruise Office at (877) 250-5825. Go Swimming in the Atlantic OceanSwimming is a popular activity enjoyed on the beaches of Brunswick County each year. For your safety, many beaches are staffed with lifeguards in the spring and summer. When you are swimming in the ocean, be careful of rip currents and sea creatures. The surf is usually quite moderate in the area, but you should always swim with a partner. The warm ocean water and fine sand will make for a great day of swimming and sunbathing at the beach! Go Kayaking or Canoeing on the Cape Fear RiverThough the Cape Fear River areas aren't recommended for beginners because of high boat traffic and dangerous currents, the more advanced kayak and canoe paddlers enjoy the Cape Fear River waters each year. The Town of Oak Island has dedicated about 24 miles of canoe water trails in the Cape Fear River, which offer various challenges and adventures for the paddlers. This trail system is known as the Long Beach Canoe Trail System, and the four trails are the 4.2-mile Lockwood Folly trail, the 7-mile Montgomery Slough trail, the 6.5-mile Howells Point trail, and the 6-mile Davis Creek trail. Some of the waters are calm and protected, while others are rough and exposed, but all areas offer a variety of scenic opportunities. For more information, contact the Oak Island Recreation Department at (910) 278-5518. Drink from an Old-Fashioned Water Pump at the GroveThe Grove is a historic park set among the old live oaks of Southport. Located in Franklin Square Park at E. West and Howe Streets, the entrances of this park were built from ballast stones that were used in ships more than 100 years ago. Also in this area, you will find the Franklin Square Gallery, which began as a schoolhouse, then served as the City Hall, and eventually was turned into its present use as an art gallery. Another unique aspect of this park is the old-fashioned water pump, which is still in working condition and enables visitors to enjoy well water while they relax in the park. Join an Adult Soccer LeagueIf you enjoy competitive sports and getting lots of exercise, you may enjoy participating in the adult soccer league of Oak Island. The Oak Island Recreation Department offers adults the opportunity to play in this soccer league, which is open to both men and women. Throughout the league season, ten matches are played, and the season ends with a single-elimination tournament. The location of the games is the Oak Island Soccer Field at Middleton Park. For more information, contact the Oak Island Recreation Department at (910) 278-4747. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsOcean Breeze Beach Club2729 W Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Island Way Restaurant 1407 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Fish House Restaurant 5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Plaza Garibaldi 8004 Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Betty's Waterfront Restaurant 1045 Varnamtown Road SW, Suite B Holden Beach, NC 28462 The Barbeque House 5002 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Captain Stanley's Seafood Restaurant 5515 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Russell's Place Restaurant 5700 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Sub Shop & Deli 5705 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Beana's Kitchen at the Beaach 106 SE 58th Street PO Box 115 Oak Island, NC 28465 Tropical Treats 5811 East Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 LunaPops 5818 Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches ShoppingLocal Call Surf Shop8417 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Yaupon Tree 8501 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Seaside With Coffee 8017 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Island Jewelers 8801 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Pet Stop 8308 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Sporting Goods 8800 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Pottery by Bob Furr 521 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Crest Fishing Pier 1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Wildflour Cakes & Pastries 516 Lockwood Folly Road Bolivia, NC 28422 Blue Water Point Motel & Marina 5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Art Guild 212 NE 41st Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Beacon One Seafood 1 Fisherman Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsOcean Crest Fishing Pier1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Blue Water Point Motel & Marina 5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Environmental Overlook Trails 3003 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Holden Beach Marina 3238 Pompano Street SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Cedar Landing Marina & Seafood 1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Yaupon Beach Fishing Pier 705 Ocean Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Holden Beach Pier 441 Ocean Boulevard W Holden Beach, NC 28462 The Oak Island Lighthouse 1100 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Indigo Plantation & Marina 6099 Indigo Plantation Road Southport, NC 28461 Southport Marina 701 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 NC Baptist Assembly / Fort Caswell 100 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches ActivitiesYe Olde Gun Club Shooting Range107 SW 20th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Skate Park 49th Street SE Oak Island, NC 28465 Blue Water Point Motel & Marina 5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Privateer Charters 104 SE 25th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department 3003 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Lockwood Folly Country Club 19 Clubhouse Drive SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Ocean Rentals 4014 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Jungle Golf, Arcade & Ice Cream Shop 6321 Oak Island Drive East Oak Island, NC 28465 Holden Beach Driving Range & Golf School 2355 Holden Beach Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Treasure Island Miniature Golf & Oasis 3445 Holden Beach Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Super Track Go Carts & Bumper Boats 3437 Holden Beach Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Fantasy Isle Ice Cream & Mini Golf 3354 Holden Beach Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 |