Go Searching For Beach TreasuresWhile you are hanging out on the beaches of Brunswick County, you may want to go beachcombing for beach "treasures" that are found in the area. Shells and shark's teeth are easily found on the beaches, especially after storms and hurricanes. On a normal day, the best time to search for treasures is after high tide. Shark's teeth normally sparkle at the water's edge in coarse, wet sand. Whole sand dollars are also very common on the beaches of Brunswick County, but make sure you leave the live ones on the beach. If they are still brown and furry, they are alive and should be returned to the water. If they are white and skeletal, you can take them home with you! Whatever you find at the beach, it is a good idea to clean your treasures with mild bleach water. Take a Break at a Local Coffee ShopIf you enjoy drinking specialty coffee while reading your daily newspaper or a favorite book, there are a few options for you in Brunswick County. The Flying Pig Coffeehouse of Oak Island is a bright shop with interesting furniture that serves a variety of specialty coffees and teas. Open seven days a week, The Flying Pig can be reached at (910) 278-5929. In Holden Beach, you may enjoy Cappuccino by the Sea, which serves coffees, teas and snacks. This shop also has a gift shop, and can be reached at (910) 842-3661. Finally, in Sunset Beach, The Roasted Bean Beverage Co. and Art Gallery serves gourmet coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches and snacks. They also have some local art on display that is available for sale, and they can be reached at (910) 575-6759. Go CampingIf you enjoy the wilderness, you may want to try camping for a night or two during your stay in Brunswick County. A variety of camping facilities are available in the area, ranging from the remote, undeveloped Masonboro Island to the modern private campgrounds with electric and water facilities. No matter what type of camping you prefer, be sure to check the local weather forecast before heading out on your camping trip. Remember to take sunscreen and insect repellent, and beware of poisonous snakes. Depending on where you camp, you can enjoy activities like hiking, bicycling, canoeing, fishing, and more! A few campgrounds you could try are: the KOA Kampground of Sunset Beach at (888) 562-4240, Ocean Aire Camp World Inc. of Supply at (910) 842-9072, and Sea Mist Camping Resort of Shallotte at (910) 754-8916. Have a Snack at Chillin - Smoothies, Ice Cream and CappuccinoCHILLIN - Smoothies, Ice Cream and Cappuccino, located in Holden Beach, will offer you and your family a great place to stop and relax as you enjoy a sweet treat. Offering a variety of fruit, ice cream and coffee drinks and snacks, CHILLIN is located on Holden Beach Road SW. For more information, contact CHILLIN at (910) 842-5665. Go Horseback RidingWhile you are visiting the Brunswick County area, you and your family may want to give an afternoon of horseback riding a try. Horseback riding can be a fun way to view a portion of the area from a whole new perspective! In Holden Beach, K&K Stables consists of 18 acres with shady trails. They offer Western-style riding lessons and guided trail rides. For more information, contact K&K Stables at (910) 842-8002. In Calabash, Peachtree Equestrian Center is located on 127 acres, with 70 acres of shaded trails. Trail rides, outdoor riding rings and an indoor riding arena give you a variety of options for your riding experience. Lessons are also available in both English and Western riding styles. For more information, contact Peachtree Equestrian Center at (910) 287-4790. Have Fun with Your Family at the Brunswick County Bowling CenterWhile you are in the Brunswick County area, you may enjoy spending some time at the local bowling alley, the Brunswick County Bowling Center in Shallotte. This family-friendly bowling alley will allow you to compete against members of your family for just $3.00 to $3.50 per game, per person. For more information, contact the Brunswick County Bowling Center at (910) 754-2695. Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum at SouthportThe North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is home to a variety of exhibits and artifacts that will teach you about the maritime history of the area. Local shipwreck treasures, sharks' teeth, a fragment from a 2,000-year-old Indian canoe, and shrimping nets are among the items you will find at the museum. Visitors of all ages enjoy the trivia board located in the museum, and there is also a research library and video collection available. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2.00 for adults (ages 16 and older), $1.00 for seniors (62 and older), and free for children less than 16 years old. For more information, contact the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport at (910) 457-0003. 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. Enjoy Nature on the Environmental Overlook TrailsIf you enjoy exploring, hiking, and viewing nature and wildlife, then the Environmental Overlook Trails on Oak Island are just the thing for you! A variety of trails are located in the area that will allow you to enjoy the area's natural beauty. Behind the Oak Island Recreation Center, one trail leads to the Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden, while another leads to the rainforest area of wetlands. In Tidal Waves Park, you can launch kayaks and canoes, or you can enjoy the Environment Crossover trail through salt marshes, trees, and wetlands. Also, a wooden walkway has been built at the west end of Oak Island, where you can view a variety of local wildlife and shorebirds. If you enjoy nature, you may want to spend an afternoon hiking along some of these interesting trails. For more information, contact the Environmental Overlook Trails at (910) 278-5518. Visit the Ev-Henwood Nature PreserveLocated in Town Creek east of Winnabow, the Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve consists of 174 acres and is enjoyed by many who enjoy hiking, photography, bird watching, and more. There are 15 hiking trails located at Ev-Henwood, and each trail displays the various plants and animals that are found in the preserve. The low land forest area along the Town Creek has been left undisturbed, and you will also enjoy viewing the various small creeks that are found in the preserve. For more information, call (910) 962-3107. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsSouth Harbour Village4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Wildlife Restaurant & Grill 4381 Fish Factory Road SE Oak Island, NC 28461 Huddle House Restaurant 132 Country Club Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Pelican Seafood 4332 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Barb's Seafood Market & Deli 4346 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Belly Busters Kiki Bar & Grill 4409 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 PJ's Restaurant & Market 614 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 Lucky Fisherman Seafood Buffet 4419 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Fish Tales Restaurant & Tiki Bar 606 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 Duffer's Pub & Grille at the Oak Island Golf Club 928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 China Garden 300 Yaupon Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Domino's Pizza 402 Yaupon Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches ShoppingBounceez Party Rentals5146 Minnesota Drive SE Southport, NC 28461 Wild Life Bait & Tackle 4600 Fish Factory Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Basketcases - Gourmet Food & Specialty Gift Baskets 1018 Captain Adkins Drive Southport, NC 28461 Karen's Just Dessert 3 St. Andrews Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Town & Country Marine 3918 Old Bridge Road SE Oak Island, NC 28461 Boat House Marine 3974 Old Bridge Road Southport, NC 28461 Renee's Fine Jewelry 4146 Long Beach Road Southport, NC 28461 Rocking Chair Books & Antiques 4170 Long Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28461 Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle 4019 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 McNeill Company Coastal & Nautical Home Accents 4143 Long Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Boat House Gifts 128 Country Club Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Save 2 Golf.com 4273 Long Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28461 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsSouth Harbour Village4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Indigo Plantation & Marina 6099 Indigo Plantation Road Southport, NC 28461 Southport Marina 701 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 The Oak Island Lighthouse 1100 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Fort Johnston Intersection of Davis and Bay Streets Southport, NC 28461 Southport Historical Society 501 N Atlantic Avenue Southport, NC 28461 The Old Brunswick County Jail 501 N Atlantic Avenue Southport Historical Society Southport, NC 28461 North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport 116 N Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 Southport Parks and Recreation Department 107 E Nash Street Stevens Park Southport, NC 28461 Yaupon Beach Fishing Pier 705 Ocean Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip 205 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 NC Baptist Assembly / Fort Caswell 100 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches ActivitiesEndless Summer Sailing Cruises4909 Fish Factory Road South Harbour Village Marina Southport, NC 28461 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Priority Sailing Academy 5900 Dutchman Creek Road Southport, NC 28461 Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters 701 W West Street Southport Marina Southport, NC 28461 Starship Deep Sea Fishing & Scenic Cruises 701 W West Street Southport Fishing Center Southport, NC 28461 Oak Island Fun Park 4434 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Oak Island Golf Club 928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Cape Fear Maritime Passenger Co., LLC 230 Caswell Avenue Solomon T - The Heritage Boat at the Southport Marina Southport, NC 28461 Sailtime Southport 4956 Long Beach Road, Suites #14-119 Southport, NC 28461 The Adventure Company 807 Howe Street, Suite A Southport, NC 28461 The Cutting Edge II 505 N Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Sailing Academy 5003 O'Quinn Boulevard Suite G Southport, NC 28461 |