Learn about the Stars at Ingram PlanetariumThe Ingram Planetarium, located in Sunset Beach, has a unique 40-foot dome theater and offers a variety of programs throughout the year. Programs include Ancient Horizons, Endless Horizon, The Sky Tonight, Search for Life in the Universe, and more. In the summer, hourly programs are held Tuesday through Saturday between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. During the rest of the year (during fall, winter and spring), hourly program are held Thursday through Saturday between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. Also in the Planetarium is a Science Room with a variety of science, math, and navigational exhibits. For more information about the programs offered throughout the year, contact Ingram Planetarium at (910) 575-0033. Take the Cape Fear River Circle TourBrunswick County has a few places that are included on the Cape Fear River Circle Tour, which is a driving tour that circles the Cape Fear River. If you and your family would like to take this tour, you may want to dedicate a full day of your vacation to get the full experience of all stops on the tour. The tour consists of about two hours of driving time, including the 30-minute ride on the Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry. Attractions and stops included on this tour are: Battleship North Carolina, Orton Plantation Gardens, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson, Southport Maritime Museum, Progress Energy's Brunswick Nuclear Plant, North Carolina Aquarium, and Fort Fisher Civil War Museum. You can get a brochure including a map and details about the tour at a variety tourist information racks throughout the area, or by contacting the Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau at (910) 341-4030. Take Your Kids To Captain Charlie's Kids Fishing TournamentHeld at the City Pier in Southport's Waterfront Park, the Captain Charlie's Kids Fishing Tournament is held each year to coincide with the King Mackerel Tournament. This is a great way for children to have their own tournament while their parents are out fishing in the adult tournament. Kids ages 16 and younger are welcome to enter Captain Charlie's Tournament, which is sponsored by the Southport Recreation Department and the Southport Lions Club. Kids bring their own equipment and bait, and the first 100 to enter get a free t-shirt. Prizes are given away throughout the tournament, and everyone can enjoy free hot dogs and refreshments. All fish that are caught are put back into the water in this catch-and-release tournament. For more information, contact the Captain Charlie's Kids Fishing Tournament at (910) 457-7923. Watch Sea Turtle NestsBrunswick County is one of the largest counties in North Carolina and is almost entirely surrounded by water, wetlands, and wooded areas. Because of the natural habitats found in Brunswick County, a variety of animals make their homes here. Sea turtles are no exception, and the endangered animals are protected by a variety of sea turtle protection programs that are in place in Brunswick County. A variety of volunteers monitor nests of sea turtle species, and during the June and July hatching season, volunteers watch the nests to ensure turtle hatchlings can make it safely to sea. If you happen to be in the area during the hatching season, you may be able to experience one of these amazing egg hatchings. For more information, contact the Ocean Isle Beach Turtle Watch Program at (910) 579-1016 or the Bald Head Island Turtle Sanctuary and Conservancy at (910) 457-0089. Visit the Old Brunswick County JailThe Old Brunswick County Jail was built in Southport in 1904 and consists of two cells and a second floor runabout. The structure has been managed by the Southport Historical Society since 1984 and will soon be home to a Southport History Museum and Genealogy Research Room. Inside the jail, some remnants of prisoners' graffiti is still visible on the walls. The Jail is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday, and admission is free. For more information, contact the Southport Historical Society at (910) 457-0760. 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. Attend a Summer Sundays PerformanceSummer Sundays of Southport consists of a series of outdoor concerts that are sponsored by the Southport Visitor's Center and the City of Southport. Held in the historic Keziah Memorial Park, the concerts feature a variety of music styles performed by local artists. Concerts are held on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. between May 29 and August. Concert attendees range from children to senior citizens and can bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets. For more information, contact Summer Sundays at (910) 457-7927. 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. Participate in an Area Walking or Jogging RaceIf you are an athlete who enjoys taking running to a competitive level, you may enjoy competing in an area Brunswick County race. The Annual Oak Island Lighthouse 10K/5K Run/Walk is a popular race that is sponsored by the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce. This race takes participants on a scenic tour over the Oak Island Bridge, through the Oak Island village and past the Oak Island Lighthouse. This fun event attracts many participants each year. For more information, contact the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce at (800) 457-6964. Also held in Brunswick County during the annual Oyster Festival is the North Carolina Oyster Festival Road Race. These races consist of a 10K, a 5K, and a 1-mile Fun Run. For more information, contact the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 426-6644. Other races may be held during your stay in Brunswick County, so you may want to check local listings upon your arrival. Learn How To KiteboardKiteboarding is a challenging sport that requires less wind than windsurfing and has become quite popular in recent years. Kiteboarders are pulled by a large kite that flies through the air, and advanced riders are able to do tricks and jumps that carry them between 10 and 40 feet in the air. Kiteboarding is popular in the Brunswick County area, which doesn't always have enough wind for the sport of windsurfing. Though the sport can be very fun if you know what you are doing, you should take lessons before attempting to ride on your own. For more information, contact the area's kite and wind shop in Wilmington, Blowing in the Wind, at (888) 691-8034. | Oak Island RestaurantsPlaza Garibaldi8004 Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Barbeque House 5002 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Island Way Restaurant 1407 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Captain Stanley's Seafood Restaurant 5515 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Sub Shop & Deli 5705 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Russell's Place Restaurant 5700 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 Little Bit's Grill 5902 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Bogey's Restaurant 5908 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Flying Pig Coffeehouse 6006 Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island ShoppingOak Island Art Guild212 NE 41st Street Oak Island, NC 28465 3 Cheers Party Rentals 5022 E Oak Island Drive Suite #2 Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Crest Fishing Pier 1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Pain 5119 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Motorsports & More 5319 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Pawn, Bait & Tackle Shop 5422 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The End 106 SE 58th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Eagles Beachwear & Sport Shop 5802 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Burlington Outlet 5817 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Lucia's Gifts 5820 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 J. Huffman 5818 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Bubba's 5825 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsEnvironmental Overlook Trails3003 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Crest Fishing Pier 1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Yaupon Beach Fishing Pier 705 Ocean Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Blue Water Point Motel & Marina 5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 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 Fort Johnston Intersection of Davis and Bay Streets Southport, NC 28461 North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport 116 N Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 Southport Historical Society 501 N Atlantic Avenue Southport, NC 28461 Brunswick Beaches ActivitiesOak Island Parks & Recreation Department3003 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Rentals 4014 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Privateer Charters 104 SE 25th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Jungle Golf, Arcade & Ice Cream Shop 6321 Oak Island Drive East Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Skate Park 49th Street SE Oak Island, NC 28465 Ye Olde Gun Club Shooting Range 107 SW 20th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Golf Club 928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Endless Summer Sailing Cruises 4909 Fish Factory Road South Harbour Village Marina Southport, NC 28461 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 St. James Plantation 4006 St. James Drive Southport, NC 28461 Oak Island Fun Park 4434 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Cattail Cruises & Tours 4320 Southport Supply Road SE, Suite #600 Southport, NC 28461 |