Spend the Day at the North Carolina Oyster FestivalThe North Carolina Oyster Festival is held each year during the third weekend of October on Ocean Isle Beach. The N.C. Oyster Shucking Championship is held at this festival, which sends its winner to the national championship. Oysters are the favorite food of the Brunswick County islands, and there are plenty of them at this festival. Live music, arts and crafts vendors, 5K and 10K races, an oyster stew cook-off and more are also offered at the festival. Admission is $3.00 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. For more information, contact the North Carolina Oyster Festival at (800) 426-6644. Go HuntingBecause of the abundant wildlife areas in Brunswick County, many people enjoy visiting the area to go hunting each year. There are a number of areas in the region where hunters can find both large and small game, which include species of deer, black bear, wild turkey, rabbit, and dove. In Brunswick County, the Green Swamp Game Land is almost 15,000 acres and one of the most isolated areas of southeastern North Carolina. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, this area can only be traveled on foot. Other hunting lands in Pender and New Hanover Counties include the Holly Shelter Game Land, Sutton Lake Game Land and Roan Island. For more information about hunting regulations and licensing, contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at (888) 629-4535. Information and licenses can also be found at a variety of local stores, including the Wal-Mart Super Center of Southport at (910) 454-9909, the Wal-Mart Super Center of Shallotte at (910) 754-2880, the Holden Beach True Value Hardware at (910) 842-5440, or Island Tackle and Gifts at (910) 579-6116. Stroll Through the Waterfront Park of SouthportThe Waterfront Park of Southport's unique location at the end of Howe Street will give you a great view of the area's waters and other landmarks. Located where the waters of the Cape Fear River, Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway meet, you can see the Oak Island Lighthouse and the Bald Head Island Lighthouse from this park. Located in the park is a trail that is almost a mile long and takes you through the city's waterfront. While you are in Southport, visiting this park is a great way to get a feel for the area's rich maritime history. Visit the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department Nature CenterThe Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department is very active in promoting area recreation and wildlife, and this is displayed in their Nature Center. Admission is free to this great center, which offers a variety of live animals on display. Also available at the Nature Center is a talking tree trail, an interpretive trail, a walkway and picnic area and restrooms. If you enjoy nature, you won't want to miss a stop at the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department Nature Center, which can be reached at (910) 278-5518. Enjoy a Concert of the Sea Notes Choral SocietyThe Sea Notes Choral Society of Brunswick County is a non-profit organization that consists of volunteers, and is based in Southport. More than 100 members are a part of this chorus, which is open to anyone with an interest in singing. Rehearsal is held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday nights at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. Three concerts are performed throughout the year, including a spring concert, Fourth of July concert and a Christmas concert. Chorus members pay $25 per year for annual dues, and admission to the concerts is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Sea Notes Choral Society at (910) 278-5542. Ride Your Bike on the East Coast GreenwayThe East Coast Greenway was developed to try to connect all major East Coast cities with a continuous off-road path. Recently, Brunswick County has joined the East Coast Greenway, which is a 2,600-mile trail that begins in Canada and ends in Key West, Florida. Bikers, hikers, inline skaters and wheelchairs enjoy portions of this trail throughout the year, which has been compared to an urban Appalachian Trail. For a map or for more information about the trail, contact the East Coast Greenway at (401) 789-4625. Have Lunch in Keziah Memorial ParkKeziah Memorial Park, located in Southport, is a shaded park that is home to the famous 800-year old live oak. This interesting tree, called the Indian Trail Tree, is curved and it is believed it is from damage done to the tree when it was just a sapling. You can enjoy relaxing in the gazebo and benches of Keziah Memorial Park, which also has a partial view of the Southport waterfront. If you would like to visit this park during your visit to Brunswick County, it is located at the intersection of West Moore Street and South Lord Street. 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. Attend the Brunswick Islands Home and Garden ShowHeld each year in March, the Brunswick Islands Home & Garden Show displays a variety of area merchants and business that offer goods and services for the needs of your home and family. Almost 100 businesses participate in this show, which is held at the West Brunswick High School in Shallotte. The show normally runs throughout the weekend, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, contact the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 426-6644. Visit the Price Creek LighthouseThe Price Creek Lighthouse was built in 1849, which made it the last lighthouse built in the series of lighthouses on the Cape Fear coast of North Carolina. The lighthouse used to be accompanied by the two beacons - a brick structure and a wooden tower with the light keeper's house. The brick structure was damaged during the Civil War but is still standing today. The light keeper's house was damaged in the late 1800s and early 1900s and is no longer at the site. The Price Creek Lighthouse is located on private property and currently is not open to tours, though this may change sometime in the future. If you would like to view the Price Creek Lighthouse, it is located on the west bank of the Cape Fear River and can be seen from the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsFish House Restaurant5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Driftwood Grill 3370 Stone Chimney Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Ocean Breeze Beach Club 2729 W Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Fulford Junior Fish House 3330 Old Ferry Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Holden Beach Seafood Fish House 1075 Songbird Lane SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Betty's Waterfront Restaurant 1045 Varnamtown Road SW, Suite B Holden Beach, NC 28462 Captain Pete's Restaurant 103 South Shore Drive Holden Beach, NC 28462 Paradise Cafe 102 Jordan Boulevard Holden Beach, NC 28462 Patronies Pizza 2625 Holden Beach Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Sandman's Ice Cream 112 Ocean Boulevard W Holden Beach, NC 28462 Dip at the Dock - Hand Dipped Ice Cream 1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Treasure Island Miniature Golf & Oasis 3445 Holden Beach Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Brunswick Beaches ShoppingBlue Water Point Motel & Marina5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Wildflour Cakes & Pastries 516 Lockwood Folly Road Bolivia, NC 28422 Mace's Seafood & Boat Rentals, Live Bait & Tackle 115 Canal Drive Holden Beach, NC 28462 Star Seafood 3330 Old Ferry Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Eagle Seafood Co. 450 Sabbath Home Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Armax Gift Baskets 450 Sabbath Home Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Carson Varnam's Oyster Market 175 Varnamtown Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Beacon One Seafood 1 Fisherman Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Robinson & Robinson Seafood 3 Fisherman Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Garland's Fresh Seafood 2 Fisherman Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Lockwood Folly Seafood 15 Varnamtown Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Lancaster Eugene Oyster House 2910 Fresh Oyster Lane SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsBlue Water Point Motel & Marina5710 W 57th Place 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 Holden Beach Pier 441 Ocean Boulevard W Holden Beach, NC 28462 Ocean Crest Fishing Pier 1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Environmental Overlook Trails 3003 E Oak Island 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 Brunswick Beaches ActivitiesBlue Water Point Motel & Marina5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Sea Thriller Watersports, Inc. 5710 57th Place West Oak Island, NC 28465 Lockwood Folly Country Club 19 Clubhouse Drive SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Sea Thriller Watersports, Inc. 1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Ye Olde Gun Club Shooting Range 107 SW 20th Street 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 Harbor Island Miniature Golf & Family Game Room 3340 Holden Beach Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Oak Island Skate Park 49th Street SE Oak Island, NC 28465 Carolina National Golf Club at Winding River Plantation 1643 Goley Hewett Road Bolivia, NC 28422 |