Travel To Myrtle Beach For a Performance in the Alabama TheaterThe Alabama Theater, located in Myrtle Beach, is one of the most popular theaters in South Carolina. While you are in the Brunswick County area, you may want to take the 20-minute drive to Myrtle Beach to view a performance here. Elaborate musical productions are performed here, and a number of country music stars perform concerts in this venue as well. Alabama Theater also hosts a variety of special holiday performances. For more information or for a schedule of events, contact the Alabama Theater at (800) 342-2262. 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. Go Bicycling on Area Bike PathsBrunswick County is a great place to ride your bicycle, as the roads are not as busy as they are in other coastal areas of North Carolina. A 32-mile bike route takes you from Southport to Orton Plantation and Brunswick Town Historic Site. Also, a recently built 3-mile paved shoulder bike path takes you from the state ferry dock to downtown Southport. Other bike trails can be found throughout the county. For more information, you can get a bicycle trail map from the Oak Island Recreation Center at (910) 278-5518. For information about state-funded bicycle trails, you can contact the North Carolina Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation at (919) 733-2804. For your bicycling adventure, you can rent bicycles in the area from Boomer's Rentals of Holden Beach at (910) 842-1400 or Julie's Rentals of Sunset Beach at (910) 579-1211. Also, there is a full-service bicycle shop in Southport, Southport Bicycles at (910) 457-1878. Take a Workshop or Class from the Waterway Art AssociationThe Waterway Art Association, located in Calabash, is an organization that was created in 1991 to increase art awareness in the area. Each month between September and May (excluding December), the group meets at the Calabash Fire House on the third Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Following the meeting, art programs are offered and are open to members of all skill levels. Offerings include professional art workshops, outdoor painting and drawing sessions, lectures, exhibits, and museum trips. The Association also offers two art shows throughout the year - a Labor Day show and a Memorial Day show. For more information, contact the Waterway Art Association at (910) 575-7981. 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. Go Running or Walking in the AreaA great way to get some exercise in the Brunswick County area while enjoying the local scenery and wildlife. There are a few organizations in the area that promote running and walking. The Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Walking Club at (800) 222-4790 encourages you to keep a daily record of the number of miles walked, with prizes rewarded at the end of the year. In Southport, the Southport Parks and Recreation Department at (910) 457-7923 works the same way, where walkers keep track of their miles and are given prizes at the end of the year. Of course, many of the area beaches and sidewalks also offer great opportunities for running and walking. Take an Art Class from the Associated Artists of SouthportThe Associated Artists of Southport is a non-profit organization that is housed in the Franklin Square Gallery. The group educates and promotes original art within the community, and offers various workshops and competitions held throughout the year. Drawing and painting classes are held on Monday through Friday, and pottery classes are also held in the facility. Classes and other activities for children are also offered. For more information, contact the Associated Artists of Southport at (910) 278-5562. 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. Take at Tour of the Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant Energy CenterThe Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant Energy Center is located in Southport off N.C. Highway 87. While the nuclear plant is not open to the public because of safety reasons, there is a Visitor Center here where you can learn about the process. A variety of exhibits are available here, which includes a display about how to prevent sea turtles and other sea creatures from entering the plant with the million gallons of water that flow into the plant's cooling units each minute. The exhibits will also teach you about reading electric meters, used fuel storage, generating electricity with a stationary bicycle and educational videos. Admission to the Visitor Center is free, and the tours are self-guided. For more information, contact the Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant Energy Center at (910) 457-6041. Visit Railroad Museums in Chadbourn and Fair BluffIf you are interested in the history of the railroad industry, you may want to take a day trip to some area railroad museums. There are two railroad museums not far from Brunswick County that will teach you about this interesting aspect of history. The Atlantic Coast Line Depot Museum is located in Chadbourn, which is located off U.S. Highway 76 South on N.C. Highway 410. This depot was built in 1910 and is now home to a variety of historical displays and stories about the railroad. Admission is free to the Atlantic Coast Line Museum, which is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Also in the area, you will find the Fair Bluff Depot Museum, located in Fair Bluff off U.S. Highway 76 to N.C. Highway 904. This depot was built in 1897 for the Atlantic Coast Line and has a variety of railroad memorabilia. The Fair Bluff Depot Museum also offers free admission, and is open on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information about the Atlantic Coast Line Depot Museum, call (910) 654-6269 and for more information about the Fair Bluff Depot Museum, call (910) 649-7707. | 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 |