Go Fishing from an Area Fishing PierFishing is enjoyed by thousands of locals and visitors of the Brunswick County area each year. Many go offshore and inshore fishing on boats and charters, while others choose to fish from the beach or off fishing piers. If you enjoy fishing from area piers, there are a few to choose from in Brunswick County. In Southport, the City Pier at Waterfront Park is a small pier with free admission. Long Beach offers the Long Beach Pier at (910) 278-5962 and is the longest fishing pier of North Carolina. On Oak Island, you can choose between the Ocean Crest Pier at (910) 278-6674 and the Yaupon Pier at (910) 278-9400. The South Brunswick Islands offer the Holden Beach Pier in Holden Beach at (910) 842-6483, the Ocean Isle Pier of Ocean Isle at (910) 579-3095 and the Sunset Beach Pier in Sunset Beach at (910) 579-6630. Go Shopping at Southport's Blue Crab Blue ShopIf you are looking for the perfect handcrafted souvenir, Blue Crab Blue of Southport is the shop for you! Housed in a small boat-builder's cottage located close to the Oak Island Bridge, this shop offers various handmade items like pottery, jewelry, stained glass, metal work, paintings, and more. Work from various area artists is showcased in this unique store, which offers a variety of styles to suit everyone's needs. For more information, contact Blue Crab Blue at (910) 454-8888. Enjoy Legends in Concert or Tribute! the Concert in Myrtle BeachWhile you are in the Brunswick County area, you may want to take an evening journey to Myrtle Beach for a Las Vegas-style musical concert. These concerts are led by performers who impersonate famous stars like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Rod Stewart. Two of these concerts are offered in the area - the first is Legends in Concert which can be reached at (800) 960-7469, and the other is Tribute! The Concert, which can be reached at (800) 313-6685. 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. Play a Tennis Match at an Area CourtTennis is a popular sport that can be enjoyed year-round in the Brunswick County area, because of its moderate climate. If you and your tennis partner would like to play a few matches while you are in the area, there are a number of public courts available for your use. The Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department, headquartered in Bolivia, offers a variety of lessons and courts throughout the county. Lessons are open to children between ages 8 and 12 and are held at town parks in Shallotte, Lockwood Folly, Smithville and Town Creek. Courts in these parks can be used for play when they are not being used for lessons. Also, the Oak Island Recreation Department offers lessons for children and adults, and has some public courts available as well. For more information on either of these facilities, contact the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department at (800) 222-4790 or the Oak Island Recreation Department at (910) 278-4747. 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. 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. Day Trip To Myrtle Beach For the Carolina OpryThe Carolina Opry is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South Carolina, and is located in Myrtle Beach, which is just 20 minutes from the beaches of Brunswick County. The Carolina Opry shows offer both comedy and music, and styles of music range from bluegrass and country to gospel and oldies. There is also a special Christmas concert that is performed during the holiday season. Because of the show's popularity, you will want to call ahead to reserve your tickets. For more information, contact the Carolina Opry at (800) 843-6779. 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. Browse the Shops at Howe Street PurveyorsThe Howe Street Purveyors shopping center is located near downtown Southport on Howe Street. You won't be disappointed by the nice shops in this center, which offer a variety of clothing for your family, as well as a food-related gift shop. Papaya Island at (910) 457-0256 offers comfortable clothing for your family, while Bermuda Bay at (910) 457-1030 offers beach clothing. Also in the shopping center is Cat on a Whisk at (910) 454-4451, which offers a variety of gourmet foods and food-related gadgets. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsHuddle House Restaurant132 Country Club Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 China Garden 300 Yaupon Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Domino's Pizza 402 Yaupon Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Frosty's Ice Cream 8600 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Chasers Bar & Grill 8520 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Thai by the Sea 705 Yaupon Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Duffer's Pub & Grille at the Oak Island Golf Club 928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Jones' Seafood House 6404 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Wildlife Restaurant & Grill 4381 Fish Factory Road SE Oak Island, NC 28461 Oak Island Jungle Golf, Arcade & Ice Cream Shop 6321 Oak Island Drive East Oak Island, NC 28465 Turtle Island Restaurant & Catering 6220 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches ShoppingBoat House Gifts128 Country Club Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Karen's Just Dessert 3 St. Andrews Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Frosty's Ice Cream 8600 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Island Wear 8600 East Oak Island Drive Suite #6 Oak Island, NC 28465 Seaside Baskets 706 Yaupon Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Haag & Sons Seafood 7901 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Yaupon Beach Fishing Pier 705 Ocean 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 Bounceez Party Rentals 5146 Minnesota Drive SE Southport, NC 28461 Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle 4019 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Renee's Fine Jewelry 4146 Long Beach Road Southport, NC 28461 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsYaupon Beach Fishing Pier705 Ocean Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 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 The Old Brunswick County Jail 501 N Atlantic Avenue Southport Historical Society Southport, NC 28461 Southport Parks and Recreation Department 107 E Nash Street Stevens Park Southport, NC 28461 The Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip 205 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 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 Oak Island Golf Club 928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Jungle Golf, Arcade & Ice Cream Shop 6321 Oak Island Drive East Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Fun Park 4434 Long Beach Road SE 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 Surf Cinemas 4836 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Ocean Rentals 4014 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Pirate's Hideaway Mini Golf 4874 Long Beach Road SE Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Maritime Passenger Co., LLC 230 Caswell Avenue Solomon T - The Heritage Boat at the Southport Marina Southport, NC 28461 |