Ride the Southport-Fort Fisher FerryThe Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry terminal is located in Southport and takes you on a 30-minute ferry ride that ends south of Kure Beach, at Fort Fisher. This ferry ride crosses the Cape Fear River and will allow you see a variety of area history and nature attractions along the way. These attractions include the historic Price's Creek Lighthouse, The Rocks, Zeke's Island, and Federal Point. The ferry ride is $1.00 for pedestrians, $2.00 for bicycles, $3.00 for motorcycles, $5.00 for vehicles 20 feet or less, $10.00 for vehicles 20 to 40 feet, and $15.00 for vehicles 40 to 65 feet. You may want to call ahead to find out about the current ferry schedule so you can plan your trip schedule as needed. For more information, contact the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry at (910) 457-6942. 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. Enjoy a Thai Meal at Thai Peppers RestaurantThai Peppers Restaurant has been serving authentic Thai food in Southport for more than 13 years. Located in Historic Downtown Southport, Thai Peppers offers a variety of menu items and daily specials. Menu items include soups, salads, seafood, noodles, specialty curry and stir fry dishes. Carry-out is available, and they also offer catering and banquet facilities. For more information, contact Thai Peppers Restaurant at (910) 457-0095. Take a Trip on the Bald Head Island FerryThe Bald Head Island Ferry takes passengers from the Southport ferry terminal to Bald Head Island. Cars are not allowed on this ferry - it only has capacity for pedestrians, bicycles, and electric carts. A round-trip ferry pass is $15.00 per person, $8.00 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids under 2 years old. The ferry operates daily and leaves the Southport Ferry Terminal every hour from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., except at 12:00 p.m. (noon.) To return to Southport, the ferry leaves Bald Head Island every hour on the half-hour, except at 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact the Bald Head Island Ferry at (800) 234-1666. 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 a Sailing Trip with Winds of Carolina Sailing ChartersThe Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters is based in Southport and offers a variety of four sailing charter trips on its 37-foot boat, Stephania. There is a Morning Sail, Afternoon Sail, Sunset Sail and a Moonlight Sail. Depending on which cruise you take, costs vary from $51 to $53 per adult and $29 for children. Each trip is about three hours long and will teach you about the history and attractions found on Oak Island. Only six passengers can ride at a time, so you will need to call ahead to make reservations. For more information, contact Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters at (910) 278-7249. Have Fun with Your Family at Treasure Island Miniature GolfTreasure Island Miniature Golf of Holden Beach will offer your family an entertaining and fun-filled afternoon of miniature golf. The unique themes of each hole will make you anxious to get to the next hole to see what challenge it has to offer. For more information, contact Treasure Island Mini Golf at (910) 842-4878. Enjoy Some Target Practice at Ye Olde Gun Club and Shooting RangeLocated in Southport, the Ye Olde Gun Club and Shooting Range has a variety of activities for you. If you would like to learn how to shoot a gun, you can take safety classes and get your concealment certification at the range. If you want to spend some time doing target practice, the covered area and practice ranges are just the thing for you! Their ranges include black powder, archery and trap shooting ranges, as well as 25-500 yard rifle ranges and 7-25 yard pistol ranges. For more information about range hours or for directions to the range, contact the Ye Olde Gun Club and Shooting Range at (910) 278-3763. Get Married on the BeachWhat better place to have your wedding or vow renewal ceremony on the Brunswick County beaches of North Carolina? There is something quite romantic about the incoming waves and ocean breeze that makes the beach a perfect setting for your special ceremony. Because the weather and winds are unpredictable in the area, you may want to have an alternate location available in case of inclement weather. If you are interested in having your ceremony in Brunswick County, you will first need a North Carolina marriage license from the local Register of Deeds office. You can contact the Brunswick County Register of Deeds at (877) 625-9310. If you need help planning your ceremony, A Carolina Wedding of Wilmington may be able to help, and can be reached at (910) 686-2690. 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. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsFish House Restaurant5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Driftwood Grill 3370 Stone Chimney Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 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 Ocean Breeze Beach Club 2729 W Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 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 Robinson & Robinson Seafood 3 Fisherman Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Beacon One Seafood 1 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 Captain Pete's Seafood Market 101 South Shore Drive 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 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 Ye Olde Gun Club Shooting Range 107 SW 20th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 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 |