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. Visit the Bald Head Island LighthouseThe Bald Head Island Lighthouse, otherwise known as "Old Baldy," was built of bricks and cement in 1817. This lighthouse was built to replace the original structure in this location, which was built too close to the water in 1795 and was torn down in 1810. The current lighthouse is 109 feet tall and though it is no longer an operating beacon, self-guided tours are available. Now a historic site with a museum, the lighthouse is climbed by many visitors each year. Historic tours are also available. For more information about the Bald Head Island Historic Tour, call (910) 457-7481. Enjoy a Meal at the Live Oak CaféThe Live Oak Café of Southport gets its name from its unique location underneath an old live oak tree. The café is housed in a refurbished historic home with original wood floors, brightly colored walls, quaint dining rooms, pub-style tables, and more. If you prefer, you can enjoy your meal on the screened porch or sip your wine in the herb garden. American food with a Cajun kick makes up the menu at Live Oak Café, which is open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. For more information, contact the Live Oak Café at (910) 454-4360. 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. Take a Tour at Indigo Farms and Garden CenterThe Indigo Farms and Garden Center of Shallotte is a great place for the kids to learn about how a produce farm is managed. Home-grown fruits and vegetables are available for purchase, or you can pick your own strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. A variety of special events are hosted throughout the year, including Farm Heritage Day and Pumpkin Day, both in October. Evening hayrides are offered in the fall. Also onsite is a bakery, ice cream shop, and florist. Hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Indigo Farms & Garden Center at (910) 287-6794. 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. 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. Get a Unique Nautical Souvenir from Cape Fear JewelersMany women enjoy getting a piece of jewelry from the area to act as their souvenir, so after they are not on vacation anymore they can always be reminded of their fun vacation times. If you want to get a jewelry souvenir that will remind you of Brunswick County, Cape Fear Jewelers has just what you are looking for! Located in Southport, Cape Fear Jewelers has a variety of 14-carat gold nautical jewelry. They also have a selection of other jewelry, including diamonds, gemstones, silver, and more. One of their unique nautical pieces will make the perfect souvenir for you! For more information, contact Cape Fear Jewelers at (910) 457-5299. Enjoy the North Carolina Fourth of July FestivalIf you are in Brunswick County during the 4th of July holiday, you will enjoy the North Carolina 4th of July Festival in Southport and Oak Island. This celebration attracts about 500,000 visitors each year because of this old-fashioned family celebration. There is a parade featuring a variety of floats, bands, clowns and horses. There are firemen's games that are enjoyed by many, as well as vendors selling arts, crafts and food. There is also a naturalization ceremony that names people of various nationalities as citizens of the United States. To finish the holiday, you will enjoy the fireworks display over the water. For more information, contact the North Carolina 4th of July Festival at (910) 457-5578. 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. | Oak Island RestaurantsIsland Way Restaurant1407 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Plaza Garibaldi 8004 Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Breeze Beach Club 2729 W Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Barbeque House 5002 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Captain Stanley's Seafood Restaurant 5515 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Russell's Place Restaurant 5700 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Sub Shop & Deli 5705 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 Oak Island ShoppingPottery by Bob Furr521 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Local Call Surf Shop 8417 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Yaupon Tree 8501 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Seaside With Coffee 8017 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Island Jewelers 8801 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 The Pet Stop 8308 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Sporting Goods 8800 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Crest Fishing Pier 1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Art Guild 212 NE 41st Street Oak Island, NC 28465 3 Cheers Party Rentals 5022 E Oak Island Drive Suite #2 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 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsOcean Crest Fishing Pier1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Environmental Overlook Trails 3003 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Blue Water Point Motel & Marina 5710 W 57th Place 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 Holden Beach Marina 3238 Pompano Street SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 Cedar Landing Marina & Seafood 1305 Cedar Landing Road SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 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 Brunswick Beaches ActivitiesOak Island Skate Park49th Street SE Oak Island, NC 28465 Privateer Charters 104 SE 25th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Ye Olde Gun Club Shooting Range 107 SW 20th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department 3003 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Rentals 4014 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island Jungle Golf, Arcade & Ice Cream Shop 6321 Oak Island Drive East Oak Island, NC 28465 Blue Water Point Motel & Marina 5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Lockwood Folly Country Club 19 Clubhouse Drive SW Holden Beach, NC 28462 St. James Plantation 4006 St. James Drive Southport, NC 28461 Oak Island Golf Club 928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Cattail Cruises & Tours 4320 Southport Supply Road SE, Suite #600 Southport, NC 28461 Endless Summer Sailing Cruises 4909 Fish Factory Road South Harbour Village Marina Southport, NC 28461 |