Learn about the Agri-Tourism Industry of Brunswick CountyThere are a number of local farms in Brunswick County that are available for tours. Your family may enjoy an afternoon tour of a produce farm, aquatic farm, cattle or swine farm, or a tobacco or cotton operational farm. Several of the produce farms allow you to pick your own tomatoes, strawberries, and other in-season fruits and vegetables, while the other types of farms will enable you to get a glimpse into the farm operation lifestyle. For an informational guide about the various farms in the area, contact the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at (910) 253-2610. Enjoy a Seafood Dinner at the Seafood PeddlerThe Seafood Peddler, located in Holden Beach, is a great local seafood restaurant that offers a menu that is enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Open for lunch and dinner with an affordable lunch buffet, The Seafood Peddler serves a variety of seafood, chicken, appetizers and more. The indoor is decorated with various ceramic sea creatures including sharks, turtles, etc. For more information, contact The Seafood Peddler at (910) 842-5515. Take Your Kids To the Annual Children's Crab DerbyThe Children's Crab Derby is held each year in September and open to children ages 16 and younger. Held at the Old Yacht Basin in Southport, the Children's Crab Derby divides its young participants into teams of two or three, separated by age category, and prizes are given for the largest crab caught and the most crabs caught in each age category. Children must bring their own small crab basket or line and bait, and some luck! For more information, contact the Children's Crab Derby at (910) 457-7923. Learn about the Nursery Industry at Phillips NurseryPhillips Nursery is a local plant nursery, located in Leland. You can visit Phillips to see how a nursery of its nature is managed, or you can purchase some North Carolina bushes or shrubs to plant in your landscaping. When you visit Phillips Nursery, you will be able to enjoy a piece of North Carolina in your landscaping, even after your vacation is over! Specializing in container-grown shrubs, shade trees, potting mix and loads of bark, Phillips Nursery is open year-round. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, contact Phillips Nursery at (910) 253-6692. Enjoy a Sweet Treat at a French BakeryThe French Bake and Pastry Shop is located on Ocean Isle Beach and offers a variety of traditional French pastries and desserts. The bakery's décor consists of yellow, blue and white, which is the design of traditional French style. The bakery's menu includes muffins, turnovers, pastries, cream puffs, croissants, cheese cakes, and more. The owner of the bakery is from Amsterdam and previously ran a successful restaurant next to the White House in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact The French Bake and Pastry Shop at (910) 575-0284. Practice Your Swing at the Driving RangeIf you enjoy golfing but don't have time to golf a full round at a local course, you may want to check out a local driving range. Holden Beach Driving Range is a lighted facility that has lessons available on-site. A pro shop and batting cages are also available at this location. At this range in Holden Beach, you can practice your swing 24 hours a day, because when no staff is on duty, there is a self-payment booth for your convenience. For more information, contact the Holden Beach Driving Range of Holden Beach at (910) 842-3717. Another option is the Pro Tee Practice Range in Ocean Isle Beach. They have 36 fully lighted stations, a pro shop, refreshment area, batting cages, and a mini golf course. This facility is open daily and operates with a self-payment booth. For more information, contact the Pro Tee Practice Range at (910) 754-4700. Attend the Annual Christmas by the Sea FestivalThe Christmas by the Sea Festival, sponsored each year by the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, is an annual festival to celebrate the Christmas holiday. The moderate climate of the North Carolina Coast makes the weather beautiful in December, and this festival is a great way to celebrate! Fresh mistletoe and seashell ornaments are available for purchase at local shops, and oyster stuffing is a popular local holiday food. The festival occurs during three weekends of December and involves a variety of community organizations. A parade and tour of homes in Oak Island kicks off the festivities for the first weekend, and the second weekend takes visitors to Southport for a historic home tour, lighted boat parade, choral concert and a variety of great local shopping. Finally, the third weekend finishes the festival with a band concert and a variety of children's activities. For more information, contact the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce at (800) 457-6964. 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. 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. Browse Through Local Art GalleriesIf you enjoy viewing (and possibly purchasing) art, you may enjoy visiting some of the art galleries located in Brunswick County. The galleries showcase a variety of local talent, most of which have art themes specific to the coastal area. In Southport, you will enjoy the ArtShak Studio, Gallery and Sculpture Garden, which features a variety of beautiful sculptures and art and can be reached at (910) 457-1757. Also in Southport, the Franklin Square Gallery at (910) 457-5450 showcases a variety of local works and also offers workshops, classes and competitions. The Ricky Evans Gallery of Southport can be reached at (910) 457-1129 and features lighthouse paintings, a historic Southport series and a coastal waterfront series. Other galleries you may enjoy are The Blue Heron Gallery of Sunset Beach at (910) 575-5088 and the Sunset River Marketplace of Calabash at (910) 575-5999. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsFish House Restaurant5710 W 57th Place Oak Island, NC 28465 Ocean Breeze Beach Club 2729 W Beach Drive 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 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 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 Eagle Seafood Co. 450 Sabbath Home Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 Armax Gift Baskets 450 Sabbath Home Road Holden Beach, NC 28462 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 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 Ocean Crest Fishing Pier 1411 E Beach Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Holden Beach Pier 441 Ocean Boulevard W Holden Beach, NC 28462 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 Lockwood Folly Country Club 19 Clubhouse Drive 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 Privateer Charters 104 SE 25th Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Cox's Landing Riding Club 2877 Cox's Landing Road SE Holden Beach, NC 28462 |