Take the Family To Play Miniature Golf at Oak Island Jungle GolfOak Island Jungle Golf, located on Oak Island Drive East, features an 18-hole miniature golf course that will be sure to challenge and entertain you and your family! Children, parents and grandparents will enjoy a friendly competition in this fun course. In addition to the Putt-Putt course, there is also an arcade on site and an ice cream shop. For more information, contact Oak Island Jungle Golf at (910) 201-1444. 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. Spend the Day at the North Carolina Oyster FestivalThe North Carolina Oyster Festival is held each year during the third weekend of October on Ocean Isle Beach. The N.C. Oyster Shucking Championship is held at this festival, which sends its winner to the national championship. Oysters are the favorite food of the Brunswick County islands, and there are plenty of them at this festival. Live music, arts and crafts vendors, 5K and 10K races, an oyster stew cook-off and more are also offered at the festival. Admission is $3.00 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. For more information, contact the North Carolina Oyster Festival at (800) 426-6644. 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. Relax or Enjoy Activities at an Area ParkThe Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department oversees numerous community and district parks in the area. All of these parks feature a variety of great facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts, football and soccer fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. Some of the parks have other features like community buildings, horseshoes and shuffleboard. If you need a place to play or relax for an afternoon, one of these area parks is just the thing for you! For more information on parks in Brunswick County, contact the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department at (800) 222-4790. Go GolfingIf you want a break from the beach, golfing a round at a local golf course may be the perfect getaway for you! Because of the area's mild temperatures, most golf courses are available year-round. Brunswick County is home to several great golf courses, any of which will meet your golfing needs. In Southport, there are three courses at St. James Plantation on Highway 211, and each of the courses has something unique to offer. Of these three courses, The Founders Club can be reached at (800) 247-4806, The Members Club can be reached at (800) 474-9277, and The Players can be reached at (800) 281-6626. In Caswell Beach, you will find one of Brunswick County's oldest courses, the Oak Island Golf and Country Club, which can be reached at (800) 278-5275. In Shallotte, Brierwood Golf Club is a championship course and can be reached at (888) 274-3796. Ocean Isle Beach is home to the Brick Landing Plantation, which has 41 sand traps and 12 water holes and can be reached at (800) 438-3006. In Calabash, the Calabash Golf Links can be reached at (800) 841-5971 and the Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club can be reached at (800) 579-8292. As you can see, if you enjoy golfing, there are plenty of options for you in Brunswick County! Learn about the Area at the Museum of Coastal CarolinaThe Museum of Coastal Carolina, located in Ocean Isle Beach, is home to the largest natural seascape replica in the Southeast. This seascape is home to sharks, dolphins, game fish, octopus, and other sea creatures, as well as a shipwreck from the 1800s. Also in the Museum, you will find artifacts from the Civil War, a Shell Room, shark jaws, wildlife exhibits, and more. A popular exhibit is the 500-gallon Touch Tank that allows you to touch and hold a variety of sea creatures, including hermit crabs, sting rays, sea stars, flounder, and more. A variety of educational events are also offered at the Museum, which is open daily during the summer. For more information, contact the Museum of Coastal Carolina at (910) 579-1016. Have a Snack at Chillin - Smoothies, Ice Cream and CappuccinoCHILLIN - Smoothies, Ice Cream and Cappuccino, located in Holden Beach, will offer you and your family a great place to stop and relax as you enjoy a sweet treat. Offering a variety of fruit, ice cream and coffee drinks and snacks, CHILLIN is located on Holden Beach Road SW. For more information, contact CHILLIN at (910) 842-5665. Visit the South of the Border AttractionWhile you are in Brunswick County and so close to the border between North Carolina and South Carolina, you may want to stop off Interstate-95 and check out the South of the Border attraction. South of the Border has a campground and a motel, a miniature theme park, shops, restaurants, a nightclub and more. As you are traveling either on Interstate-95 or the intersecting U.S. Highway 301-501, you are sure to see numerous signs advertising this famous attraction. You may want to stop and check it out - you can feel like you are in Mexico without even leaving the Carolinas! For more information, call South of the Border (a.k.a. Pedroland) at (843) 774.2411. 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. |