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Go Bicycling on Area Bike Paths

Brunswick County is a great place to ride your bicycle, as the roads are not as busy as they are in other coastal areas of North Carolina. A 32-mile bike route takes you from Southport to Orton Plantation and Brunswick Town Historic Site. Also, a recently built 3-mile paved shoulder bike path takes you from the state ferry dock to downtown Southport. Other bike trails can be found throughout the county. For more information, you can get a bicycle trail map from the Oak Island Recreation Center at (910) 278-5518. For information about state-funded bicycle trails, you can contact the North Carolina Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation at (919) 733-2804. For your bicycling adventure, you can rent bicycles in the area from Boomer's Rentals of Holden Beach at (910) 842-1400 or Julie's Rentals of Sunset Beach at (910) 579-1211. Also, there is a full-service bicycle shop in Southport, Southport Bicycles at (910) 457-1878.

Attend a Cape Fear Yacht Club Event

The Cape Fear Yacht Club is based in Southport and began in 1993 by area residents who appreciate the boating industry and wanted to have an organization with other members who shared their interests. Today, the Cape Fear Yacht Club is an active area organization that has various events each year. Regattas to support charity causes like their Leukemia Cup Regatta in May, summer sailing yacht racing and the annual "Blessing of the Fleet" ceremony are among some of the exciting things the Yacht Club does each year. For more information about attending some of these events, or about possible membership, contact the Cape Fear Yacht Club at (910) 845-2860.

Take a Stroll on the Riverwalk of Southport

While you are in the area, you will enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Riverwalk of Southport. Beginning at Waterfront Park on Bay Street, the Riverwalk will take you along the Cape Fear River to the Southport Marina and the Yacht Basin. From here, you can see views of Bald Head Island and Oak Island. Also in this busy area, you will be able to see various ships as they pass. On the right day, you and your family may even get to see a school of dolphins playing in the water!

Learn How To Sail or Go Sightseeing with Priority Sailing

Priority Sailing of Southport offers both sailing lessons and sightseeing cruises of the area. Whether you want to learn how to sail or if you just want to relax while you tour the area, Priority Sailing can help! Both children and adults can learn to sail on their 52-foot cutter, Carolina Gale. A variety of sailing certification levels can be achieved when you learn from Priority sailing. A variety of sightseeing cruises are also available, including a Full Moon Cruise or Sunset Cruise or a Weekend Cruise Package. For more information, contact Priority Sailing at (910) 454-4479.

Enjoy a Performance at the Odell Williamson Auditorium

The Odell Williamson Auditorium, located in Supply, is located on the campus of Brunswick Community College. This performing arts center is a state-of-the-art facility with 1,500 seats. A variety of educational and cultural activities are held in the auditorium each year, which was built by the citizens of Brunswick County for more than 3 million dollars. Major entertainers and local and regional theater companies perform at Odell Williamson each year. For more information about events at the Odell Williamson Auditorium, call (910) 755-7416.

Play a Tennis Match at an Area Court

Tennis 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 a Workshop or Class from the Waterway Art Association

The Waterway Art Association, located in Calabash, is an organization that was created in 1991 to increase art awareness in the area. Each month between September and May (excluding December), the group meets at the Calabash Fire House on the third Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Following the meeting, art programs are offered and are open to members of all skill levels. Offerings include professional art workshops, outdoor painting and drawing sessions, lectures, exhibits, and museum trips. The Association also offers two art shows throughout the year - a Labor Day show and a Memorial Day show. For more information, contact the Waterway Art Association at (910) 575-7981.

Play Sand Volleyball on the Beach

Beach volleyball is a sport that you always see it on television and think about how much fun it would be to try it. Why not try it while you are on the beaches of Brunswick County? Playing this competitive sport in the sand will give you a great workout while you have fun with your friends and family. Many area parks and beaches offer sand volleyball courts, which are open to the public. If you don't have enough for a full "team" but still want to play, it is usually pretty easy to join in with a group who is already playing a match. Get ready for some fun!

Take a Day Trip To Faircloth Exotic Animal Zoo

If your children enjoy viewing unique animals, you and your family may enjoy taking a day trip to the Faircloth Exotic Animal Zoo, located in Bolivia. They have a unique variety of small and large breed animals, including Highland bulls, Watusi cows, Texas Longhorns, Zebu cows, lions, bears, yaks, tigers, black leopards, zebras, monkeys, buffalo, camels, and more! They also manage a petting zoo with lambs and goats, which are always a favorite with children. This unique zoo is open daily year-round from 9:00 a.m. until dusk. For more information, contact the Faircloth Exotic Animal Zoo at (910) 253-6820.

Eat Some Authentic Seafood in the Small Town of Calabash

Calabash is a small town in the Brunswick County area that is known as the "Seafood Capital of the World." Many people travel to Calabash each year to enjoy their unique style of seafood, which mixes southern cooking with seafood to create a unique taste known as "Calabash-style." With its location near the Atlantic Ocean and also as the most southernmost river town in North Carolina, the first Calabash Restaurant was opened in 1935 as an oyster roast. If you enjoy seafood, you may want to stop in and try some seafood - "Calabash-style!"