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Enjoy the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival

If 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.

Go Skateboarding at Oak Island State Park

The Oak Island Skate Park was designed with input from area youth, and offers a variety of challenges and trick opportunities for skaters who come to the park. Skaters must wear protective equipment while they are in the park, and spectators are welcome. Skaters on skateboards, inline skates and roller skates are allowed in the park. Regular open sessions are available, as well as sessions for specific age and skill level. For more information, contact the Oak Island Skate Park at (910) 278-4747.

Spend an Afternoon Shopping in Area Antique Stores

Though there are many nice gift shops in the area, many visitors prefer to do their shopping at area antique stores. Shopping at antique stores is a great way to find unique items of the area that can't be purchased by just anyone at a souvenir shop. If you are interested in antiques, Brunswick County has a number of shops available. In Southport, you may enjoy Magnolia Gifts and Antiques at (910) 457-4982, Northrup Antiques Mall at (910) 457-9569, or Southport Antiques at (910) 457-1755. Also, you may want to travel to nearby Burgaw, which is home to the Burgaw Antiqueplace, which consists of items from 50 dealers. The Burgaw Antiqueplace can be reached at (910) 259-7070.

Go Golfing

If 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 Carolina

The 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.

Day Trip To Lumber River State Park

If you enjoy camping and outdoor activities, you may want to take one or two of your days in the Brunswick County area to travel to Lumber River State Park, which is near Orrum, North Carolina. Located on the Lumber River, this park offers a variety of activities including paddle sports, hiking trails, picnic areas and more! You may want to call ahead for river conditions if you plan to go canoeing or boating, as the water levels are too low for these sports during some times of the year. The park is open year-round, with varying hours of operation depending on the season. For more information, contact the Lumber River State Park at (910) 628-9844.

Join an Adult Soccer League

If you enjoy competitive sports and getting lots of exercise, you may enjoy participating in the adult soccer league of Oak Island. The Oak Island Recreation Department offers adults the opportunity to play in this soccer league, which is open to both men and women. Throughout the league season, ten matches are played, and the season ends with a single-elimination tournament. The location of the games is the Oak Island Soccer Field at Middleton Park. For more information, contact the Oak Island Recreation Department at (910) 278-4747.

Enjoy Nature on the Environmental Overlook Trails

If 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.

Spend an Afternoon in the Small Town of Shallotte

Shallotte is a small town in Brunswick County that is located conveniently off Highway 17. A variety of restaurants, shops and other businesses are located in Shallotte, which is a central commerce area where visitors can purchase what they need from the various grocery stores, department stores, professional offices and restaurants. For entertainment, Shallotte is home to a 10-screen movie theater with stadium seating and a bowling alley. Whether you need to stock up on the necessities or just need a family night of movies or bowling, Shallotte is just the place for you! For more information, contact the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 426-6644.

Have a Meal at 317 West Bay Waterway Steakhouse

The 317 West Bay Waterway Steakhouse, located in Southport, offers great views as it overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Depending on your preference, there are three unique environments for you to enjoy your dinner - the main dining rooms, the outdoor patio, or the fully-equipped bar. The atmosphere in the restaurant is sophisticated yet casual, and they serve a variety of food including steak, pork, seafood and poultry. For more information, contact 317 West Bay Waterway Steakhouse at (910) 457-0317.