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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!"

Learn about the Stars at Ingram Planetarium

The Ingram Planetarium, located in Sunset Beach, has a unique 40-foot dome theater and offers a variety of programs throughout the year. Programs include Ancient Horizons, Endless Horizon, The Sky Tonight, Search for Life in the Universe, and more. In the summer, hourly programs are held Tuesday through Saturday between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. During the rest of the year (during fall, winter and spring), hourly program are held Thursday through Saturday between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. Also in the Planetarium is a Science Room with a variety of science, math, and navigational exhibits. For more information about the programs offered throughout the year, contact Ingram Planetarium at (910) 575-0033.

Browse Around in Mace's Seafood, Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle

Located on Canal Drive in Holden Beach, Mace's Seafood and Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle is just the shop for you if you want to experience the beach activities of boating, fishing, or cooking fresh seafood! Their seafood store offers a variety of local catch that will be great for the hungry appetites in your family. If you plan to spend an afternoon fishing, you can visit Mace's for your live bait and tackle needs. Finally, if you are interested in boating around the area, you may want to rent a boat from Mace's. For more information, contact Mace's Seafood, Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle at (910) 842-7171.

Go Shopping For Souvenirs at the Lighthouse Crafts and Gifts

Lighthouse Crafts and Gifts of Holden Beach is a great gift shop where you may be able to find that perfect Brunswick County souvenir! While you are in the area, you may want to stop in and check out everything this shop has to offer. For more information, you can contact Lighthouse Crafts and Gifts at (910) 842-5740.

Learn about the Nursery Industry at Phillips Nursery

Phillips 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.

Have Lunch at the River Pilot Café

The River Pilot Café of Bald Head Island serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers great views of the Cape Fear River. Their menu offers a variety of Southern food that includes seafood, meats, vegetables, and more. Adjacent to the Café is the River Pilot Lounge, which offers cocktails and a late-night menu. While you are on Bald Head Island viewing the lighthouse or other local attractions, you may want to stop and enjoy a meal at the River Pilot Café. For more information, call (910) 457-7390.

Enjoy the Seafood Buffet at the Lucky Fisherman Restaurant

The Lucky Fisherman's "Super Seafood Buffet" is located in Southport and offers a variety of all-you-can-eat seafood menu items. Open on Tuesday to Sunday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., the Lucky Fisherman has crab legs, fresh local seafood, crawfish, flounder, chicken, oysters, soups, salads, desserts, ice cream, and more! For more information, contact the Lucky Fisherman at (910) 457-9499.

Visit Railroad Museums in Chadbourn and Fair Bluff

If you are interested in the history of the railroad industry, you may want to take a day trip to some area railroad museums. There are two railroad museums not far from Brunswick County that will teach you about this interesting aspect of history. The Atlantic Coast Line Depot Museum is located in Chadbourn, which is located off U.S. Highway 76 South on N.C. Highway 410. This depot was built in 1910 and is now home to a variety of historical displays and stories about the railroad. Admission is free to the Atlantic Coast Line Museum, which is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Also in the area, you will find the Fair Bluff Depot Museum, located in Fair Bluff off U.S. Highway 76 to N.C. Highway 904. This depot was built in 1897 for the Atlantic Coast Line and has a variety of railroad memorabilia. The Fair Bluff Depot Museum also offers free admission, and is open on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information about the Atlantic Coast Line Depot Museum, call (910) 654-6269 and for more information about the Fair Bluff Depot Museum, call (910) 649-7707.

Enjoy an Afternoon of Water-SkiIng

Brunswick County offers a variety of great waters that are suited for water-skiing, which is a popular recreational activity that can't always be enjoyed in coastal areas. In Brunswick County, the 22-mile stretch of beach between Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach is great for skiing because of its quiet surf. Also, northwest of Southport in Boiling Spring Lakes you will find Big Lake, which offers great water-skiing conditions and a free public boat ramp on Alton Lennon Drive.

Ride Personal Watercraft in the Intracoastal Waterway

Though there aren't many opportunities for riding personal watercraft in Brunswick County, a variety of options are available in the nearby Cape Fear area. Riders launch into the Intracoastal Waterway from Sneads Ferry and Wrightsville Beach, which are both just a short drive from Brunswick County. For more information about personal watercraft safety courses, contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at (910) 270-9830. For information about rentals, contact Paradise Landing in Sneads Ferry at (910) 327-2114 or Performance Watercraft of Wrightsville Beach at (910) 799-9283.