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Ride the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry

The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry terminal is located in Southport and takes you on a 30-minute ferry ride that ends south of Kure Beach, at Fort Fisher. This ferry ride crosses the Cape Fear River and will allow you see a variety of area history and nature attractions along the way. These attractions include the historic Price's Creek Lighthouse, The Rocks, Zeke's Island, and Federal Point. The ferry ride is $1.00 for pedestrians, $2.00 for bicycles, $3.00 for motorcycles, $5.00 for vehicles 20 feet or less, $10.00 for vehicles 20 to 40 feet, and $15.00 for vehicles 40 to 65 feet. You may want to call ahead to find out about the current ferry schedule so you can plan your trip schedule as needed. For more information, contact the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry at (910) 457-6942.

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!

Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is home to a variety of exhibits and artifacts that will teach you about the maritime history of the area. Local shipwreck treasures, sharks' teeth, a fragment from a 2,000-year-old Indian canoe, and shrimping nets are among the items you will find at the museum. Visitors of all ages enjoy the trivia board located in the museum, and there is also a research library and video collection available. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2.00 for adults (ages 16 and older), $1.00 for seniors (62 and older), and free for children less than 16 years old. For more information, contact the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport at (910) 457-0003.

Go Bird Watching For Area Bird Species

The many natural habitats in Brunswick County are home to more than 200 species of birds. Many visitors and locals enjoy bird watching each year, and there are also groups of volunteers who monitor some species to ensure their safety. The wood stork is a popular species, which are commonly found in the Twin Lakes section of Sunset Beach. You may spot ibises and pelicans on Battery Island in the middle of the Cape Fear River, with critical nesting areas protected by the National Audubon Society. For more information about bird watching or volunteering in the area, call (910) 579-2828.

Go Surfing

While the location of the Brunswick County beaches produce moderate surf that is more suited for body boarding, some surfing can still be done in the area. Just north of Brunswick County, the Topsail Island beaches offer great surfing conditions and are just a short drive from Brunswick County. Before you head out for a day of surfing, be sure to check the local weather and tide reports, and be aware of local regulations. For more information on local regulations, as well as information about surfing lessons, you can contact the Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Department at (910) 256-3925. To purchase surfing gear, you can reach Local Call Surf Shop of Oak Island at (910) 278-3306; while Beach Fun Rentals of Holden Beach at (888) 355-4446 offers equipment rentals.

Taste Local Wines at the Silver Coast Winery

The Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach is located on 40 acres of woods and has been winning awards for their wines since the Winery opened in 2002. You may enjoy spending some time at the Winery, where you can tour the winery, learn about wine making, sample wines in the tasting room, view local art in the art gallery, or purchase gifts for friends in the wine and gift shop. A variety of special events are held each month, and private parties and events are welcome. From June to August, you can enjoy live music every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Silver Coast Winery at (910) 278-2800.

Attend the North Carolina Festival by the Sea

The North Carolina Festival by the Sea is held on the last Saturday of October on the streets of Holden Beach. The festival features more than 160 booths of arts and crafts, a sandcastle building contest, a kite flying contest and a horseshoe competition. There are 1K, 5K and 10K races held during the festival, and a street dance with live music takes place on Saturday night. There is no admission fee to get into the festival. For more information, contact the North Carolina Festival by the Sea at (910) 842-3828.

Attend the Annual Christmas by the Sea Festival

The 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.

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.

Have Fun with Your Family at Treasure Island Miniature Golf

Treasure Island Miniature Golf of Holden Beach will offer your family an entertaining and fun-filled afternoon of miniature golf. The unique themes of each hole will make you anxious to get to the next hole to see what challenge it has to offer. For more information, contact Treasure Island Mini Golf at (910) 842-4878.