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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.

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.

Visit the Bald Head Island Lighthouse

The Bald Head Island Lighthouse, otherwise known as "Old Baldy," was built of bricks and cement in 1817. This lighthouse was built to replace the original structure in this location, which was built too close to the water in 1795 and was torn down in 1810. The current lighthouse is 109 feet tall and though it is no longer an operating beacon, self-guided tours are available. Now a historic site with a museum, the lighthouse is climbed by many visitors each year. Historic tours are also available. For more information about the Bald Head Island Historic Tour, call (910) 457-7481.

Have Lunch in Keziah Memorial Park

Keziah Memorial Park, located in Southport, is a shaded park that is home to the famous 800-year old live oak. This interesting tree, called the Indian Trail Tree, is curved and it is believed it is from damage done to the tree when it was just a sapling. You can enjoy relaxing in the gazebo and benches of Keziah Memorial Park, which also has a partial view of the Southport waterfront. If you would like to visit this park during your visit to Brunswick County, it is located at the intersection of West Moore Street and South Lord Street.

Go Shopping at Southport's Blue Crab Blue Shop

If you are looking for the perfect handcrafted souvenir, Blue Crab Blue of Southport is the shop for you! Housed in a small boat-builder's cottage located close to the Oak Island Bridge, this shop offers various handmade items like pottery, jewelry, stained glass, metal work, paintings, and more. Work from various area artists is showcased in this unique store, which offers a variety of styles to suit everyone's needs. For more information, contact Blue Crab Blue at (910) 454-8888.

Relax For an Afternoon at a Day Spa

Spending an afternoon at the spa during your Brunswick County vacation is a great way to relax. Enjoy the calm atmospheres of some local spas while you pamper yourself with a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, and more! The E Spa & Salon in Southport can be reached at (910) 457-0009 and offers a variety of massages, hair, facials, nails, and aromatherapy treatments. Also in Southport, Totally You Day Spa can be reached at (910) 457-0502 and also offers various spa treatments for both men and women. Finally, located in Shallotte is the Kozo Hair Designs & Spa, which can be reached at (910) 754-9477 and offers hair and facial treatments, massages, nails and wedding packages.

Go Searching For Beach Treasures

While you are hanging out on the beaches of Brunswick County, you may want to go beachcombing for beach "treasures" that are found in the area. Shells and shark's teeth are easily found on the beaches, especially after storms and hurricanes. On a normal day, the best time to search for treasures is after high tide. Shark's teeth normally sparkle at the water's edge in coarse, wet sand. Whole sand dollars are also very common on the beaches of Brunswick County, but make sure you leave the live ones on the beach. If they are still brown and furry, they are alive and should be returned to the water. If they are white and skeletal, you can take them home with you! Whatever you find at the beach, it is a good idea to clean your treasures with mild bleach water.

Go Boating

The Brunswick County area offers a variety of boating opportunities, whether you want to cruise in a small boat on the Cape Fear River or in a larger boat that can handle the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Before you take your boating adventure, be sure you are familiar with area rules and regulations. The coast of North Carolina is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because of the numerous shipwrecks that have happened because of shallow water and treacherous shoals, so you will want to be familiar with area waters before taking your trip. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers Safe Boating courses throughout the year and can be reached at (910) 458-9598.

Enjoy Some Target Practice at Ye Olde Gun Club and Shooting Range

Located in Southport, the Ye Olde Gun Club and Shooting Range has a variety of activities for you. If you would like to learn how to shoot a gun, you can take safety classes and get your concealment certification at the range. If you want to spend some time doing target practice, the covered area and practice ranges are just the thing for you! Their ranges include black powder, archery and trap shooting ranges, as well as 25-500 yard rifle ranges and 7-25 yard pistol ranges. For more information about range hours or for directions to the range, contact the Ye Olde Gun Club and Shooting Range at (910) 278-3763.

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.