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Take a Trip To Winnabow To Tour the Natural Beauty Garden Spot

The Natural Beauty Garden Spot, located in Winnabow, is a local greenhouse that features a variety of local plant, shrub and tree species. Most of their products are grown in their greenhouse and include hanging baskets, trees, shrubs and bedding plants. If you are interested in learning more about the business, they offer greenhouse tours, though you will want to call ahead to make reservations. They are open from March to June, Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Natural Beauty Garden Spot at (910) 253-5777.

Travel To Myrtle Beach To the Family Kingdom Amusement and Water Park

Located just a short distance from Brunswick County in Myrtle Beach, you will find the Family Kingdom Amusement and Water Park. Located at 300 South Ocean Boulevard, this family amusement park is the only oceanfront water park located on the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach. The Swamp Fox, a rollercoaster made entirely of wood, is a popular ride at the park. The 33 rides found at the park are sure to include one of your favorites. The park also has a section called Kiddie Land, which has 18 rides for young children to safely enjoy. For more information, contact the Family Kingdom Amusement and Water Park at (843) 626-3447.

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!

Take a Tour of Shelton Herb Farm

Shelton Herb Farm of Leland is a unique farm that grows a variety of herbs, specialty vegetables and native plants. Group tours are available upon request. A variety of over 800 herbs are grown at Shelton's, and you will be interested to see how an operation of this nature operates. For more information, contact Shelton Herb Farm at (910) 253-5964.

Enjoy a Meal at the Isles Restaurant

The Isles Restaurant, located on Ocean Isle Beach, offers an elegant atmosphere to match its menu. Serving both lunch and dinner, The Isles has a seafood and steak menu that ranges from catfish fingers, hot crab dip and pan-seared scallops to Caesar salad and Jack Daniels ribs. The wine list and Martini Menu also offer a variety of drinks to go along with your meal. For more information, contact The Isles Restaurant at (910) 575-5988.

Visit the Old Brunswick County Jail

The Old Brunswick County Jail was built in Southport in 1904 and consists of two cells and a second floor runabout. The structure has been managed by the Southport Historical Society since 1984 and will soon be home to a Southport History Museum and Genealogy Research Room. Inside the jail, some remnants of prisoners' graffiti is still visible on the walls. The Jail is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday, and admission is free. For more information, contact the Southport Historical Society at (910) 457-0760.

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.

Visit the Oak Island Lighthouse

The Oak Island Lighthouse, built in 1958, was one of the last lighthouses to be built in the United States. Also, it is the last lighthouse in the world to be manually operated. One of three lighthouses left on the southern coast of North Carolina, the Oak Island Lighthouse is managed by the United States Coast Guard. Their weekly inspections ensure the lights in the tower continue to be in working order. The lighthouse is 153 feet high with a concrete base, and its aerobeam lights can be seen by boats that are as far as 24 miles out to sea. In 2003, the National Park Service turned ownership of the Lighthouse over to the Town of Caswell Beach. Since then, the Town of Caswell Beach created an organization to help preserve the lighthouse, which is called the Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse.

Go To the Movies at a Local Movie Theater

If you end up with a rainy or chilly day during your vacation, what better way to spend the afternoon than by going to see a movie at a local movie theater? There are a few options in the area where you can see the newest movie releases. In Southport, Surf Cinemas is a 4-screen theater and can be reached at (910) 457-0320 for show times. In Shallotte, Coastal Cinemas offers 10 screens and can be reached at (910) 754-7469 for show times.

Take a Sailing Trip with Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters

The Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters is based in Southport and offers a variety of four sailing charter trips on its 37-foot boat, Stephania. There is a Morning Sail, Afternoon Sail, Sunset Sail and a Moonlight Sail. Depending on which cruise you take, costs vary from $51 to $53 per adult and $29 for children. Each trip is about three hours long and will teach you about the history and attractions found on Oak Island. Only six passengers can ride at a time, so you will need to call ahead to make reservations. For more information, contact Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters at (910) 278-7249.