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Enjoy a Sweet Treat at Sandman's Candyland or Sandman's Ice Cream

Sandman's Candyland and Sandman's Ice Cream of Holden Beach has something for everyone's sweet tooth! Sandman's Candyland on Jordan Boulevard has a variety of over 100 different candies ranging from new to old-fashioned. The candy store is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sandman's Ice Cream on Ocean Boulevard West has 25 fun flavors of ice cream that will hit the spot any day of the week! The ice cream store is open daily from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m. For more information, contact Sandman's Candyland at (910) 842-6322 or Sandman's Ice Cream at (910) 842-5743.

Enjoy a Meal at the Live Oak Café

The Live Oak Café of Southport gets its name from its unique location underneath an old live oak tree. The café is housed in a refurbished historic home with original wood floors, brightly colored walls, quaint dining rooms, pub-style tables, and more. If you prefer, you can enjoy your meal on the screened porch or sip your wine in the herb garden. American food with a Cajun kick makes up the menu at Live Oak Café, which is open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. For more information, contact the Live Oak Café at (910) 454-4360.

Take Your Kids To the Annual Children's Crab Derby

The Children's Crab Derby is held each year in September and open to children ages 16 and younger. Held at the Old Yacht Basin in Southport, the Children's Crab Derby divides its young participants into teams of two or three, separated by age category, and prizes are given for the largest crab caught and the most crabs caught in each age category. Children must bring their own small crab basket or line and bait, and some luck! For more information, contact the Children's Crab Derby at (910) 457-7923.

Go Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean

Swimming is a popular activity enjoyed on the beaches of Brunswick County each year. For your safety, many beaches are staffed with lifeguards in the spring and summer. When you are swimming in the ocean, be careful of rip currents and sea creatures. The surf is usually quite moderate in the area, but you should always swim with a partner. The warm ocean water and fine sand will make for a great day of swimming and sunbathing at the beach!

Go Shopping in the Yaupon Tree Shop

The Yaupon Tree shop of Oak Island is a unique local store that offers a variety of products. You can choose between pottery, jewelry, unique gifts and other accessories as you browse this store. Located on East Oak Island Drive, The Yaupon Tree is a stop you won't want to miss! For more information, contact The Yaupon Tree at (910) 278-5991.

Participate in an Area Walking or Jogging Race

If you are an athlete who enjoys taking running to a competitive level, you may enjoy competing in an area Brunswick County race. The Annual Oak Island Lighthouse 10K/5K Run/Walk is a popular race that is sponsored by the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce. This race takes participants on a scenic tour over the Oak Island Bridge, through the Oak Island village and past the Oak Island Lighthouse. This fun event attracts many participants each year. For more information, contact the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce at (800) 457-6964. Also held in Brunswick County during the annual Oyster Festival is the North Carolina Oyster Festival Road Race. These races consist of a 10K, a 5K, and a 1-mile Fun Run. For more information, contact the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 426-6644. Other races may be held during your stay in Brunswick County, so you may want to check local listings upon your arrival.

Take at Tour of the Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant Energy Center

The Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant Energy Center is located in Southport off N.C. Highway 87. While the nuclear plant is not open to the public because of safety reasons, there is a Visitor Center here where you can learn about the process. A variety of exhibits are available here, which includes a display about how to prevent sea turtles and other sea creatures from entering the plant with the million gallons of water that flow into the plant's cooling units each minute. The exhibits will also teach you about reading electric meters, used fuel storage, generating electricity with a stationary bicycle and educational videos. Admission to the Visitor Center is free, and the tours are self-guided. For more information, contact the Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant Energy Center at (910) 457-6041.

Visit the Price Creek Lighthouse

The Price Creek Lighthouse was built in 1849, which made it the last lighthouse built in the series of lighthouses on the Cape Fear coast of North Carolina. The lighthouse used to be accompanied by the two beacons - a brick structure and a wooden tower with the light keeper's house. The brick structure was damaged during the Civil War but is still standing today. The light keeper's house was damaged in the late 1800s and early 1900s and is no longer at the site. The Price Creek Lighthouse is located on private property and currently is not open to tours, though this may change sometime in the future. If you would like to view the Price Creek Lighthouse, it is located on the west bank of the Cape Fear River and can be seen from the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry.

Go Bicycling on Area Bike Paths

Brunswick County is a great place to ride your bicycle, as the roads are not as busy as they are in other coastal areas of North Carolina. A 32-mile bike route takes you from Southport to Orton Plantation and Brunswick Town Historic Site. Also, a recently built 3-mile paved shoulder bike path takes you from the state ferry dock to downtown Southport. Other bike trails can be found throughout the county. For more information, you can get a bicycle trail map from the Oak Island Recreation Center at (910) 278-5518. For information about state-funded bicycle trails, you can contact the North Carolina Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation at (919) 733-2804. For your bicycling adventure, you can rent bicycles in the area from Boomer's Rentals of Holden Beach at (910) 842-1400 or Julie's Rentals of Sunset Beach at (910) 579-1211. Also, there is a full-service bicycle shop in Southport, Southport Bicycles at (910) 457-1878.

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.