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View Area Art at the Southport Art Museum

The Southport Art Museum, located in Southport, offers a variety of art that is from different eras of North Carolina's history. You can begin your journey through the Museum by viewing early art of Native Americans, Scrimshaw, Early Explorers and Local Pirates. If you enjoy nautical themes, you will like the displays of Cape Fear Lighthouses, Early Maritime, Ships in a Bottle and Model Ships. Art from past wars is also displayed, which features the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Whatever your interest in art, the Southport Art Museum will have something on display to suit you! The Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission is free. For more information or for tour reservations, call (910) 457-6166.

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.

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.

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!

Visit the Holden Brothers Farm Market

The Holden Brothers Farm Market of Shallotte is a popular destination for many visitors and locals each year. This unique place has both fields and a market, and families enjoy bringing their children to pick strawberries and tomatoes. Both the fields and the market are open from April 1 through December 25, and are located 3 miles south of Shallotte on Highway 17 West. For more information, contact the Holden Brothers Farm Market at (910) 579-4500.

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.

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.

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.

Attend a Summer Sundays Performance

Summer Sundays of Southport consists of a series of outdoor concerts that are sponsored by the Southport Visitor's Center and the City of Southport. Held in the historic Keziah Memorial Park, the concerts feature a variety of music styles performed by local artists. Concerts are held on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. between May 29 and August. Concert attendees range from children to senior citizens and can bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets. For more information, contact Summer Sundays at (910) 457-7927.

Spend an Afternoon Shopping in Area Antique Stores

Though there are many nice gift shops in the area, many visitors prefer to do their shopping at area antique stores. Shopping at antique stores is a great way to find unique items of the area that can't be purchased by just anyone at a souvenir shop. If you are interested in antiques, Brunswick County has a number of shops available. In Southport, you may enjoy Magnolia Gifts and Antiques at (910) 457-4982, Northrup Antiques Mall at (910) 457-9569, or Southport Antiques at (910) 457-1755. Also, you may want to travel to nearby Burgaw, which is home to the Burgaw Antiqueplace, which consists of items from 50 dealers. The Burgaw Antiqueplace can be reached at (910) 259-7070.