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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 Shopping at Callahan's of Calabash Nautical Gifts

If you are looking for the perfect nautical souvenir, the Callahan's of Calabash Nautical Gifts shop will have just the thing for you! Located in Calabash, this large store has a few shops under one roof. The Callahan's Nautical Gifts features nautical items and gifts, jewelry, homemade candy, and more. Also in the store is the St. Nick Nacks Christmas Shop, which has a variety of holiday items for Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Pea Landing Mercantile is also located in this shopping area, which has fudge and candy, gourmet foods, cookbooks, and other home and garden items. As you can see, there is something for everyone at Callahan's! For more information, contact Callahan's of Calabash Nautical Gifts at (800) 344-3816.

Take an Art Class from the Associated Artists of Southport

The Associated Artists of Southport is a non-profit organization that is housed in the Franklin Square Gallery. The group educates and promotes original art within the community, and offers various workshops and competitions held throughout the year. Drawing and painting classes are held on Monday through Friday, and pottery classes are also held in the facility. Classes and other activities for children are also offered. For more information, contact the Associated Artists of Southport at (910) 278-5562.

Learn about the Agri-Tourism Industry of Brunswick County

There are a number of local farms in Brunswick County that are available for tours. Your family may enjoy an afternoon tour of a produce farm, aquatic farm, cattle or swine farm, or a tobacco or cotton operational farm. Several of the produce farms allow you to pick your own tomatoes, strawberries, and other in-season fruits and vegetables, while the other types of farms will enable you to get a glimpse into the farm operation lifestyle. For an informational guide about the various farms in the area, contact the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at (910) 253-2610.

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.

Play a Competitive Game of Pool at the 49Th Street Station and Bar

The 49th Street Station and Bar is an Oak Island neighborhood bar that offers you the chance to socialize and play a few games of friendly competitive pool. The bar is housed in a renovated old gas station and is a popular local hangout. In addition to the games of pool, karaoke is also performed each Saturday night, and a variety of other events and fundraisers are held throughout the year. For more information, contact the 49th Street Station Game Room and Bar at (910) 278-9811.

Have a Snack at Chillin - Smoothies, Ice Cream and Cappuccino

CHILLIN - Smoothies, Ice Cream and Cappuccino, located in Holden Beach, will offer you and your family a great place to stop and relax as you enjoy a sweet treat. Offering a variety of fruit, ice cream and coffee drinks and snacks, CHILLIN is located on Holden Beach Road SW. For more information, contact CHILLIN at (910) 842-5665.

Visit Area Historic Churches

If you are interesting in viewing some of the area's beautiful historic churches, then Southport is just the place for you! The Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip's is the oldest church in Southport and was actively used until 2004. The church is open 24 hours a day and still hosts some religious ceremonies. For more information, contact The Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip's at (910) 457-5643. Next, you will find the Trinity United Methodist Church, which was built in 1890 and has beautiful stained glass windows, a beaded ceiling and other unique architectural features. For more information, contact Trinity United Methodist Church at (910) 457-6633. Also in Southport is St. Philip's Parish at the Old Brunswick Town State Historic Site. This church was built in 1768 and was burned down shortly after that by the British, in 1776. Today, you can see ruins of the structure and some Colonial-era graves. Some religious services are still held within the ruins. For more information, contact St. Phillip's Parish at (910) 371-6613.

Go Horseback Riding

While you are visiting the Brunswick County area, you and your family may want to give an afternoon of horseback riding a try. Horseback riding can be a fun way to view a portion of the area from a whole new perspective! In Holden Beach, K&K Stables consists of 18 acres with shady trails. They offer Western-style riding lessons and guided trail rides. For more information, contact K&K Stables at (910) 842-8002. In Calabash, Peachtree Equestrian Center is located on 127 acres, with 70 acres of shaded trails. Trail rides, outdoor riding rings and an indoor riding arena give you a variety of options for your riding experience. Lessons are also available in both English and Western riding styles. For more information, contact Peachtree Equestrian Center at (910) 287-4790.

Ride Your Bike on the East Coast Greenway

The East Coast Greenway was developed to try to connect all major East Coast cities with a continuous off-road path. Recently, Brunswick County has joined the East Coast Greenway, which is a 2,600-mile trail that begins in Canada and ends in Key West, Florida. Bikers, hikers, inline skaters and wheelchairs enjoy portions of this trail throughout the year, which has been compared to an urban Appalachian Trail. For a map or for more information about the trail, contact the East Coast Greenway at (401) 789-4625.