Enjoy a Sweet Treat at Sandman's Candyland or Sandman's Ice CreamSandman'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. Get a Unique Nautical Souvenir from Cape Fear JewelersMany women enjoy getting a piece of jewelry from the area to act as their souvenir, so after they are not on vacation anymore they can always be reminded of their fun vacation times. If you want to get a jewelry souvenir that will remind you of Brunswick County, Cape Fear Jewelers has just what you are looking for! Located in Southport, Cape Fear Jewelers has a variety of 14-carat gold nautical jewelry. They also have a selection of other jewelry, including diamonds, gemstones, silver, and more. One of their unique nautical pieces will make the perfect souvenir for you! For more information, contact Cape Fear Jewelers at (910) 457-5299. Practice Your Swing at the Driving RangeIf you enjoy golfing but don't have time to golf a full round at a local course, you may want to check out a local driving range. Holden Beach Driving Range is a lighted facility that has lessons available on-site. A pro shop and batting cages are also available at this location. At this range in Holden Beach, you can practice your swing 24 hours a day, because when no staff is on duty, there is a self-payment booth for your convenience. For more information, contact the Holden Beach Driving Range of Holden Beach at (910) 842-3717. Another option is the Pro Tee Practice Range in Ocean Isle Beach. They have 36 fully lighted stations, a pro shop, refreshment area, batting cages, and a mini golf course. This facility is open daily and operates with a self-payment booth. For more information, contact the Pro Tee Practice Range at (910) 754-4700. Take the Bald Head Island Historic TourIf you would like to learn more about the unique history of Bald Head Island, you may want to take the Bald Head Island Historic Tour. The tour includes visits to the Bald Head Island Lighthouse, the Smith Island Museum of History, and Captain Charlie's Station. The tour is two hours long and is available from March 1 through November 30. The tour begins each day with a 10:00 a.m. ferry ride from Southport to Bald Head Island. The cost of the tour (which includes the cost of the ferry ride and lunch at the River Pilot Cafe) is $40 for adults, $35 for children 12 years old and younger. The ferry departs from Bald Head Island to return to Southport at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Bald Head Island Historic Tour at (910) 457-5003. Go Kayaking or Canoeing on the Cape Fear RiverThough the Cape Fear River areas aren't recommended for beginners because of high boat traffic and dangerous currents, the more advanced kayak and canoe paddlers enjoy the Cape Fear River waters each year. The Town of Oak Island has dedicated about 24 miles of canoe water trails in the Cape Fear River, which offer various challenges and adventures for the paddlers. This trail system is known as the Long Beach Canoe Trail System, and the four trails are the 4.2-mile Lockwood Folly trail, the 7-mile Montgomery Slough trail, the 6.5-mile Howells Point trail, and the 6-mile Davis Creek trail. Some of the waters are calm and protected, while others are rough and exposed, but all areas offer a variety of scenic opportunities. For more information, contact the Oak Island Recreation Department at (910) 278-5518. Relax or Enjoy Activities at an Area ParkThe Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department oversees numerous community and district parks in the area. All of these parks feature a variety of great facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts, football and soccer fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. Some of the parks have other features like community buildings, horseshoes and shuffleboard. If you need a place to play or relax for an afternoon, one of these area parks is just the thing for you! For more information on parks in Brunswick County, contact the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department at (800) 222-4790. Go Running or Walking in the AreaA great way to get some exercise in the Brunswick County area while enjoying the local scenery and wildlife. There are a few organizations in the area that promote running and walking. The Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Walking Club at (800) 222-4790 encourages you to keep a daily record of the number of miles walked, with prizes rewarded at the end of the year. In Southport, the Southport Parks and Recreation Department at (910) 457-7923 works the same way, where walkers keep track of their miles and are given prizes at the end of the year. Of course, many of the area beaches and sidewalks also offer great opportunities for running and walking. Take Your Kids To Captain Charlie's Kids Fishing TournamentHeld at the City Pier in Southport's Waterfront Park, the Captain Charlie's Kids Fishing Tournament is held each year to coincide with the King Mackerel Tournament. This is a great way for children to have their own tournament while their parents are out fishing in the adult tournament. Kids ages 16 and younger are welcome to enter Captain Charlie's Tournament, which is sponsored by the Southport Recreation Department and the Southport Lions Club. Kids bring their own equipment and bait, and the first 100 to enter get a free t-shirt. Prizes are given away throughout the tournament, and everyone can enjoy free hot dogs and refreshments. All fish that are caught are put back into the water in this catch-and-release tournament. For more information, contact the Captain Charlie's Kids Fishing Tournament at (910) 457-7923. Take a Sailing Trip with Winds of Carolina Sailing ChartersThe 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. Take an Adventure in the Green SwampNorthwest of Supply, you will find a 150,000-acre preserve called the Green Swamp. Managed by the Nature Conservancy, this preserve is full of wildlife and vegetation and is home to a variety of wildlife, including red-cockaded woodpeckers, black bears and bobcats. Several carnivorous plant species are also found in the preserve, including the Venus Fly Trap. For more information, including a map or local guide schedules, contact the Nature Conservancy at (910) 762-6277. |