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Learn about Area History at Fort Caswell

Fort Caswell of Caswell Beach plays an important part of the area's history, as it is one of the strongest forts of its time. Built in 1838, Fort Caswell originally consisted of 2,800 acres and was built of a pentagonal brick-and-masonry fort and citadel. Much of the fort was damaged in 1865, but the remains are still intact today and managed by the Baptist Assembly of North Carolina. Fort Caswell is open for self-guided tours for $3.00 per person and hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information, contact Fort Caswell at (910) 278-9501.

Practice Your Swing at the Driving Range

If 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.

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.

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.

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.

Take a Workshop from the Oak Island Art Guild

The Oak Island Art Guild offers free monthly workshops to the public. Led by experienced area artists, these workshops teach a variety of art topics including watercolor, oils, acrylic, pastel, clay, tile painting, calligraphy, abstracts, and more. Meetings are held at the Oak Island Recreation Center on the second Friday of each month. The Art Guild is also involved in a variety of local events and organizations in the Oak Island area. For more information, contact the Oak Island Art Guild at (910) 201-4090.

Have Lunch at the River Pilot Café

The River Pilot Café of Bald Head Island serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers great views of the Cape Fear River. Their menu offers a variety of Southern food that includes seafood, meats, vegetables, and more. Adjacent to the Café is the River Pilot Lounge, which offers cocktails and a late-night menu. While you are on Bald Head Island viewing the lighthouse or other local attractions, you may want to stop and enjoy a meal at the River Pilot Café. For more information, call (910) 457-7390.

Browse Around in Mace's Seafood, Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle

Located on Canal Drive in Holden Beach, Mace's Seafood and Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle is just the shop for you if you want to experience the beach activities of boating, fishing, or cooking fresh seafood! Their seafood store offers a variety of local catch that will be great for the hungry appetites in your family. If you plan to spend an afternoon fishing, you can visit Mace's for your live bait and tackle needs. Finally, if you are interested in boating around the area, you may want to rent a boat from Mace's. For more information, contact Mace's Seafood, Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle at (910) 842-7171.

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.

Go Searching For Beach Treasures

While you are hanging out on the beaches of Brunswick County, you may want to go beachcombing for beach "treasures" that are found in the area. Shells and shark's teeth are easily found on the beaches, especially after storms and hurricanes. On a normal day, the best time to search for treasures is after high tide. Shark's teeth normally sparkle at the water's edge in coarse, wet sand. Whole sand dollars are also very common on the beaches of Brunswick County, but make sure you leave the live ones on the beach. If they are still brown and furry, they are alive and should be returned to the water. If they are white and skeletal, you can take them home with you! Whatever you find at the beach, it is a good idea to clean your treasures with mild bleach water.