Go Shopping at the Olde Southport Village ShoppesLocated on Howe Street in Southport, the Olde Southport Village Shoppes is a collection of unique shops that are houses in various refurbished old buildings. These unique buildings bring character to the shopping area, as you can shop for today's products but think back to what may have been sold in each store in the past. Shops in the Olde Southport Village offer a variety of products, including jewelry, antiques, glassware, linens, furniture, lotion and spa ware, candy, and more! Whatever you are looking for, you can probably find it while you are in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes. Join an Adult Soccer LeagueIf you enjoy competitive sports and getting lots of exercise, you may enjoy participating in the adult soccer league of Oak Island. The Oak Island Recreation Department offers adults the opportunity to play in this soccer league, which is open to both men and women. Throughout the league season, ten matches are played, and the season ends with a single-elimination tournament. The location of the games is the Oak Island Soccer Field at Middleton Park. For more information, contact the Oak Island Recreation Department at (910) 278-4747. Go Skateboarding at Oak Island State ParkThe Oak Island Skate Park was designed with input from area youth, and offers a variety of challenges and trick opportunities for skaters who come to the park. Skaters must wear protective equipment while they are in the park, and spectators are welcome. Skaters on skateboards, inline skates and roller skates are allowed in the park. Regular open sessions are available, as well as sessions for specific age and skill level. For more information, contact the Oak Island Skate Park at (910) 278-4747. View Area Art at the Southport Art MuseumThe 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. Take a Stroll on the Riverwalk of SouthportWhile you are in the area, you will enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Riverwalk of Southport. Beginning at Waterfront Park on Bay Street, the Riverwalk will take you along the Cape Fear River to the Southport Marina and the Yacht Basin. From here, you can see views of Bald Head Island and Oak Island. Also in this busy area, you will be able to see various ships as they pass. On the right day, you and your family may even get to see a school of dolphins playing in the water! Attend a Cape Fear Yacht Club EventThe Cape Fear Yacht Club is based in Southport and began in 1993 by area residents who appreciate the boating industry and wanted to have an organization with other members who shared their interests. Today, the Cape Fear Yacht Club is an active area organization that has various events each year. Regattas to support charity causes like their Leukemia Cup Regatta in May, summer sailing yacht racing and the annual "Blessing of the Fleet" ceremony are among some of the exciting things the Yacht Club does each year. For more information about attending some of these events, or about possible membership, contact the Cape Fear Yacht Club at (910) 845-2860. Go Fishing from an Area Fishing PierFishing is enjoyed by thousands of locals and visitors of the Brunswick County area each year. Many go offshore and inshore fishing on boats and charters, while others choose to fish from the beach or off fishing piers. If you enjoy fishing from area piers, there are a few to choose from in Brunswick County. In Southport, the City Pier at Waterfront Park is a small pier with free admission. Long Beach offers the Long Beach Pier at (910) 278-5962 and is the longest fishing pier of North Carolina. On Oak Island, you can choose between the Ocean Crest Pier at (910) 278-6674 and the Yaupon Pier at (910) 278-9400. The South Brunswick Islands offer the Holden Beach Pier in Holden Beach at (910) 842-6483, the Ocean Isle Pier of Ocean Isle at (910) 579-3095 and the Sunset Beach Pier in Sunset Beach at (910) 579-6630. Take a Break at a Local Coffee ShopIf you enjoy drinking specialty coffee while reading your daily newspaper or a favorite book, there are a few options for you in Brunswick County. The Flying Pig Coffeehouse of Oak Island is a bright shop with interesting furniture that serves a variety of specialty coffees and teas. Open seven days a week, The Flying Pig can be reached at (910) 278-5929. In Holden Beach, you may enjoy Cappuccino by the Sea, which serves coffees, teas and snacks. This shop also has a gift shop, and can be reached at (910) 842-3661. Finally, in Sunset Beach, The Roasted Bean Beverage Co. and Art Gallery serves gourmet coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches and snacks. They also have some local art on display that is available for sale, and they can be reached at (910) 575-6759. 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. Stroll Through the Waterfront Park of SouthportThe Waterfront Park of Southport's unique location at the end of Howe Street will give you a great view of the area's waters and other landmarks. Located where the waters of the Cape Fear River, Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway meet, you can see the Oak Island Lighthouse and the Bald Head Island Lighthouse from this park. Located in the park is a trail that is almost a mile long and takes you through the city's waterfront. While you are in Southport, visiting this park is a great way to get a feel for the area's rich maritime history. |