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Take Your Kids To the Annual Children's Crab Derby

The Children's Crab Derby is held each year in September and open to children ages 16 and younger. Held at the Old Yacht Basin in Southport, the Children's Crab Derby divides its young participants into teams of two or three, separated by age category, and prizes are given for the largest crab caught and the most crabs caught in each age category. Children must bring their own small crab basket or line and bait, and some luck! For more information, contact the Children's Crab Derby at (910) 457-7923.

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.

Visit Railroad Museums in Chadbourn and Fair Bluff

If you are interested in the history of the railroad industry, you may want to take a day trip to some area railroad museums. There are two railroad museums not far from Brunswick County that will teach you about this interesting aspect of history. The Atlantic Coast Line Depot Museum is located in Chadbourn, which is located off U.S. Highway 76 South on N.C. Highway 410. This depot was built in 1910 and is now home to a variety of historical displays and stories about the railroad. Admission is free to the Atlantic Coast Line Museum, which is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Also in the area, you will find the Fair Bluff Depot Museum, located in Fair Bluff off U.S. Highway 76 to N.C. Highway 904. This depot was built in 1897 for the Atlantic Coast Line and has a variety of railroad memorabilia. The Fair Bluff Depot Museum also offers free admission, and is open on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information about the Atlantic Coast Line Depot Museum, call (910) 654-6269 and for more information about the Fair Bluff Depot Museum, call (910) 649-7707.

Take the Family To Play Miniature Golf at Oak Island Jungle Golf

Oak Island Jungle Golf, located on Oak Island Drive East, features an 18-hole miniature golf course that will be sure to challenge and entertain you and your family! Children, parents and grandparents will enjoy a friendly competition in this fun course. In addition to the Putt-Putt course, there is also an arcade on site and an ice cream shop. For more information, contact Oak Island Jungle Golf at (910) 201-1444.

Day Trip To Lumber River State Park

If you enjoy camping and outdoor activities, you may want to take one or two of your days in the Brunswick County area to travel to Lumber River State Park, which is near Orrum, North Carolina. Located on the Lumber River, this park offers a variety of activities including paddle sports, hiking trails, picnic areas and more! You may want to call ahead for river conditions if you plan to go canoeing or boating, as the water levels are too low for these sports during some times of the year. The park is open year-round, with varying hours of operation depending on the season. For more information, contact the Lumber River State Park at (910) 628-9844.

Drink from an Old-Fashioned Water Pump at the Grove

The Grove is a historic park set among the old live oaks of Southport. Located in Franklin Square Park at E. West and Howe Streets, the entrances of this park were built from ballast stones that were used in ships more than 100 years ago. Also in this area, you will find the Franklin Square Gallery, which began as a schoolhouse, then served as the City Hall, and eventually was turned into its present use as an art gallery. Another unique aspect of this park is the old-fashioned water pump, which is still in working condition and enables visitors to enjoy well water while they relax in the park.

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.

Have Breakfast at Russell's Place

Russell's Place Restaurant, located on Oak Island, is a diner-style restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. A favorite among locals, Russell's serves omelets, biscuits, pancakes and waffles for breakfast; while the lunch menu offers sandwiches and burgers. The atmosphere in Russell's is a friendly one, with many patrons sharing conversations with those seated at nearby tables. Russell's Place is open daily and can be reached at (910) 278-3070.

Stroll Through the Waterfront Park of Southport

The 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.

Take an Adventure in the Green Swamp

Northwest 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.