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Play Sand Volleyball on the Beach

Beach volleyball is a sport that you always see it on television and think about how much fun it would be to try it. Why not try it while you are on the beaches of Brunswick County? Playing this competitive sport in the sand will give you a great workout while you have fun with your friends and family. Many area parks and beaches offer sand volleyball courts, which are open to the public. If you don't have enough for a full "team" but still want to play, it is usually pretty easy to join in with a group who is already playing a match. Get ready for some fun!

Join an Adult Soccer League

If 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 Running or Walking in the Area

A 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.

Go Shopping at Southport's Blue Crab Blue Shop

If you are looking for the perfect handcrafted souvenir, Blue Crab Blue of Southport is the shop for you! Housed in a small boat-builder's cottage located close to the Oak Island Bridge, this shop offers various handmade items like pottery, jewelry, stained glass, metal work, paintings, and more. Work from various area artists is showcased in this unique store, which offers a variety of styles to suit everyone's needs. For more information, contact Blue Crab Blue at (910) 454-8888.

Go Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a popular water sport that is enjoyed in many coastal areas, and Brunswick County is no exception. In the Oak Island area, many windsurfers enjoy their sport in the ocean waters. Some other area waters like the Shallotte Inlet and River and the Intracoastal Waterway are decent options, but not always great options because of their limited space. For more information about windsurfing in the area, or for information about equipment, contact Blowing in the Wind at (888) 691-8034, which is the area's kite and wind shop and is located in Wilmington.

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.

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.

Take the Bald Head Island Historic Tour

If 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.

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.

Enjoy a Performance at the Odell Williamson Auditorium

The Odell Williamson Auditorium, located in Supply, is located on the campus of Brunswick Community College. This performing arts center is a state-of-the-art facility with 1,500 seats. A variety of educational and cultural activities are held in the auditorium each year, which was built by the citizens of Brunswick County for more than 3 million dollars. Major entertainers and local and regional theater companies perform at Odell Williamson each year. For more information about events at the Odell Williamson Auditorium, call (910) 755-7416.