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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.

Participate in a Local Fishing Tournaments

As you will find in any popular fishing area, many saltwater fishing tournaments are held in Brunswick County throughout the year. Many tournaments award great prizes to their winners, and proceeds normally benefit local charities. For more information about dates and locations of area tournaments, contact the Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Center at (910) 575-3474, the Bald Head Island Marina at (910) 454-0042, the Old Yacht Basin of Southport at (910) 278-4575, the Southport Marina at (910) 278-4137 and the Holden Beach Marina at (800) 426-6644. Also, you may want to check local listings upon your arrival for information about other area tournaments.

Have Fun with Your Family at the Brunswick County Bowling Center

While you are in the Brunswick County area, you may enjoy spending some time at the local bowling alley, the Brunswick County Bowling Center in Shallotte. This family-friendly bowling alley will allow you to compete against members of your family for just $3.00 to $3.50 per game, per person. For more information, contact the Brunswick County Bowling Center at (910) 754-2695.

Take a Tour of Shelton Herb Farm

Shelton Herb Farm of Leland is a unique farm that grows a variety of herbs, specialty vegetables and native plants. Group tours are available upon request. A variety of over 800 herbs are grown at Shelton's, and you will be interested to see how an operation of this nature operates. For more information, contact Shelton Herb Farm at (910) 253-5964.

Go Shopping at Callahan's of Calabash Nautical Gifts

If you are looking for the perfect nautical souvenir, the Callahan's of Calabash Nautical Gifts shop will have just the thing for you! Located in Calabash, this large store has a few shops under one roof. The Callahan's Nautical Gifts features nautical items and gifts, jewelry, homemade candy, and more. Also in the store is the St. Nick Nacks Christmas Shop, which has a variety of holiday items for Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Pea Landing Mercantile is also located in this shopping area, which has fudge and candy, gourmet foods, cookbooks, and other home and garden items. As you can see, there is something for everyone at Callahan's! For more information, contact Callahan's of Calabash Nautical Gifts at (800) 344-3816.

Travel To Myrtle Beach To Visit Ripley's Aquarium

Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is an interesting place to visit to view area sea creatures and habitats. Located at the edge of Broadway at the Beach, exhibits and programs in the aquarium will teach you and your children about various aspects of sea life. Many sea creatures are on display, including sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, and other exotic fish species. There is also a unique "Titanic" display for your enjoyment. For more information, contact Ripley's Aquarium at (843) 916-0888.

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.

Eat Some Authentic Seafood in the Small Town of Calabash

Calabash is a small town in the Brunswick County area that is known as the "Seafood Capital of the World." Many people travel to Calabash each year to enjoy their unique style of seafood, which mixes southern cooking with seafood to create a unique taste known as "Calabash-style." With its location near the Atlantic Ocean and also as the most southernmost river town in North Carolina, the first Calabash Restaurant was opened in 1935 as an oyster roast. If you enjoy seafood, you may want to stop in and try some seafood - "Calabash-style!"

Enjoy a Concert of the Sea Notes Choral Society

The Sea Notes Choral Society of Brunswick County is a non-profit organization that consists of volunteers, and is based in Southport. More than 100 members are a part of this chorus, which is open to anyone with an interest in singing. Rehearsal is held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday nights at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. Three concerts are performed throughout the year, including a spring concert, Fourth of July concert and a Christmas concert. Chorus members pay $25 per year for annual dues, and admission to the concerts is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Sea Notes Choral Society at (910) 278-5542.

Spend the Day at the North Carolina Oyster Festival

The North Carolina Oyster Festival is held each year during the third weekend of October on Ocean Isle Beach. The N.C. Oyster Shucking Championship is held at this festival, which sends its winner to the national championship. Oysters are the favorite food of the Brunswick County islands, and there are plenty of them at this festival. Live music, arts and crafts vendors, 5K and 10K races, an oyster stew cook-off and more are also offered at the festival. Admission is $3.00 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. For more information, contact the North Carolina Oyster Festival at (800) 426-6644.