Things to Do, Places to Go
BIRD ISLAND - While you're at the beach, you should certainly walk to Bird Island. From the Sunset Beach pier, it is a 1 to 2 mile walk depending on how far you walk once you get to the island. Bird Island is an undeveloped privately owned barrier island at the west end of Sunset Beach beside the NC/ SC line. Wildlife thrives here, some of which are endangered or threatened. The Kindred Spirit’s mailbox invites you to meditate and leave your thoughts.
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina is thirty seven miles from Sunset Beach (to North Myrtle Beach is approx. 12 miles; Barefoot Landing, 18 miles) and offers a little bit of fun for each member of the family--shopping, catching a great show, eating a great meal or enjoying one of the amusment/waterparks. When you're done enjoying all the "action," just remember you can come back to the serenity of Sunset Beach.
BALD HEAD ISLAND and LIGHTHOUSE ("OLD BALDY") - Bald Head Island Lighthouse was built in 1817 and is North Carolina's oldest lighthouse. Thanks to the Old Baldy Foundation, the lighthouse is open for tours. Next to the lighthouse is the Smith Island Museum. Inside the museum are historic artifacts found on the island. Bald Head Island is accessible by private passenger ferry. Take the ferry (chargeable and no cars are allowed) from Southport and visit the island with a history. Located in the Atlantic at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Bald Head is rich with history. Some suggestions for the day are rent a golf cart and tour the island, climb to the top of "Old Baldy" and experience the captivating views. Tours are available by calling 910-457-5003.
CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY VISITOR CENTER (910) 457-6041
Brunswick Plant, 8520 River Road, SE, Southport.
A presentation of over 30 energy-related exhibits covering production of electricity, electrical safety, alternative energy sources and energy conservation. Open year round Tues.-Thurs. 9 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free.
FAITHCLOTH'S FARM & EXOTIC ANIMAL ZOO (910) 253-6820 544 McKay Road, Bolivia.
Bear, tiger, buffalo, farm & fowl animals and petting zoo. Fee charged.
GREEN SWAMP TOURS (919) 403-8558
Please call the Nature Conservancy for information on self-guided tours.
KEZIAH PARK- Southport
Is home to the 800-year-old Indian Trail tree. Legend has it that long ago the Cape Fear Indians bent the young tree as a marker or a sign.
NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM OF SOUTHPORT
(910) 457-0003
The North Carolina Maritime Museum of Southport houses a collection of memorabilia pertaining to the vast nautical history of the Lower Cape Fear area of southeastern North Carolina. You can easily follow the self-guided tour throughout the 12 designated stations or ask a knowledgeable guide to lead the way.
Open Tues.-Sat. 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission charged.
OAK ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE & U.S. COAST GUARD STATION
Built in 1958, it is the Coast Guard's newest reinforced concrete tower-169 feet tall. The lighthouse is not open for tours. However, the general public is welcome to come and take pictures of the lighthouse and take a tour of the station.
INGRAM PLANETARIUM--(910)-579-1016
Located on the Sea Trail grounds behind the Food Lion. Call the number above for hours of operation--normally the Planetarium is open from 3 PM to 9 PM.
MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA-Ocean Isle (910) 579-1016
Step into the depths of the blue Atlantic and experience the oceanic wonderland from a sea dweller's view while touring the Museum of Coastal Carolina. Life-size replicas of fish and other sea life indigenous to local coastal waters are positioned in such a way as to create the feeling of being on the ocean floor. Wall and floor murals depict the ocean's formation with its reefs from the sea floor to the rolling waves.
BRUNSWICK TOWN--910-371-6613
The excavated ruins of a colonial port town which was founded in 1726 and burned by the British in 1776. The state historic site includes a Visitors Center. On display are exhibits about life in a colonial town and artifacts gathered from the ruins. Guide maps of the town are provided. The ruins include St. Philip's Church, Russellborough, the home of two royal governors, and the earthern mounds of the Confederate Fort Anderson built on the site.
ORTON PLANTATION GARDENS (910) 371-6851
One of America's finest gardens, featuring magnificent live oaks, magnolias, cypress and pine trees. Spacious lawns and cypress ponds provide an impressive setting for thousands of azaleas, camellias, annuals and rare flowering plants. Bird lovers sight many unusual species in the gardens and the old rice fields. Alligators are often seen. The beautiful manor house (which is a private residence not open to the public) has been featured in several motion pictures.
St. Phillips Road, Winnabow off Highway NC 133, 10-miles north of Southport & just south of Leland. Admission charged. Handicap accessible.
HISTORIC SOUTHPORT AND FORT FISHER
Southport is about 35 minutes from Sunset Beach. Go north on Hwy 17 and turn left on Hwy 211 and after about 10 miles you will arrive. Southport is a unique historic district that offers plenty of antique shopping, gift shops, excellent restaurants, art galleries and two marinas. Enjoy the day and take a stroll along the river front before heading back to Sunset Beach. A trip to Fort Fisher is very interesting and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a must see. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located on US 421 approximately 20 miles south of Wilmington, just beyond Kure Beach. From Southport, take the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry. For ferry schedule, call (910) 457-6942.
BROOKGREEN GARDENS
A must see--located in Pawley's Island, SC. You've come this far--you might as well travel another 60 miles (distance from condo) to this world-famous garden. Take a look at the homepage below for more details.
RIVERBOAT CRUISES
For a change of pace from the beach and crowded restaurants, consider a riverboat cruise. Below are two webpages for riverboat cruises. The first embarks from Wilmington, NC. From the condo to Wilmington is about a 50 minute drive north. Wilmington is a beautiful old historic port city, and there is much to do there. If you choose this boat, plan on spending additional time in Wilmington that day.
The second boat leaves from Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach which is a 25-30 minute drive south from the condo. Barefoot Landing is a great place to shop, dine, and party.
Ocean Isle Fishing Center--Ocean Isle--910-575-FISH
Bad Habit Charters--Calabash--910-287-5555
Red Snapper Charter Boat--Calabash--910-579-2050
Sea Hawk III--Ocean Isle--910-754-6169
Follow Me Charters--Ocean Isle--910-579-5744.
You may also rent a boat at Pelican Pointe Marina in Ocean Isle--910-579-6440.
For more fishing information, go to these URLs:
MOVIES
Visit Coastal Cinemas in Shallotte to view the latest movies. This 10 cinemaplex is located on Hwy 17 North at Highway 130, just behind Lowe's. Call their 24 hour movie hotline to see what's playing----910-754-7469.
LOCAL WINERIES
Silver Coast Winery--910-287-2800, 6680 Barbeque Rd., Ocean Isle, NC 28468. Find this fun place on the web at http://www.silvercoastwinery.com.
Silver Coast is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM & Sunday from noon to 5 PM.
La Belle Amie Vineyard 843-399-9463 1120 St. Joseph Rd., Little River, SC 29566. The vineyard is open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
Progress Energy Education Center 910-457-6041: NC 87, Southport, NC. Free admission.
Inlet Point Plantation Stables: 843-249-2989--Cherry Grove/N.Myrtle Beach: Want to ride a horse on the beach?!! This is the place to do it. Directions from Sea Trail are as follows: take Hwy 179 to Hwy 17 South. Take a left on Hwy 17 and stay on Hwy 17 through Little River, SC. Take the Cherry Grove exit---do not enter North Myrtle Beach. (The Cherry Grove exit is right after you cross the intracoastal waterway bridge).Take the exit to Little River Neck Road, turn right before the swing bridge, take a right & you will see the entrance and sign. The stables are at the end of the dirt road. ENJOY!
To inquire about one of our condos or request availability, please email the following information:
Hesitant about doing business over the Internet? References are available upon request.
