Ginger Harper

The Southport-Oak Island area has a variety of attractions for the whole family. The list below represents just some of what our area has to offer. Click on the attraction for more information.

Bald Head Island Ferry - Ferry Schedule Daytrip: Cost is $15 per person round trip. Children 12-under $8.00. Reservations are encouraged.

Phone: 910.457-5003.
Location: Mainland Ferry Dock--Indigo Plantation Marina - follow 9th Street, Southport.

Bald Head Island Lighthouse & Historic Tours - Take a guided historic tour of Bald Head Island, which includes a stop at the Smith Island Museum, lighthouse and lunch.

Lighthouse & museum open easter - Thanksgiving
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday 11 am - 4 pm In summer call for other hours.

Lighthouse & Museum open Thanksgiving - easter
Hours: Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 11am - 4pm

Individual admission: $3 per person includes museum, grounds & lighthouse. Guided tour prices off island are $40 adults $35 Children 12 and under, and times vary. Ferry & guided tour reservations required. Call 910.457-5003 www.oldbaldy.org. For museum information call 910 457-7481.

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site - Brunswick Town, a colonial site dating from 1726-1776, served as a Cape Fear River Port that was the major export of Naval stores and the location of the Stamp Act Rebellion. Fort Anderson was a Confederate fortification, which was part of the Cape Fear Defense System until the Civil War engagement of February 1865. The archaeological remains of colonial Brunswick can be viewed along with the massive earthen fort of Anderson. There is a 14-minute slide presentation, an exhibit gallery that houses the many artifacts that were excavated in the 1960's and gift shop located at the onsite visitor center. Also available is a map for your self-guided tour, and knowledgeable volunteers to answer questions. Great picnic area. Admission is free.

Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Closed Sundays & Mondays. Reduction in hours due to state budget cuts.
Location: 8884 St. Phillips Road, Winnabow. Take Highway 133 North from Southport about 15 miles, turn right onto St. Phillips Road. Phone: 910.371-6613,
on the internet .

Community Art Centers - Southport & Oak Island has attracted numerous artists, as is evident by the number of community and private art galleries. The Franklin Square Art Gallery, 301 East West Street, Southport and the Oak Island Senior Citizens Craft Shop & Center, 5918 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island are associations of artists and craftpersons who show and sell their works in a community-based gallery or center.

Fort Fisher Civil War Museum - Remains of the earthen fort that kept the Cape Fear River and the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which delivered vital supplies to the Confederate armies until the fort fell on January 15, 1865. Admission is free. .

Hours: April 1^st - September30^th, Monday-Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 pm. November 1st - March 31^st, Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 -4:00 pm (Note: 10/1/04 will have winter schedule)
Location: Carolina Beach. FREE
Phone: 910.458-5538,
on the internet.

Franklin Square Art Gallery - An association of local artisans in varying medians including paintings and pottery all displayed for your enjoyment in a beautiful historic building. Admission is free.

Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday - June, July & August 1pm - 4pm
Location: 130 E. West Street, Southport (behind Franklin Square Park).
Phone: 910.457-5450,
on the internet.

Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower - Located in 40' of water, 28 miles offshore at the merger of the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean. Known as the "Texas Tower", it was built in 1964 and stands 40' above the water. The automated station includes fog horn, radio beacon, and automated light visible for 17 miles. Prior to the light tower, a light ship was anchored at the shoals from 1854 to 1966. Fear of losing the light ship in hurricanes brought about her demise and the rise of the light tower.

Historic Southport Trail, a Self-Guided Walking Tour - The Southport Historical Society makes history come alive as you enjoy a relaxed one mile walk through charming Historic Southport. The brochure can be picked up at the Southport Visitor's Center, 113 W. Moore Street, Southport or the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, 4841 Long Beach Road. Phone: 800-457-6964 or 910.457-6964.

Ingram Planetarium - Where can you view five planets in Coastal Carolina? See them at the Ingram Planetarium located at 7625 High Market Street, Sunset Beach, NC 28468.

Hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 3-8 pm.
Summer hours Tuesday - Saturday from 2pm-8pm hourly program with telescope viewing afterward, weather permitting.

Educators: call for information about programs that meet NC science requirements. Facilities for birthday parties and corporate events. Visit our Galaxy Gift Shop. Admission $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. 910-575-0033. www.ingramplanetarium.org.

Museum of Coastal Carolina - What do seashells and polar bears have in common? Find out at the Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 East Second Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469.

Call or visit our website for seasonal hours of operationa special events

Permanent exhibits include extensive collections of seashells, saltwater fish, birds, wetland animals, sea animals, snakes, animal skins, Native American artifacts, and Civil War memorabilia. Excellent dioramas include The Swamp, The Reef, and Waterfowl. Touch tank with live sea animals is open. Educators: call for information about programs that meet NC science requirements. Facilities for birthday parties and corporate events. Visit our Nature's Treasures Gift Shop. Admission Fee Charged 910-579-1016
www.museumofcc.org.

NC Aquarium - Alive and Swimming... Explore environments where sharks and sea turtles glide, fishes school and morays guard sunkenship Wrecks. Call 1-800-832-FISH or go on line at www.ncaquariums.com

1. 60 - 90 minute self guided tour
2. 10:30am -2:30pm Scuba presentation
3. 11:30am - 1:30pm live animal presentation
4. 3:00pm animal feeding
5. Admission:
   1. General - $8.00
   2. Seniors 62 and up - $7.00
   3. Active Military - $6.00
   4. Childern 6 to 17 - $6.00
   5. Childern under 5 Free
6. Open 9am to 5pm 7 days a week except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day.

NC Maritime Museum @ Southport - Houses a collection of memorabilia pertaining to the vast nautical history of Southport, the Lower Cape Fear, and southeastern North Carolina. Self-guided tours through 12 designated stations, or ask a knowledgeable guide to lead the way. On-site research library. Films and programs offered year-round. Admission: Free.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Phone: 910.457-0003.
Location: 116 N. Howe Street, Southport
on the internet.

Oak Island Lighthouse - Located on the U.S. Coast Guard Station Oak Island in Caswell Beach. Completed in 1958, it stands 169 ft. The main light is a four light rotating fixture, reaching 24 nautical miles offshore and flashing every 10 seconds. Click here for more information from the Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse including sponsorship information.

Oak Island Nature Center & Register Park - Overlooking the marsh and Intracoastal Waterway, the Oak Island Nature Center offers a wide range of educational activities for children and adults alike. Talking Trees Walking Trail: stroll the interactive trail as trees like the Dogwood, Red Cedar, Southern Magnolia and Black Gum talk to you. Mineral, Rock & Animal Exhibits: Included in the animal exhibits are a ferret, prairie dog, hedgehog, guinea pig, rabbit, gecko, and moon crab. The Center also has a large touch tank with marine creatures native to the Oak Island Island community. The Nature Center & adjacent park features restroom facilities, picnic shelter and fishing T. The Nature Center is operated by the Town of Oak Island Recreation Department with funding support by the Town of Oak Island, NC Division of Forest Resources, and USDA Forest Service Southern Region, Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program.

Location: end of 52nd Street in Oak Island. Turn onto 52nd Street and drive to the end. Parking is available at Register Park and across the street off Yacht Drive.
Admission: Free.
Hours: Seasonal. Call 910-278-5518 for times.

Old Baldy Lighthouse - Built in 1817, it is North Carolina's oldest lighthouse. During her 86 years of service she guided many ships safely into the mouth of the Cape Fear River. She was retired in 1935 but after an extensive renovation project, she is now open to the public for tours.

Price's Creek Lighthouse - This lighthouse is 20 feet tall with a red brick exterior and was built in 1848. Although not operational, this is the only one of eight lighthouses built along the Cape Fear River between Oak Island and Wilmington that is still standing. It is located on private property but visible from the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry as you leave the Southport dock.

Progress Energy Visitors Center - Hands on & visual presentations of over 30 energy related exhibits covering production of electricity, electrical safety, alternative energy sources and energy conservation. Admission is free.

Hours: Hours: Call 910.457-6041 for information on hours since exhibits are open at various times and days. The center is closed on holidays and weekends..
Location: 8520 River Road (Highway 87), Southport.
Phone: 910.457-6041.

Silver Coast Winery - Coastal North Carolina's premier producer of premium wines. Lovely setting is the perfect place to learn wines, have a picnic, and enjoy art by local artists.

Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm. Call for January - February schedule. Wine tasting $5.00 includes logo glass. Free daily wine tours.
Free wine seminar every Saturday 11:00am with resevations.
Phone: (910)287-2800

Monthly wine festivals. Visit Our Web Site

Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry - Southport Ferry departs from dock located off Moore Street in Southport. Call 800-BY-FERRY for the latest ferry information on this and all ferries in North Carolina or visit www.ncferry.org

The Southport Fort Fisher Ferry will cease operations for renovations from December 1, 2008 until February 1, 2009. For more information contact 457-6942.

Rates:

• Pedestrians - $1
• Motorcycles - $3
• Bicycles - $2
• Vehicle or combination up to 20' - $5
• Vehicle or combination 20' to 40' - $10
• Vehicle or combination 40' to 65' - $15
  

Unknown Treasures - Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has compiled a brochure highlighting some of the county's agricultural businesses including aquatic fish, bee, cattle, cotton, greenhouse flower, and swine production. Also includes fruit and vegetable farm stands and nature preserves. For a copy of the brochure, call the NC Cooperative Extension Service in Brunswick County at 910.253-2610.

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA -Come aboard and experience the NORTH CAROLINA's "Star Appeal". Because the NORTH CAROLINA is preserved just as she was in World War II, she has been the site for many dramatic documentaries and action films. This supporting actress received 15 stars for her performance in WWII. She is sure to deliver another award winning performance for you.

Open daily:
8 am - 8pm (Memorial Day weekend - labor day)
8am - 5pm (Labor Day - Memorial Day Weekend)
for tours which cover nine decks, roll of honor room plus changing exhibits.

Visit online at: www.battleshipnc.com.
Admission Charged.
Location: on the Cape Fear River across from Downtown Wilmington or at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421.
Phone: 910.251-5797.
Info Line: 910.251-5797.

Tregembo Animal Park -is southeastern North Carolina's oldest zoo. The Tregembo family has owned and operated the zoo in the same location for over 50 years. We have over 75 species of animals including giraffe, lion, tiger, zebra, bear, monkeys and many, many more, all in a relaxing, 8 acre park-like setting. There is also a 4000 square foot gift shop with a wide selection of seashells, nautical items, clothing, toys and much more.

Call for hours of opertion
$8 Adults, $7 Seniors (62+) $6 kids(2-11)
www.tregemboanimalpark.com
910-392-3604

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