Boardwalk 2

• Home
• Amenities
• Photos
• Guest Book
• Things to Do
• Current Weather
• Rates & Availability
• Book Now

Visit the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department Nature Center

The Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department is very active in promoting area recreation and wildlife, and this is displayed in their Nature Center. Admission is free to this great center, which offers a variety of live animals on display. Also available at the Nature Center is a talking tree trail, an interpretive trail, a walkway and picnic area and restrooms. If you enjoy nature, you won't want to miss a stop at the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department Nature Center, which can be reached at (910) 278-5518.

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.

Learn about Area History at Fort Caswell

Fort Caswell of Caswell Beach plays an important part of the area's history, as it is one of the strongest forts of its time. Built in 1838, Fort Caswell originally consisted of 2,800 acres and was built of a pentagonal brick-and-masonry fort and citadel. Much of the fort was damaged in 1865, but the remains are still intact today and managed by the Baptist Assembly of North Carolina. Fort Caswell is open for self-guided tours for $3.00 per person and hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information, contact Fort Caswell at (910) 278-9501.

Take a Nature Trip To Bird Island

If you like adventure and you enjoy viewing wildlife, you may enjoy a trip to Bird Island while you are in the Brunswick County area. Bird Island is at the south end of Sunset Beach and is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands in North Carolina. The State of North Carolina purchased the island so it could be protected from development, and several species of shorebirds live on Bird Island. An anonymous visitor created the "Kindred Spirit" mailbox, which gives nature lovers that visit the island a place to leave notes and letters about their experiences on the island.

Ride Personal Watercraft in the Intracoastal Waterway

Though there aren't many opportunities for riding personal watercraft in Brunswick County, a variety of options are available in the nearby Cape Fear area. Riders launch into the Intracoastal Waterway from Sneads Ferry and Wrightsville Beach, which are both just a short drive from Brunswick County. For more information about personal watercraft safety courses, contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at (910) 270-9830. For information about rentals, contact Paradise Landing in Sneads Ferry at (910) 327-2114 or Performance Watercraft of Wrightsville Beach at (910) 799-9283.

Stroll Through the Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden

As part of the series of Environmental Overlook Trails on Oak Island, the Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden is located on the trail behind the Oak Island Recreation Center. On the path, there are several elevated platforms that will allow you view the variety of trees and flowers that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds to the area. You will enjoy viewing these species while you travel this path, and you may want to bring your camera! For more information about the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden, call (910) 278-5518.

Enjoy a Meal at the Provision Company Restaurant

Located in Holden Beach, the Provision Company Restaurant offers casual waterfront dining along with a great seafood menu. Live entertainment is offered weekly at Provision Company, which is located on the mainland side of the bridge across from the water tower. Provision Company serves lunch and dinner and is open 7 days a week beginning at 11:00 a.m. For more information, contact the Provision Company Restaurant at (910) 842-7205.

Relax or Enjoy Activities at an Area Park

The Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department oversees numerous community and district parks in the area. All of these parks feature a variety of great facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts, football and soccer fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. Some of the parks have other features like community buildings, horseshoes and shuffleboard. If you need a place to play or relax for an afternoon, one of these area parks is just the thing for you! For more information on parks in Brunswick County, contact the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department at (800) 222-4790.

Learn about the Nursery Industry at Phillips Nursery

Phillips Nursery is a local plant nursery, located in Leland. You can visit Phillips to see how a nursery of its nature is managed, or you can purchase some North Carolina bushes or shrubs to plant in your landscaping. When you visit Phillips Nursery, you will be able to enjoy a piece of North Carolina in your landscaping, even after your vacation is over! Specializing in container-grown shrubs, shade trees, potting mix and loads of bark, Phillips Nursery is open year-round. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, contact Phillips Nursery at (910) 253-6692.

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!"