Bald Head Island Ferry - The ferry departs Southport for Bald Head Island daily every hour on the hour from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm except at 12 noon. The ferry departs the island daily every hour on the half hour from 8:30 am - 6:30 pm except at 11:30 am. The ferry runs later to and from the island from 7:00 pm -10:30 pm, but reservations must be made prior to 6:00 pm. 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 or dinner. Lighthouse & Museum open Tuesday - Saturday 9 am - 4 pm and Sunday 11 am - 4 pm. Individual admission: $3 per person includes museum, grounds & lighthouse. Guided tour prices and times vary. Ferry & guided tour reservations required. Call 910.457-5003. 

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 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. Updated information will be available May 2002. 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.

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. There are two new additions to the promotion of local artists. They are the Southport Art Museum and City Works Arts & Crafts. City Works Arts & Crafts are scheduled to open July 2002 in Southport's Old City Garage, 113 W. Moore Street. It will provide studio space for artisans, an on-site gallery for regularly scheduled shows, and tours, process demonstrations, workshops and talks to promote, support and nurture fine arts and artisan crafts. The Southport Art Museum, a historic art museum of the Lower Cape Fear, is located at 309 N. Howe Street. Displays of historic artists of the area, writer Rober Ruark, Decoys, Cape Fear Indians, early explorers and Civil War years. Exhibitions and tours on special occasions. Year-around-free. Hours: 9am-5pm. Location: 309 N. Howe Street, Downtown Historic Southport.

CP&L 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: Open year round Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Location: 8520 River Road (Highway 87), Southport. Phone: 910.457-6041.

Faircloth Exotic Animal Zoo - Location: 544 McKay Road, Bolivia, NC. Phone: 910-253-6820. Hours: Open 7 days a week, year round, 9:00 am - dusk. Admission: Adults $5.00, Children $3.00. Churches, Schools and groups of 20 or more call for special rates. Privately owned and operated by Lillian & Bill Faircloth. Animal exhibits include Siberian tigers, African lions, bears, buffalo, New Guinea singing dogs, wolves and a wide variety of exotic chickens, peacocks and pheasants. Farm animals are also included in their exhibits - Zebu cows, Texas longhorns, Scottish Highland bulls, Watusi cows, ducks, geese, horses and donkeys. A petting zoo onsite allows children and adults the opportunity to feed gentle and loving lambs and goats.

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. Phone: 910.458-5538. Location: Carolina Beach. Hours: April 1st - October 31st, Monday-Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 pm. November 1st - March 31st, Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 -4:00 pm. 

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 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 pm June, July & August. Location: 130 E. West Street, Southport (behind Franklin Square Park). Phone: 910.457-5450.

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.

Museum of Coastal Carolina - Exhibits and dioramas of waterfowl, swamps, forests, mounted birds and animals, and antique fishing equipment. Hours: Open year round Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 pm. Also open Memorial Day - Labor Day weekdays 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Admission charged. Location: Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach. Phone: 910.579-1016.

NC Aquarium - Will reopen March 22, 2002. Open daily 9 am - 5 pm. Admission charged.

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: $2.00 adults (16 yrs. & up), Seniors $1.00, and Children free. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Phone: 910.457-0003. Location: 116 N. Howe Street, Southport.

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. On special occasions throughout the year the lighthouse is open to the public. See the Calendar of Events for these dates and times. Limited tours of the Coast Guard Station grounds are given twice weekly.

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.

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. 
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, stop by the Chamber's Welcome Center at 4841 Long Beach Road, or call the NC Cooperative Extension Service in Brunswick County at 910.253-2610.

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA - Open daily for tours which cover nine decks, roll of honor room plus changing exhibits; visit online at www.battleshipnc.com. Hours: September 16th - May 15th 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. May 16th - September 15th 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. Admission Charged. Location: Hwy. 421, Wilmington. Phone: 910.251-5797. Info Line 910.350-1817.

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4841 Long Beach Rd., SE
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 457-6964    (800) 457-6964
Fax (910) 457-0598
Email: info@southport-oakisland.com

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