Visiting the Area |
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| COASTAL PARADISE Anchoring the southeastern most section of North Carolina to the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal communities of the Brunswick Islands offers a dizzying array of recreational, business and cultural opportunities. Individual in their character, yet homogenous in their respect for tradition and love of adventure, they are truly a coastal paradise. Discovery of this corner of paradise has catapulted the county to the fastest growing in North Carolina, yet the population is still small, only 73,000, in a land mass that's among the largest in the state. Citizens and government officials have met the challenge with improved infrastructure, expanding health care, greater educational opportunities, cultural events and more. |
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| Warmed by Gulf Stream breezes, Brunswick County enjoys mild temperatures year-round yet has four distinctive seasons. Its sub-tropical climate must have been a welcome attraction for early settlers who came to the area in the 1700s. Brunswick County is blessed with expansive land and numerous waterways. Nestled into the Atlantic on the East, the region includes barrier island municipalities created when the Intracoastal Waterway was cut in the 1930s. Its strategic port location at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean has made Southport one of the state’s most important historic communities. Due in part to its location on the Shallotte River, Shallotte has been the trading center of the county from its settlement in the 1700s to the present day. The region is bordered by the Cape Fear and Brunswick Rivers and crisscrossed by the Shallotte River, Lockwood Folly River, Waccamaw River, Calabash River and numerous small canals and swamps with colorful names such as Pinch Gut Creek, Piney Grove Swamp, Shingletree Swamp, and Mercers Mill Pond. These blessings of land and water have given the area a long history of agrarian and aquatic commerce. Making a living from the many waterways has given local residents bountiful food and work even when other regions of the country were suffering. Fishing, shrimping, oystering, clamming and boat building continue to be important to the local economy and culture. Agriculture continues to be important as well, as large family farms lend a distinctively rural character to the county, which also boasts world-famous golf courses and location shoots for internationally screened motion pictures. Two recently opened wineries join pick-your-own produce operations to celebrate nature’s bounty. As the region has grown, newcomers have brought with them diversity in language, culture and religion that is reflected in the increasing use of the Spanish language as well as restaurants boasting Asian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Jamaican and Japanese cuisine along with traditional seafood offerings and Southern specialties. Worshipers can choose from interdenominational services on the beach strand, Buddhist ceremonies at their temple in the community of Supply and traditional observances at numerous Protestant churches. Perhaps the greatest reason of all to be in Brunswick County is the lifestyle. Outdoor activities are enjoyed throughout the year due the region’s subtropical climate which allows for only rare snowflakes and many, many days of sunshine. The region has become home to more and more people who cherish the change of seasons without extremes of temperature. Unlike our neighbors to the north, the Brunswick County finds its 30 plus golf courses warm and inviting in January and February. Long walks on the beach are favorite pastimes year-round. Fishing, sailing, shelling, horseback riding, surfing, waterskiing, bird watching, antique collecting and beach walking are other favorite activities. Forget to bring your favorite boogie board with you? Don't worry, rentals of various sporting and beach equipment are available. |
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