Visiting Our Area: Mainland Communities |
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| Venture beyond the beaches of Brunswick County and you will find hidden treasures. Brunswick County is one of the largest counties by acreage and has more towns than any other county in North Carolina. Calabash Known as “The Seafood Capital of the World,” Calabash has long been a favorite spot for seafood lovers. People travel from all around to eat in Calabash, where fresh catches are prepared “Calabash-style”, a low-country style of cooking with a taste and personality all its own. Because of its position of being the southernmost river town and its location near the Atlantic, Calabash became the ideal site for the first Calabash Restaurant, an oyster roast, which opened up the doors of its shed and its sawdust floor in 1935. |
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| Calabash has dozens of specialty stores and local art galleries, many merchants offer goods that cannot be found anywhere else in the area. Like so many of the Towns of the Brunswick Islands, Calabash also offers choice golf courses for the discriminating duffer. Carolina Shores The nearby town of Carolina Shores is a planned community of 1500 residents, mostly retirees, complete with 18-hole golf course. The Town has recently seen added new merchants and restaurants to its ranks. Shallotte A long-time center of commerce for the region, Shallotte continues to offer the widest variety of shops and businesses in Brunswick County. Conveniently located off of Highway 17, which runs from Maine to Florida, Shallotte is a natural stopping point for food, shopping and information. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, as well as most of the Town’s businesses, is located on Main Street (Business Highway 17), which runs through the center of Shallotte. It is here that visitors can find all of their necessities, including major grocery stores, department stores, professional offices and restaurants. Shallotte also has a 10-screen stadium-seating movie theater and a bowling center. Bolivia Located in the heart of Brunswick County, Bolivia is a natural location for the county seat. The hub of government for the County with a large centralized County Complex, Bolivia is also a center for education in the area, as it is the home of the Brunswick Community College. Boiling Spring Lakes With over 50 natural and manmade lakes, Boiling Spring Lakes has much to offer those who enjoy fresh-water fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking and canoeing. Big Lake, two-and-a-half miles long with ten miles of shoreline, is fed by five springs and Allen’s Creek. St. James A gated golf community located in the southeast corner of the county, St. James was incorporated in the late 1990’s. St. James actually started out a retirement community and became a municipality. There are no age restrictions, so the community enjoys a nice blend of age groups. St. James’ location near the historic town of Southport makes it a convenient place to live because of the nearby shops and businesses. Southport Quaint, quiet and historic, all aptly describe the fishing town of Southport. Located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River on the Atlantic Ocean, Southport was an ideal location for riverboat captains who settled there and incorporated the City back in 1805. Southport retains much of its old-world charm today. Visitors may stroll the streets lined with restored Victorian homes, and pass the time browsing in the City’s many antique and specialty shops. Southport features Fort Johnston, a Civil War military post, views of “Old Baldy” lighthouse on Bald Head Island and the Oak Island lighthouse. Legend has it that some of the historic homes and businesses are still inhabited by spirits from the past. In fact you can take s historic walking tour along the streets of Southport and learn all about the City’s rich history. Younger visitors will also want to inquire about the various set locations used for the popular teen TV drama, Dawson’s Creek. Visitors can stop by the Southport Visitors Center on Moore Street for more information. Leland Brunswick County has made a name for itself in recent years as the fifth fastest-growing county in North Carolina. Much of the new growth is taking place in the northern area of the County. Leland, the largest of the northern Brunswick County towns, has an active commercial district, which includes many restaurants, stores and professional offices. Visitors may venture off the beaten path a bit and see some of Brunswick County’s beautiful countryside.. Belville, Sandy Creek, Northwest and Navassa can be accessed easily by way of Highway 17. While these towns are more rural in nature, they hold a beauty and personality of their own. |
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