But even the most devoted beachgoer can appreciate the variety of other attractions available in and around the Brunswick Islands. If you're looking for a little history and culture with your vacation, visit the colonial ruins of Brunswick Town, wander through the Museum of Coastal Carolina and nearby Maritime Museum, or tour the gardens of a local plantation. Stroll through the shops and galleries of bustling Southport, and then head for the waterfront to gaze out on the lighthouses of Bald Head and Oak Islands. Or in between rounds of golf, make the short trip to either historic Wilmington, home of the Battleship North Carolina, or the decidedly more fast-paced Myrtle Beach. Then again, maybe you'd rather just recline your beach chair another notch and think about it awhile.
Admission is charged.
Bring your family and friends in touch with World War II and previous naval eras, too. The self-guided tour takes approximately two hours and includes an orientation exhibit, parts of nine decks, a museum store, snack bar, riverside picnic area, and ample free parking. Admission is charged. The excavated ruins of a colonial port town which was founded in 1726 and burned by the British in 1776. The state historic site includes a Visitors Center.