Vita Bella

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

Enjoy a Concert of the Sea Notes Choral Society

The Sea Notes Choral Society of Brunswick County is a non-profit organization that consists of volunteers, and is based in Southport. More than 100 members are a part of this chorus, which is open to anyone with an interest in singing. Rehearsal is held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday nights at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. Three concerts are performed throughout the year, including a spring concert, Fourth of July concert and a Christmas concert. Chorus members pay $25 per year for annual dues, and admission to the concerts is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Sea Notes Choral Society at (910) 278-5542.

Browse Through Local Art Galleries

If you enjoy viewing (and possibly purchasing) art, you may enjoy visiting some of the art galleries located in Brunswick County. The galleries showcase a variety of local talent, most of which have art themes specific to the coastal area. In Southport, you will enjoy the ArtShak Studio, Gallery and Sculpture Garden, which features a variety of beautiful sculptures and art and can be reached at (910) 457-1757. Also in Southport, the Franklin Square Gallery at (910) 457-5450 showcases a variety of local works and also offers workshops, classes and competitions. The Ricky Evans Gallery of Southport can be reached at (910) 457-1129 and features lighthouse paintings, a historic Southport series and a coastal waterfront series. Other galleries you may enjoy are The Blue Heron Gallery of Sunset Beach at (910) 575-5088 and the Sunset River Marketplace of Calabash at (910) 575-5999.

Go Golfing

If you want a break from the beach, golfing a round at a local golf course may be the perfect getaway for you! Because of the area's mild temperatures, most golf courses are available year-round. Brunswick County is home to several great golf courses, any of which will meet your golfing needs. In Southport, there are three courses at St. James Plantation on Highway 211, and each of the courses has something unique to offer. Of these three courses, The Founders Club can be reached at (800) 247-4806, The Members Club can be reached at (800) 474-9277, and The Players can be reached at (800) 281-6626. In Caswell Beach, you will find one of Brunswick County's oldest courses, the Oak Island Golf and Country Club, which can be reached at (800) 278-5275. In Shallotte, Brierwood Golf Club is a championship course and can be reached at (888) 274-3796. Ocean Isle Beach is home to the Brick Landing Plantation, which has 41 sand traps and 12 water holes and can be reached at (800) 438-3006. In Calabash, the Calabash Golf Links can be reached at (800) 841-5971 and the Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club can be reached at (800) 579-8292. As you can see, if you enjoy golfing, there are plenty of options for you in Brunswick County!

Go Shopping at the Olde Southport Village Shoppes

Located on Howe Street in Southport, the Olde Southport Village Shoppes is a collection of unique shops that are houses in various refurbished old buildings. These unique buildings bring character to the shopping area, as you can shop for today's products but think back to what may have been sold in each store in the past. Shops in the Olde Southport Village offer a variety of products, including jewelry, antiques, glassware, linens, furniture, lotion and spa ware, candy, and more! Whatever you are looking for, you can probably find it while you are in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.

Learn More about the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association

The Long Bay Artificial Reef Association, based in Bolivia, was formed in 1984 and consists of members of the Brunswick, Oak Island and Ocean Isle Fishing Clubs. Their initial project was to build six artificial reefs in the area, which were all completed by 1992. One more reef was built in 1996, so today there are seven artificial reefs existing in the area. The Association has completed several projects to enhance the habitat of the artificial reefs, including adding tugboats, barges, concrete pipe and "Reef Balls," which act as homes for the fish who live in the reefs. The creation of these artificial reefs helps the fishing economy of Brunswick County, and plans to continue their enhancement projects as long as funds allow. The Association sponsors a King Mackerel and Flounder tournament each year. To learn more about the project, or for more information about how you can help the project, contact the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association at (910) 842-3136.

Go Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a popular water sport that is enjoyed in many coastal areas, and Brunswick County is no exception. In the Oak Island area, many windsurfers enjoy their sport in the ocean waters. Some other area waters like the Shallotte Inlet and River and the Intracoastal Waterway are decent options, but not always great options because of their limited space. For more information about windsurfing in the area, or for information about equipment, contact Blowing in the Wind at (888) 691-8034, which is the area's kite and wind shop and is located in Wilmington.

Enjoy a Performance by the Brunswick Concert Band

The Brunswick Concert Band, located in Southport, is a non-profit group of members throughout the area. Volunteers with a high-school or higher skill level are welcome to join, and must bring their own instrument and be able to read music. Auditions are not required. Various music styles are played by this 16-year old group, including Big Band, jazz, light classical, marches and show tunes. Two concerts are performed each year, as well as a variety of performances at area events. Rehearsal is held every Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Progress Energy Brunswick Energy Center. For more information, contact the Brunswick Concert Band at (910) 371-2062.

Enjoy the Seafood Buffet at the Lucky Fisherman Restaurant

The Lucky Fisherman's "Super Seafood Buffet" is located in Southport and offers a variety of all-you-can-eat seafood menu items. Open on Tuesday to Sunday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., the Lucky Fisherman has crab legs, fresh local seafood, crawfish, flounder, chicken, oysters, soups, salads, desserts, ice cream, and more! For more information, contact the Lucky Fisherman at (910) 457-9499.

Learn To Sail

If you are interested in the sport of sailing but aren't sure where to start, you can learn from Priority Sailing of Southport! Priority Sailing offers a variety of sailing instruction, ranging from individual, couple and group sailing for ages ranging from youth to adult. You can choose your instruction course in a variety of levels including Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Coastal Navigation, Coastal Passage Making, Offshore Passage Making and Celestial Navigation. All courses use standards set by the U.S. Sailing Association. For more information about learning to sail while you are visiting Brunswick County, contact Priority Sailing at (910) 454-4479.

Visit the Old Brunswick County Jail

The Old Brunswick County Jail was built in Southport in 1904 and consists of two cells and a second floor runabout. The structure has been managed by the Southport Historical Society since 1984 and will soon be home to a Southport History Museum and Genealogy Research Room. Inside the jail, some remnants of prisoners' graffiti is still visible on the walls. The Jail is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday, and admission is free. For more information, contact the Southport Historical Society at (910) 457-0760.