An American charmer

ON LOCATION: SOUTHPORT AUDITIONS FOR ‘MOST CHARMING TOWN IN AMERICA’

story by Vanessa Infanzon photos courtesy of NC Brunswick Islands

Oak Island Lighthouse, a short drive from Southport, has been guarding the coast since 1958.

t’s easy to imagine a movie crew filming in

ISouthport, NC. Restored homes with wide porches and gingerbread woodwork boast long histories. Plaques hanging near many a front door honor the homes’ original owners, dating back to the 19th and early 20th century.

Southport is one of several coastal towns, along with five islands, that make up North

Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. More than 40 films, movies and television shows have been filmed in

Southport including “Crimes of the Heart,” “Safe

Haven,” “Under the Dome” and “Weekend at Bernie’s.”

Spend a long weekend or a full week in Southport after the six-hour drive from Upstate South

Carolina. Explore shops and restaurants, relax on the beach, golf or fish … you’re the director on this getaway:

ON SET

On a quiet road in Southport, the Bell Clemmons House operates as a three-room bed and breakfast. Bev Holm, the innkeeper, welcomes guests with baked goods from Burney’s Bakery of Southport. Guests are treated to a gourmet breakfast — sweet or savory — served in the dining room or in the garden patio.

The house, originally built in the mid-1800s, was restored in 2004. Rooms are equipped with modern conveniences and private bathrooms, each offering a romantic atmosphere. Two rooms open to a second-floor porch with views of the street below. The B&B is walkable to downtown’s attractions, restaurants and shops. A stay at Bell Clemmons will warrant a command performance.

{left} A stroll along Bay Street provides a taste of the historic homes in Southport as well as views of the water. {right} Biking is a great way to explore Bald Head Island. {above} Bell Clemmons B&B is walkable to downtown attractions, restaurants and shops. Rooms are romantic and outfitted with modern conveniences. • {left} Originally built in the mid-1800s, Bell Clemmons House was restored in 2004. Photos Courtesy of Bell Clemmons House

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Downtown Southport is filled with galleries, restaurants and shops that provide a perfect scene for someone playing the tourist. Wander through The Artisan’s Gallery on Howe, The Christmas House, Lantana’s Gallery, Talefeathers and Walks on the Beach for local art, crafts, photography and gift items.

Oliver’s on the Cape Fear has a casual environment with indoor and outdoor dining. Burgers, grilled cheese, Maine-lobster bisque, shrimp and grits and other sandwiches and salads fill the menu. Be sure to ask for the house-made hazelnut dressing for your salad.

For picnic supplies or quick snacks, visit the Southport Market. Homemade fudge, candy bins, a variety of spices, sauces, wines and honey line the shelves. Find your Southport hoodie and other gifts in the back of the store.

Silver Coast Winery Tasting and Taproom offers beer and wine tastings seven days a week. More than 100 bottled beers and 10 on draft are available from craft brewers.

Public beach access from Oak Island is a quick drive from Southport. The Oak Island Lighthouse, with a nature boardwalk across the street, is in the town of Caswell Beach.

Bald Head Island is just a 25-minute ferry ride away. No cars are allowed on the island, making it safe for bikes and golf carts. Visitors can rent them when they get off the boat. Although the 360-degree view from the top of Old Baldy Lighthouse is breathtaking, it’s not for everyone. The 108-step climb up a steep and narrow staircase ends at a straight ladder through a narrow hole. Take a photo from down below and head to the beach, bike along tree-lined streets and grab a Rolls Royce Margarita at Jule’s near the Bald Head Island Marina.

INTERLUDE

The Brunswick Islands is spread out over 1,000 square miles. If your home base is

Fishy Fishy Cafe, a dockside seafood restaurant in Southport, is a favorite spot for lunch or dinner.

HIRE THE RIGHT AGENT

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Lake Keowee & Lake Hartwell Mortgage Specialist

o: (864) 990-4355 c: (770) 856-0111 sguthman@banksouth.com www.sueannguthman.com 105A Ram Cat Alley Seneca, SC 29678 MLO NMLS: 200802

Southport, these destinations make for great day trips: • Nicholas Spark’s fans will appreciate Bird Island’s Kindred Spirit Mailbox. Spark’s book, “Every Breath,” was based on the mailbox, which was placed there more than 40 years ago by a resident. Two wooden benches and a standard black mailbox stand in the dunes, about 1.5 miles from Sunset Beach’s southernmost beach access point. Visitors are welcome to read letters and poems written by previous guests and then add their own. ncbrunswick. com/islands-towns/sunset-beach/ • Answer this trivia question at the next party: Is Calabash a town or a way to prepare seafood? If your answer is both, you’re correct! Calabash sits on the Calabash River, and it’s also a way to prepare clams, fish, oysters and shrimp — fried quickly in a light batter. The small town has 24 restaurants, eight of which serve seafood, living up to the town’s title of Seafood Capital of the World. Look for A Taste of Calabash, an annual festival in the coming year. (It’s been postponed from April due to COVID-19.) Book a dolphin cruise, two-hour sunset cruise or fishing trip with Hurricane Fishing Fleet. ncbrunswick.com/islands-towns/calabash/ • Sip wine on the patio or front porch at Ocean Isle Beach’s Silver Coast Winery. In 2002, Dr. Bud and Maryann Azzato launched the winery with 14 European-style wines using grapes from North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley and North Georgia. Some favorites include the American Oak Chardonnay, Bella Rosa Dry Rose, Merlot and Viognier. silvercoastwinery. com n

For more information, check out these websites:

Bald Head Island Ferry: baldheadisland.com/ island/ferry

Bell-Clemmons House: bell-clemmons.com

Brunswick Islands: ncbrunswick.com

Old Baldy Lighthouse: oldbaldy.org

Silver Coast Winery: silvercoastwinery.com/ southport-tasting-room

we’ve got the look.

IRT-4395F-A

Bob Thomas, AAMS®

edwardjones.com

Bob Thomas, AAMS® Financial AdvisorBob Thomas, AAMS® Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 1510 Blue Ridge Blvd Ste 103 Seneca, SC 29672-6684 edwardjones.com Member SIPCedwardjones.com Member SIPC Member SIPC 1510 Blue Ridge Blvd Ste 103 1510 Blue Ridge Blvd Ste 103 864-985-1266 Seneca, SC 29672-6684 864-985-1266 Seneca, SC 29672-6684 864-985-1266 bob.thomas@edwardjones.com bob.thomas@edwardjones.com