Sunset Beach is one of the three South Brunswick barrier islands consisting of three miles of beach on the North Carolina coast. Located about 45 minutes north of Myrtle Beach, Sunset Beach is a quiet community that emphasizes its small town feel. The town offers shopping, small attractions, golf courses and other spots of interest. Many of the Sunset Beach areas popular with tourists include the museum, nature reserves and other educational experiences.
Science hall exhibits, space movies and simulation experiences are all part of the Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach. The 85-seat Sky Theater simulates a dark, starry night and offers planetarium shows about life as an astronaut, the solar system and rockets. A special View Space exhibit also offers the latest news and discoveries directly from NASA and interactive exhibits allow kids and adults alike to explore magnets and the physics of flight. Ingram Planetarium is open Tuesday through Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year and is open on weekends only in the off-season.
Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market St.
Sunset Beach, NC 28468
910-575-0033
ingramplanetarium.org
A true undeveloped barrier island, Bird Island sits on the North Carolina coast between Sunset Beach and the Little River Inlet. The 1,200-acre area is available to the public on foot and also by boat on the Little River side. Several tidal creeks are located within the site, and the natural preserve has developed communities of coastal wildlife that include nesting loggerhead turtles and birds such as black skimmers, piping plovers and least terns. The area can be accessed by taking the 40th Street boardwalk and walking to the right, where signs direct visitors to the boundary of the reserve.
Bird Island
c/o the North Carolina Coastal Reserve
101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort, NC 28516
252-838-0880
nccoastalreserve.net
According to its website, Alligator Adventure is the reptile capital of the world, located 17 miles from Sunset Beach in North Myrtle Beach. Alligator Adventure boasts alligators, Galapagos tortoises, snakes, crocodiles, zebras, birds, lemurs and other animals. The animals are on display for visitors in the park's natural swamps and marshes. Animal shows are also held several times daily; alligator feedings, snake handling and animal lectures are all popular attractions. Alligator Adventure is open year-round; however, hours change seasonally. Call park for details.
Alligator Adventure
4604 U.S. 17 S.
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-361-0789
alligatoradventure.com
Located about six miles from Sunset Beach in Ocean Isle Beach, the Museum of Coastal Carolina offers visitors a view of life on the North Carolina coast. Exhibits feature Civil War artifacts, shark teeth, a tide machine that simulates the action of high and low tides, a primer on barrier islands role in protecting coastal areas, a loggerhead turtle display and movie, a green swamp featuring native Carolina wildlife and a sea exhibit with animal touch tank. Special exhibits and programs for toddlers and children are offered; these areas include toys and interactive educational activities including a puppet playhouse, puzzles and a sea hatchling maze. The museum is open year-round and hours vary with the season. Admission is free for children 2 and younger.
Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E. Second St.
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
910-579-1016
museumofcc.org
