Holden Beach in Brunswick, NC is an ocean of fun

My daughter's wedding has left me exhausted so I'm trying to figure out if I can go back to the Brunswick Islands of North Carolina this summer. Holden Beach is residential and quiet. It doesn't have the overgrowth of commercialization that can ruin coastal areas and may be perfect for recuperating from the wedding frenzy.

It took us around an hour to get to Holden Beach from Wilmington. It's an easy, slow paced drive down Highway 17. Exit at Highway 211 and follow the signs into Holden Beach. Or, you can stay on Highway 17 (Ocean Highway) and pass near Shallotte and through Carolina Shores. A few minutes farther and you come to the town of Calabash which is known for its popular method of cooking shrimp.

In Brunswick, NC you can choose between visiting the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean. The island may be narrow but it offers plenty of attractions. Just don't let the quietness fool you.

My family enjoyed learning about the estuary at the Oak Island Nature Center and walking on the beach. Fishing charters are popular and people enjoy the local restaurants. It's a soothing place to visit that's away from crowds and chaos. This website of www.ncbrunswick.com has videos and information that show you more of what I'm talking about in Holden Beach and Brunswick, North Carolina.