From stargazing to shelling, here's how to plan a laidback family vacation to one of the Brunswick Islands. For those looking for a low-key vacation in paradise, Oak Island, North Carolina, and ...

Things to do Beach days: Oak Island offers more than 60 public accesses for beachgoers — more than any other beach in the area.

Things to do Oak Island Lighthouse: Tours are available in the morning hours every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from May 1 through Sept. 30, 300 Caswell Beach Road, www.oakislandlighthouse.org.

This is the last stretch of NC’s relatively subdued coast before you’re blinded by the gaudy excess of Myrtle Beach (all due respect to the Grand Strand).