Like many of the neighboring beach towns that comprise North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, the community of Sunset Beach was established in the 1950s, when developers staked out its picturesque beach as a vacation destination. But most people don’t realize how remarkable this small town’s strip of sand really is: It’s been named as one of the world’s best beaches. Stunning sunsets are only half the story of this oceanfront town, where vacation homes and cottages line a two-mile residential strip, each block with its own boardwalk. Inland, a trio of lush golf resorts draws golfers from all over the country, while nature buffs retreat to the quiet sanctuary of the Bird Island Preserve.

Like the surrounding Brunswick Islands, Sunset Beach’s weather is largely influenced by the nearby Gulf Stream, pushing balmy temperatures and warm waters its way. As a result, it enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures peaking in the high 80s Fahrenheit on either side of the summer months. Many locals get around in flip-flops during the summer, but dress in layers during the winter, when temperatures drop into the 40s. It should be noted that the Brunswick Islands lie in prime hurricane territory. If you plan to stay in one of the area’s vacation rentals during hurricane season (summer through fall), keep a close watch on local news.

Old Bridge Museum

Until fairly recently, Sunset Beach was accessible from the mainland only via an old-fashioned single-lane swing bridge. Connected to roads on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway, the entire bridge pivoted, rather than raised, to let boats pass at scheduled times. Though this often caused traffic headaches during Sunset Beach’s busy summer season, many locals felt it reinforced the town’s relaxed pace. The former bridge was preserved when it was finally replaced in 2010 by a traditional arc bridge similar to other Brunswick Islands destinations. Now anchored on land and maintained by the Old Bridge Preservation Society, you can walk the old bridge at your leisure — without waiting on traffic.

Bird Island

Walk along the sand to the western end of Sunset Beach’s residential strip, and you’ll eventually cross over into the Bird Island Coastal Reserve, 1,481 acres of natural shoreline, marshland, and dunes. One of ten sites comprising North Carolina’s Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, Bird Island is a safe haven for significant regional plant and animal species that are endangered, protected, or otherwise of interest, including the area’s well-known loggerhead sea turtles.

Golfing

Sunset Beach’s collection of golf courses are some of the best in the region, designed by the sport’s top visionaries and enjoyed by players of all skill levels. The newest course, Leopard’s Chase, is considered one of the best in the country, while Thistle’s Scottish-themed-trio of 9-hole links are also worth a visit.