North Topsail Beach (Wilmington, Sneads Ferry, Surf City: living, restaurants, shops)

[vjennifer1230]

Taking a family vacation the end of August to North Topsail Beach. We have 2 small children. Anyone know of some things to do with them around the area...besides the beach of course. I had found an aquarium that I loved the sound of, but it's over 2 hrs. away in Wilmington area I think. We don't want to do much, just looking for some things to do around our time at the beach. Thanks!

[LRoyal10900]

There's not a whole lot to do at N. Topsail. Up at Topsail is the Turtle Hospital. And they have WONDERFUL fudge at the Topsail Island Trading Company in Surf City.

There's a great aquarium about an hour north at Pine Knoll Shore, and then there's the other aquarium about 1 1/2 hours away at Ft. Fisher (about 30 minutes from Wilmington).

But other than that....N. Topsail is pretty boring.

[BillMacon48]

Hello, there is a nice little park across the street from beach access #4 (about a mile from Hwy210).
It features free parking & everythink, clean restrooms, an outdoor shower, a couple of nice pavillions with picnic tables and a water fountain, an awesome (for this area) playground for young kids. Additionally, there are some walking/nature trails that lead to around to some fishing/observation piers overlooking the water on the backside of the island. Of course you would need to bring your own food & drinks. Regards.

[vjennifer1230]

thanks so much, the park, trails and aquarium sound perfect for what we're looking for. we don't want much, we're mostly going for the beach trip. thanks again...

[Rtom45]

Just down the way in Surf City, there's minature golf, the turtle hospital, and the fishing pier. We were down to Topsail last week but our kids are adults so their interests were different. My wife and I enjoyed some of those activities ourselves.

[mkozlpn]

FYI... Wilmington is not 2 hours away, it's more like 45min, to an hour depending on where you are going.
North topsail is pretty quiet, no shops, only 2 restaurants and one new bar, the Tiki Bar. It's all about the beach. I've been living here six months and just love it, this weekend is the 40th annual Shrimpfest over on the mainland in Sneads Ferry. Have fun!!!

[rbcp]

Right across the bridge in Sneads Ferry, you will find various restaurants and a small mini golf facility.

[LRoyal10900]

Originally Posted by rbcp

Right across the bridge in Sneads Ferry, you will find various restaurants and a small mini golf facility.

Unless the mini golf is brand new, the only mini golf is at Surf City.

[mkozlpn]

Mini golf is across the street from Rick's restaurant and is only open in the summer. It's been there a while, but no where as nice as the one in surf city so it's easy to miss.