OT: Topsail Island

[HailToPitt71]

We are heading here in July. We have two boys 9 and 11 that are pretty active but love the beach and night swimming in the pool. We normally go to Myrtle Beach every year but changed it up this year. Always wanted to do this but was afraid that there is not enough to do. This year worked out because there are 3 other families going with children about the same age. So we figured, if we were going to try it, this would be the time.

I was researching the area and it appears that there really is not a whole lot else today.

Does anyone have any suggestions on restaurants? What kind of entertainment is down there? Is there anywhere to take the kids? Not every night, but maybe a night or two.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

We are heading here in July. We have two boys 9 and 11 that are pretty active but love the beach and night swimming in the pool. We normally go to Myrtle Beach every year but changed it up this year. Always wanted to do this but was afraid that there is not enough to do. This year worked out because there are 3 other families going with children about the same age. So we figured, if we were going to try it, this would be the time.

I was researching the area and it appears that there really is not a whole lot else today.

Does anyone have any suggestions on restaurants? What kind of entertainment is down there? Is there anywhere to take the kids? Not every night, but maybe a night or two.

No help...we always cook in. We stay there for a long weekend every new years.

 

[sammyk]

Great place to visit great beaches and I am sure you can find a few places to eat in Pender County

 

[ASmathers_H2P]

It's definitely not as crowded as Myrtle that's for sure. There's some nice restaurants and I believe some golf around. But the beach is the main attraction unlike Myrtle

 

[HolyPitt]

We have been going to Topsail Island twice a summer for about 10 years. They have a few restaurants (which means they get crowded during dinner time). The off island area has grown a little bit, but still not much to do. Most people purchase seafood by the swing bridge and eat at the beach house. The beaches are really nice and the ocean and waves are not too bad for children. Wilmington is about a 1 hour drive away and has stuff to do. Saltwater fishing is a little slow this time of year, with a lot of pinfish.
As long as you don't stay in a large condo complex or close to one, the beaches are not crowded. Public beach accesses will get crowded on the weekends.

 

[Gregory25]

Topsail is quite different compared to Myrtle or Ocean City. The beach is the main and only attraction.

I would recommend visiting the USS NC in Wilmington and maybe a fishing charter for the kids.

 

[tps48]

We are heading here in July. We have two boys 9 and 11 that are pretty active but love the beach and night swimming in the pool. We normally go to Myrtle Beach every year but changed it up this year. Always wanted to do this but was afraid that there is not enough to do. This year worked out because there are 3 other families going with children about the same age. So we figured, if we were going to try it, this would be the time.

I was researching the area and it appears that there really is not a whole lot else today.

Does anyone have any suggestions on restaurants? What kind of entertainment is down there? Is there anywhere to take the kids? Not every night, but maybe a night or two.

I've been going to Topsail for 25+ years and have had a small condo there for the past 3 years. I spend about 3 months a year there. It's a great beach for families with young children, but not so much for teenagers.

For inexpensive and good food, go to the Riverview Diner in Snead's Ferry. There are inexpensive specials every week day. This restaurant get a lot of business from the locals. My wife and I eat there about 3 times/week.

For mid-priced restaurants try the Shrimp House (on the 7th floor of the St. Regis Condos, Beauchains 21, Sears Landing, or Daddy Macs.

There really aren't any expensive restaurants. Topsail is laid back.

You can always venture to Wrightsville Beach (45 min drive) and try The Bluewater or the Oceanic.

In Jacksonville or Wilmington, go to Mission BBQ for the best BBQ in the area. Wilmington can get crowded in the summer. So if you want BBQ go to Jacksonville. There are also nice places to eat along the riverwalk in historic Wilmington.

Hope this helps.

 

[tps48]

For inexpensive and good food, go to the Riverview Diner in Snead's Ferry. There are inexpensive specials every week day. This restaurant get a lot of business from the locals. My wife and I eat there about 3 times/week.

For mid-priced restaurants try the Shrimp House (on the 7th floor of the St. Regis Condos, Beauchains 21, Sears Landing, or Daddy Macs.

There really aren't any expensive restaurants. Topsail is laid back.

You can always venture to Wrightsville Beach (45 min drive) and try The Bluewater or the Oceanic.

In Jacksonville or Wilmington, go to Mission BBQ for the best BBQ in the area. Wilmington can get crowded in the summer. So if you want BBQ go to Jacksonville. There are also nice places to eat along the riverwalk in historic Wilmington.

Hope this helps.

 

[HailToPitt71]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the responses.

 

[Tiger Paul Lives]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the responses.

We have been going there since I was a kid around 14 years old. I am now 51, so it has been a long time. We are heading down late June this year with the whole clan. Anyhow, if you think there isn't anything to do there now, you should have been there in the late 70's. But...we love it there. Houses are much better now and swimming pools with the houses were non-existent before the hurricanes. Two in one month. We were evacuated before the first one. We had to leave on a Thursday. The hurricanes of approximately 18 years ago, actually changes the islands landscape. The rebuild led to bigger and updated homes while never really affecting the other parts of the island. In other words it remains laid back and not a ton to do in the evening. The best part about it, is that it really promotes bonding with whomever you are there with as we entertain each other by hanging out with each other. I hope you enjoy it. I definitely is a relaxing vacation.

 

[HailToPitt71]

We have been going there since I was a kid around 14 years old. I am now 51, so it has been a long time. We are heading down late June this year with the whole clan. Anyhow, if you think there isn't anything to do there now, you should have been there in the late 70's. But...we love it there. Houses are much better now and swimming pools with the houses were non-existent before the hurricanes. Two in one month. We were evacuated before the first one. We had to leave on a Thursday. The hurricanes of approximately 18 years ago, actually changes the islands landscape. The rebuild led to bigger and updated homes while never really affecting the other parts of the island. In other words it remains laid back and not a ton to do in the evening. The best part about it, is that it really promotes bonding with whomever you are there with as we entertain each other by hanging out with each other. I hope you enjoy it. I definitely is a relaxing vacation.

Sounds great. We are staying in a pretty big house with a few more houses around it. We are really looking forward to it. Sometimes, coming back from Myrtle, we feel we need a vacation from our vacation.

 

[Tiger Paul Lives]

Sounds great. We are staying in a pretty big house with a few more houses around it. We are really looking forward to it. Sometimes, coming back from Myrtle, we feel we need a vacation from our vacation.

Sorry to go on a bit, but one of the things we do while on the beach is look for sharks teeth. They are black and there in abundance, by abundance means that I have never found them at any other beach, if you look hard enough. It has become a past time of our searching for them. There is actually quite a bit of history surrounding Topsail and if you are interested, I suggest reading a book called "Echoes of Topsail." Military history, Civil War and Pirates. One thing the kids might like is visiting the "Sea Turtle and Rehab Center". The sea turtles lay their eggs on the dunes and you will see the nests marked off so as no one destroys the eggs. They even ask you to leave your back deck lights off at night so they don't get confused and not go towards the ocean if they hatch at night. I guess the moon is their guide.

Ok, sorry to ramble on. As you can tell we enjoy it there.