*** TOPSAIL BEACH, NC *** anything for kids???

[rockin_rep]

Hope someone can help ~~

Is there anything to do in the evenings at TOPSAIL BEACH, NC?

Doesn't have to be major, but any shopping nearby (even beachy type touristy tacky souvenier shopping) or mini-golf and arcade type amusements?

MIL wants to go there later this summer and I've read there's not much for the kiddos to do.

Hope someone can shed some light, thanks.

 

[rockin_rep]

Also, anything you can recommend in Surf City, which is the next little town?

Would very much appreciate any feedback.

 

[Blondie]

There's not a whole lot going on down that way. We stayed on the island 2 years ago. While it's beautiful and clean (and very private--we stayed at Villa Capriani) there's nothing much else going on except sun and surf. You'll have to drive to everything else.

After 4 days we were ready to come home, there's only so much looking out at the ocean I can take!

There was (at that time) an amusement area just over the bridge, but it was kind of cheesy and run down.

 

[Blondie]

Surf City has a few souvie shops, but nothing spectacular.

Top Sail is all about the beach.

 

[lecach]

Surf City is where everything is - not topsail. They are very close to each other. There is a Wings, a Food Lion, lots of touristy stores. The Topsail Trading company is a really neat store - they have homemade fudge, toys, decorative items, clothes.

There is a putt-putt place - it's almost brand new. And a pier you can walk out on for a $1 fee. They have Dairy Queen, and the turtle hospital.

And Wilmington with a TON of stuff (waterpark, mall, arcades, bowling alley, etc.) is only 30 minutes away.

My Mom has a condo in Hampstead (10 minutes away) and my stepfather was the town manager of Surf City for a few years so we spent a lot of time there.

 

[Blondie]

We never made the drive to Wilmington. After lazing in the sun all day, we were too wasted to get in the car and drive anywhere!

 

[rockin_rep]

Surf City is where everything is - not topsail. They are very close to each other. There is a Wings, a Food Lion, lots of touristy stores. The Topsail Trading company is a really neat store - they have homemade fudge, toys, decorative items, clothes.

There is a putt-putt place - it's almost brand new. And a pier you can walk out on for a $1 fee. They have Dairy Queen, and the turtle hospital.

Thank you for the posts and information!!!

Are the Surf city touristy shops all together, so you can walk from one to the next?

Also, can anyone recommend best places to eat, that won't break the bank, that are fun and kid-friendly?

 

[jtnsami]

I absolutely LOVED Topsail! We stayed in North Topsail last year at Topsail Dunes. It was great for the beach and sun person, but as far as anything like Myrtle Beach, it is not. Not much for the little ones to do except chase crabs. We didn't make it to Wilmington though. Sneads Ferry was nice, but we didn't really venture to much off the path. Basically just to get groceries or stop at Hardees.

 

[kimmikayb]

This is a GREAT thread!!!! We are heading to Hampstead in August. My aunt and cousin live there and we're having a "girls" week. Topsail is a great beach, we really like it. But not much else to do that I remember. We spent time in Wilmington and it's not that far away. It only took us an hour+ to get to Myrtle Beach.

I'll ask my cousin for you, see what's around.

 

[BuckNaked]

Like everyone else has said, there really isn't a lot there. Touristy stuff in Surf City, and Sneads Ferry does have the little amusement/water park thing, but it is pretty run down. We've spent lots of time in the area, as the in-laws used to live in Sneads Ferry, and MIL now lives in Holly Ridge.

The MIL angle aside, I can take it for about 3 days, tops, and then I'm ready to leave.

 

[rockin_rep]

Like everyone else has said, there really isn't a lot there. Touristy stuff in Surf City, and Sneads Ferry does have the little amusement/water park thing, but it is pretty run down. We've spent lots of time in the area, as the in-laws used to live in Sneads Ferry, and MIL now lives in Holly Ridge.

The MIL angle aside, I can take it for about 3 days, tops, and then I'm ready to leave.

LOL! We too, will only be there 5 days, so thinking there'll be enough to do for the little darlins....

Thanks for all the replys, and please keep them coming!

RESTAURANT ideas --- anything fun, moderate / casual, not too pricey?

 

[lecach]

There is a restaurant near the bridge in Surf City called Crab Pot. It's kindof neat and reasonably priced. I cant remember the names of the others we eat at.

Most kids I know would be thrilled at 5 days on the beach. I think you'll be fine.

 

[rockin_rep]

There is a restaurant near the bridge in Surf City called Crab Pot. It's kindof neat and reasonably priced. I cant remember the names of the others we eat at.

Thanks, sounds great! Any shops nearby?

Any other suggestions anyone? Appreciate any and all feedback!


edited to add: Also, was the movie "Loggerheads" (about sea turtles) supposed to take place in Topsail?

 

[rockin_rep]

topping - anyone else care to chime in?

TIA!

 

[jtnsami]

As far as food, if you're staying in a place you can fix your own meals, there is a little seafood hut right across the swing bridge when you drive into Surf City on the left. They bring in fresh seafood all day, and you can buy it off the boats. If you are looking for something like McDonalds, be prepared. The only thing they have there is Hardees. If you are staying oceanfront, and the kids can get up early enough, take binoculars to watch behind the shrimp boats that go out. Every morning there were dolphins following behind. We actually saw alot of dolphins while we were there. We were out on the beach, and you could see them swimming and jumping.

 

[rockin_rep]

As far as food, if you're staying in a place you can fix your own meals, there is a little seafood hut right across the swing bridge when you drive into Surf City on the left. They bring in fresh seafood all day, and you can buy it off the boats. If you are looking for something like McDonalds, be prepared. The only thing they have there is Hardees. If you are staying oceanfront, and the kids can get up early enough, take binoculars to watch behind the shrimp boats that go out. Every morning there were dolphins following behind. We actually saw alot of dolphins while we were there. We were out on the beach, and you could see them swimming and jumping.

Wow, sounds great! Both the seafood AND dolphins! Starting to really look forward to our trip now!

Any particular kind of seafood?

 

[lecach]

The seafood hut that jtnsami was referring to is in the same parking lot as the Crab Pot restaurant.

Im not sure if the Loggerheads movie was set in Topsail - I am not familiar with it.

Mollies restaurant is pretty good too - but it's not very fancy. It's pretty lowkey. Here is their website: http://www.molliesrestaurant.com/

Here is the turtle hospital website: http://www.seaturtlehospital.org/

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is really nice. It's maybe an hour drive but I think its worth it. Here is their website: http://www.ncaquariums.com/newsite/ff/visit.htm