Must Do’s For A Weekend In Topsail North Carolina
Somehow I got lucky enough to have a lot of friends with beach houses. And this weekend I spent some time in Topsail, NC visiting a friend and exploring. As someone who has spent more time in the Myrtle area, it was fun to explore this charming little beach town. If you are looking for a vacation destination I would highly recommend it. If you do plan a visit here are some of my must-do’s for a weekend in Topsail Beach, NC.
The Run-Down
If you don’t know Topsail Island is in Pender County North Carolina not far from Wilmington. Just under 26 miles long the island is comprised of three towns- North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. To get to Surf City which is the middle or heart of the island is just about 4 hours from Charlotte. If you are staying closer to the end of the island it can add another 15-20 minutes to your drive.
Visit The Beach
It goes without saying that if you are making the drive a good beach day is a must and with 26 miles of beaches you’re sure to find a perfect spot. Whether you want to be in the heart of the action at Surf City, where you can walk off the beach to grab lunch or a drink, or more secluded on one of the ends of the island you’ll find what you want.
Grab A Glass Of Wine At “Unwined”
This cute little wine bar has a massive outdoor patio, and often live music. Sample the large selection of wines, with some unique finds you won’t get everywhere else. Then grab your wine to get a glass of or if you can’t decide order a flight. The patio is shaded with lots of tables and chairs as well as couches to lounge on. Add some charcuterie to your order and kick back to enjoy your vacation.
Walk The Surf City Bridge
If you’ve been to Topsail but not in the past few years you may be surprised to see the iconic swing bridge is no more. Now there is a huge bridge perfect for boats to pass under. Many of the locals walk and run the bridge in the morning for exercise, and even if you don’t want to do it as a workout I highly recommend walking to the top to take in the view. See the gallery below for my photos!
Get Some Chips (And Tacos) At Shaka Taco
This is absolutely a must-do for me on any visit to Topsail. Shaka Taco is a walk-up taco stand that is to die for. Make sure you get the bottomless chips and salsa for just $3 with both the red and green salsa, it’s some of the best I’ve ever had. They also have a selection of local craft beers and some domestic favorites. It gets crowded and seating is limited but I promise it’s worth it. The tacos are delicious as well and while I didn’t try them the loaded nachos were huge and looked divine!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRAS8dChwIg/
Catch Some Live Music
Wilmington has a big local live music scene and Topsail has inherited a lot of that. On any given night (and even day) there are a number of places with live music including Unwined (mentioned above), Quarter Moon Books, JM’s Place Pub, Even Tide, and more. Plus going right off the island to Hampstead or Sneads Ferry gives you even more options and Wilmington is a short drive.
Enjoy A Nice Dinner At Daddy Mac’s
Make sure you sit outside. When we put our name down they said it would be about a 90-minute wait, which was longer than first available. However, the wait was much less and our table made the meal. Waterfront and preferably oceanfront, dining is a priority for me on any vacation. Daddy Mac’s in right on the ocean and watching the sunset from our second-floor balcony table was breathtaking. Wine, cocktails, and local beer are plentiful and all the food we tried was incredible.
Did I miss some of your favorite spots? Let me know your must-dos in Topsail and I’ll add them to the agenda for my next trip.
