Things to do with kids in Surf City, NC
We’ve been going to Topsail Island, NC (specifically Surf City) since I was a teenager. It has grown so much since then – both the re-nourished beach as well as the restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and stores around town.
To be honest, I’m usually a beach bum when I’m at the coast. I’ll step off the beach for some good seafood or ice cream, but otherwise you can find me in the sand or the waves. My kids are the same way, but the more time we spend at a specific beach, the more we like to explore off the sand as well.
Especially with off-season trips (we went in February, March & April this year), it’s fun to explore local parks, restaurants, and other offerings (like the sea turtle hospital!) when time & weather allow.
Read on for a few of our favorite things to do in Surf City and Topsail Island, NC.
1. Hunt for sharks teeth & sea glass
I’m not sure I want to know why, but we literally find hundreds of sharks teeth specifically on this beach. My kids have found up to 300 in a single weekend. It’s equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, honestly.
We also find tons of sea glass here – more than any other beach in NC. My girls especially have eyes for these colorful finds, and have found green, teal, clear, brown, white, and even blue, yellow, and purple!
2. Visit the South End – aka “the point”
One of the last remaining undeveloped, privately owned site on an NC barrier island, the South End is a gorgeous spot to visit especially at low tide and sunset (even better if those are at the same time). We love walking all the way around “the point” and enjoying the views of the inlet and the ocean. You honestly cannot beat the sunset view from here!
Quick Tip – Like at Atlantic Beach, swimming near the inlet isn’t safe or recommend. The drop off on the sound side is steep & quick, and the currents can be really uncertain where the sound meets the ocean. Please be careful!
3. Enjoy homemade ice cream
The food scene in Surf City & Topsail has really improved over the last few years! We now have a hard time choosing between 3 delicious homemade ice cream spots:
Scoops Microcreamery
Scoops is a DELIGHT. It can be loud – it’s right under the old school skating rink (squeezed in beside the cutest post office around), but holy cow is it delicious. Definitely follow them on Instagram for flavor updates. Out of the signature flavors we loved the Elmer Fudge, Oreo & Strawberry. Also don’t sleep on the waffle cones – it’s easily the best one I have had in years.
Four Cousins Ice Cream
The cutest little shop complete with black and white photos of the “four cousins” (you know I’m a sucker for this) and local artwork. Four Cousins ice cream is so good. I’m partial to the Butterfinger or the banana pudding milkshake, but we’ve never had anything bad. Like Scoops, they rotate flavors, so there is always something new to try! Don’t forget about the chocolate waffle cone option!
Four Cousins also offers delicious baked goods, which is great for those who don’t like or can’t eat ice cream.
Celtic Creamery
We’re often in Surf City in the off season, so don’t always hit Celtic Creamery when it is open, but when it is, we love it! So many fun flavor and topping options.
4. Meet some sea turtles!
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center is such a fun and eye-opening experience. Purchase tickets (in advance!) to tour the hospital and learn all about loggerheads, greens, and Kemp’s ridleys turtles. The tour includes interactive ways to learn how we can do our part to care for sea turtles and their nests on the coast of NC.
At the end of the tour you step into Sea Turtle Bay where you get to see (and photograph) the turtles currently being cared for at the hospital. They are absolutely gorgeous, can be playful, and are so fun to watch up close.
There are many programs available – spring break and summer options, school trips, a nest adoption program, and so many more ways to get involved. You can also adopt a sea turtle! Your donation goes to help cover food, medicine, and care for the turtles, and you get to go home with a photo, a certificate, and a stuffed animal turtle to remind you of your pet in Surf City!
5. Enjoy the Parks & Playgrounds
If you’re visiting in the off-season, find yourself with a really windy day, or just want a break from the beach, the area has many parks & playgrounds that my kids love to visit.
Soundside Park
Our longtime favorite, we still remember the fish ladder that used to be here before this park was turned into a pirate ship with the new equipment. Plenty of space to run & play, multiple playground pieces, swings, bathrooms, a picnic shelter, a little free library, and a soundside boardwalk with a gorgeous view of the bridge & the sunset!
From here you can also walk to the base of the bridge on the island side and then enjoy a walk over the bridge if you’d like.
Surf City Skate Park
A newer addition to town, we LOVE this skate park! In my (very limited) skate park experience, this one is pretty big with many options for skateboards, scooters, skates, and bikes. We’ve only taken skateboards or scooters, but have enjoyed watching insanely talented roller-skaters here, too.
This park is right near Surf City Parks and Rec (there’s also a dog park & smaller playground at the rec center) and does have bathrooms, picnic shelters, volleyball courts, and a new playground, too!
Topsail Beach Town Center
A smaller park, but this one includes a basketball goal as well as different play equipment, so we love to stop by occasionally, too!
6. Try some of our favorite eats
I am truly amazed (and thankful) at how far Surf City has come in the food department over the last few years. We’ve always loved Sear’s Landing (sound side dining on the porch!) and Daddy Mac’s, but now there are many breakfast & lunch options in town, as well as other types of cuisine. Current favorites include:
Coffee & Breakfast
- Sunrise Bagel Co – literally the best bagel sandwiches. I constantly say that we need to franchise in Hillsborough. My kids love the high rise, I love the bunny (no tomatoes, add peppers & onions – on the everything bagel), and my husband gets the BLT at all hours of the day.
- Sundial Coffee & Tea – a new(er) coffee shop with perfect lattes and tasty breakfast (or afternoon) treats. So many flavor options, you truly can’t go wrong!
- Daybreak Donuts – made fresh, topped as you’d like – super similar to Duck Donuts, another NC staple. My favorites are the lighter options that include cinnamon sugar or a citrus glaze. Don’t miss the sandy shore!
- Diver Surfside Cafe – delicious smoothies, coffee, breakfast sandwiches and toast. Plus many rooms and porches for dining, working, or watching the boats & bridge.
Lunch or Dinner
- Margaritas Mexican Grill & Cantina – the best blood orange margarita I’ve ever had. We love their queso (obviously), salsa, and ACP (arroz del mar if you want to keep it coastal).
- Surf City Smash – come for the smash burgers, stay for the fries. The burgers come with fried pita chips (pictured below), but don’t miss ordering a side of fries. You won’t regret it.
- Shaka Taco – tasty tacos, and a great beach-side vibe.
- Sear’s Landing – still a favorite because of the back porch dining, honestly. And the west indies seafood rolls. And the crab fritters & cakes. And the consistently good drinks. And the signature sauces.
- Beauchaine’s 211 – great for a date night, a fancy family dinner, or takeout. The food (especially the crab dip & the shrimp and grits) is always good, the views are great, and the dressed up seaside vibe makes for a fun night out.
There’s so much to see and do in this little coastal town, and honestly this is barely scratching the surface. If you’ve been recently, what was your favorite part?!
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