Topsail Beach, North Carolina, is the quiet side of the Outer Banks and offers something completely different from its more touristy neighbors to the south. With gorgeous views of the ocean, excellent shopping, and friendly locals, Topsail Beach makes for an ideal travel destination year-round, and this travel guide will help you plan your trip to this quiet North Carolina destination so you can enjoy every moment of it.
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Get a Topsail Beach Rental
If you’re looking for a luxury beach rental in North Carolina, then Topsail is an excellent choice. The island is just minutes from Wilmington, making it easy to drive down for a long weekend of fun. Since many of your favorite restaurants and stores are close by, you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying yourself and less time-fighting traffic! And Topsail is located off Cape Fear River, where you can watch boats go in and out or even book a charter fishing trip. Best of all, when you stay at the Topsail Beach rentals, your days on land will be just as exciting as time spent at sea.
Things to Do
The island of Topsail is known for its quaint, picturesque beach towns like Surf City and Atlantic Beach. While there are countless ways to enjoy these communities, one of the favorites is grabbing some seafood and soaking up a little sun while listening to live music on Fort Macon’s beachfront. After that, drive to Beaufort, where you can tour historic homes (and even meet a few ghosts) before having an incredible dinner at Beaufort River Brewing Company or Black Marlin. You can also take in live music or browse art galleries in Morehead City – but only if you have time! Once you see what North Carolina’s beachside community has to offer, you’ll be returning for more!
Best time to visit Topsail Island
With a largely temperate climate, visiting Topsail Island is never a bad time. However, it’s best to avoid early spring and late fall due to unpredictable weather conditions. Though summers are generally warm and sunny (with average high temperatures around 77°F/25°C), hurricanes can strike during these months, and heavy rains can occur anytime. Be sure to consult your travel guide before booking a trip.
The most popular time for tourism is during summer, when you’ll find warm temperatures and limited rainfall; that being said, winters offer some attractive holiday opportunities such as Christmas markets in historic New Bern or gingerbread house displays in Manteo.
Where to Eat
The island has several fantastic restaurants. Plus, there’s plenty of fresh seafood to choose from. As for other types of cuisine, you can find everything from burgers to Mexican food (and pretty much anything in between), while wine lovers will want to visit various bars and wineries. No matter what you decide on, make sure to be sure to leave room for dessert.
Conclusion
Topsail Island, North Carolina, is an excellent place to vacation if you’re looking for something outside your typical beach destination. Beautiful beaches are always lovely, but Topsail Island offers something that many other destinations don’t: World-class surfing, enough golf courses to satisfy even the most avid fan, excellent fishing, and so much more. If you’re planning a trip to North Carolina, stop by Topsail Island – you won’t regret it!
