We were going to go north around Michigan but except for Mackinac Island which we have already been to, could not find much of interest. So, I have found a condo on the ocean at N Topsail Beach. We have been to the Outer Banks and Have been to the southern most coast but have never been to this middle area. Any recommendatons for day trips, interesting stuff to see or do? We love anything to do with water, area history, boating,etc. Thanks!

Have you already booked the condo, cd? If not, you might want to get something a little closer to Wilmington. North Topsail is a nice area if you want to relax and spend most of your time on the beach, but there isn't much else to do nearby.

Yes, I've booked it. It's for the week of July 4th and it took me more than a few hours to find something available that we would be satisfied with. It is 45min from Wilmington and we plan on doing some day trips.
Any ideas?

Since you've already book it, you might as well relax and enjoy the area, even if it is a little slower than you hoped. We spend a week there almost every year, so obviously we love it. The beach is very nice and uncrowded. We always get fresh shrimp from the shrimp lady (you'll see her) and a bottle of tequila to get our week off to a good start. Then we spend a lot of time boogie boarding and lying around the beach. You can usually find me searching in the sand for fossilized shark's teeth - it's addicting. Bring your binoculars and watch the shrimp boats that leave from Snead's Ferry every morning and work their way up and down the island coast. Look for dolphins. Fish from the shore.

You can take a drive down to the south end of the island to see a small but interesting museum about the history of the island and it's use during WWII. It's almost a requirement to visit the turtle hospital that's open to visitors a few days a week (get there early).

I also recommend taking a long walk around the southern tip of the island. The dunes go on forever and you might feel like you're the only one on the island. It can be a spectacular place to take sunset photos. When we went last year, the water in the sound was clear and beautiful.

You can get a charter boat in Snead's Ferry if you want to go deep sea fishing. I recommend you reserve it in advance for the 4th of July week. There's also a head boat for fishing that I think leaves from the Surf City area.

Of course, there's always Wilmington to visit. If you want to drive even farther than Wilmington, Myrtle Beach is doable in a day.

I hope you enjoy your vacation.

Devon
It sounds like just what we want! I can't wait for all the fresh seafood. It will be all we eat for the entire week. Can we buy fresh fish, off the boat, from Sneads Ferry?

Yes, there's a place in Snead's Ferry behind the Riverview restaurant where you can buy fresh seafood. I don't know exactly what they sell there because we usually buy most of ours at a place in Surf City behind the Crab Pot bar/restaurant.

Well, we will try both! Thanks!

I have vacationed at Topsail Island for forty years and I love the place. I prefer renting Oceanfront on the south end but the north is fine, too. The place is uncrowded- surely it is not anything like Myrtle Beach.

Topsail was initially considered for the space program but Florida was decided on due to winter weather which can be bad at Topsail. There is a museum at the south end regarding Operation Bumble Bee and post-World War Two rocket experiments. Wilmington is the most likely place for a day trip. The Cape Fear waterfront is bustling and has shops and restaurants. The Battleship North Carolina is now a museum in the river. Fort Fisher, which guarded Wilmington during the War of Northern Aggression, is open to the public. Near it is a state aquarium. Orton Gardens in located near Wilmington.

The best place to eat on Topsail Island is II Beauchaine's in "downtown" Surf City. For old fashioned Carolina fried seafood I recommend Riverview in Snead's Ferry, a ten minute drive from North Topsail Beach. Off island, Yogi's, on Route 17, serves good Italian food. Mollie's, located in Surf City, is very good for breakfast.

Thanks George
I will print out this post and take it with me.

Wilmington has a ton of things to do for day trips, Riverboat tours of the Cape Fear, Haunted Wilmington tours, Carriage rides and more. I honestly dont know much about Topsail other then its reputation for a relaxing non commercial atmosphere. My finacee and I are to wed there next year so we have been doing some digging. Myrtle Beach is within a daytrip time away and has a ton of the typical touristy attractions. North Myrtle aka Calabash has tons of buffet style seafood restaurants. I do reccomend visiting the USS North Carolina, its a magnificant sight. Also north of Sneads Ferry along the coast are a few of the states Lighthouses. They arent as looming or as famous as Hatteras but they are remarkable in their own way.
Good luck with your trip!