Visitor Information
General Information
Rip Current Safety
Please take a moment prior to your visit to familiarize yourself with important safety information about Rip Currents and make sure all members of your group know what to do in the event that someone is caught in a rip current. The Town of North Topsail has information and links on it’s website: http://www.ntbnc.org/Pages/RipCurrents.aspx
Septic Info
The town septic system at the beach is a bit delicate. Please do not flush anything other than toilet paper, even wipes and other “flushable” products can cause backups.
Protect our Dunes
The dunes are important for protecting the island during storms. Please do not climb, sit, dig, play on or disturb the dunes in any way. The Town of North Topsail Beach patrols the beach regularly and may fine you up to $500 for disturbing dunes.
Packing Suggestions
- Beach towels
- Beach chairs, umbrella, toys
- Sunscreen
- Toilet paper (a starter supply is provided, but will not be enough for the whole week)
- Paper towels (starter supply is provided)
- Groceries for the first day or two (grocery stores are really busy on weekends at the beach!)
- Laundry supplies
- Shampoo and bath soap
- Hair dryers, etc.
Business Directory
Grocery Stores
Highway 17
- Lowes Foods in Hampstead is on your way in from I-40, about 20 miles of Topsail. Their “Lowes Foods to Go” program would be a great option to avoid the crowd and pick up groceries on your way in — http://www.lowesfoods.com/index.cfm/onlineshopping/lfstogo/
North end (closest to St. Regis)
- Food Lion is across the high rise bridge on the left
Surf City
- Food Lion
- Walmart Neighborhood Market
- Publix (delivery option!)
- Harris Teeter offers online shopping via it’s Harris Teeter Express Lane service at the location above (technically it’s Hampstead, NC, the shopping center is called Surf City Crossing). http://www.harristeeter.com/shopping/express_lane/express_lane.aspx
All grocery stores are across the Surf City bridge on the left.
Restaurants
Ocean’s Edge – 910-328-0582 – located on the 7th (top) floor of building 2 at The St. Regis Resort. Awesome view and great food.
Sea Star Cabana – located poolside at the St. Regis. Open daily from 9am-3pm. Hours vary in off season. Daily specials are listed on their Facebook page. Vicki makes a great breakfast and lunch for a reasonable price and you can’t beat the convenience!
Beach Shop Ice Cream & Coffee – located on the ground level of building 2 at St. Regis
Riverview Cafe – 119 Hall Point Rd., Sneads Ferry. We love this place. Great seafood and comfort food, great prices and a down home setting. Best place for fried catfish (or flounder if you don’t do catfish). They also offer tasty broiled seafood (we like the scallops). Save room for pie, you won’t regret it.
Beach Shop & Grill – 910-328-6501 – reservations recommended. Quite possibly the best restaurant on the island. 710 S. Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach. Worth driving down to the south end of the island for lunch or dinner here!
Rick’s Restaurant & Sports Bar – 910-327-2300 – across the north bridge on the left in Snead’s Ferry. Highly rated with dishes from the land and sea.
Splash By The Sea – www.splashbythesea.com – 790 New River Inlet Rd, North Topsail Beach – inside the Villa Capriani (parking across the street), just a few miles south of St. Regis. Pretty setting, great food and drink specials. (We got married on the deck there in Y2k)
Agave Azul – www.agaveazulnc.com – 910-741-0504 – 1269 NC-210, Sneads Ferry Modern Mexican restaurant in Sneads Ferry across from the Hampton Inn. Great food and margaritas in a cute setting including patio dining. They offer brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Fat Burger – 910-741-0367 – 1044 NC Hwy 210, Sneads Ferry – across north bridge a few miles up on left. Sports bar, burgers, pub food, lively atmosphere.
Buddy’s @ Surf City Pier — good for lunch or happy hour, basically all fried food / seafood, but fun atmosphere.
Daddy Mac’s – 108 N. Shore Drive, Surf City, near Surf City Pier. Oceanfront deck with nice views, good seafood and service. Dinners in $17+ range, gourmet burgers in $10 range.
New York Corner Deli – a great deli. Located on N. Topsail Drive and Greensboro, across from ABC Store in Surf City.
Island Delights, Surf City. A 50’s style soda joint with great burgers, malts and ice cream cones and authentic 50’s memorabilia.
Andy’s – 106 North New River Dr., Surf City. The 50’s style soda shop chain out of Mt. Olive, NC. Located near Wings in Surf City, kids love to go there. Great burgers, thick malts and shoestring fries.
Michaelangelo’s Pizza – Snead’s Ferry location delivers fresh NY style pizza to the door. 910-327-1127 There is also a location in Surf City on corner of 50 and 210.
Max’s Pizza – www.maxspizzatopsail.com – Surf City near bridge – 602 Roland Ave. Good sit down pizza, pasta, subs, burgers – good for kids.
JM’s on The Water – www.jmsonthewater.com – 910-928-8028 Seafood, bar & grill right on the ICW in Surf City.
Sear’s Landing – www.searslanding.com – 910-328-1312 – great seafood, casual waterfront dining. Very popular – reservations recommended. Just across swing bridge in Surf City on Hwy 50/210.
Beauchaine’s 211 – www.beauchaines211.com – 910-328-1888 great seafood – reservations recommended – 211 S. Topsail Dr., Surf City.Denny’s – if you’re craving a Grand Slam, America’s diner is open 24 hours. 220 Hwy 172, Sneads Ferry. (Cross high rise bridge, turn right on Hwy 172 at Four Corners intersection. Denny’s is on
the right.)
Fresh Seafood Markets
The Shrimp Lady – she sells more than shrimp! Great local seafood. Outside by BP / Food Lion shopping center in Sneads Ferry.
Surf City Crab – 508 Roland Ave., Surf City – 910-328-5004 A great place to pick up fresh local seafood!
Area Attractions
Family Fun Zone
Arcade, game room down the south hall of lobby in building 3 at St. Regis.
Topsail Skating Rink
714 S. Anderson Blvd. Topsail Beach
910-328-2381
Step back in time to this old fashioned skating rink for a night of family fun. Located over the post office in Topsail Beach (south end), they spin 45s with classic skating tunes from the 70s. This is one of our family’s favorite activities. If you’ve got kids, or are a kid at heart, put this on the “must do” list. Open nightly 7:00-10:00pm March thru Labor Day.
Sea Turtle Hospital
822 Carolina Blvd. Topsail Beach
http://www.seaturtlehospital.org (Facebook may have most updated info)
Patio Playground
807 S. Anderson Blvd. Topsail Beach
910-616-2814
“Putt-Putt” style miniature golf, great ice cream, DJ in summer months. Around the block from the skating rink. Call for off-season hours.
Missiles & More Museum
www.missilesandmoremuseum.org
Historical Assembly Building
720 Channel Blvd. Topsail Beach
910-328-8663
WWII buffs will love this quaint museum that covers WWII history, the community of Topsail, female pilots of WWII and local development. Learn about “Operation Bumblebee”, the secret U.S. Navy program that operated on Topsail Island. Be sure to call for off-season hours.
Seaview Fishing Pier
Off New River Inlet Rd. in North Topsail Beach –
www.seaviewfishingpier.com
910-328-3172
Surf City Pier
www.surfcityoceanpier.com
112 S. Shore Drive Surf City
Soundside Park
(just across swing bridge in Surf City)
517 Roland Ave. Surf City
Playground, amphitheater with free concerts in summer months and boardwalks to stroll on. Great place to catch a sunset.
Shipwreck Point Golf
14418 NC Hwy 50 Surf City
910-329-4653
Spinnaker’s Surf Shop
111 N. Shore Dr.
910-328-2311
A great surf shop! They rent surf boards and wet suits, givesurfing lessons and have great clothes for teens.
Wind Toys LLC
910-328-KITE (5483)
Kite surfing lessons and gear.
Herrings Outdoor Sports
www.herringsoutdoorsports.com
The best outdoor outfitter on the island. Rent kayaks for thesound or surf and bikes to cruise the island. They also rent rods and reels and sell all types of bait. “Life is Good” and “Reef” clothing/shoes.
MaknWaves
www.maknwaves.com
910-340-5151
Jet ski rentals for the sound.
North Shore Country Club
On the mainland, just across high rise bridge on north side of island. Golf Digest 4-star rated course. Visitors are welcome.
101 N. Shore Dr. Sneads Ferry, NC
910-327-2410
Surf City Wine & Cheese Shop
602 N New River Dr. Surf City, NC
910-328-4111
Another “must visit”, this shop carries a good variety of cheeses and wines. They also do wine tastings.
The Sand Bar
Island Drive near the Surf City / North Topsail Beach line. There is a good arcade downstairs for teens/tweens. Live music upstairs at the bar.
Gilligan’s
If you’re old enough to remember Gilligan’s Island (with the Skipper, Mary Ann, Ginger, etc.), then you’re old enough to go to Gilligan’s and sing karaoke. It’s Topsail’s version of “Cheers” with a couple TVs and a pool table.
Deep Sea Fishing Options
The Vonda Kay
www.fishtopsail.com/vk.html
Littlefeet Charters
910-471-5077
Bad Attitude
910-389-0740
Wilmington Area
Battleship USS North Carolina
#1 Battelship Rd. Wilmington, NC
910-251-5797
http://www.battleshipnc.com
Worth the short drive for a day of touring this historic battleship!
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Open daily 9am-5pm year round. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day.
http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
Jungle Rapids Water Park in Wilmington
Tickets available for purchase online.
www.junglerapids.com/index.php
Shopping
Starfish Gifts
14210 NC Hwy 50, Holly Ridge
Local art, exquisite and unusual handmade jewelry, frames, gifts, home decor and accessories.
Bumblebee Market
513 Roland Ave., Surf City
Jewelry, handbags, cookbooks, plush toys, kitchen and gourmet.
Island Outfitters – in Fishing Village in Surf City
Island wear for men, women and children.
South End Outfitters
627 S. Anderson Blvd, Topsail Beach.
Name brand clothing and shoes.
Topsail Island Trading Co.
201 N New River Dr., Surf City
Tide and weather items, jewlery, gifts and fudge
Bert’s Surf Shop
310 N New River Dr., Surf City
Beach Shop and Grill
701 S. Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach
Cute beach shop and great food.
D’s Interior Design
834 Hwy 210, Sneads Ferry (across north bridge, past Hardee’s / Four Corners intersection on left).
This cute shop has home decor and so much more. Ladies’ fashion, jewelry, accessories and loads of cute gifts.
Services
Grant’s Beach Rentals
Chair & umbrella rentals set up on the beach in front of St. Regis – available daily
Topsail Childcare Solutions
Vacation Babysitter Referrals
Local/Licensed/Insured
910-789-4701
[email protected]
Seaside Linen & Rental Co.
www.seasidelinen.com
Sweet Dreams Linen
www.sweetdreamslinen.com