If you’ve been following along on this three-part Summer Series, congratulations, you have reached the final post in the series! We have covered Surf City Beach and North Topsail Beach so far. Now we cover the south end of the island, Topsail Beach.
Most people have their favorite beach town on the island and for me, it’s Topsail Beach. This is where you will find me out walking the shoreline or cooling off in the ocean. It is also my favorite part of the beach to photograph. Topsail Beach has a slower pace to it, along with limited shops and restaurants. You will need to drive up to Surf City or over to the mainland for more commercial options. To be honest, I love that!
Topsail Beach has some points of interest that are definitely worth visiting, as well as some great places to eat. Several of these locations have been here a very long time and are part of the long history of Topsail Beach. So let’s dive in and learn what’s here!
- Let’s start with some places that hold a spot in the history of Topsail Beach:
The Assembly Building and the Historical Society of Topsail Island: If you don’t already know, long before Topsail Island became this amazing vacation spot, the U.S. Navy used it to conduct “Operation Bumblebee,” a secret guided missile testing program. In fact, you will still see the old concrete tower silos on the island that they used back then. After the Navy left, the island was full of fishermen visiting and living here and its population grew. In 1984, the Historical Society of Topsail Island was formed. In the 40+ years they have existed, they have preserved and promoted the history of the island. They also restored the old Assembly Building and turned it into a museum and event venue. If you haven’t visited, you should add it to your list while you’re here.
The Topsail Beach Skating Rink: Ok, this was such an amazing find when I moved here! I’m old enough to remember the fun of meeting my friends at the roller skating rink and spending hours there! So when I moved here and discovered this old roller skating rink, the nostalgia filled my heart. They have limited hours but it is a place you don’t want to miss! The rink has been here for many years and they still have their old wooden floors, fans in the windows for AC, lots of roller skates, arcade games and more. This place is a locals favorite and the kids love it! Take a little time one evening and go roller skate! You won’t regret it!
Pirates Turf Putt Putt: Who goes to the beach and doesn’t play a game of putt putt? It’s one of those activities my family does every summer on vacation! This place is another spot that’s been around for a very long time and I love playing this course. It’s right in the heart of Topsail Beach, diagonal to the roller skating rink. Some nights they have a live DJ and he gets everyone going with different activities while they play. If you are looking for something fun to do on the island, visit Pirates Turf!
Godwin’s Market: This is another spot that has existed on the island for a very long time! The Godwin family opened the original store around 1948 and operated the business for many years. It eventually closed down and sat vacant for three years until it was sold to the new and current owners in 2020. The store had always been a little general store with wooden floors and no AC. The new owners made some improvements and reopened, keeping that same tradition of a little general store with a few convenience items. Godwin’s Market is the only grocery convenience store on the south end of the island. The closest store beyond it is about 15 miles north in Surf City. Locals and visitors definitely appreciate having the market open again! Stop in and say hello the next time you visit!
2. The Jolly Roger Inn & Pier: The south end of the island has its own fishing pier as well. Like the pier in North Topsail Beach, The Jolly Roger also offers oceanfront accomodations. The pier is located in the heart of Topsail Beach, making it easy to walk to nearby stores and restaurants. The pier itself extends 850 feet into the ocean, making it a great place to take a stroll and take in all the sights, at an affordable price. You will have a great view of the island as well as dolphins, sea turtles, and any fish the fishermen catch! The pier house also has a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch to eat in or carry out. I love walking out on a pier and taking in all the sights going on around me. They’re always a hit with your kids as well! Stop in and check them out when you’re on the south end!
3. Topsail Beach Town Center Park: Topsail Beach has a beautiful park with lots of outdoor space. The park has a playground, basketball hoops and more. In the summer you will find outdoor performers outside entertaining crowds. Let’s face it, every parent needs a playground and lots of open space when the beach isn’t an option. This town park is the perfect solution, and it’s located in the heart of town near all the action!
4. Places to eat: The south end has quite a few options when you are looking for a snack, a meal or a cold dessert! If you are looking for some amazing upscale cuisine and a really nice atmosphere, you’ll want to check out the Beach Shop & Grill. This is one of my favorites! Their food has an extra touch of deliciousness and their wine menu is one of the best around. Side note, their Beach Shop has some great finds that make the perfect gift to take home! If you are looking for casual dining with a wonderful view of the ICW, you’ll want to visit The Breezeway Restaurant. Their menu has something for everyone and a lot of different seafood options…I mean, we are at the beach! Side note, the Breezeway also runs a motel nextdoor. Both their restaurant and motel have been in business for 75 years! They also offer a boat dock for their guests. If you are looking for fresh seafood to take home and cook or just something unique and different to eat, you need to go to Lewis Seafood Market & Food Shack. This place is a hidden gem. There’s nothing better than buying your seafood fresh of the boat and you can do that here! Parked out front you’ll find the Food Shack, a food truck that makes the most incredible Baja Tacos! They are delicious! This is a place all the locals visit year-round. Who doesn’t love good ice cream? Scoops Microcreamery is one of my favorites! They are family-owned and make their ice cream in-house on the island! So many wonderful flavors to choose from and they are conveniently located in the same building as the roller skating rink! You may also want to visit Four Cousins Ice Cream! They are located across from Godwin’s Market. They are also family-owned and make their own flavors. Nextdoor to them is a newer spot, Larry’s Deli-Que. They have a restaurant and bar and the food is worth the visit! I hear the drinks are pretty amazing as well!
5. And last but not least, when you visit Topsail Beach, don’t forget to book that family photography session with me at Sage Willow Photography! I would love to serve you and your family with a client experience that’s second to none and will leave you with a lifetime of magical memories to forever cherish and look back on! I offer luxury Family, Couples, Seniors, Legacy & Equine Sessions with a focus on the printed photograph. Whether it’s a photo session on the beach, in a park, or anywhere in between, I would love to walk with you and tell your story in pictures!
Topsail Beach may be a bit quieter than some other beach spots, but there is still plenty to see and do and a great assortment of places to eat! I would love to know if these blog posts help you in planning for your next visit and as always, if you have any questions, I would love to chat and help answer them! Hope to see you on the beach with my camera soon!
