One of North Carolina’s famous barrier islands, Topsail Island offers pristine beaches for a relaxed family vacation. While there, you don’t want to miss the Sea Turtle Hospital where staff and volunteers work tirelessly to heal the sick and injured sea turtles. If you’re lucky, you may get to witness an emotional turtle release. So be careful when you are fishing and boating on the intracoastal so you don’t cause harm to our endangered wildlife.
Once you have soaked up enough rays, you will want to learn about Pender County’s diverse southern history. After your trip back through time, get some exercise on one of our challenging golf courses. Or kayak on our scenic rivers, the Black, the Cape Fear or the Northeast Cape Fear, and catch a glimpse of our inland creatures and fauna. We are home to the Holly Shelter Game Land covering over 70,000 acres of wildlife habitat.
While exploring the county, stop at one of our farms for locally grown produce, schedule a wine tasting at Bannerman Vineyards or just gaze at the beautiful horses on lush green pastures.
If you are into retail therapy, you will find in historic downtown Burgaw numerous antique shops, old-fashioned department stores and a drug store with a real soda fountain. Topsail Island offers boutiques that carry a variety of distinctive gifts to specialty shops featuring foods, souvenirs, resort wear and items for recreational activities. Hampstead presents eclectic boutiques to mainstream storefronts.
Explore the roadways in Pender County for area flea markets and country stores. You never know where you’ll find that perfect treasure to take home!
Because of seasonal hours, please call before visiting. Thank you.