Seaglass Lookout Guidebook To Surf City
Must for Kids
Must visit for little kids! We personally know the owners and staff and our boys spend HOURS there every trip we take. My oldest catches fish in the ocean and brings them to the aquarium too. They accept donations :) It's also a great stop during those rainy or colder days. They change their operating hours all the time so always visit their FB page to double check their open hours. /topsailaquarium
24 locals recommend
EMA Touch Tank Aquarium
106 N Topsail DrMust visit for little kids! We personally know the owners and staff and our boys spend HOURS there every trip we take. My oldest catches fish in the ocean and brings them to the aquarium too. They accept donations :) It's also a great stop during those rainy or colder days. They change their operating hours all the time so always visit their FB page to double check their open hours. /topsailaquarium
One of the cutest stores on the island! Make sure to go to the 2nd floor to see over 10,000+ books from floor to ceiling. The kids spend up to an hour or more just reading whenever we go.
18 locals recommend
Sugar Island Bakery & Supplies
206 N Topsail DrOne of the cutest stores on the island! Make sure to go to the 2nd floor to see over 10,000+ books from floor to ceiling. The kids spend up to an hour or more just reading whenever we go.
Bring a couple dollars of CASH to get on with the family. We always walk from the Seaglass Lookout to the Pier each trip and end up seeing Dolphins, Jelly Fish, Rays, Surfers, etc. The fishermen are also so kind to the kids and love to show them their catches of the day.
114 locals recommend
Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.
112 S Shore DrBring a couple dollars of CASH to get on with the family. We always walk from the Seaglass Lookout to the Pier each trip and end up seeing Dolphins, Jelly Fish, Rays, Surfers, etc. The fishermen are also so kind to the kids and love to show them their catches of the day.
We're suckers for mini golf. Fun alternative when kids are needing a break from the beach.
46 locals recommend
Shipwreck Point Golf
13705 NC-50We're suckers for mini golf. Fun alternative when kids are needing a break from the beach.
Always kids there to play and brand new playground equipment! Pretend to be a pirate at Soundside!
63 locals recommend
Soundside Park
517 Roland AveAlways kids there to play and brand new playground equipment! Pretend to be a pirate at Soundside!
They're only open certain days of the week so search online before you go but definitely worth the trip!
124 locals recommend
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
302 Tortuga LnThey're only open certain days of the week so search online before you go but definitely worth the trip!
Our Favorite Eats
Our #1 Favorite Restaurant on the Island! Our personal favorites: shrimp bowl, acai bowl, fish taco. We also never pass up on the daily specials!
148 locals recommend
Shaka Taco
107 B N Shore DrOur #1 Favorite Restaurant on the Island! Our personal favorites: shrimp bowl, acai bowl, fish taco. We also never pass up on the daily specials!
BEST seafood in Surf City! They make their own homemade sauces that you can dip all of your seafood in. Generous portions and a beautiful deck outside with a breeze throughout the entire restaurant.
93 locals recommend
Sears Landing
806 Roland AveBEST seafood in Surf City! They make their own homemade sauces that you can dip all of your seafood in. Generous portions and a beautiful deck outside with a breeze throughout the entire restaurant.
HOMEMADE bagels in everrrrryyy flavor. We love the Everything Bagel! Sooo good and fresh every day. Must try if you love a great breakfast bagel.
10 locals recommend
Sunrise Bagel Co
303 S Topsail DrHOMEMADE bagels in everrrrryyy flavor. We love the Everything Bagel! Sooo good and fresh every day. Must try if you love a great breakfast bagel.
This one is for Date Night or your last night celebratory kind of place. On the pricey side but the Chef can cook! It also has a cute retail store next door where you can always snag something to take home.
55 locals recommend
Beach Shop & Grill
701 S Anderson BlvdThis one is for Date Night or your last night celebratory kind of place. On the pricey side but the Chef can cook! It also has a cute retail store next door where you can always snag something to take home.
Surf City Line
Three Amigos bowl for the win!! Fried grouper, mahi mahi, and shrimp in one dish.
YUMMIEST smoothies, flakiest breakfast croissant, and more. Big fan! They also have toys and books in a little play section for kids.
Diver Surfside Cafe
YUMMIEST smoothies, flakiest breakfast croissant, and more. Big fan! They also have toys and books in a little play section for kids.
LEGIT lobster meat if you love lobster! And do NOT leave without getting one of their famous Maine whoopie pies.
Maine Lobstah Shack
LEGIT lobster meat if you love lobster! And do NOT leave without getting one of their famous Maine whoopie pies.
North Shore Juice
103 N Shore DrBest açaí bowls and smoothies in the area!
BEST bbq in the area! Homemade sauces, seasoned meet, super kind staff, amazing homemade desserts. Their corn muffins are soooo good.
12 locals recommend
Smoky Tony's Bbq
511 US-17BEST bbq in the area! Homemade sauces, seasoned meet, super kind staff, amazing homemade desserts. Their corn muffins are soooo good.
So many diff flavors! I was surprised by the options and the number of diff bases. Plus they give you 5oz options for the littles which I appreciated.
Nautical Bowls
So many diff flavors! I was surprised by the options and the number of diff bases. Plus they give you 5oz options for the littles which I appreciated.
Treats Worth The Splurge
Personal favorites: Sea Salt Tuxedo! Kids love the Cotton Candy and Smores one with the graham cracker bears too!
12 locals recommend
Topsail Island Popcorn Factory
208 N New River DrPersonal favorites: Sea Salt Tuxedo! Kids love the Cotton Candy and Smores one with the graham cracker bears too!
Did someone say Fudge?! Yup! Known for their retail but we come for the fudge.
24 locals recommend
Topsail Island Trading Company
201 N New River DrDid someone say Fudge?! Yup! Known for their retail but we come for the fudge.
Total splurge on warm dipped donuts in the coolest flavors! We devour a dozen in less than 2 minutes flat. Our personal favorites: strawberry shortcake, death by chocolate, key lime pie, birthday cake, pebble beach, bacon bomb. You've been warned ;)
52 locals recommend
Fractured Prune
303 S Topsail DrTotal splurge on warm dipped donuts in the coolest flavors! We devour a dozen in less than 2 minutes flat. Our personal favorites: strawberry shortcake, death by chocolate, key lime pie, birthday cake, pebble beach, bacon bomb. You've been warned ;)
The food isn't bad BUT I come for the Cannolis! One of my favorite Cannolis of all time.
20 locals recommend
Santino's Pizza & More
205 S Topsail DrThe food isn't bad BUT I come for the Cannolis! One of my favorite Cannolis of all time.
Chance To Unwind
Highly recommend for a massage and facial! Front desk can also make several reservations at once if it's a ladies trip!
13 locals recommend
Inis Spa
208 N New River DrHighly recommend for a massage and facial! Front desk can also make several reservations at once if it's a ladies trip!
Retail Therapy
MUST VISIT! The owner makes EVERYTHING you see. I always splurge on Goat Milk Soap, Bath Bombs, Heel Healer, and Whipped Body Scrub in the Hot Southern Mess smell. It's the PERFECT gift to take back home to loved ones too. She makes these little gift kits that are perfect.
6 locals recommend
Carolina Shores Natural Soap
208 N New River DrMUST VISIT! The owner makes EVERYTHING you see. I always splurge on Goat Milk Soap, Bath Bombs, Heel Healer, and Whipped Body Scrub in the Hot Southern Mess smell. It's the PERFECT gift to take back home to loved ones too. She makes these little gift kits that are perfect.
#1 favorite boutique of all time. I always leave with 2-3 things minimum. Looks are deceiving on the outside. Tons of cute things on the inside. Gifts for everyone. Unique clothes. Out of the box accessories.
22 locals recommend
Bumble Bee Market
330 N New River Dr#1 favorite boutique of all time. I always leave with 2-3 things minimum. Looks are deceiving on the outside. Tons of cute things on the inside. Gifts for everyone. Unique clothes. Out of the box accessories.
City advice
Customs and culture
Stake Your Beach Spot Early During High Season
High Season on TopSail Island runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day! So the beach fills up with families from all over the country - especially on those sunny days. We normally leave our chairs and umbrellas at the base of the outdoor stairs and claim our spot first thing on the sand first thing in the morning before we make breakfast. It's what the boys and I do as part of our routine. No one will touch it or move it - plus you can see it from your balcony. Gives you peace of mind to know you got your favorite spot before the whole beach fills up during the summer.
Don't miss
Crab Hunts At Night
Bring a flashlight or headlamp to the beach with kids at night. You can spot crabs digging throughout the beach. They'll love it!
Ways to save
Order Birthday Cakes From Publix
We celebrate our son's birthday every September. We always order a custom cake from Publix (over the bridge). Super easy and affordable. Fun way to celebrate a loved one!