Looking for things do to in Surf City, North Carolina?

Surf City plays a unique role in the Topsail area for both full-year residents and guests. With the Surf City Bridge being the most-traveled route of access to Topsail Island, those living or visiting the area are always looking for fun things to do in and around the Town of Surf City. Since this is a question we’re often asked, the Editors here at Topsail Guide have come up with the following recommendations.

Family Activities & Places of Interest

Whether you’re on a family vacation to the area or happen to live here year-round, Surf City has plenty to offer for families.

Town of Surf City Events

The Town of Surf City hosts several events throughout the year. While most of these are sponsored by the town itself, some others on the list are held on town property. A calendar of events remaining in 2022 includes:

Events in Surf City – May 2022

May 14, 2022: Surf City Bridge Jam
May 21, 2022: Run4Ukraine 5k Run/Walk
May 27, 2022: Memorial Day Remembrance

Events in Surf City – June 2022

June 3, 2022: Movie in the Park
June 10, 2022: Sip, Shop & Stroll
June 14, 2022: Flag Day Ceremony
June 18, 2022: Kids Fishing Tournament
June 24, 2022: Movie in the Park

Events in Surf City – July 2022

July 3, 2022: Independence Day Celebration
July 15, 2022: Movie in the Park
July 22, 2022: Sip, Shop & Stroll
July 29, 2022: Movie in the Park

Events in Surf City – August 2022

August 5, 2022: Movie in the Park
August 12, 2022: Sip, Shop & Stroll
August 19, 2022: Movie in the Park

Events in Surf City – September 2022

September 10, 2022: Expo in the Park
September 10, 2022: ESA/CNC Surf Contest
September 17, 2022: Surf to Sound 5K
September 24, 2022: Over Under Biathlon
September 24, 2022: Surf City Firefighters Auxiliary Boat Poker Run

Events in Surf City – October 2022

October 1, 2022: Reel Housewives of Topsail Island Bike Ride
October 7-8, 2022: Surf City Ocean Fest
October 22, 2022: Surf City Fall Festival

Events in Surf City – November 2022

November 19, 2022: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Soundside Park

Located at 517 Roland Ave, Surf City, NC 28445, Soundside Park is a great place to stop if it’s your first time in the area. A large playground that has recently been renovated is great for kids needing to use up some energy from too much time in the car, and the water views from the wheelchair-accessible boardwalks provide plenty of incredible views of the Surf City Bridge and Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW).

The park also features several overlooks where you can watch boats launch or return from a day out on the water, and it’s a perfect spot to try your luck fishing those same waters. The park also serves the community for numerous events throughout the year including holiday tree lighting, concerts in the park, and fireworks displays on holidays.

Surf City Ocean Pier

If ocean views are what you’re after, the Surf City Pier is a must-see! For a small fee of $1 per person, visitors can access the 937-foot long pier which includes plenty of benches and a large 40-foot octagon-shaped outlook at the end. The pier is also a hotspot for fishing, though fees increase and vary depending upon the number of people and fishing rods you’re planning to take with you.

Access to the pier is available at 112 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445. Once there, you’ll find stairs and a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the shop where you can buy passes to the pier, browse an assortment of bait and tackle for fishing, or pick up a few souvenirs while you’re there. There’s also a grill where you can order a meal to enjoy on the pier or outdoor patio area, and ice cream if you’ve already eaten – but want a sweet treat to enjoy while taking in the views.

Kenneth D. Batts Family Park

We absolutely love this hidden gem of a park that you can find at 911 South Topsail Drive, Surf City, NC 28445. There’s a small playground and basketball courts along with a covered patio area with picnic tables. The best part though is a long boardwalk that extends over the salt marsh and features a large sitting and viewing area over the Intracoastal Waterway.

With a small parking area the park is never too busy, but if you’re in the area around sunset – it would be a challenge to find a better location to appreciate the raw beauty of those Carolina skies brightly lit by the setting sun over the water. This park and boardwalk area is also a great option if you’re looking for a quiet place to cast a line – especially if you’re after spot or red drum!

Public Beach Access

Let’s face it… Topsail Island is a destination on its own simply because of the 26-mile-long beach that makes up its Eastern shore. Surf City has 39 different beach access areas, most of which feature small, off-street parking lots where you can pay to park and access the beach directly. While you’re likely to find trash and recycling bins at most locations, 9 of these access areas also feature portable bathrooms in the event that you’re in a difficult position. From experience, most are kept clean and have hand sanitizer readily available as well.

These 39-locations can be found at the following addresses:

Beach Access #1: 2100 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #2: 2000 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #3: 1902 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #4: 1800 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #5: 1700 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #6: 1500 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #7: 1400 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #8: 1228 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #9: 1200 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #10: 1100 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #11: 624 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #12: 520A North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #13: 510 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #14: 500 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #15: 400 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #16: 300 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #17: 200 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #18: 100 North Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #19: 200 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #20: 300 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #21: 400 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #22: 500 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #23: 600 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #24: 1034 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #25: 1138A South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #26: 1316 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #27: 1526 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #28: 1600 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #29: 1700 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #30: 1800 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #31: 1900 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #32: 2000 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #33: 2100 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #34: 2200 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #35: 2318 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #36: 2328 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #37: 2410A South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #38: 2808 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Beach Access #39: 3016 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445

Things to do in Surf City, North Carolina