Topsail Island is close to other beautiful coastal towns in North Carolina that are perfect for day trips. 

If you're looking for day trips from your vacation rental in Topsail Island to spend the day doing something a little different on your vacation, we have some great ideas for you.

Check out Wilmington, Southport, and Carolina Beach. These three towns are only about an hour's drive away and have many exciting sights and attractions that make each unique and worth visiting.

For outdoor activities, you can go fishing on Intercoastal Waterway or try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking. There are beautiful beaches and parks you can relax and enjoy the afternoon before going to dinner or shopping. 

If you love gardens, the Airlie Gardens, a 67-acre public park with trails, a butterfly house, and formal gardens. It is a great place to take the family for a picnic surrounded by beauty.

About 45 minutes away, Wilmington is home to the famous Battleship North Carolina, which you can tour and learn about its fascinating history. 

Other great places you can visit to learn similar history are the Bellamy Mansion Museum and the Cape Fear Museum, which is also close to the Cape Fear River, where you can walk down the Wilmington Riverwalk and enjoy the sights.

For outdoor activities, you can go fishing on Intercoastal Waterway or try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking. There are beautiful beaches and parks you can relax and enjoy the afternoon before going to dinner or shopping. 

If you love gardens, the Airlie Gardens, a 67-acre public park with trails, a butterfly house, and formal gardens. It is a great place to take the family for a picnic surrounded by beauty.

Carolina Beach is about an hour from Topsail Beach and 20 minutes from Wilmington. It's a great little beach town that is super low-key and great for a place to enjoy the laid-back life of a beach town. 

Enjoy strolling their Carolina Beach Boardwalk with cute little shops, an arcade, coffee shops, tiki bars, and ice cream places. Or go to the beach, enjoy swimming and fishing, or take a sailing tour.

There are numerous parks to walk through and have picnics, like Carolina Beach State Park and Freeman Park. 

Or you can learn more about the area's history at the Fort Fisher Historic Site and the Federal Point History Center.  

Another great day trip you can take from Topsail Island is to Southport, about an hour away. It is a beautiful small coastal town known for interesting scenic points, historic sites, and galleries that make great activities for a day trip. 

If you want to get out in nature, you can enjoy places like Bald Head Island, by taking the island ferry.

Or you can go to Fort Johnston – Southport Museum. It is a national landmark with period buildings and Civil War information about Southport's history. 

Another great place is Southport Waterfront Park, where you can relax and enjoy the waterscape views. The Oak Island Lighthouse also gets you out in nature while enjoying some rich and fascinating maritime history about Southport.

Southport also has beautiful beaches, fishing, boating, or kayaking, and great shopping in downtown Southport. 

Visit their Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center to learn more about local attractions, restaurants, and events.  

If you love going to beach towns with that laid-back, coastal town feel and getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Topsail Island is a fantastic place to take a vacation. 

Those of us who love it here agree on one thing, the easygoing atmosphere allows for a refreshing break!

Check out our gorgeous vacation rentals with fully equipped kitchens and beautiful views of the island and the ocean, and they are spacious enough to bring your entire family for a week of excitement, adventure, and fun! 

Find your perfect rental and book your stay today!