The southern tip of North Carolina is flanked by the lovely port city of Wilmington and miles of pristine, sandy coastline. Like the Outer Banks on the northern end of the state, Topsail Island is a barrier island that stretches 26 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to three seaside towns: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. The northernmost community, North Topsail Beach, provides that toes-in-the-sand, small-town vibe you might crave from a beach vacation, far from chain restaurants and crowded bars — but with plenty of beach houses large enough to accommodate your entire family or group of friends. Aside from being a hotbed for water sports like surfing and paddleboarding, North Topsail Beach is also widely known for its conservation efforts, including preserving the many loggerhead turtle nesting sites.

Though North Topsail Beach is rarely crowded, you’ll get the best weather in spring (March through May) or fall (September through November). The summer months are pleasant times to stay in one of the area’s beach rentals, but certainly more crowded than the rest of the year. The Atlantic’s hurricane season can start in June and run through November, so you’ll want to monitor weather conditions before and during your stay; in recent years,the most serious storms have hit in August and September. Both the water and air temperatures are often warm enough to enjoy the beach and its water sports through late October. October also brings with it Wilmington’s annual Riverfest.

Lea-Hutaff Island

Spanning 5,641 acres, nearby Lea-Hutaff Island is the perfect retreat for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The untouched creeks double as nursery areas for fish, shrimp, and crab. Birders, in particular, will love to dust off their binoculars to bring to the state’s last remaining uninhabited barrier islands, where they can spy on thousands of feathered friends who claim these skies as their playground.

Salty Turtle Brewery

North Carolina is home to the largest craft beer industry in the South. Salty Turtle Brewery in Surf City was the first brewery to open in Pender County. If you’re into full-bodied, hop-forward beers, you’ll love what this veteran-owned brewery serves in its pet-friendly beer garden and taproom.

The Battleship North Carolina

Wilmington is a town with a rich military history, and it’s also the final resting place of the USS North Carolina. During World War II, this battleship was considered the world’s greatest sea weapon, participating in every major naval offensive in the Pacific. Take a self-guided tour of this vessel, which has been at its current berth since 1961.