Published by Christina. Last Updated on July 6, 2024.
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Pender County is home to some of our favorite places to visit in North Carolina. Of course, you may know Topsail Island, which this Eastern NC county shares with Onslow County.
The Revolutionary War-era Moores Creek Battlefield is also in Pender County, and the annual NC Blueberry Festival is one of the most popular summer events in NC. The area is also known as a wonderful backdrop for movies and TV shows, which we’ll cover in this guide.
Because there is so much to know about Pender County, we’ve organized the guide into the following sections:
- Where is Pender County NC? (Hint: a Great Location!)
- Pender County Towns
- Where to Stay
- Annual Events
- Places to Visit
- Where to Eat
- More Things to Do in Pender County (Travel Guides)
Whether youโre a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, weโre leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Pender County area and are wondering, โWhat are the best things to do near me?โ we think this NC travel guide will help you out!
If you’d like to visually plan your trip, you can do so via our Eastern North Carolina Map!
Read More: Our North Carolina Travel Map
Where is Pender County?
Pender County is situated along the coast of Eastern North Carolina, north of Wilmington and South of Jacksonville. It’s in the heart of the Cape Fear region, as part of the Cape Fear River basin.
Pender borders NC counties, including the following:
- Duplin County (north)
- Onslow County (northeast)
- New Hanover County (south)
- Brunswick County (south)
- Columbus County (southwest)
- Bladen County (west)
- Sampson County (northwest)
You may associate Pender County with the coast, but much of it runs from east to west (or west to east). At 933 square miles, Pender County is the fifth largest in North Carolina by land area.
If you’re traveling to the area from Raleigh, the trip is approximately two hours, and much of the drive is along I-40. Beyond I-40, highways that run through the county include US-17, US-117, and US-421.
Read More: The Best Day Trips from Raleigh
Pender County Towns
When thinking of places to visit in Pender County, we start with its awesome towns. Overall, there are six incorporated towns in Pender County, followed by even more census-designated places, unincorporated communities, and the Village of St. Helena.
The county includes the towns of Burgaw and a portion of the 26-mile barrier Topsail Island, both the towns of Surf City and Topsail Beach.
Parts of Wallace are shared by Pender County and its neighbor to the north Duplin County.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the four biggest towns in Pender County:
- Burgaw: Burgaw is the county seat of Pender County and an adorable small town with a charming historic district. Trees dot the historic streets, making it an excellent walkable downtown.
- Hampstead: Hampstead is a growing town, known as the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas.” You’ll find seafood vendors, great restaurants, and easy access to the water with your boat in Hampstead. ArtExposure is a wonderful showcase of the area artists. The studio/gallery offers classes, supplies, and more to aspiring and current artisans. If you’ve come to the area for the outdoors (you should), Eastern Outfitters has everything in mind, including hunting, fishing, boating, and more gear.
- Surf City: Just over the bridge, Surf City is the first and busiest city youโll explore on Topsail Island. Even though itโs the island’s geographic center, thereโs such a laid-back feel.
- Topsail Beach: Compared to the busy Surf City, Topsail Beach is much quieter and a place where you can relax and live like a local. Play putt-putt at Patio Playground, strap on a pair of skates at the retro Topsail Skating Rink, or make your way around the end of the island at Serenity Point.
Read More: 30+ Amazing NC Coastal Towns (+ Things to Do in Each One!)
Where to Stay in Pender County
There are plenty of accommodation options in Pender County for every type of traveler.
- Bed & Breakfast at Mallard Bay is a nice and peaceful place to stay on the Intracoastal Waterway in Hampstead.
- Campers and RV travelers have plenty of choices, too, including Blackbeard’s Treasure Family Campground and Lanier’s Campground, both in Surf City.
- Of course, there are plenty of beach rentals that dot the shores of Topsail Island, and we’ve enjoyed stays in a few of them.
- If you are looking for a laid-back historic hotel, then check out the Loggerhead Inn & Suites. With 29 beautifully appointed pet-friendly and family-friendly rooms, there are lodging options for every type of traveler and budget.
Read More: Excellent Day Trips from Wilmington Within 2 Hours
Annual Events in Pender County
- March: The annual Poplar Groveโs Herb and Garden Fair marks the beginning of Spring! The two-day event features the best herb and plant vendors and local artisans, crafters, food, and fun!
- May: Spring Fest is an annual event held by the Pender County Arts Council and Art Beat. Arts and crafts, vendors, food, and memories.
- June: NC Blueberry Festival is the biggest annual event in Pender County. Fresh blueberries, a BBQ cook-off, blueberry-themed shopping, and so much more!
- October: Autumn with Topsail brings 100+ regional artists together for juried competitions and retail markets with live music, food, and inflatables for children. Ghost Walk of Penderโs Past brings the paranormal history to life with spooky theatrics!
- Ocean Fest in Surf City is an award-winning festival that is completely eco-friendly and happens in October. They give the proceeds of the festival back to non-profits and organizations local, regional, and national that help protect our oceans and environments. It is a unique North Carolina festival as they feature all environmentally friendly vendors, live reggae and island-inspired music all day, adaptive Surfing, a Surfing competition, and more.
- November: NC Spot Festival is an annual Hampstead event celebrating the Spot Fish and the coastal community. Enjoy live music, fireworks inflatables, vendors, and Spot dinners!
Read More: The NC Tripping Events Calendar
Places to Visit in Pender County This Weekend
Bannerman Vineyard and Winery
2624 Stag Park Rd, Burgaw, NC
Blueberries aren’t the only fruit in town, as Burgaw’s Bannerman Vineyard and Winery will demonstrate to you. Their six varieties of NC muscadine grapes are available for u-pick during September and October.
Make sure to stop in the tasting room and sample some of the delicious wines too!
Read More: Muscadine Grapes in North Carolina (History, Health Benefits, and Great Farms to Pick Them!)
Blueberry Farms
Home of the North Carolina Blueberry Festival in June, you can find some of the juiciest blueberries in Burgaw!
If you can’t make the festival, buy or pick blueberries during the summer months at Carol Sue Farms (20000 US-17, Hampstead) and Shaken Creek Farm in Maple Hill
If youโre in a hurry, there are plenty of local blueberry stands that offer excellent and delicious blueberries.
Read More: Blueberry Picking in North Carolina
The Burgaw Train Depot
S Dickerson St, Burgaw, NC
The Burgaw Train Depot is believed to be the oldest train station in North Carolina. Home to the Chamber of Commerce, step inside and take a tour of the Railroad Museum.
Read More: The NC Museum of History in Raleigh (+7 Things We Love About It!)
Film Locations
Pender County and its neighbor Wilmywood (Wilmington) have served as the backdrop to many Hollywood films. If you consider yourself a movie buff and want to see the film locations of some of the best movies filmed in North Carolina, then consider making your own tour.
Film locations include movies like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Idlewild, and Secret Life of Bees. TV shows filmed in Pender County include Dawsons Creek and One Tree Hill.
Visit Pender County has curated this list of filming locations, including the addresses of each site.
We were lucky enough to be allowed upstairs of the Pender County Visitor Center (106 E Wilmington St, Burgaw), which used to be the county jail. This historic building in Burgaw has been used for many major motion films, and we can definitely see why!
Read More: Unique Things to Do in North Carolina
Jolly Roger Pier
803 Ocean Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC
The Jolly Roger Pier in Topsail Beach is an excellent place to cast a reel and enjoy beautiful water views. From the JRP, you can sometimes see dolphins and sea turtles from the end.
If you plan to fish here, tickets are $16 per day. To walk the pier, spectator tickets are $2.
Read More: How to Explore the NC Oyster Trail (10+ Adventurous Ways!)
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
302 Tortuga Ln, Surf City, NC
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is the #1 thing to do in Surf City. The volunteer-run non-profit rescues and cares for sea turtles of North Carolina.
Visitors are welcome to come and learn from June through December, and tours provide a valuable educational experience for ocean lovers of all ages.
Read More: 8 Beautiful Brunswick County Beaches to Explore
Missiles and More Museum
720 Channel Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC
I bet you didnโt know that in the late 1940s, Topsail Island was the base of operation for top-secret missile research, also known as Operation Bumblebee?
At the Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach, you can learn about the history of this mission via its Operation Bumblebee exhibit. This comprehensive exhibit shares how the US Navy project developed supersonic guided missiles here on Topsail Island.
The โand Moreโ portion of the museum includes exhibits on local history, pirates, and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) developed in response to World War II.
Read More: Interesting Facts about North Carolina
Moores Creek National Battlefield
40 Patriots Hall Dr, Currie, NC
History thrives in this area and Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie is a testament to Pender County’s significance. Moores Creek was one of the first battles fought in the South during the Revolutionary War.
You can learn all about it at the Visitor Center and walk the 0.7-mile trail through the battlefield and across a historic bridge along Moores Creek.
This National Parks Site is also part of the Mountains to Sea Trail, extending 1175 miles from Clingmans Dome to Jockeys Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks.
Read More: 100+ Hiking Trails in North Carolina
Salty Turtle Beer Company
103 Triton Ln, Surf City, NC
After a busy day on the beach, hit the local brewery for a pint! The Salty Turtle Beer Company is located in Surf City and uses high-quality, innovative brews.
Feel good about your drink choice as this brewery donates a portion of its sales to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital.
Read More: The Best North Carolina Breweries
Serenity Point
Topsail Beach, NC
Serenity Point is an undeveloped area at the Southern tip of Topsail Island and is perfect for beachgoers and boaters. There is limited paid parking, which adds to the privacy youโll get.
Find a spot to lay out along the sound side and calmer waters. You can also walk to the tip where the ocean meets the Intracoastal Waterway.
Read More: 13 Spectacular Restaurants in Surf City for the Foodies!
Surf City Ocean Pier
112 S Shore Dr, Surf City, NC
While in Surf City, make sure to check out the Surf City Ocean Pier, the islandโs first fishing pier constructed in 1948. The view of the beach is gorgeous, and there are plenty of anglers hoping to snag a nibble.
Read More: The Best Beaches in North Carolina
Where to Eat in Pender County
It’s not uncommon for us to plan our travel around food, and Pender County is filled with great restaurants. We will try to include as many delicious places as possible, but stay tuned for more food guides to specific areas and towns.
- Sears Landing in Surf City (806 Roland Ave) is a mainstay Topsail Island restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here, youโll find boat access to tasty coastal food served with a friendly smile!
- Located next to the Surf City pier, Daddy Macโs Beach Grille (108 N Shore Dr) pairs the best patio views on Topsail Island with delicious food. Serving local seafood and open year-round (double bonus!), a meal at Daddy Macโs should always be on your Topsail beach vacation itinerary.
- We are big fans of Larry’s Deli-Que (718 S Anderson Blvd) in Topsail Beach for a bite, drink, and awesome ice cream!
- If you are in Burgaw, stop by Burgaw Brewing (103 S Wright St) for small-batch beer and delicious bites! They have a fantastic outdoor patio, and their Smashburger was one for the books.
Read More: 17 of the Best Topsail Island Restaurants (Great Food for All!)
Want to Know Anything Else about Pender County?
We love visiting Pender County and always look forward to our next visit.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about it, please feel free to contact us by email. You can also join our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group and ask a question any time!
If you’re familiar with Pender County, we’d love to know about your favorite things to do and places to see.
More Things to Do in Pender County
18 of the Best Topsail Island Restaurants (Great Food for All!)
These Topsail Island restaurants are waiting to fill you up with great food. Delicious choices await in Surf City, North Topsail Beach, and Topsail Beach!