Explore Leland and Wilmington – Palazzo Guest House

Beaches

Brunswick County Beaches Near Wilmington.

Brunswick County is the next county to the south of Wilmington and New Hanover County. It’s home to some of our favorite beaches, weekend getawayus, and week long vacations spots.

Oak Island Beach

Offers wide, calm beaches and stunning sunsets from the western point. For a quieter setting, Caswell Beach is a great option. The Oak Island Lighthouse provides beautiful views toward Bald Head Island and the Old Baldy Lighthouse.

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Holden Beach

Known as North Carolina’s “family beach,” Holden Beach is quiet, residential, and ideal for a relaxed getaway. Most accommodations are close to both the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Visitors often start the day with a bike ride on the Olden Holden Trail before heading to the beach. During the season, there are a few local spots open near the bridge.

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Ocean Island Beach

Ocean Isle Beach features clean shores, picturesque canals, and fun parks like Swamp Park, Ocean Isle Beach Park, and Town Center Park. It is also home to protected sea turtles, monitored by the local Sea Turtle Protection Organization.

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Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is one of the most popular beaches near Wilmington. It’s beautiful, family-friendly, and known for its lively boardwalk filled with shops and seasonal activities. Many of Wilmington’s major events take place in this area, making it a vibrant spot to visit.

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Kure Beach

Kure Beach maintains a slower, more natural pace than Carolina Beach. It’s home to the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast and offers wide, less crowded beaches perfect for relaxing.

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Sunset Beach

As the southernmost beach in North Carolina, Sunset Beach offers peaceful stretches of sand and the scenic Sunset Beach Pier. The salt marshes and tidal creeks of Bird Island, along with the iconic Kindred Spirit Mailbox, make it a unique place to explore. Cultural stops include the Ingram Planetarium and the Swing Bridge & Museum. The mainland area also features great golf courses and Sunset Beach Park.

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Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach is known for its beautiful surf, wide sandy shoreline, boutiques, and water activities. Surfing and paddleboarding on the Intracoastal Waterway are among the top things to do. The Johnnie Mercer’s Pier is popular for fishing and ocean views. From Wrightsville, you can take a boat to Masonboro Island Reserve, a protected area with more than 5,600 acres of untouched beaches and marshes—excellent for shelling, birdwatching, and spotting dolphins. Other highlights include the emotional Wrightsville Beach Mailbox, filled with letters from visitors.

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Beaches and Topsail Beaches

Topsail Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches near Wilmington.

The island stretches across Pender and Onslow counties and includes the towns of North Topsail, Surf City, and Topsail Beach.

With 26 miles of shoreline, Topsail Island is a designated turtle sanctuary and a favorite destination for shelling and searching for shark teeth.

North Topsail Beach

Located in Onslow County is known for its more secluded feel. Visitors with a 4WD vehicle can drive on the northern end of the island near River Road. Each summer, the Ocean City Jazz Festival celebrates the historic Ocean City community—the first coastal area in North Carolina developed for African American property owners. The Seaview Fishing Pier offers wide ocean views, fishing access, and essential gear at the attached bait and tackle shop.

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Surf City

Is the largest town on Topsail Island and sits at its geographic center. One of its main highlights is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, a volunteer-run organization open from June to December that rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles across North Carolina. The Surf City Ocean Pier offers great ocean views and is a perfect spot to watch local anglers. Visitors also enjoy creative activities at Board & Brush, where families, friends, and couples can build and design their own DIY projects.

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Topsail Beach

Located south of Surf City, Topsail Beach is quieter and more laid back. The Jolly Roger Pier is ideal for fishing, ocean views, and occasionally spotting dolphins or sea turtles. At the island’s southern tip, Serenity Point provides a peaceful, undeveloped beach area with limited free parking. Topsail Beach also has unique history: in the 1940s, it was used for Operation Bumblebee, a top-secret U.S. Navy missile research program. The Missiles and More Museum shares this history along with exhibits on local heritage, pirates, and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II.

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Foods in Leland and Wilmington

North Carolina has a wide variety of food options to suit all tastes and any time of day. Here are some of the most highly recommended restaurants.

Coffee

Port City Java

1112 E Cutlar Crossing
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 383-1238
511 Olde Waterford Way
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 383-2429

Starbucks

3572 Leland Town Center Dr.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 685-2573

Dunkin' Donuts

3572 Leland Town Center Dr.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 685-2573

Mr. Bagel Meister

1105 New Pointe Blvd STE #2
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 383-8383

Panera Bread

2024 Olde Regent Way Suite 110
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 272-0358

Drift Coffee & Kitchen

1005 International Dr., Wilmington, NC 28405
📞 (910) 399-5619

Breakfast

Farmhouse Kitchen

1120 East Cutlar Crossing
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 408-1676

New Day Cafe

497 Olde Waterford Way Ste 100
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 769-9036

Shirley's Diner

112 Village Rd NE
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 371-2890

Gaylyn’s Diner

322 Village Rd NE
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (9109 371-3533

Lunch & Dinner

Pizzetta’s Pizzeria

1144 East Cutlar Crossing #105
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 371-6001

P.T.’s Old Fashion Grille

1035 Glen Flora Dr.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 399-6808
Open kitchen concept with outdoor patio.

The Joyce Irish Pub

1174 Turlington Ave.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 408-1400
Located at the Villages of Brunswick Forest.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

1175 Turlington Ave.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 221-5522
Outdoor seating available.

Brodee Dogs Brew House

103 A Village Rd NE
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 523-5121
Casual spot with outdoor seating.

Marina Grill

18 Harnett St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 769-7974
Waterfront restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere.

Pilot House Restaurant

2 Ann St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 343-0200

Elijah’s Restaurant

2 Ann St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 343-1448
Casual seafood grill.

The George on the Riverwalk

128 S Water St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 763-2052
Upscale American and seafood dishes.

Paddy’s Hollow Restaurant & Pub

10 Walnut St. (Cotton Exchange)
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 762-4354
Classic Irish-style pub

Front Street Brewery

9 N Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 251-1935
Brewpub

PinPoint Restaurant

114 Market St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 769-2972
Local seafood

The Basics

319 N Front St. #101
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 343-1050
Southern-inspired brunch and comfort-food restaurant at the Cotton Exchange.

PT’s Olde Fashioned Grille

1437 Military Cutoff Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28403
📞 (910) 256-6454
Casual spot for burgers, fries, and sandwiches.

The Melting Pot

885 Town Center Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405
📞 (910) 256-1187
Interactive fondue dining.

Platypus & Gnome

9 S Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 769-9300
Modern American menu.

Dixie Grill

116 Market St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 762-7280
Historic downtown diner serving Southern comfort breakfasts and lunches

Wine Knot Sky Bar & Lounge

515 N Front St. (Rooftop)
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 399-7441
Rooftop wine bar with skyline views.

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer

139 N Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 762-6333
Craft beer bar with pub-style food.

Winnie’s Tavern

1895 Burnett Blvd.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 762-0484
Neighborhood burger.

Copper Penny

109 Chestnut St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 762-1373
Popular pub with gourmet sandwiches, craft beer, and TVs for sports fans.

Circa 1922

8 N Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 762-1922
Upscale tapas bar and restaurant in a historic brick building downtown.

Little Dipper Fondue

138 S Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 251-0433
Romantic fondue dining.

The Fork ’N Cork

122 Market St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 228-5247
Gastropub offering creative burgers, wings, and whiskey cocktails.

Black Sea Grill

118 N Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 833-8368
Family-owned Mediterranean restaurant with seafood and grilled meats.

Caprice Bistro

10 Market St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 815-0810
Authentic French cuisine.

Cape Fear Seafood Company

5226 S College Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28412
📞 (910) 799-7077
Locally owned seafood restaurant.

Savorez

402 Chestnut St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 833-8894
Vibrant Latin-fusion spot featuring creative small plates and fresh ceviche.

Baked Goods & Ice cream

Be Sweet Bakery

Pepperwood Way
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 632-0155

Burney’s Sweets & More

503 Olde Waterford Way
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 769-4934

Kreamium Frozen Custard

120 Division Dr.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 550-2505
So many homemade flavors to choose from.

The Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt Bar

1109 New Point Blvd #4
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 371-1328

Milly’s Ice Cream

2024 Olde Regent Way
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 833-5003
Hard ice cream flavors and more.

Mimi & Pap’s Gourmet Popcorn and Homemade Ice Cream

324 Village Rd NE Dr.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 408-1170

Shopping

You can do all your shopping very close to our house in the local shopping centers.

Leland Town Center

1164 New Pointe Blvd.
Leland, NC 28451
📞 (910) 343-6080
A vibrant shopping and dining center featuring national and local favorites, from coffee shops to casual restaurants and boutiques.

Historic Downtown Wilmington

Front Street & Riverwalk District
Wilmington, NC 28401
📞 (910) 763-7349
Wilmington’s historic heart, lined with restaurants, galleries, and the scenic Riverwalk overlooking the Cape Fear River.