Pender County is rich in family-affordable entertainment.
Here are five things to do with your out-of-town guests:
Be sure to take your weekend guests to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The sea turtle hospital offers Saturday visitation hours just for weekend visitors. Guests will view endangered sea turtles in rehab in the workout pool and sick bay, as well as viewing them in Turtle Bay. Named the North Carolina Visitor Attraction of the Year, guests will enjoy a turtle tour where volunteers are stationed around the facility to answer questions. The admission fee is $5 per adult, $4 for active military, and children are admitted $3 each. The off-season visiting hours are Thursdays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. The sea turtle hospital is located on the mainland in Surf City. From NC Hwy 50 turn right onto Charlie Medlin Drive. Follow the dirt road to the end of Tortuga Lane. The sea turtle hospital will close Dec. 19 for the winter, so hurry in!
Moores Creek National Battlefield is Southeastern North Carolina’s only national park. It is the site of the pre-Revolutionary War battle which sent Loyalists retreating. North Carolina was the first colony to declare its independence, before the Continental Congress, and it all started here in Pender County. Moores Creek offers a 1-mile paved trail which is wheelchair accessible. Along the trail, see the bridge that played a pivotal role in the battle as well as the oldest U.S. memorial for the Revolutionary War. After touring Moores Creek, bring out the popcorn and watch The Patriot.
Entertain your guests with a YouTube video by local artist Mike Raab at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnVngt0iv-Y). The 12-minute video is about Burgaw and the many movie and television productions filmed in the “little Hollywood no one has ever heard of.” Raab does a fabulous job with behind the scenes filming locations and interviews with local residents. After watching the video, take a walk in downtown Burgaw. Enjoy our historic courthouse. Have a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or a delicious smoothie from Brown Dog Coffee Company, 103 W. Fremont. Have lunch at our iconic Lunch Counter at Dees Drug. 
Guests can’t visit Pender County without a visit to the beach. Travel to the south end of Topsail Island. In the Town of Topsail Beach, park for free and take your guests to Serenity Point. It is approximately a 3-mile walk around the point. But at any point on The Point, there is good shelling. Hunt for sea shells and sharks teeth and enjoy a pristine beach. Parking is free.
While in Topsail Beach, visit the Missiles and More Museum. Located at 720 Channel Blvd. on the Intracoastal Waterway, the museum documents the development of missile and rocket technology. Topsail Island is the home of Operation Bumblebee, where rockets were developed and tested. The Missiles and More Museum is located inside the Assembly Building, where rockets were assembled. Admission to the museum is free. Off-season hours vary. Call ahead. The number is 910-328-8663.Pender County is blessed with hundreds of things to see and things to do. For date specific special events, be sure to visit our calendar of events on this website, as well as the news tab which features up-to-date events and activities.
Don't hesitate to contact the tourism office with your questions. The office number is 910-259-1278.
