Fall in Love with Pender County, NC
From Topsail Beach to Blueberry Town
After spending a summer in Burgaw (affectionately known as Blueberry Town), NC, we couldn’t wait for a Pender County fall. From ghost walks and garden strolls to oyster farm tours and classic car cruise-ins, Pender County is the #1 NC destination for an autumn family getaway.
Sponsored by Pender County Tourism
Classic Car Cruise-Ins at Courthouse Square; blueberry-topped ice cream bowl at Burgaw Alimente
A Pender County Fall Day in Downtown Burgaw
Pender County Courthouse Square is the social hub of Burgaw, playing host to a line-up of family-friendly events this autumn. Dress up as a group and head to Burgaw Autumn Fest on October 19, where you can take part in pumpkin decorating, a 5k race and one-mile kids fun run, and a costume contest.
Planning a Pender County fall weekend visit? Time your grand entrance with the monthly Classic Car Cruise-Ins (5-8 PM on the second Friday of each month). Admire vintage stunners and new classics along the Courthouse Square perimeter, then wander down side streets to enjoy hot tamales, fresh fried shrimp, and a slice of signature blueberry cheesecake at Burgaw Alimente.
Pose by the “Blue Bomb” at Humphrey Farms | Burgaw
Photo credit @topsailtalk
Get into the Pender County fall groove with a family trip to Humphrey Farms, less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Burgaw. Choose your favorite pumpkins and pose as a family on “The Blue Bomb” – a ‘75 Ford pick-up adorned with hay bales and Belgian mums. Plenty of photo opportunities await on a wagon ride tour of the property, where you’ll learn about cattle farming, organic agriculture cultivation, and sawmilling operations.
Venture back downtown for dinner at Burgaw Brewing, which serves pub fare and sandwiches sure to please any palate. Order a flight, then grab a table on the outside patio or in the biergarten. While the brewery focuses mostly on German lagers, you’ll surely pick up notes of Pender County produce when you sip the Cowboy Candy IPA or Brunswick Cider.
The family-friendly Ghost Walk of Pender’s Past – set for October 26th – books one-hour tours starting at the Historic Burgaw Cemetery. You’ll be regaled with tales of ghost sightings, notorious pirates, and haunted locations in town. Purchase raffle tickets to win the Pender County Fall Horror Movie Giveaway Basket, which includes sweets and treats from beloved local eateries like Topsail Island Popcorn Factory.
Oyster farming 101 with Ghost Fleet Oyster Co. | Hampstead
Hunt for Topsail Jewels in Hampstead
It’s not hard to put together the perfect breakfast at the Hampstead Farmers Market. Stock up on Lotus Haven Hives honey and Farmasea forest-raised pork sausage links while keeping your eyes peeled for Red-Tailed Farm baby goats and radiant bouquets from Paradise Flower Farm. The market takes place every Thursday at Ironclad Golf & Beer Garden, where you can continue your brewery hopping or book a tee time on the newly renovated 18-hole golf course.
A different kind of Pender County fall farm tour awaits at Ghost Fleet Oyster Co. Board their pontoon boat and meander through the Hampstead tidal creeks on an informative and scenic eco-adventure like no other. You can even shuck “Topsail Jewels” right from the water!
After working up an appetite, it’s time to catch a (beer) wave. Stout and porter enthusiasts will find their haven at Surf City Brewing Company. Just down the road, you can belly up to the bar at veteran-owned Salty Turtle Beer Company for eclectic options like the Midnight Swim black lager, fruited Manila Mango, and Piña Colada selzer.
Top off your Pender County fall beer tour with a ramble down Highway 210 to Oval & Ale. With unbeatable outdoor patio vibes, 12 rotating craft beers, and artisan-style pizzas made from scratch, it’s the perfect spot to settle after a busy day of brewery-hopping. We’re salivating over the thought of splitting the jerk chicken and blackberry/basil “pinsas.”
Enjoy Oktoberfest on the NC Coast at Salty Turtle Beer Company in Surf City
A Toast to the Flavors of the Carolina Coast
Topsail Island may be one of the most underrated culinary destinations on the NC coast. Serving both meat-and-three platters and breakfast-anytime, menu items like “Better Than Philly’s Philly,” and a kids’ menu fit to take on the pickiest eaters, Sweet Bee's Country Grill is the just plain country hidden gem you’ve been seeking.
Bannerman Vineyard and Winery stands as one of the state’s oldest muscadine vineyards. Stick to their award-winning blueberry wine or dare to sample experimental batches like sweet white habanero-infused wine. If unique red blends and barrel-aged vintages are up your alley, enjoy a $15 wine tasting at Gregory Farms & Vineyard in Currie. Their October 5th Fall Festival promises a full day of fun, with hayrides, wine slushies, pumpkins, and food trucks galore.
Pender County fall NFL headquarters are found at Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar. Locals recommend the Friday night lobster dinners and Shark Attack Bloody Mary. If your group is feeling up to a dare, order a round of spicy oyster shooters! SurfDog Bites and Brews is an excellent option for those in search of hearty salads, creative sandwiches, and generally lighter fare. For a surefire hit, get the chicken salad on toasted sourdough.
Surf City locals know that a Topsail Steamer will do for any holiday or special occasion
Run by a family of Mainers, the Maine Lobstah Shack makes ordering a delicious meal all too easy. Simply pick your “vessel” (mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese, or a roll), then top it with a generous heap of fresh Maine lobster. Dunk each bite in butter, and surrender to a maelstrom of flavor.
Spending the night in on your Pender County fall vacation? Customize your own take-home steampots with Topsail Steamer. Select one of seven Signature Bay Buckets® or Build Your Own Bay Bucket®, then choose your size & homemade seasoning. Proteins vary from snow crab, Andouille sausage, and Littleneck clams to kielbasa, cold water lobster tails, and peel-and-eat shrimp.
What’s a Pender County fall trip to the beach without a delicious ice cream cone? At Scoop’s Microcreamery, chocolate lovers gravitate to addicting concoctions like crunchy Biscoff cookie butter while fruit-forward patrons go ga-ga for orange creamsicle sherbet. Of course, you can always order a flight of six flavors!
Take a hayride at Gregory Farms Fall Festival | Currie and Fall Open Farm Day at Agape Farm | Watha
Celebrate the Pender County Fall Season
Take in North Carolina fall foliage and get spooked with family-friendly Halloween events happening this fall in Pender County.
Gallery in the Gardens
When: October 4-5 Where: The Gardens of Southeastern NC, Willard, NC
What: An annual art benefit honoring the splendor and heritage of Pender and Duplin Counties. Enjoy wood-fire pizza, meet-and-greet sessions with 20+ local artists, live music by Roger Davis, and self-guided tours of The Gardens.
Learn more about Gallery in the Gardens. If glorious gardens warm your Carolina heart, check out some more bucket list gardens in NC.
Fall Open Farm Day
When: October 12, 2-5 PM Where: Agape Farm of Watha, Watha, NC
What: A kid’s fall paradise. Play with Nigerian Dwarf goats, Highland Bulls, and Palomino Pinto ponies. Take part in face-painting, hayrides, and more animal fun and games.
Learn more about Fall Open Farm Day at Agape Farm of Watha and other farm activities in Pender County, NC.
This fried NC spot platter sure hits the spot!
NC Spot Festival
When: November 2-3 Where: 14221 US Hwy 17, Hampstead, NC
What: Live music, fireworks, inflatable rides, and a smorgasbord of spot fish delicacies abound at this festival paying tribute to the abundant spot fish.
Learn more about the NC Spot Festival. If fish festivals are your thing, you won't want to miss NC Seafood Festival in Morehead City, NC.
Goose Bumps in the Grove
When: October 26-27 Where: Poplar Grove Historic House & Museum, Wilmington, NC
What: Tread cautiously through the Haunted Manor House, go trick-or-treating in costume, play vintage carnival games, and snap all the Halloween vignette photo ops you can snap!
Learn more about Goose Bumps in the Grove and other fun haunted attractions in NC
Check out the Saltwater Resort & Suites, the newest Surf City inn within walking distance to the beach
Bed and breakfast or beachfront? Farmland or sea and sand? Choose from charming, comfortable Pender County fall accommodations central to the best fall events and attractions in Pender County.
BeBe’s Bed & Breakfast – walking distance to the shops and cafes of downtown Burgaw – is a fully restored 1948 home that serves a full breakfast served daily. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, Hampstead’s Bed & Breakfast at Mallard Bay is steps from the Harbour Village Marina. Guests may borrow beach chairs, kayaks, hammocks, and other amenities at no extra charge.
The Saltwater Resort & Suites just opened in July 2024. Enjoy Surf City ocean views, a shared pool, full-equipped kitchens, and one block’s proximity to the beach. For convenient, no-frills lodging, book a room at the Burgaw Motel. Open 24/7, the motel provides essential amenities like free WiFi, a fridge and microwave, and a high-pressure shower.
