Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Sneads Ferry, NC

  • Published 2022/08/26

Sneads Ferry is a census-designated place with many dimensions.

It blends the old and the new, the traditional and the contemporary.

Likewise, it mixes the old South’s leisurely, relaxed ways and the modern world’s quick pace.

Sneads Ferry is in Onslow County, North Carolina, near the channel where the New River empties into the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Jacksonville and Wilmington.

In 1791, the attorney Robert Snead arrived and inspired the renaming of Sneads Ferry, originally known as the lower ferry.

Visitors to Sneads Ferry will discover many attractions.

In addition to the clear skies, sunny weather, glistening waterways, gentle breezes, and charming people.

You can rent fishing dinghies for boating and fishing in the rivers and sounds.

Likewise, you can charter boats with certified captains for ocean fishing.

Cabins and trailer spaces are also available for rent in the village.

Several first-rate eateries serving the best seafood in the world and a wide variety of other dishes.

If you are curious enough to visit, read on to find the best things to do in Sneads Ferry.

Learn to Paint at the Thurston Art Gallery

If you are looking for child-friendly activities in Sneads Ferry, you might want to check out the Thurston Art Gallery.

The Thurston Art Gallery has an extensive collection of paintings that feature scenes, buildings, animals, maps, people, and locations in Sneads Ferry.

You can browse its distinctive collection while admiring the elegantly decorated interior.

The owner Sherry Thurston and several of her gifted young and adult art students designed the interior.

The 32-year-old Thurston Art Gallery also sells fine art inspired by her travels abroad, tees, hats, tote bags, jewelry, souvenirs, and more.

Thurston Art Gallery also offers art classes for kids and adults, such as painting and other creative endeavors.

Shop for Exquisite Trinkets at Turtle Factory

Turtle Factory is one of the best places to go shopping in Sneads Ferry.

The Turtle Factory is in Sneads Ferry, a small fishing community on the North Carolina coast.

It’s just a short distance from Topsail Island’s miles of undeveloped, publicly accessible beaches.

This unique store sells all things turtle, including T-shirts, keychains, figurines, pieces of jewelry, and even Christmas ornaments.

The Turtle Factory organizes events like Children’s Paint Time and the Annual Spring Event.

Likewise, the Annual Spring Event is a one-day market focusing on selling local arts and crafts.

They also feature bakers, jewelry, produce, and candle vendors.

The Turtle Factory also hosts parties.

If you are looking for a souvenir from Sneads Ferry, find one at the Turtle Factory.

Play with Your Kids at the Stump Sound Park

The Stump Sound Park is one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Sneads Ferry.

A 1,600-foot nature trail with 17 informative stops is part of this 52-acre park and a 1,785-foot fitness track.

Have a picnic beneath the pavilion, or play a pick-up game of your preferred outdoor sport.

Among the amenities are picnic shelters, restrooms, and a pavilion.

You can also enjoy the tot-lot with your kids, perfect for your kids while you take a break.

If you are looking for things to do in Sneads Ferry at night, Stump Sound Park also has lighted basketball and tennis courts.

Play Golf at the North Shore Country Club

The stunning North Shore Country Club, tucked away like a great beast along the Waterfront, offers the ideal balance of scenic beauty and competitive gameplay.

Golfers of any level can enjoy a rigorous game at Bob Moore’s courses, which majestically integrate the sport with their environment.

While traveling to the Topsail Island region, play some golf at the North Shore Country Club.

Moore used several wild areas on the land and merged them into a plan.

The plan complements the unspoiled beauty of the coastal habitats in Eastern North Carolina.

The inland holes provide a haven from the pervasive sea breeze with towering pines, creating a unique appearance and atmosphere.

The North Shore community features attractively built communities inside the complex and breathtaking water and golf course views.

North Shore offers numerous club activities, golf, swimming, tennis, and other sports.

You’ll find welcoming staff to cater to your needs and help you make the most of your stay.

Discover the Thrills of the NC Extreme Water Sports

Located in Fulcher Landing Road, NC, Extreme Water Sports is one of the best things to do in Sneads Ferry for adventure seekers.

Whether you are looking for a thrilling experience or want to try something new, NC Extreme Water Sports has everything you need.

The company offers services such as jetski, waterboarding, and boat slips.

NC Extreme Water Sports also lets you bring your pets, so you don’t have to worry about leaving them behind.

In addition, the company also provides a wide range of jet skis and other equipment you can use.

Their pontoon boats are perfect for day fishing, taking the family on vacation, or getting together with friends to sunbathe on a sandbar.

See a Play at the Sneads Ferry Community Theatre

Visit the Sneads Ferry Community Theatre if you want to do something in Sneads Ferry after dark.

The Sneads Ferry Community Theatre is a great venue for plays and other performances.

Nestled in Park Lane, Sneads Ferry Community Theatre entertains the locals with performances from top talents.

The Sneads Ferry Community Center is the venue for the theatre, where the locals and tourists can enjoy various shows.

You can buy affordable tickets in advance of the shows.

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre is also terrific for meeting new people and making new friends.

Meet the Locals at the Salty Hawgs

The Salty Hawgs is a great place to taste the local scene in Sneads Ferry.

Located on Sugar Lane, the Salty Hawgs is the only nightclub in Sneads Ferry that offers a wide range of drinks and a great atmosphere.

The club also has a pool table, so you can enjoy a game of pool with your friends while sipping on your drink.

Events at the Salty Hawgs include free line dance lessons, Country Nite, Weekly Cornhole Tournament, and Rock Star Karaoke Raffle.

It also hosts the Carolina Band and the Carolina Country Music Festival.

Buy Fruits and Vegetables at the Hometown Harvest

Hometown Harvest is a small family farm in Sneads Ferry and the best place to buy local fruits and vegetables.

Visitors will have fun choosing from a selection of tomatoes, cucumbers, red potatoes, giant zucchini, okra, and red onions.

The farm also offers a wide range of products such as jams, jellies, honey, and pickles.

Hometown Harvest also boasts of its sumptuous pastries, such as iced lemon and cinnamon bread, pound cake, pineapple cheesecake minis, carrot, and coconut cakes.

If you’re lucky, you can buy sunflowers at Hometown Harvest as a souvenir.

Explore the Sneads Ferry Community Center

If you stay longer in Sneads Ferry, you might want to explore the Sneads Ferry Community Center.

The Sneads Ferry Community Center serves as a hub for various activities in the community.

You can join events, such as Sun Down in the Ferry, which features live music, food trucks, local vendors, and beer gardens for an evening of fun.

The Sneads Ferry Community Center is also the venue for the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival, an annual event celebrating the community’s shrimp industry.

Otherwise, you can let your teeners join Teen Night, where they can bond with their friends and dance the night away.

Likewise, you can rent the Sneads Ferry Community Center.

You can also access the kitchen facilities, tables, and chairs in addition to the center.

Teach Your Kids the Art of Dance at Mindy’s Dance Attack

You might consider enrolling your kids in Mindy’s Dance Attack, so they can learn to have fun while dancing their hearts out.

Mindy’s Dance Attack is a dance studio that offers classes for children ages two and up.

The studio offers ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, tumble, and lyrical classes.

The studio features a competitive dance team for those who want to take their dancing skills to the next level.

If you’re looking for a safe place for your kids to learn to love the art of dancing, look no further than Mindy’s Dance Attack.

Rejuvenate Your Body at the Aloha Massage & Body Works

After a long day of exploring Sneads Ferry, you might want to relax and rejuvenate your body at the Aloha Massage & Body Works.

Aloha Massage & Body Works offers services such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, and couples massage.

The massage therapists are experts in their craft and will ensure you leave the place feeling relaxed and refreshed.

You can select a Swedish massage to calm you or a more therapeutic one focusing on a particular complaint or problem region.

Aloha Massage & Body Works will develop a therapy strategy as a group.

They will assess the results and come up with additional therapy if needed.

Aloha Massage & Body Works also offers body treatments such as body scrubs, wraps, and reflexology.

This space is the place to go if you want to pamper yourself.

Save the Earth at the Environmental Education Center & Branch Library

“Discover Onslow,” an exhibition with an environmental theme, is at the Environmental Education Center & Branch Library.

Children can learn a lot about their environment from “Discover Onslow.”

The exhibit examines Onslow County’s ecology, geography, vegetation, and animals.

You can see black bears, bobcats, and 12-foot alligators, among other endemic animals, on the central island.

Other exhibit parts cover the Onslow Rivers, its plants and animals, culture, habitat, and ecology.

The Environmental Education Center & Branch Library is a great place to learn about the environment and have fun at the same time.

Other Things to Do Nearby

The fishing community of Sneads Ferry is home to several recreational activities and attractions.

Some other things you can do near Sneads Ferry include the following.

Feel the Ocean Breeze at the Surf City Ocean Pier

Beautiful sunrise over Surf City Ocean Pier

Vickie Butner / Shutterstock.com

The Surf City Ocean Pier is one of the most popular attractions nearby Sneads Ferry.

The pier is at the end of North Topsail Beach and offers stunning ocean views.

You can also go fishing, sunbathing, or take a leisurely walk while enjoying the fresh sea breeze.

View from under the Surf City Ocean Pier

alohaisland / Shutterstock.com

The Surf City Pier is the first seaside pier on Topsail Island.

Likewise, the Lore family owns the 937-foot pier, initially constructed in 1948.

The Surf City Ocean Pier also boasts two substantial fish cleaning stations with lots of illumination for nighttime fishing.

You can find this pier in Surf City, North Carolina, 21 minutes from Sneads Ferry.

Night view of Surf City Ocean Pier

PT Hamilton / Shutterstock.com

Meet the Animals at the Lynnwood Park Zoo

Over 100 species live in the ten-acre Lynnwood Park Zoo in Jacksonville, North Carolina, 31 minutes away from Sneads Ferry.

This zoo’s animals came from adoptions, rescues, and rehabilitation.

The zoo exhibits more than 50 animal habitats, featuring a wide variety of animals, including reptiles, birds, mammals, and more.

The Lynnwood Park Zoo facility seeks to introduce people to nature while promoting conservation through education.

Likewise, the zoo offers many fun activities for children, such as the Veterinary Assistant Program.

You can also rent the zoo for birthday parties, field trips, and group rates.

Explore the Zing Zumm, Children’s Museum of Jacksonville

The Zing Zumm Children’s Museum of Jacksonville aims to entertain kids aged 0 to ten.

Likewise, the local community finances the museum.

The experiential, unstructured Zing Zumm, Children’s Museum lets kids explore the exhibits at their own pace.

You can find this museum 28 minutes from Sneads Ferry.

There are three rooms of academic areas in the Zing Zumm Children’s Museum.

Each area stimulates a child’s imagination, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

If this place interests you, rent the museum for your private party or arrange a field trip.

Final Thoughts

Sneads Ferry is a charming town with a variety of businesses and attractions.

You can also enjoy several other recreational activities and attractions in Sneads Ferry.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Sneads Ferry!

Discover More of Onslow County, NC

Things to Do in Swansboro, NC

© All rights reserved.