Let’s be honest. If you’ve found a way to celebrate Independence Day somewhere along the 26 gorgeous miles of Topsail Island, you’re already guaranteed to have a great holiday. Use our tips to increase your enjoyment and you’ll be well on your way to your best 4th of July at the beach!

Focus on Friends and Family

Have you ever thought about how all of the big 4th of July traditions revolve around getting together with groups of people and just enjoying the moment? Cookouts and fireworks shows and parades are all just dynamic ways to celebrate our community and inject some energy into our broader relationships.

Make a deal with yourself on this July 4th to be intentional in your efforts to spend quality time with friends and family. Put down whatever doesn’t help you get to know each other a little better and work towards strengthening the bonds that keep you going during your non-holiday days and weeks.

Have you ever played the Random Questions game with the people who are closest to you? The game itself is easy enough. Just ask one another any number of questions, ranging from as silly to as serious as you choose. You’d be surprised at what you can and will learn!

You can use this online question generator if you’re not interested in coming up with your own series of questions.

If organized efforts aren’t your thing, that’s not a problem either. All that matters is spending time with your people, doing things to promote your mutual cheerfulness and enjoyment. So snuggle up and read a book, play a video game, prepare a favorite meal, or watch some mindless television. There’s no wrong way to spend time with the people who you care about!

Have A New Adventure

East Coast Sports at 409 Roland Avenue in Surf City has all kinds of water excursion and activity options. From surf fishing to flounder gigging, eco-tours to party cruises, you can find an adventure that matches your interests. They also offer inshore and offshore fishing excursions, wake-boarding opportunities, and boat rentals. Click here for more adventure details.

On the other end of the Island, Paddle NC in North Topsail Beach rents single, double, and fishing kayaks as well as stand up paddle boards (SUPs). Paddle NC also offers several different types of guided tours, and as of publication date, they were also offering a $5 per person discount on their guided Kayak Eco Tours and SUP Tours with use of coupon code TB5OFF!

Go Full Patriot

No matter what else you do on your 4th of July, you’ve got to show off your red, white, and blue. You can work these colors into your clothing, your food choices, and your party decorations, as much or as little as you choose.

But do you know what those colors represent? According to usflag.org, the colors signify the following: red – hardiness and valor; white – purity and innocence; blue – vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

And speaking of things that you may not have known, what better way to display your patriotism than to brush up on facts with which to impress your friends and family? With that goal in mind, we’ve compiled this short list of trivia that you can use to show everyone just how much you love America.

1. True or False? You must destroy the flag when it touches the ground.
   Answer: False. As long as the flag remains suitable for display, the flag may continue to be displayed as a symbol of our great country.
2. True or False? The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
   Answer: False. On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. It wasn’t signed until August 2, 1776.
3. Question: Out of 56 total delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence, how many were from North Carolina?
   Answer: Three
4. Question: Who is generally credited with having designed the first American Flag?
   Answer: Betsy Ross  (bonus points on this one for knowing that this story is still hotly debated!)
   
5. Question: How many verses are there in the Star Spangled Banner?
   Answer: Four

Looking to test your 4th of July knowledge even more? Try this tougher-than-you-think PBS quiz!

Don't Forget The Fireworks

Professional fireworks begin after the sun goes down. Alcohol and personal fireworks of any kind are prohibited. Non-incendiary glow sticks and noise-makers are allowed. Pets are also permitted as long as they remain on a leash.

Surf City town officials recommend arriving at Soundside Park no later than 4:30 p.m. in order to avoid the worst of any traffic congestion. Call 910-328-2716 for more information.

We hope that you've enjoyed our post containing ideas on how to have the best 4th of July at the beach! Check back with us in two weeks for our feature Everything You Need to Know To Enjoy Topsail Island During Hurricane Season.