Best Things to do in Leland NC | Attractions + Restaurants

leland

Located within North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, Leland is an inland town that features a thriving community and rapid growth. Although small towns aren’t usually at the top of a person’s bucket list when planning trips, it would be a mistake to overlook them–with Leland being no exception. Despite its location just outside of the ever-popular tourist destination that is Wilmington, Leland has created a name for itself with its emphasis on recreation and down-to-earth charm.

leland

We spent a few days in Leland to explore the city in preparation for Leland in Lights, a festive Christmas tradition that NC Eat & Play was chosen to be the statewide partner of. This light display kicks off with a celebration on December 4th, 2021 and continues throughout the holiday season.

Days of Holiday Play destination Town of Leland

We know that this community event will be a show-stopping destination that you won’t want to miss this year. Whether you’re a local or driving in from out of town to experience Leland’s holiday spirit, you should plan to explore the town a bit and we are here to help you do just that!

Leland’s parks offer adventurous fun for everyone.

founders park leland

Founders Park

Spanning almost eight acres in size, Founders Park is a central greenspace with a playground, walking trails, fields, disk golf course, stage, and more. Soon, this park will be decked out with Christmas lights, creating a holiday wonderland in the middle of town.

founders park

Cypress Cove Park

Sprawling wetlands make up Cypress Cove park, along with an access point to Mill Creek designated for kayaks and canoes. The floating dock has a small boat launch for adventurous water activities and is next to a fixed dock perfect for fishing. Keep an eye out for wildlife as its a great place to spot crabs and go bird-watching! There’s even a fire pit if you’re interested in warming up by a campfire with s’mores after your paddle through the marsh.

cypress cove park leland

Westgate Nature Park

Westgate Nature Park is focused on educating and celebrating the outdoors. A unique nature-themed playground and boardwalk with educational signs encourage visitors to embrace the natural beauty around them, making it a fun park for all ages.

westgate leland

westgate leland

Go for the win in Leland

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a casual player, Leland is a top destination for a few games. Play, learn, or watch the competition at the House of Pickleball. For an easy-going outdoor game, check out the extensive disk golf course at Founders Park. More into the traditional game of golf? Leland has a few nationally recognized golf courses, Magnolia Greens and Cape Fear National.

disk golf leland

Eat great food from local Leland restaurants

Leland may be a small town, but there are plenty of local eateries serving up tasty dishes for you to enjoy.

Pizzetta’s Pizzeria

Pizzetta’s serves up traditional Italian cuisine and New York style pizza. The pastas, garlic knots, and pizza are outstanding in quality and flavor. Don’t forget to check out the homemade dessert corner!

pizzettas

New Day Café

Open for breakfast and lunch only, New Day Café is a local staple for classic dishes with modern flavor. The seasonal French toasts are one of their claims to fame so make sure to check out their specials!

new day cafe

Papi’s Chicken

Papi’s Chicken is a fantastic fast-casual eatery serving up customizable Peruvian dishes. The tender rotisserie-style chicken is packed with flavor and there are more than fifteen sides to choose from.

Papi's Chicken

P.T’s Grille

P.T’s Grille is a local icon that has won awards for its old-fashioned grilled burgers and seasoned fries. Don’t skip the fresh-squeezed lemonade–they cut and squeeze the lemon right in front of you. It can’t get fresher than that!

PT's Grille

Other food recommendations

We are looking forward to our return trips to Leland so that we can check even more restaurants off of our to-try list. There are a quite a few more that we can’t wait to try based on reviews and recommendations from friends. These include Farm House Kitchen for a traditional breakfast, Cape Fear Seafood for fresh coastal seafood bites, Leland Smokehouse for smoked meats, and the newly opened Brunswick Beer Xchange.

1 Comment

  1. New Day Café is amazing! Correction, most days they are open for dinner, as well as breakfast and lunch.

    Reply

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