Everyone gets a good night out here. High Tides & Good Vibes brings serious bowling, a full lineup of games, and kid-friendly adventure together with polished places to eat, have a drink, watch sports, or simply settle in while the rest of the group keeps playing.
For families searching for things to do near Topsail Island, the biggest challenge is often finding one plan that does not feel like a compromise. Younger children want room to play. Teenagers want something competitive. Adults may want good food, a comfortable seat, a cold drink, or the game on a screen they can actually see.
High Tides & Good Vibes, located just off the island in Surf City, is built for that exact mix. It has the scale of a major family entertainment center, but the atmosphere feels more relaxed and coastal than frantic. You can make it a bowling night, a rainy-day family outing, a game-day stop, or an easy dinner that happens to come with an arcade, laser tag, and a ropes course nearby.
The bowling is the headliner
High Tides has 16 premium bowling lanes, and they do not feel like an attraction squeezed into the corner of an arcade. The lanes have comfortable lounge-style seating, modern scoring, dramatic lighting, and lane-side food and drink service. A huge video presentation stretches above the lanes, giving the entire area the energy of a sports venue when a big game is on.
That setup makes the bowling unusually flexible. Families can settle in for a full game without constantly relocating. Groups can order food at the lanes. Sports fans can keep up with the action overhead. Even someone who is not especially interested in bowling can sit comfortably and still feel included in the night.
Family-friendly without feeling child-only
The smartest part of High Tides is that the family attractions are varied enough for different ages and confidence levels. Children who want active play can climb into the Ballistics Tower, a contained multi-level area with soft foam balls and air-powered launchers. Older kids and adults can head for the arcade, laser tag, the overhead ropes course, interactive darts, or the multisport simulators.
Yes, there is laser tag—and quite a bit more
The coastal-themed laser tag arena gives groups a reason to split into teams and settle the family rankings. The indoor ropes course rises above the entertainment floor for a completely different view of the action. Crazy Darts uses interactive screens and automatic scoring, while the multisport simulators can shift among golf, baseball, soccer, and other games. High Tides also lists axe throwing and an XD 4D interactive ride among its attractions.
One punch, one score, instant bragging rights
The arcade is full of quick challenges that turn into group competitions. The punching-bag game may last only a few seconds, but the score tends to live on much longer.
Adults get more than a place to wait
High Tides works for families because the grown-up spaces were not treated as an afterthought. The Boardroom Bar & Grill, located inside the complex, offers full-service dining, a bar with cocktails and local beer, and plenty of screens for watching sports. The menu leans coastal casual, with starters, salads, handhelds, burgers, wings, pizza, children’s options, and a cookie bar for dessert.
Outside, the beer garden and lawn create a calmer place to stretch out. There is comfortable seating, open space, a large screen, and a stage used for scheduled entertainment. It is the kind of setting where one part of the group can keep playing while another settles in with food or a drink—and nobody feels like they chose the lesser option.
When High Tides makes the most sense
- A rainy beach day: Bowling, laser tag, arcade games, simulators, and the ropes course are all indoors.
- A mixed-age family outing: Younger children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents can choose different levels of activity without leaving the building.
- An evening after the beach: It is easy to combine dinner with one or two attractions instead of committing to an all-day visit.
- A game-day plan: The bowling video wall, restaurant screens, bar, and outdoor screen create several ways to follow sports.
- A group that cannot agree: Bowling, food, arcade games, active attractions, and relaxed seating can all be part of the same outing.
A closer look around High Tides
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Know before you go
Address
13971 NC Highway 50
Surf City, NC 28445
Hours listed on the venue’s main page
Monday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
High Tides currently shows a different schedule on some secondary pages, so confirm the day’s hours before leaving.
Phone
(910) 910-2695
Attraction reservations
The venue currently says regular attractions are first come, first served. Parties and events can be booked separately.
Arcade payment
Visit Guest Services for a reloadable game card and credits.
Prices
Standard walk-in attraction rates are not clearly published on the public site. Children’s birthday packages currently list $25, $35, $45, and $55 per guest options, plus taxes and 20% gratuity, with package and date restrictions.
Explore the official attraction list · Read the official FAQs · View The Boardroom menus
High Tides & Good Vibes FAQs
Is High Tides good for a rainy day near Topsail Island?
Yes. Bowling, the arcade, laser tag, the ropes course, Ballistics Tower, darts, simulators, axe throwing, and the XD attraction are indoors. The outdoor beer garden is an added option when the weather clears.
Is High Tides only for kids?
No. The venue is intentionally set up for mixed-age groups. Adults have premium bowling, interactive games, The Boardroom restaurant and bar, sports viewing, and the outdoor beer garden alongside the children’s attractions.
Can you reserve bowling or other attractions in advance?
High Tides currently says its regular attractions are first come, first served. Parties and private events can be booked through the venue.
Does High Tides have food and drinks?
Yes. The Boardroom Bar & Grill is inside High Tides and offers full-service dining, a bar, lane-side service, an outdoor beer garden, and a cookie bar.
Where is High Tides in relation to Topsail Island?
High Tides is at 13971 NC Highway 50 in Surf City, on the mainland side of the Surf City area and a convenient drive from the island.
How much do the attractions cost?
Regular walk-in attraction prices are not currently presented clearly on the public website. The venue’s children’s birthday page lists packages at $25, $35, $45, and $55 per guest, plus taxes and 20% gratuity, with restrictions that vary by package and date. For an ordinary visit, contact High Tides rather than relying on an old price list.
Add it to your Topsail Island plan
A beach vacation does not have to fall apart when the weather changes—or when the group simply wants a night away from the sand. High Tides & Good Vibes gives Surf City something the Topsail area has needed: a polished, all-ages entertainment destination where the bowling is genuinely impressive, children have plenty to explore, and adults can enjoy the evening too.
If you are building a full itinerary, pair High Tides with Treasure’s guides to local restaurants and evening spots. For quieter island adventures, explore the protected South End of Topsail Beach or plan a family ghost crab hunt after dark.
Find your place near the fun
Browse Treasure Vacation Rentals for a comfortable home base close to Surf City, Topsail Island beaches, and the area’s newest family attractions.
Explore Topsail Island vacation rentals Visit the official High Tides websiteHours, attraction availability, policies, and pricing can change. Confirm current details directly with High Tides & Good Vibes before your visit.