The Drive By Town In North Carolina That's Actually Worth Stopping In

Leland is mainly known for its award-winning golf courses. There's the fairly recent Compass Pointe Golf Club which opened last summer and encompasses tee choices 7,228 yards from the championships to 4,733 yards from the forwards. There's also Magnolia Greens Golf Course, the award-winning course with 27 holes that have hosted the PGA Tour and U.S. Golf Association qualifying tournaments.

If golf isn't your cup of 'tee' Leland offers plenty of scenery. The gorgeous coastal landscape is one of the main reasons there's been such a boom in growth - over 27 percent in the last five years. Leland offers plenty of escapes for nature lovers. For starters, the Brunswick River is right nearby as well as the Brunswick Nature Park in Winnabow that offers both hiking and biking trails.

Multiple creeks running off the Brunswick River make for the perfect spot to spend a day kayaking. The kayak and canoe launch area at Brunswick Nature Park allows access to the popular Town Creek. For a surreal nature experience follow Town Creek to the Cape Fear River where you can witness alligators sunbathing, dolphins taking a peep out of the water, and birds zipping in and out the coastal landscape.

From golfing to kayaking, with all that activity you can sure work up an appetite. You've definitely burned enough calories to enjoy a delicious burger and fries from P.T.'S Grille.

While Leland is more of a nature-focused destination, the fairly new 500,000 square feet Villages at Brunswick Forest offer dining and retail for a more relaxed day. Make sure to stop into Bessie Burger for the sweet potato fries sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

Nearby you'll find the Brunswick Riverwalk in Bellville for a relaxing way to wind down a great day trip. Leland is a destination that's rooted in nature and adventure but also has a few luxuries too.