For postcard-perfect long weekends, or full week stays that have exceptional access to indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, and amenities, there's nothing quite like the convenience of a stay at a local hotel or motel. A number of area hotels have been welcoming guests for decades, and as a result, vacationers have come back year after year for the fantastic service and the million-dollar views.
Visitors are often surprised at the number and variety of weekly vacation rentals throughout the area.. Vacation rentals are, in fact, an increasingly popular accommodation available to vacationers, and visitors will find that the sheer number of rentals available allows them to find an ideal retreat to fit their crew, from quiet condo complexes to brightly colored oceanfront sand castles.
The Crystal Coast is renowned for its centuries of history and fascinating attractions, and new visitors will discover that when it comes to maritime heritage, all roads seemingly lead to Beaufort. Renowned as North Carolina’s third oldest town, with a long legacy of being a hopping port community, visitors will find an assortment of museums in the region that pay homage to this history, as well as the local ecosystems and culture that make this area distinctively unique.
With a history that spans more than three centuries, and a unique ecosystem where barely coastal Nature Reserves run parallel to undeveloped barrier island shorelines, Beaufort is truly an enlightening destination for visitors of all interests. Stocked with historical homes and residences, unique ecosystems, and a myriad of ways to explore further, there’s lots to discover in this educational coastal town. Stop by one of the region’s museums, take a walk around the historic blocks, or embark on an on-the-water adventure that you’ll never forget. In Beaufort, where history and culture is found around every corner, education is naturally a part of every vacation.
The Shackleford Banks is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, and is a barrier island system that is found just off the coast of Beaufort and Harkers Island, and which is a popular offshore beaching destination for summertime Crystal Coast visitors. Accessible only by a private ferry, water taxi, or personal vessel, the beaches are nevertheless popular with longtime Southern Outer Banks vacationers for their unspoiled beauty, exceptional fishing and shelling, and famed herd of wild ponies, known as the “Banker Horses” or “Banker Ponies.”
Beaufort's historic and altogether picturesque downtown is one of the most visited and most acclaimed town centers in the Inner Banks. Filled with a history that intermingles seamlessly with acclaimed shops and restaurants, (as well as front row views of the activity at the expansive harbor front docks), this otherwise typical Eastern North Carolina town has become a favorite among Inner Banks visitors.
Life is truly a beach on the Crystal Coast, and visitors to the barley inland town of Beaufort, NC will find that there are a number of coastal shorelines nearby to appease a need for wave riding. From isolated barrier island destinations to popular beach towns that attract a crowd, surfers will discover that a great day of waves is a quick drive or boat ride away when they stay in historical Beaufort, NC.
Beaufort is a community that is obsessed with life on the water, so it should come as no surprise that fishing of all varieties is celebrated in this coastal town that’s found at the intersections of marshy creeks, major rivers, and miles-wide sounds. From casting a fishing line off a local dock in the downtown area, to signing up for a fishing adventure that will take anglers well offshore, the sheer diversity of fishing opportunities - (and great tasting catches) - are what keep anglers coming back year after year for more.
When most people envision Beaufort, they think of strolls through charming downtown streets, cruises through picturesque waterways, and a myriad of explorations that traditionally take place close to sea level. But vacationers with loftier expectations can take their vacation to new heights – literally – by embarking on an aerial tour of the region via a hang gliding lesson that glides over the scene thousands of feet into the air. Not for the squeamish, but accessible for flyers of all abilities, this adventure is a unique new way to experience the Beaufort area, and will be a stunning component of any Beaufort vacation that visitors will never forget.
Beaufort NC is distinctive in that the cool waterfront town can appeal to visitors of all tastes, styles, and ages, and this is especially evident when it comes to the region’s youngest visitors. From wild pirate-themed tours and cruises to afternoon ice cream trips, there are plenty of activities for the young and the young-at-heart to discover. Check out these essential activities for kids on your next Beaufort vacation, and get busy creating fun and amazing memories that will linger well after your Crystal Coast stay is over.
Visitors who are heading to the Crystal Coast will find a scattering of hotels and motels throughout the shoreline and inland communities, but will soon discover that the primary type of accommodations available are vacation rentals. Located all along the Crystal Coast beaches from Atlantic Beach to the town of Emerald Isle, a vacation rental is the generally preferred accommodations option for vacationers thanks to ample space, exceptional locales close to the water, and plenty of homes and condos to choose from.
As evident by the dozens if not hundreds of vessels that are perched along the downtown docks on a daily basis, Beaufort is clearly a community that’s in love with boating. From marine stores in the heart of the downtown area, to water tours and taxis that cross Taylor’s Creek and the Bogue Sound on an hourly basis, the town of Beaufort is truly a boater’s dream.
Kitty Hawk Kites has remodeled and opened its new doors directly on the Beaufort waterfront. This shop offers the leading selection of kites, wind art, toys, t-shirts and apparel, Hobie kayaks, and more. In addition, stop by and make your reservation for one of our new Beaufort adventures:
Visitors taking a stroll through Beaufort can’t help but admire the collection of historic homes and charming city blocks that have been guarding the waterfront for centuries. Many of these structures are part of the Beaufort Historic District – a collection of buildings that are found within a 12-block area in the picturesque downtown area. Generally concentrated along Front Street, and easy to explore via a downtown walking tour, the Beaufort Historic District is just another enticing element of the town that lures in visitors year after year.
Soak up the centuries-old history of beautiful Beaufort with a visit to the Beaufort Historic Site. Renowned as the third oldest town in North Carolina, there’s a lot of history to explore in this quiet Southern Outer Banks community, and visitors can dive right in by touring a collection of 10 historic homes and structures that are located within the downtown region.
Vacationers on the hunt for stunning scenery won’t have to look very far when they land in Beaufort, NC. Well known for its vibrant downtown region, its centuries-deep historical roots, and its location that is literally surrounded by water, finding a spot to sit and enjoy a picturesque view is a breeze in this barely-coastal destination.
The Rachel Carson Reserve is a stunning stretch of barely-barrier island shoreline that’s found just off the coast of historic Downtown Beaufort. Covering 2,205 acres, this collection of three islands that are found along Taylor’s Creek at the mouth of the Newport River can be easily and scenically admired from veritably any waterfront vantage point from the heart of town, and are a stunning and undeveloped addition to the vast wildlife scene of the Crystal Coast.
There's a reason why Beaufort earned the title of the "Coolest Small Town in the USA" by national publication Budget Travel Magazine, and one of the driving forces behind this honor is Beaufort's dedicated preservation of its history, orchestrated, mainly, by the Beaufort Historical Association.
The coastal town of Beaufort has quickly become one of the most popular vacation destinations for Inner Banks travelers and boating enthusiasts of all varieties, and for good reason. The small 2.7 mile town, (surrounded by nearly a mile of water), is a vacationer and maritime lover's dream, with a hearty downtown scene lined with shops, galleries, and acclaimed restaurants, in addition to dozens of maritime supply stores.
Small parks and benches border the seemingly endless docks, and cafes and coffee shops have sprung up all along the harbor front so folks passing through, or anyone enjoying an early morning stroll, can relax with a hot cup of Joe or a big breakfast while enjoying the scene. Home to some of the Inner Banks' best loved dining establishments and galleries, and a 20 minute water taxi or maritime shuttle away from the enticing Shackleford Banks, Beaufort has gained a recognizable name on the North Carolina tourism scene as one of the best spots to unwind and let your inner mariner shine through.
Hundreds of years ago, well before European settlers appeared, the town of Beaufort was called "Cwarioc," or "Fish Town" by the local Coree Indians who called the region home. Early settlers began purchasing property in the region around 1709, and by 1713, a local Craven County merchant hired a surveyor to lay out to the not-yet fully constructed town. The surveyor designated streets and names, including Anne, Queen and Moore Streets, (named after Colonel Moore who ended the Tuscarora War), and the names have stuck ever since. It should be noted that Beaufort's busiest stretch of town, located right along the downtown's waterfront, wasn't constructed until the early 1800s, and as commerce grew along this road, the street was eventually called "Front Street," in honor of its waterfront locale.
After these early town layouts and surveys, Beaufort was officially appointed a port for unloading vessels by the Lords Proprietors, the New World's form of government, and the town blossomed with dozens of lots and sites purchased within the city's limits by merchants, traders, boat builders, and countless other members of the maritime industry. The port town of Beaufort grew, and commerce blossomed.
Unfortunately for the town, a thriving port town was just the sort of allure that attracted pirates in the late 1600s and early 1700s, and sure enough, Beaufort was a popular destination for both Edward Teach, (more commonly known as Blackbeard the Pirate), and his former lieutenant, Stede Bonnett, a gentlemen by birth but eventually a successful pirate in his own right. Both notable pirates were frequent visitors to the Core Sound, located on the outskirts of Beaufort, and also of the town itself - Blackbeard was said to be a regular guest at Beaufort's own "Hammock House."
After the era of pirates had subsided, (with Blackbeard meeting his end off the coast of Ocracoke just 40 or so miles away), the town grew at an unhurried pace, still serving as a port town, and delving into a little bit of the commercial fishing industry that is a prime characteristic of the Outer and Inner Banks.
Today, not much has changed since the town was first patched together in the 1700s. Historic homes stand a block or two away from Front Street, carefully preserved by the Beaufort Historical Association, although more modern buildings have taken up residence along the busier waterfront downtown sections as well, catering to passing mariners, day-trippers, and long weekend or weeklong tourists who want to admire the coastal scene. The area has also become a favorite retirement or second-home spot for water lovers, and new communities can be found outside of the downtown with private boat docks or community boat launches for easy access to both the Shackleford Banks and the Core Sound.
A first-time visitor to Beaufort will find plenty of ways to stay entertained, beginning with the incredible dining options located throughout the town. Several restaurants are historic sites in their own right, dating back over a century, while a half-dozen downtown eateries feature unparalleled outdoor seating overlooking the always busy waterfront docks. All of these restaurants feature fresh seafood in abundance, including oysters, blue crabs, NC shrimps and scallops, and plenty of seasonal fish, and are a perfect destination for any seafood lover.
The downtown also has a renowned collection of shops and galleries that vary from the practical to the downright fun. In Beaufort, travelers will find a bevy of maritime supply stores to replace or add onto existing boating equipment, innumerable galleries, and souvenir shops to take a few treasures back home.
There are a number of adventures to be had in Beaufort as well, and local cruise ships and ferry vessels offer everything from a water taxi to the neighboring Shackleford Banks to full-on pirate cruises with the option to shoot cannonballs at rival vessels.
A quick ferry ride to Shackleford Banks is a very popular venture, as this island is home to the famous "Shackleford Ponies," the barrier islands' feral residents and the supposed descendants of shipwrecked Spanish Mustangs from passing Spanish ships of the 1500s. In addition, the beaches produce some incredible seashells, sand dollars and starfish, and are a sunny and secluded respite for Beaufort visitors who want to soak up miles of the sand and sun. Located just 15-20 minutes away by passenger ferry, with summertime and seasonal departures every 30 minutes or so, a waterfront taxi to a neighboring island is a must for anyone who loves spending the majority of their vacation time on the water.
Accommodations are relatively limited, but very enticing. There are several waterfront inns, complete with boat docks and fantastic views, a number of cabins and vacation rentals, and several campgrounds on the outskirts of the town. There are also a number of Bed and Breakfasts located in converted historic homes along the downtown's side streets, which are idyllic romantic and quiet retreats. Due to Beaufort's growing popularity, especially in the summer season when the climate is warm and inviting and the town is home to a number of events like the annual 4th of July Celebration, advanced reservations are strongly recommended for in-town accommodations. Rooms and vacation rentals can fill up months in advance, and early bookers will enjoy their pick of places to stay, in addition to plenty of time to look forward to their vacation.
Beaufort is, at its heart, a nautical town. Filled with maritime stores, restaurants featuring fresh seafood, and hundreds of docks bordering the waterfront Front Street, this North Carolina community never lost its ties to its history as a reliable port town. A popular destination for maritime traffic and day-trippers alike, visitors will find Beaufort a charming and unique destination, as well as a definite highlight of the Inner Banks' tourism scene.
