Places to visit in Beaufort, NC.
Beaufort, North Carolina, is a charming coastal town situated along the Southern Outer Banks and is teeming with plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained all year round. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Beaufort’s beaches, where kayaking and fishing are popular activities. In addition, nature paths abound, providing opportunities to observe the area’s wildlife in its native habitats.
Visitors can also explore romantic sights like Fort Macon State Park or participate in celebrations at cultural landmarks such as Beaufort Food & Wine Festival or Beaufort Music Festival. There are also plenty of restaurants offering fresh seafood for culinary delights and historic pubs for those seeking laid-back fellowship among locals.
From enjoying breathtaking views of the Back Sound from any of Beaufort’s boardwalks to experiencing historical wonders such as the North Carolina Maritime Museum, there is something for everyone in this idyllic seaport town!
Radio Island Public Beach
If you’re looking for an uncrowded beach with excellent views and a relaxed atmosphere, Radio Island Public Beach in Beaufort, NC, is the place for you. In addition to great views, this spot has many other features to help make your trip successful.
For starters, the area has a large number of shipwrecks. These are the remnants of vessels that crashed in the centuries past. There’s also plenty of tropical fish, especially during the late summer and early fall months.
The North Carolina Maritime Museum is a great place to check out. This museum has an incredible collection of exhibits on local marine history.
Another great attraction is the nearby Rachel Carson Reserve, which has an elaborate ecosystem and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. It’s not hard to see why this site is considered one of the best places for birdwatching in North Carolina.
North Carolina Maritime Museum
The North Carolina Maritime Museum is located in Beaufort, North Carolina. This museum has many interesting displays. Some of these exhibits are on the history of pirates. It also features studies in marine life and ecology. In addition, there are special programs and activities for children.
The Maritime Museum is a part of the North Carolina Museum of History. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the maritime and coastal history of coastal North Carolina. Among the exhibits are motorboats, lighthouses, and shipwrecks.
The museum offers a variety of environmental programs, including dredge trips and sea life tours. You can also attend workshops and hands-on activities. These include building a wooden boat and learning about marine life.
Old Burying Ground in Beaufort, North Carolina
The Old Burying Ground in Beaufort, North Carolina, is a historic cemetery. Majestic live oaks surround it. This cemetery is the final resting place of many of the city’s most famous residents.
When you enter the cemetery, you’ll see the giant oaks and tombstones that adorn the area. This is a very peaceful spot to walk around. During the summer, you can take guided tours of the grounds.
As you wander through the cemetery, you’ll find hundreds of graves. Some are vaulted, as the high water table made it difficult to keep graves dry. You’ll also see old wooden markers.
Old Burying Ground is a historic site that tells the stories of colonial life in Beaufort. You’ll also find a grave site for the crew of a shipwreck.
Rachel Carson Reserve
You can visit the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, North Carolina, if you want a relaxing day trip. This scenic area is a pristine estuarine landscape and is home to various wildlife.
The central part of the reserve is a collection of small islands. You can access these islands by taking a ferry. A ferry departs every 15 minutes during the summer months. Alternatively, you can use a kayak.
The Rachel Carson Reserve is home to many animals, including wild horses. These animals are not native to the land and are adapted to living on the islands. However, visitors are advised to stay at least 50 feet away from them.
Visitors can also see a variety of snakes. It is recommended that you wear closed-toed shoes.
Beaufort Historic Site
Beaufort Historic Site is a two-acre historic site that depicts the history of the coastal area of North Carolina from the 18th and 19th centuries. The site features a variety of historical structures, including the town’s oldest wood-framed courthouse.
Visitors will find various architectural styles, from the Gothic revival to Queen Anne. There are also buildings with gable roofs, chimneys, mantels, and front porches.
Other buildings of interest include the Carteret County Courthouse, the only wood-framed English Circuit courthouse in North Carolina. In addition, visitors can visit the historic Carteret County Jail, a 1796 building, and the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, which features works by local and regional artists.
Besides historical sites, the Beaufort Historic Site has a range of programs, from hands-on workshops to seasonal events. Guided tours are available. Tours may include walking and boat tours and themed expeditions such as ghost tours.