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2025 Activities Guide

Crystal Coast Map
Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern
Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and...

Pet Friendly Oceanside Townhome in Atlan...
4.0
(3)

You're steps away from your next adventure when you book Barefoot Ventures! This freshly refreshed condo features all stainless-steel appliances, ample space for prepping dinner including a stainless-steel island and an outdoor bar area for cooking...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 9
Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour...

The Hideaway Suite**
4.0
(3)

This unit is uniquely laid out.. It offers 2 bedrooms.. each with a queen bed complete with linens. One has a glider rocker the other has loveseat. There is a 1/2 bath in the unit and just through an interior door is a 3/4 bath as well.. towels, etc...

  • New Bern
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
J Chalk Designs

Discover a treasure or two to serve as a timeless reminder of your getaway to the Crystal Coast with a visit to one of the most unique jewelry stores in the Carteret County region, J Chalk Designs. Specializing in fine pieces that are truly one of a...

Kitty Hawk Kites

Founded as the world's first hang gliding school in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites has grown into a beloved retail and outdoor recreation venture with more than 28 locations up and down the east coast! With more than 50 years of teaching the world to fly, Kitty Hawk Kites is proud to serve the Crystal Coast as a premier retailer of kites, wind art, toys, apparel, and accessories. Shop great brands like Reef, Prism, Natural Life, Yeti, HeyDude, and more! Visit our locations in Beaufort and Atlantic...

Mac Daddys

Located on the southern end of Emerald Isle, and easy to reach for visitors staying throughout the Crystal Coast, Mac Daddy’s is the destination of choice for countless fun-seeking vacationers of all ages who want a big dose of entertainment off the sand. Featuring a bowling alley, sports bar, arcade, and a sister miniature golf course – (the Golfin’ Dolphin) - visitors can expect plenty of good times when they make an outing to this all-around fun amusement center.

Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown Morehead City along Evans Street, patrons who utilize Morehead City Ferry Service for a cruise or a taxi ride to the outlying barrier islands will be treated to full afternoons of sun and fun along the pristine sand.

Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and is a favorite spot for families who want to have a little fun off the sand.

Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive music guaranteed to unleash your inner pirate. But be warned; we may need to enlist your expertise to man the water cannons and help defend our ship!

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises is a 100 ft. custom yacht that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of Beaufort, the Crystal Coast Lady is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region’s vast array of wildlife...

Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. After the tour, you are directed to one of the best shelling beaches in all of North Carolina, where you can spend some time shelling your way down the beach with Cape Lookout Lighthouse off in the distance. Shackleford is well known as one of the...

Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour company that calls the central town of Beaufort its home port offers a far-reaching range of adventures that will have coastal fans of all ages soaking up the sun and enjoying the best of the Southern Outer Banks.

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and...

The Circle at Atlantic Beach

Crystal Coast visitors who want an easy-going day on the seashore can head to one of the most convenient public beach accesses in the region, the Circle at Atlantic Beach. Known as the main “Town Beach” and located in the heart of the...

Grayden Paul Park

Beaufort explorers who want an easy launching point in the heart of town, or just a scenic spot to enjoy a quick picnic lunch and an incredible view, can head to the centrally located Grayden Paul Park. Tucked away along the waterfront on Front...

New Bern Firemans Museum

The New Bern Fire Department began as a fraternal organization and was originally called the "Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company," and was the first chartered fire department in the state of North Carolina. This original company became inactive...

Cape Lookout National Seashore

The Cape Lookout National Seashore is a 56-mile long stretch of the Southern Outer Banks barrier island terrain that runs from Ocracoke Inlet to the northeast side of Beaufort Inlet. Comprised of three separate islands – the North Core Banks...

New Bern Civic Theater

Visitors who want to take in a fantastically performed local show while admiring one of New Bern's many historical gems should make a date to attend a production staged by the New Bern Civic Theatre. With a role of a lifetime as one of Craven...

New Bern Convention Center

Large groups, including corporate organizations and conferences, will find plenty of room in the exceptionally accommodating and scenic New Bern-Craven County Convention Center and Visitors Bureau. The sprawling riverfront complex, located in the...

Union Point Park

Visitors to New Bern's historic downtown are advised to take a break from the shopping, antiquing and dining, and enjoy a comfortable seat and a great view at the scenic and newly revitalized, Union Point Park.

Newport River Pier and Ramp

The waterfront world of Beaufort, Morehead City, the Shackleford Banks, and everything in between is at a mariner’s fingertips when they launch from the Newport River Pier and Ramp. Located directly on the water in between Morehead City and...

Emerald Isle Woods Park

Emerald Isle vacationers don’t have to venture too far to discover an entirely different coastal environment via the community’s newest park, Emerald Isle Woods Park. Located just off of Coast Guard Road, and only a few blocks away from...

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is one of the most distinctive lighthouses along the Outer Banks coastline, due to its black and white diamond-patterned exterior, as well as its remote location along the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accessible only...

Cedar Island Ferry

Experienced Outer Banks travelers attest that a local ferry ride either to or from the barrier island shorelines is a huge part of the fun, and a relaxing 2.25 hour cruise across the Pamlico Sound is certainly a welcome diversion for many road-weary...

Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area

Take a walk on Pine Knoll Shores' wild side with a visit to the pristine, undeveloped Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area, an expansive 265 acre nature preserve, conveniently located next to the town's most visited attraction, the North Carolina...

Jarvis Mansion

The Jarvis Mansion is a small and hard-to-find bed and breakfast located along a quiet portion of New Bern's main Pollock Street, just a block or so away from the scenic waterfront. The historic two-story white home, built around the turn of the...

Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve

The Rachel Carson Coastal 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...

Hammocks Beach State Park

Just west of the town of Emerald Isle, and across a maze of marshy terrain off the coast of mainland Swansboro, lies Hammocks Beach State Park, an incredible refuge for beach lovers who want to forego the crowds, and enjoy a parcel of barrier island...

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort

Dive into a wealth of coastal artifacts, folklore, and legendary figures with a visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Operating as one of three maritime museums along coastal NC, this distinctive site is known for its unique...

Lawson Creek Park

Lawson Creek Park is an active destination that's suitable for nature lovers and outdoors fans of all genres. Encompassing a massive 140 acre site surrounded by the waters of Lawson Creek and Trent River, this park is a perfectly scenic locale that...

Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park, located outside the eastern borders of Atlantic Beach, is one of the most visited and highly acclaimed destinations along the Crystal Coast, and for good reason. The expansive 389 acre park, which features gorgeous inlet...

Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier

The Bogue Island Fishing Pier is a legendary landmark for long time Emerald Isle vacationers. Built in the late 1950s, and operated by the same family for well over 40 years, the fishing pier is a paradise for anglers who want to take advantage of...

Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail

An easy walk that is shaded year-round, and can be easily tackled by hikers of all abilities and in virtually any season, the Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail is a great way for newcomers to uncover the more secluded natural landscapes of this otherwise...

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is a top rated attraction for Crystal Coast visitors of all ages. A fascinating destination for kids and adults alike, the sprawling coastal facility, located along the Bogue Sound on Roosevelt Drive, is an...

Neuse River Recreation Area

The Neuse River Recreation Area is an inviting rustic vacation destination for seasoned campers and newcomers alike, with an equally alluring location that's just steps away from the miles-wide Neuse River, and just a few miles away from New Bern...

Beaufort Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum

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...

Port City Tour Company

Port City Tour Co. is your destination for entertainment, education, talented acting, and history! We can also deliver a catered experience for your special events.   From cool off-shore shelling and wild horse adventures to close-to-home...

AB Watersport Adventures

There are literally endless ways to enjoy the water along the Crystal Coast, and AB Watersport Adventures has you covered. Evplore the beautiful waters of the intercoatal waterways on one of our Jet Skis. For a more educational adventure we offer a...

Island Water Sports

Island Water Sports is kid tested and family approved! Since 1988 Island Water Sports has been providing vacationers with premium watersports activities on the Crystal Coast in Emerald Isle, NC. We offer everything you’ll need to...

Capt. Stacy Fishing Center

The Capt. Stacy Fishing Center provides a fun fishing experience from the moment passengers step off the docks and onto the 83’ ft. long head boat, the “Capt. Stacy IV.” Equipped with some of the most modern electronics available...

77 West Bar

Live entertainment venue bringing a variety of bands, comedians, and acts to the Crystal Coast!

Island Ferry Adventures

Bird Shoal, Carrot Island, Sand Dollar Island & more! Dive into an exploration of some of the Southern Outer Banks’ most remote shorelines with an excursion that’s led by Island Ferry Adventures. Featuring both transport to the...

Bar 1957

Speakeasy themed craft cocktail & Bourbon bar located in Emerald Isle, NC.

Tryon Palace

The impressively grand Tryon Palace is easily one of New Bern's most famous local attractions. With a central location on the outer edges of downtown, and bordering acres of riverfront, this historical recreation of a late 1700s governor's palace...

Game on Escape Rooms

Game on Escape Rooms offers physical adventure games in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. These experiences are great for ages 10 and up. Two different escape...

34 Degrees North

Beer, Cocktails, Family. Providing an inviting environment for friends and family to get together and build memories. Our mission at 34° North of Cedar Point is to provide you with the best bar experience Coastal Carolina has to offer. We have a...

From visitors who want to launch on a deep sea or Bogue Sound fishing adventure, to mariners who want to enjoy an on-shore break exploring the sites and attractions of the Crystal Coast, the Anchorage Marina has a lot to offer. Located close to the...

Morehead City visitors can enjoy a decadently elite and intimate bar atmosphere without ever venturing outside the downtown area with a visit to the Arendell Room. This posh little bar that’s found just off of Arendell and South 8thStreets is...

Located in a charming but unimposing brick building in the heart of downtown Morehead City, the Arts Council of Carteret County is the region’s premier resource for discovering a wealth of local talents that call the Crystal Coast home.  

Explore some of the remarkable sites that the Graveyard of the Atlantic is known for through this local diving company that allows Morehead City and Crystal Coast scuba divers access to one of the most infamous shipwreck-havens in the world. Easy to...

Trust the expertise of one of the oldest surf shops on the Crystal Coast, and head to Atlantic Beach Surf Shop for all your required beach gear. From surfboard and stand-up paddle board rentals to literally cool attire for warm summer days, this...

Both divers and anglers can get onboard for a wild adventure on the water through Atlantis Charters – a local Atlantic Beach charter company that’s distinctive for its pink fishing vessel, the “Atlantis IV.” On this...

The Attmore-Oliver House is a unique destination on a historic Downtown New Bern walking tour, and is a stately 1790 home that has been transformed into a small museum, as well as the home base of the New Bern Historical Society administrative...

History and good times combine at the Backstreet Pub – a cool and almost hidden little pub in the heart of Downtown Beaufort that’s tucked away behind the equally iconic Clawson’s Restaurant. Well-named for its subtle location on...

A tempting spot for both art lovers and history buffs, the Bank of the Arts is an eye-catching site in downtown New Bern that’s as renowned for its impressive façade as it is for its wealth of ever-changing attractions and activities.

Come check out Battle Works for a fun and entertaining experiences including axe throwing, laser tag, and nerf wars!

From beach umbrellas to beach-worthy bicycles, visitors can load up on everything they need with a quick visit to Beach Wheels Bike Rentals. Boasting a catchy motto of “Different Spokes for Different Folks,” and voted “Favorite...

Cruise through the Crystal Coast shoreline in style with a stop at Beachside Bikes. Offering a wealth of scooters and bike rides for the beach, this all-encompassing bike shop is the perfect destination to pick up a rental, (or a nice bike to take...

Bear Towne Escape Room offers three fun, themed escape room experiences in New Bern. Bear Towne's escape rooms are perfect for family, friends, corporate team building and date nights. The more your team communicates and works together, the closer...

From our Championship Golf Course and Clubhouse to The Pavilion with a resort-style pool, playground, volleyball court and gathering spaces, Beaufort Club offers resort living at its best. Couple that with nearby boutique shops and restaurants on...

Beaufort has distinctly regal roots, so it should come as no surprise that one of its most popular local tours is the English-style Double-Decker Bus Tour. Operated in conjunction with the Beaufort Historic Site, these tours take visitors back in...

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...

Regardless of whether visitors are exploring the Beaufort Old Burying Ground via one of the area’s in-depth and fascinating tours, or simply passing by on a self-guided expedition of the historic Downtown area, the site is certainly worth a...

Beaufort is a community that’s best explored from the water, and paddlers of all skill levels can find an adventure or two in store through Beaufort Paddle. Located in between the towns of Beaufort and Morehead City, and conveniently found...

Beaufort Parasail offers parasailing adventures above the Crystal Coast. See the shoreline of Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island, aerial views of historic landmarks like Cape Lookout lighthouse and Fort Macon National Park, and observe marine life...

Take a walk on the wild side with a downtown adventure that’s commandeered by the fantastically fascinating Beaufort Pirate Walk. This tour company leads visitors through the streets of “American’s Best Small Town” on the...

Come join us for a "Stay-cation!" You just have to stay for a month, and we would be excited to have you.We are self-contained, isolated enough that you can feel just as safe and comfortable at your property as you can at home. We will be able to...

Swansboro's Bicentennial Park may not be the grandest of most extensive park along the Crystal Coast's Inner Banks, but it is certainly one of its most scenic. Surrounded by the deep waters of the White Oak River and Swansboro Harbor, patrons to...

Spring and summertime visitors can take in a ballgame without ever leaving the Crystal Coast with a visit to the Big Rock Stadium. Also known as O’Neal Field, this stadium is home to the Morehead City Marlins – a local minor league team...

Anglers can embark on a full-steam ahead adventure with a ride onboard the Bill Collector - an inshore and offshore charter boat service that launches from Morehead City. Commandeered by Capt. Stephen Draughon, a local with more than 25 years of...

Artists and art aficionados can happily combine and celebrate the local arts scene at Blu Sail Gallery, Artists' School & Pottery Studio. This all-encompassing stop for creative minds offers a wealth of classes, framing services, camps, and even...

Visitors can enjoy a decadent taste of the North Carolina golfing scene without venturing too far from the Crystal Coast shoreline or the historic communities of Beaufort and Morehead City with a visit to the slightly inland Brandywine Bay Golf...

Anglers who want to explore all the waters of the Crystal Coast and beyond can book a fantastic inshore, nearshore, or even offshore charter trip with the experts at BreakDay Charters. Helmed by Captain Justin Ragsdale, and targeting the waters that...

Beer lovers will find they have a home away from home when they take a trip to Brütopia – a cool little shop and tavern that features a wealth of local, regional, and worldly brews on tap. With an assortment of brews that are always...

The waterfront Cahooque Creek Recreation Site, located at the very corner where the Hancock and Cahoogue rivers meet up with the expansive Neuse River, is a water and boat lover's dream destination. With easy access to all three of these rivers, in...

Though it’s located in a fairly busy section of Morehead City, the Calico Creek Boardwalk is a breath of fresh air for birdwatchers, nature fans, and everyday sightseers, thanks to its picturesque location on the edge of the slightly inland...

Visitors who want to experience the Outer Banks of centuries ago, or get an up-close view of the distinctive black and white diamond patterned Cape Lookout Lighthouse can simply hop aboard a ferry from Harkers Island to the Cape Fear National...

The isolated Cape Lookout National Seashore has a wealth of hidden treasures, from wild horses to incredible seashells, but one of the Core Banks’ most unique destinations is the Cape Lookout Village Historic District. Located just inland of...

Embark on a professional guided fishing expedition with Capt. Joe Schute’s Charters, and discover how local knowledge goes a long way in finding those big catches. Based out of Atlantic Beach, and conveniently found on the southern terminus of...

From incredible gallery shows that highlight the talents of a local artist or two, to fun classes that are appropriate for creative students of all ages and skill levels, there are lots of fun ways to explore the Crystal Coast art scene at the...

Crystal Coast vacationers can venture off the coast where the big catches are waiting with a fishing trip that’s commandeered by the Carolina Princess. Launching out of Downtown Morehead City, and easy to reach for veritably anyone staying in...

Captain Joe has been fishing the waters of coastal North Carolina his entire life, a Crystal Coast native with over 30 years experience he has traveled the Eastern seaboard as a professional waterman and USCG licensed master working in commercial...

The Carteret Community Theatre is a talented local theater troupe that performs top-notch dramas, comedies, and musicals for a longstanding crowd of adoring local and visiting fans. With productions staged at the centrally located Morehead Center...

Carteret County Speedway, opened in September 2015, is the vision of track owner Bobby Watson.  Watson was a renowned Go-Kart promoter and a racer before that. With a lot of help, which included consultation with “The Last American...