Crystal Coast Guidebook

Activities and Sightseeing

Renowned for its untamed beauty, the Crystal Coast is set in the center of North Carolina’s coastline. Hop a ferry to explore undeveloped beaches and the wild horses, sea turtles and dolphins that live there, or go below the surface in one of the top diving destinations in North America.

Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park has multiple personalities as the site of a perfectly restored Civil War-era fort, a museum-quality coastal education center and an unspoiled shoreline for swimming, surf fishing and beachcombing. Nearly surrounded by water at the eastern tip of Bogue Banks, the park offers undisturbed natural beauty and opportunities to explore and learn about salt marshes, estuaries and dune fields. The fort — once a project of Robert E. Lee as a young army engineer—has a history as intricate and unique as the ecosystem. Cannon and musket demonstrations and guided tours are regular features, complementing extensive exhibits indoors and out. A bathhouse and wheelchair-accessible beachside areas complete the recreational fare.

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Fort Macon State Park

2303 E Fort Macon Rd

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Fort Macon State Park has multiple personalities as the site of a perfectly restored Civil War-era fort, a museum-quality coastal education center and an unspoiled shoreline for swimming, surf fishing and beachcombing. Nearly surrounded by water at the eastern tip of Bogue Banks, the park offers undisturbed natural beauty and opportunities to explore and learn about salt marshes, estuaries and dune fields. The fort — once a project of Robert E. Lee as a young army engineer—has a history as intricate and unique as the ecosystem. Cannon and musket demonstrations and guided tours are regular features, complementing extensive exhibits indoors and out. A bathhouse and wheelchair-accessible beachside areas complete the recreational fare.

Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark

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Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark

2303 Picnic Park Dr

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Beaufort

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.

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Beaufort

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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.

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Located 5 miles west of Atlantic Beach, this aquarium is a great place to spend a rainy day or to take a break from the hot sun. The Aquarium's expansive galleries can accommodate large crowds. But, if you like things a little quieter, consider the first two hours in the morning and the last two hours in the afternoon, which are not as busy as mid-day. Summer is the busiest time of year. Fall, winter and spring are great times to visit.

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North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

1 Roosevelt Blvd

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Located 5 miles west of Atlantic Beach, this aquarium is a great place to spend a rainy day or to take a break from the hot sun. The Aquarium's expansive galleries can accommodate large crowds. But, if you like things a little quieter, consider the first two hours in the morning and the last two hours in the afternoon, which are not as busy as mid-day. Summer is the busiest time of year. Fall, winter and spring are great times to visit.

Morehead City

Morehead City and the surrounding area is an excellent venue for fishermen of all varieties. There are many opportunities for recreational fishing when in Morehead City because of its pristine estuaries and close proximity to the Continental Shelf and Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida and follows the coastline of the eastern United States to Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, bringing large sport fish species such as the Atlantic blue marlin and other billfish close to the North Carolina coastline. Established in 1957, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament draws large crowds of sporting enthusiasts of all types to Morehead City each year to witness some of the largest Atlantic blue marlin catches in North America.

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Morehead City

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Morehead City and the surrounding area is an excellent venue for fishermen of all varieties. There are many opportunities for recreational fishing when in Morehead City because of its pristine estuaries and close proximity to the Continental Shelf and Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida and follows the coastline of the eastern United States to Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, bringing large sport fish species such as the Atlantic blue marlin and other billfish close to the North Carolina coastline. Established in 1957, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament draws large crowds of sporting enthusiasts of all types to Morehead City each year to witness some of the largest Atlantic blue marlin catches in North America.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Cape Lookout National Seashore preserves a 56-mile (90-km) long section of the Southern Outer Banks, or Crystal Coast, of North Carolina, USA, running from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast to Beaufort Inlet on the southeast. Three undeveloped barrier islands make up the seashore - North and South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks. The seashore includes two historic villages on Core Banks, Shackleford's wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, which has a black-and-white diamond pattern. A visitors center for the seashore is located on Harkers Island.

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Cape Lookout Lighthouse

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Cape Lookout National Seashore preserves a 56-mile (90-km) long section of the Southern Outer Banks, or Crystal Coast, of North Carolina, USA, running from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast to Beaufort Inlet on the southeast. Three undeveloped barrier islands make up the seashore - North and South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks. The seashore includes two historic villages on Core Banks, Shackleford's wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, which has a black-and-white diamond pattern. A visitors center for the seashore is located on Harkers Island.

Shackleford Banks

Shackleford Banks, the southern-most barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore, is home to more than 100 wild horses. Venture out by boat or passenger ferry to enjoy the rare privilege of watching horses that live without the help of man. Appreciate the horses' tenacity and watch their social behaviors.

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Shackleford Banks

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Shackleford Banks, the southern-most barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore, is home to more than 100 wild horses. Venture out by boat or passenger ferry to enjoy the rare privilege of watching horses that live without the help of man. Appreciate the horses' tenacity and watch their social behaviors.

Atlantic Beach Town Park

Atlantic Beach has worked very hard to create a town park providing entertainment opportunities for locals and visitors. A great put-put park will entertain the entire family. There is a splash pad and playground for younger children, and a skateboard park for tweens and teens. Restrooms are available as well as drinks. Drinks and picnics can be enjoyed on tables under umbrellas.

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Atlantic Beach Town Park

915 W Fort Macon Rd

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Atlantic Beach has worked very hard to create a town park providing entertainment opportunities for locals and visitors. A great put-put park will entertain the entire family. There is a splash pad and playground for younger children, and a skateboard park for tweens and teens. Restrooms are available as well as drinks. Drinks and picnics can be enjoyed on tables under umbrellas.