Local Attractions

The eastern Crystal Coast offers lots to do that doesn't include laying on the gorgeous white sand of the uncrowded beaches or swimming in the clear, teal waters. The area is replete with restaurants as well as hiking trails, parks, playgrounds, tennis and pickle-ball courts, a skate park, a state aquarium, movie theaters, brew pubs, art galleries, and much more.

The NC Aquarium

The North Carolina Aquariums are recognized as some of the top aquariums in the country. The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores takes visitors from the mountain streams of western NC to the ocean just yards from its location. This is a great experience for kids and adults, with plenty to hold the interest of all ages of visitors.

Fort Macon

Fort Macon, at the far eastern end of Bogue Banks, is home to an interesting Civil War era fort, World War II defenses, and one of the few remaining maritime forests in the country. The site overlooks the Beaufort Inlet, one of North Carolina's points of access to the ocean for shipping.

Its a great place to hike, stroll, walk the beaches, watch boats,

and explore history.

photo: NC Travel and Tourism

Local Parks - East

Atlantic Beach Town Park offers a skate park, miniature golf, a splash pad, and a nice playground, all located just across the street from Food Lion, a coffee shop, restaurants, and ice cream.

In Morehead City, you will find tennis,pickle-ball, a great playground, and a huge splash pad at Shevans Park (14th and Evans), a kayak launch at 10th Street Park (10th and Shepherd), a playground at the Depot Park (11th and Evans), Jaycee Park -a waterfront grassy park and city dock (Shepherd and 9th), a dog park, walking trail, ball fields, and playground at Rotary Park (Mayberry Loop Rd), and a playground and ball fields at Swinson Park (Country Club Rd).

Local Parks - West

Other than the trail at the aquarium, there really are not parks west of Atlantic Beach until you get to Emerald Isle. What shows as parks on Maps are only beach access points.

In Emerald Isle, there is the public pier on Bogue Sound at Cedar St. Park. Blue Heron Park has a playground, basketball court, and tennis (behind Police Dept on Black Skimmer Rd). Emerald Isle Woods offers a hike and a disc golf course (off Coast Guard Rd). Senator Preston Memorial Park has a playground and boardwalk on the Sound (Canal Dr).

Hikes and Walks

Calico Creek - Morehead City (20th St)

Elliott Couse Trail - Fort Macon

Croatan Forest - Bogue (Hwy 24 just west of Croatan HS )

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail - NC Aquarium, PKS

Rotary Park - Morehead City (Mayberry Loop Road)

McLean-Spell Park - Emerald Isle (Leisure Lane)

Cape Lookout, Shackleford Banks,
and the Rachel Carson Reserve

For all three of these attractions,

you will need your own boat or kayak to get there,

or take the ferry from the Beaufort waterfront.

Rachel Carson Reserve

Named after the famous scientist and author of Silent Spring, the reserve is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve network. This is a great place to kayak, hike, and watch the wild ponies. The ponies are WILD. Do not approach them. Not only could you be injured, but it is illegal to try to touch or ride them. They will not bother you if you are keeping a respectful distance. Please give them the same courtesy.

Cape Lookout

Home of the lighthouse since 1859, Cape Lookout is part of the National Seashore system, protected from development so that visitors will always be able to enjoy the wild beaches. The light here is phenomenal. Because the cape is where the east coast changes angle severely, light is reflected from the ocean which lies both to the east and to the south, creating an amazing place to take photos. The beaches are wide, white, and never crowded. Swim in the Core Sound on the west side of the island or in the ocean on the east.

Shackleford Banks

Shack, as the locals call it, is home to wild ponies, beautiful beaches, and clear green water. Also part of the 56-mile long Cape Lookout National Seashore, Shack is a great place to swim on the Back Sound side (north) or in the ocean, but do not swim at the inlets at either end. The island is great for kayaking and hiking, and watching the ponies from a distance.