You’re not a true NC’er until you’re sporting a “Sanitary” tee from Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant in Morehead City (indulge in its famed “deluxe shore dinner” while you’re at it). Or, if it’s your thing, fish the Big Rock (which is no rock at all)—a 35-mile hard-bottom stretch of agua southeast of Morehead in a “sweet spot of the Gulf Stream and the continental shelf” so famed for fishing that it hosts the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament (one of the oldest, largest sporting fishing events in the country). Then there’s the rite of passage that is snacking on 70+ flavors of saltwater taffy from The Sweet Spotin Emerald Isle. And basking in the beauty ofBeaufort (NC = BOW-firt; SC = BEW-furd), from strolling its charming downtown to a sunset cruise to casting a line in the famed fishing town. Not to be left out, probably the most visited of all: Atlantic Beach, dubbed by Coastal Living Magazine as one of the “Best Beaches”—nuff said. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to the Crystal Coast—aka the “Southern Outer Banks”—without a beach day, which is best spent lazing in the sun on its 85 miles of NC shoreline. Life’s a beach!
Carolina Beach
Welcome to Pleasure Island—literally. Situated at the southern end (with Kure Beach), this casz coastal town is known for its salt air, seafood, dives and doughnuts. Hit up SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar (aka hidden paradise) for fab food and open-air live tunes—then nurse your hangover at cult-status Britts Donut Shop (dubbed best doughnuts in NC by myriad renowned publications) before tying on a lil hair of the dog at beach shack-meets-dive bar The Fat Pelican’s sandy picnic area.
Rocky Mount Mills
Situated among the falls of the beautiful Tar River, Rocky Mount Mills is a destination unto itself. Not your “run-of-the-mill” mill, the development breathes new life into the historic cotton mill with River and Twine, a collection of 21 boutique tiny houses; hoppin’ breweries likeHopFly Brewing Co.andTBC West Tacos & Taproom; top-notch restaurants likeTap @ 1918andThe Prime Smokehouse—plus a roster of ongoing events, from live music to trivia. So, in essence, plenty to keep you millin’ around.
Kure Beach
Located just 30 minutes from Wrightsville—and just south of Carolina Beach—Wilmington Beaches’ quietest beach town is worth the extra drive time for the parking alone (you’ll find a lot more open spots here!). But also for its oceanfront park oasis; fam-friendly, no-alcohol-allowed Kure Beach Pier(the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast); fresh local seafood restaurants; and its proximity to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
New Bern
This riverfront city near the coast (and, fun fact, NC’s first capital!) is a charming picturesque small town where “everything comes together”—i.e. over 300 years of history, waterfront eats and drinks at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant, and lazy days by kayak via Stillwater Kayaks.
Wrightsville Beach
The shortest drive to the coast from the City of Oaks, Wrightsville is a local fave—from fam-friendly Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pierto beachside bites at Bluewater Waterfront Grill, or go-to beachfront boutique resort Blockade Runner and its EAST Oceanfront Dining resto (NTM poolside bevs, surf lessons and more). But you haven’t really done Wrightsville “wright” until you’ve been tipsy in casual watering hole Jimmy’s, wrecked at Red Dogs, or drunk in dive bar-meets-beach bar Lagerheads Tavern. And add King Neptunes (aka a WB staple and the oldest resto in New Hanover County) back to your beach bucket list when it reopens later this summer.
Kinston
Sip + Stay
Peace, love and beer is Mother Earth Brewing’s MO, and you’ll find all that and more—including a literal devotion to the Earth!—at its 100% solar-powered Gold LEED-certified taproom (NTM all the old brick, wood, metal and steel were reused from the original structure) and beer garden—and at the Mother Earth Motor Lodge, a kitschy motor lodge reminiscent of the ’60s. So groovy!
Get Pumped
Drink up at Social House’s speakeasy-style cocktail bar, The Pumphouse 1906, where edgy housemade cocktails showcase small-batch collections of craft spirits, infusions, syrups and bitters. And while you’re at it, take a tour of the Social House distillery too.
This treasure trove of sun, sand and seafood makes for an altogether blissful beach vacay. Get your seafood fix at the unassuming—yet legendary—Capt. Nance’s Seafood Restaurant, which boasts some of the best Calabash-style eats in the “Seafood Capital of the World.” Thirsty? Hit up Lonerider’s newest waterfront outpost on Oak Island for beer, spirits and snacks. And for those with a sweet tooth, you’re not gonna wanna pass up a homemade ice cream cone from Calabash Creamery. Cowabunga!
Life is better on a sandbar… and if 100+ miles of wide-open shoreline is wrong, we don’t wanna be right.
Kites
More than just lighthouses, history and home to the first flight, this mix of charming seaside villages and towns that is OBX is also a great place to get high—with kites that is. Its famed Jockey’s Ridge State Park is the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic Coast—perf for kite-flying, sunsets and ocean vistas. (Huge kite fans, be sure to “fly” in for the Outer Banks Kite Festival in September).
Surfing
Aloha, OBX? Move over, Hawaii and Cali, on the East Coast, surf’s up on the Outer Banks’ big waves—renowned as the best surfing destination from Florida to New York—where surfers from all over the country flock to hang ten for the annual ESA Easterns Surfing Championships.
Sand
If “feet in the sand” is your vibe, the OBX is your oasis. Because these barrier islands (which separate the Atlantic Ocean from the NC mainland) are a chain of ever-shifting sandbars—and OBX has a lot of sand. Translation—wide beaches. Perf for long walks—or four-wheeling in Corolla where the road “ends,” either in your own vehicle, ATVs or via private tour. Added bonus: the wild horses. Oh, hayyy!
Sunsets
Duck never disappoints—case in point the pink haze and perfect “daze” on the Sunset Grille & Raw Bar patio. Go for the Caribbean-style seafood and waterfront setting. Stay for the Picasso-esque painted sky. (And, if you’re forever chasing sunsets, in Nags Head, head to Miller’s Waterfrontfor quite the golden happy hour.)
Seafood
When it comes to seafood, OBX is “shrimply” the best. But one can’t-miss craving is, well, Cravings in the heart of Duck—Guy Fieri agrees, hence its spotlight on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. Besides the famed fresh-caught indoor/outdoor breakfast, lunch and dinner, the steamer pots to-go are also hot. If you’re feelin’ a lil white tablecloth, the award-winning Four Diamond fine dining Kimball’s Kitchen—housed in the famed Sanderling Resort—serves up stunning Currituck Sound and sunset views to match its Wine Spectator Award-winning vinos, handcrafted sips and fresh-caught local seafood.
Scenic Byway
Two ferries, 21 coastal villages and miles of stunning scenery in all directions? Yes, please. Dubbed one of the “most beautiful stretches of pavement—and water—in NC,” this Outer Banks Scenic Byway is made for the quintessential road trip—from lazy day adventures and weekend escapades alike.
WEB EXCLUSIVE You’re going to get hooked on husband-and-wife team Dean Neff and Lydia Clopton’s long-awaited historic downtown Wilmington seafood restaurant and oyster bar, Seabird, which champions North Carolina’s sustainable fishing, aquaculture and farming practices.
“We’re uniquely fortunate to have so many small-scale seafood sources for exceptional fish and shellfish delivered straight from the boat to our door,” says Neff. “There really is no better place to enjoy North Carolina seafood than here in its home on the coast.”
Stop in in the morning before a day at the Wilmington Beaches (see our travel guide here!) for grab-and-go pastries and biscuits baked fresh by Clopton, former owner of the beloved Lydia Bakery & Café, which are best served with a cup of Counter Culture Coffee.
The evening menu features raw and baked oysters; small plates, including ghost pepper sorghum pork ribs, peel-and-eat NC shrimp, slow-smoked yellowfin tuna, and more; entries (think steak and seafood, natch); and a Seabird Seafood Tower, featuring an ocean’s worth of various seafood and sauces. Talk about feeling salty.
Seabird’s aquatic-inspired interior—which, along with the exterior, underwent a yearlong restoration and redesign—provides the perfect atmosphere for relishing in all that North Carolina’s coast has to offer, and feels like you never even left the beach at all. seabirdnc.com
Seas the day at Wilmington Beaches—Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville.
One of the best things about Raleigh is its proximity to the beach—just zip down I-40, and in a few short hours, you’ll be sitting with your toes in the sand, the sound of waves lapping in your ears and not a single worry in mind. Ahh… we can picture it now.
The Wilmington Beaches—Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach—are the shortest drive from the City of Oaks, and offer the perfect summer daytrip or weekend getaway when you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
It’s all about the good times and tan lines at the Wilmington Beaches, and there’s shorely plenty of that to be had.
Besides the beach—obviously—these coastal NC hot spots boast fun activities for the whole family. Take a surf lesson or stand-up paddleboard on the Intracoastal Waterway; visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher; nosh on fresh seafood with the ocean as your backdrop; or sip a local brew in the sunshine. There’s so much to do and so much to “sea,” you’ll need more than a couple of days to do it all. So book a week—and consider your plans covered.
DO
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Hop from the beach to the salt marsh trails along the 6 miles of wildlife at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The protected shoreline is home to shells, starfish, sea urchins, loggerhead sea turtles and other species. Bonus: Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed seasonally with permits. ncparks.gov
35th Annual Carolina Beach Music Festival
Dance barefoot in the sand to live music from local bands, including Jim Quick & Coastline, Band of Oz and Blackwater Band, at the biggest beach music festival actually held on the beach. Coolers, beverages and food are allowed, so you can fuel the fun all day long. Aug. 14, wilmingtonandbeaches.com
Blockade Runner Surf to Sound Adventures
Outdoor lovers, this one’s for you. Spend the whole day out on the water with a plethora of water activities, including a sunset harbor cruise, Masonboro Island hopper cruise, seaside yoga and kayak rentals, in which you’ll paddle your way through the salt marshes, tidal creeks and protected waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. blockade-runner.com
EAT
Britts Donut Shop
You can’t go to Carolina Beach without standing in line on the Boardwalk for these famous homemade glazed doughnuts. Having amassed a cult following, Britts frequents top 10 “best doughnut shops in the country” lists (also crowned best doughnuts in NC, natch). So, a true hole in one. brittsdonutshop.com
Ceviche’s
This colorful beach shack just over the bridge from Wrightsville Beach serves up a delicious Panamanian menu inspired by owner Hunter Tiblier’s upbringing in Panama. Nourish your body with tapas, empanadas, seafood dishes and, of course, ceviches, all made with only the freshest of ingredients. wbceviche.com
Ida Thai Cuisine
This hidden gem at Carolina Beach serves up some of the best Thai food in the area—think chicken satay, spicy basil noodles, som tom (papaya salad) and a multitude of curries. The crowd-favorite coconut cake is heavenly—and a must-have dessert after any meal.idathairestaurant.com
DRINK
SUNdays
No Sunday scaries here. By day, this South End WB cafe serves coffee, lattes, milkshakes, smoothies and acai bowls in rotating flavors. By night, come out for wine and local beer, plus grub from area food trucks. facebook.com/sundayswb
Waterman’s Brewing Company
Well-known NC brewmaster Bob High concocts a variety of easy-sipping beers that go down effortlessly after a day on the water. Choose from the Sea Love Sour made with locally harvested sea salt; Stoker’s Select, a passion fruit summer blonde ale; and more. Plus, enjoy daily specials like 75 cent wings on Wednesdays and half-price wine bottles on Thursdays.watermansbrewing.com
The Fat Pelican
Beach shack meets dive bar at Carolina Beach’s The Fat Pelican, a legendary locale where locals and visitors alike gather for beer, wine and live music out on the sandy picnic area. Grab a few beers for the beach from the walk-in cooler (350-plus on offer!). “I’ve got my toes in the water… cold beer in my hand.” thefatpelican.com
STAY
Blockade Runner Beach Resort
Eat, stay and play at this good vibes-only beachfront boutique resort in Wrightsville—the place to stay when visiting the coast. Enjoy Sunday jazz brunch at the go-to hotel’s uberpopular EAST Oceanfront Dining resto, poolside drinks, surf lessons and more all in a day’s work—er, vacay. blockade-runner.com
Carolina Beach Realty
Since 1963, Carolina Beach Realty has been pairing tourists with their dream vacation homes in Carolina and Kure Beach, whether that means a small oceanfront condo for a couples’ getaway or a large beachfront home for the whole fam. carolinabeachrealty.net
The Lighthouse Inn
The newly renovated The Lighthouse Kure Beach is “a little place for big moments”… what with its nine luxury apartment suites just steps away from the beach. The rooms are the perfect homebase for your next seaside vacay—each with a private balcony with ocean views, functional kitchenettes, and modern decor and amenities. kurelighthouseinn.com
WEB EXCLUSIVE Many of North Carolina’s exceptional beaches have opened just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Be aware, there are still rules to be followed and precautions to take before you head out. Here, we break down what you need to do know before you hit the coast.
Beaches on the Outer Banks reopened to the public on May 16. Social distancing practices are still encouraged. More non-essential businesses are also reopening in the area and restaurants are continuing takeout and delivery.
North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach reopened parking lots and beach access on Friday, May 8 and allowed short term rentals again. Masks are still required inside of Surf City businesses and social distancing will continue to be be enforced.
Wrightsville Beach relaxed restrictions to allow sunbathing, fishing and games beginning Wednesday, May 20. They’ve also reopened six public parking lots, totaling 329 available parking spaces. All on-street parking will remain closed; only those with parking hang tags and tax decals will be permitted to park on the street.
On May 9, Emerald Isle reopened public parking and water access for swimming, surfing, kiting, kayaking, fishing or boating. Visitors can also walk, jog and sit on the beach while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier also fully reopened on May 15.
Atlantic Beach began allowing recreational beach access on May 8 and reopened about 150 parking spaces. Mayor Trace Cooper says he only allowed a select number of parking spaces to reopen in the hopes that tourists don’t flood to the city. “Our goal….is to primarily allow some locals to get out on the beach and get some fresh air,” Cooper said.
On April 30, Ocean Isle opened beaches for both exercise and relaxation. Public parking is also open and short-term rental restrictions have been lifted.
