Beaufort, North Carolina is genuinely one of those idyllic coastal towns that will keep you coming back for more. I’ve been making small trips to Beaufort my entire life and it still charms me to this day. It’s laid back, beautiful and full of a little southern aesthetic that I think you will love. These things to do in Beaufort, NC are always favorites for my family.
Where to stay in Beaufort, NC
Our family usually prefers a rental home that allows us to hang together in the evenings and eat a few meals in. Beaufort has adorable lodgings that would make for a great base. Choose from a historic cottage right downtown or a short walk from the town center on this board. It’s also easy to travel into Beaufort from the surrounding beach towns of Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and sound side Morehead City. You’ll pay more to stay on the beach, but if you’re combining trips, it may be worth it to you.
Quick tip: Parking in downtown Beaufort in marked areas is PAID and is highly patrolled. Don’t forget to scan the QR code on posted signs to pay. If you’re ok with walking just a bit more, park off of Front Street in the residential areas and walk into town.
If you’re kid free, check out some of the cute B&Bs and hotels in the town here. The Pecan Tree Inn gets my vote for classic Beaufort adorable-ness.
**This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This allows us to keep providing free travel resources.**
Things to do in Beaufort, NC
Stroll the water front promenade
Beaufort is a classic North Carolina river town facing Taylor Creek and is protected from the open ocean by barrier islands sitting just off shore. This makes for some seriously beautiful scenery. Walking the water front slowly, observing the many sailboats, spotting ponies across the creek, watching the sun set – all completely worthy of a solid hour in Beaufort. I highly recommend finding a place to post up and just relax with the sounds of boat riggings and sea gulls surrounding you. Complete magic.
Shop on Front Street
Numerous boutiques, ranging from surf shops to higher end stores, line Front Street, just behind the waterfront. Our favorite stop is Island Traders, where we’ve found everything from a favorite pair of jeans, to t-shirts to water bottle stickers. Stores can be quite busy on rainy summer days, but otherwise, it’s a pretty laid back place with friendly staff.
North Carolina Maritime Museum
A laid back, cozy little museum right off Front Street in downtown Beaufort, this free museum is a great rainy day activity. Elementary age kids will enjoy the museum scavenger hunt and learning a bit about Blackbeard, a legendary figure in Beaufort history whose impact can be seen all over the town.
Old Burying Grounds
The Old Burying Ground on Ann Street has a self-guided tour of revolutionary and civil war era graves with incredible stories behind them (my kids love this tour and the stories that accompany finding each grave). You’ll really feel the age of the city here, so make sure you swing through.
Rent kayaks
Now we get to the great stuff. The beauty of Beaufort is the chance to get out on the water and explore the heart and soul of the NC coastline. Kayaks are a great way to make your way around the channels and islands at your own intentional pace. You can easily kayak to several places worthy of a visit further down this list. Head to Rachel Carson or Radio Island for a quicker trip, or plan a longer day out to the west end of Shackleford Banks. Beaufort Paddle is the perfect place to rent kayaks or paddle boards for taking to the water.
Rachel Carson Preserve
Sitting across Taylor Creek from Beaufort are a complex of several islands that comprise Rachel Carson Preserve. Only accessible by boat, these islands provide a real escape into the barrier islands and shoals characteristic of NC. Travel by kayak or take a short 10 minute ferry ride with Sand Dollar Island and set off on foot to explore.
Radio Island
A short drive from the town center, Radio Island is a fun place to swim and hang out on a nice day. Fish, swim in the channel, sit on the beach. Our favorite part is that the swimming is generally calm and easy, although can get deep into the middle of the channel. If your kids are swimmers, they’ll have a great time. Non-swimmers will still enjoy splashing around the edge and playing on the beach.
Shackleford Banks
See the famous wild horses and try your hand at shelling for whole conchs, sand dollars or other special shells. Shackleford Banks is truly one of my very favorite places in the entire state. Accessible only by boat, you can choose to kayak to the western tip of the island or use the Island Express Ferry to reach further points. The ferry leaves directly from Beaufort’s waterfront, making it super convenient. The crossing takes 20ish minutes and allows beach chairs, coolers, bags, etc
On Shackleford Banks you’ll find some sweeping views of the Atlantic in full force. Be really careful about where you (and especially your kids) swim. There are VERY strong currents going around this island, so set up on the sound-facing side of the island. Here you’ll find super shallow beaches with calm waters, which is a dream with kids and super relaxing for adults. Be sure to carry plenty of water and food with you, as there are no facilities on the island.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
A gem of the entire eastern coast, Cape Lookout National Seashore consists of a string of barrier islands known as Core Banks, making up the southern section of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. In some ways otherworldly, a trip out to the National Seashore is a memorable experience. Similarly to Shackleford, Cape Lookout is accessible via Island Express Ferry from Beaufort’s waterfront. You’ll find another car-free, ocean-swept island with sound side swimming, but bonus points for the famed diamond-patterned lighthouse that sits all alone on this island in the middle of the water. It’s possible to combine your trips to Shackleford and Cape Lookout with the right ticket, or also fun to make a day of each island.
Fort Macon State Park
A mix of history and incredible beach views, Fort Macon is worth your visit. Stroll through the fort, a relic of Civil War history (entrance is free). Take a walk or bike ride through marshland, coastal forest and rugged dunes on the Elliott Coues Nature Trail. In the summer, the walk through the dunes can be warm and toasty, so be sure to carry water along, or take the trail in the early morning.
Because it is undeveloped park land, the beaches within the park are famous for fishing and relaxing oceanside. Picnic shelters are available close to the first beach access within the park.
Quick-tip: Swimming is strictly forbidden in certain sections of the park due to strong currents near the inlet. Please be careful!
Looking for more information on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast?
Things to do near Atlantic Beach, NC
