10 Sights & Landmarks in North Carolina Coast That You Shouldn't Miss

April 26, 2022 Jeremy Dunfee

North Carolina'’s coast and 300 miles of barrier island beaches are filled with lovely state parks, top restaurants and world-class golf courses. Cape Fear’'s beaches attract surfers. Wilmington’'s downtown contains fine antebellum homes and exciting shopping and dining. The wind-swept Outer Banks offer historic lighthouses, mysterious Roanoke Island and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers hiking, biking and fishing. Ferry trips link islands with the mainland.
Restaurants in North Carolina Coast

1. Veterans Memorial Jacksonville NC

Jacksonville, NC +1 910-451-5746 http://jacksonvillenc.gov/index.aspx
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 143 reviews

Veterans Memorial Jacksonville NC

Reviewed By nickhmarian - Miami Shores, United States

My second trip here to this specific memorial to pay my respects to those Marines and Sailors..... Located in beautiful and easily accessible hideaway site under piney trees. You can be alone when you want to be or not. At this time of year it is perfect. Looking forward to future expansion...

2. Kindred Spirit Mailbox

Bird Island, Sunset Beach, NC https://www.facebook.com/Kindred-Spirit-Mailbox-212406445444280/
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 123 reviews

Kindred Spirit Mailbox

Reviewed By mez824 - New Rochelle, United States

Left my most heartfelt note with one of the Kindred Spirit notebooks. A beautiful walk of about 2 miles from Sunset Beach pier.

3. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, Hatteras Island, NC 27920 +1 252-995-4474 http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/chls.htm
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,566 reviews

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The nation's tallest lighthouse was moved to a different location to preserve it.

Reviewed By GypsyJules1111 - Albany, United States

Was a great experience! Tour groups were formed quickly.. beautiful grounds around the lighthouse to explore, informative tour guide & well worth the climb to the top! Amazing views from the top deck! Just an awesome experience!

4. Wright Brothers National Memorial

Mile post 7.5 on U.S. Highway 158, Kill Devil Hills, NC +1 252-441-7430 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,204 reviews

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Park where visitors can see a replica of the Wright Brothers' plane and receive an entertaining history of flight.

Reviewed By PHLee7ca - Ellicott City, United States

We visited this attraction on a sunny Saturday in October. The cost was $10/adult and lots of free parking. We first walked around the grounds and saw the old "runway", sheds, and climbed up Kill Devil Hill to see the monument and view of the town. Then we joined the narrated tour by one of the Park Rangers, she was very informative and animated! We then spent the rest of our time touring inside the info. center and got our "passports" stamped in the Gift Store! From the top of the hill, we noticed a full scale scene of the first flight and stopped by on our drive out....very nice, all the "characters" immortalized in bronze along with the plane. A very nice "park", museum and history lesson.

5. Historic District

Wilmington, NC 28412 +1 910-409-4300 http://www.horsedrawntours.com/index.html
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,037 reviews

Historic District

One of the largest districts listed with the National Register of Historical Places.

Reviewed By WineloverVirginia

We live local and continue to marvel at the beautiful houses in the Historic District. As it often happens, we take the area for granted, and should probably do a walking tour instead of the drive-by. I've been told that Wilmington was one of few cities that didn't burn during the Civil War, and it shows. The homes are beautiful and the owners do a great job of keeping them up. The area has been gentrifying for several years and will continue to do so as Wilmington becomes more popular as a place to live, work, and retire. To be fair, a few blocks away from the Historic District that has not been renovated has some sketchy neighborhoods, so just beware.

6. Battleship North Carolina

1 Battleship Rd, Wilmington, NC 28401-2577 +1 910-399-9100 [email protected] http://www.battleshipnc.com
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,471 reviews

Battleship North Carolina

As you walk the decks of the NORTH CAROLINA, imagine yourself in the South Pacific during WWII searching the sky for enemy aircraft, anticipating what may happen next. Step aboard the most decorated US Battleship of WWII! Explore nine decks, crew's quarters, gun turrets, and much more. Discover where history comes alive. Located at the junctions of highways 17, 76, 74, 421 on the Cape Fear River across from historic downtown Wilmington. Open every day!

Reviewed By nowpacking - Dallas, United States

Very impressive! The kids loved it and were captivated by all the levels, rooms and the chance to see what life was really like at sea! Lots of exploring up and down the steep stairs - the ship is huge and the history is so interesting. We really enjoyed our visit and they are still talking about it.

7. Whalehead in Historic Corolla

1100 Club Way, Corolla, NC 27927 +1 252-453-9040 [email protected] http://www.visitwhalehead.com/
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 654 reviews

Whalehead in Historic Corolla

Take a step back in time when you visit Whalehead in Historic Corolla! Originally built in the 1920s, this magnificent residence has been restored to its original grandeur and is open for tours year round. Located inside Historic Corolla Park, the museum is situated on 39 acres of pristine waterfront property, and is located in the heart of Historic Corolla. Open year-round for a variety of tours - choose from various House Programs, Children's Activities and Park Programs that are perfect for all ages! Check our online calendar for exciting events hosted in the beautiful Historic Corolla Park.

Reviewed By tee168 - Appleton, United States

This is worth the stop. It's an amazing house with a very interesting history that's really well re-done. It's self guided where you listen to an "I pod" recording that tells you about each room. Very informative. Took about an hour. Would highly recommend if you love old restored homes and learning about the local history.

8. North Carolina History Center - Tryon Palace

529 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28562-5601 +1 800-767-1560 [email protected] http://www.tryonpalace.org/north-carolina-history-center
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 901 reviews

North Carolina History Center - Tryon Palace

Colonial Governors ruled, legislators debated, patriots gathered and George Washington danced. At Tryon Palace, where British rule once flourished, American independence took root and the state of North Carolina was born. Here you can still experience the adventure of North Carolina’s earliest beginnings and a living history like no other. Guided tours, live re-enactments and conversations with costumed interpreters from centuries past bring history to life in vivid detail at the Governor’s Palace, Gardens and Historic Homes. And, at the new high-tech North Carolina History Center, interactive games and hands-on exhibits delight visitors young and old. Whether you’re exploring one of our riverside gardens or sharpening your skills as a quilter, printer, ship’s captain or blacksmith, there are endless opportunities for making cherished family memories at Tryon Palace.

Reviewed By gwkelley - Raleigh, United States

We bought the ticket that included tours, garden and multiple locations. Beautiful grounds, passionate employees who honor the property and enjoy sharing their knowledge to the visitors. I would recommend planning 3 hours to tour, walk, and discover New Bern’s history.

9. Currituck Beach Lighthouse

1101 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927 +1 252-453-4939 [email protected] http://www.obcinc.org
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,160 reviews

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Open for the 2021 season, daily, 9a-5pm, weather permitting. Climb the 220 steps to the top for a breathtaking view while learning from docents, brochures, and exhibits about shipwrecks, the lives of lighthouse keepers, the history of the tower (it filled the last remaining dark space on the east coast in 1875) and the original 1st order Fresnel lens. The beacon continues to be an active aid to navigation (3 seconds on, 17 off). The station is preservation effort of the Outer Banks Conservationists along with the State of NC and the USCG through the NHLHP Act of 2000. $10/person (card or cash); Children ages 0-3 may ascend (free) but only in a carrier with adult 18 or over. All other climbers $10.* Children 13+ may climb alone with parent signature.

Reviewed By rbrich - Cherryville, United States

This is a beautiful lighthouse that from the top you can see the ocean and the sound, it shows just how narrow the strip of land that makes up the outer banks is. This is the second time we have visited this lighthouse and it was just as fun this year as it was 12 years ago.

10. British Cemetery

British Cemetery Road, Ocracoke, NC http://www.ocracoke-nc.com/cemetery/
Excellent
50%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 385 reviews

British Cemetery

The remains of four British soldiers whose ship was sunk off the coast during World War II are buried here.

Reviewed By snoopydoo - Florida, United States

This cemetery is truly historic and a beautiful tribute. You'll only need to pul over for a few minutes to take it in. The stones/memorials explain who they are and why they are there. It's a quick sight, but worth your time to pay respects to these soldiers. Very glad we stopped.

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