Top 10 Specialty Museums in North Carolina Coast, North Carolina Coast

February 25, 2022 Kelli Reichel

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. Liberty Hall

409 N Main St, Kenansville, NC 28349-8801 +1 910-296-2175 [email protected] http://www.libertyhallnc.org
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Liberty Hall

2. Hatteras Island Ocean Center

57204 North Carolina Highway 12, Hatteras, Hatteras Island, NC 27943 +1 252-564-9575 [email protected] http://www.hioceancenter.org
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 103 reviews

Hatteras Island Ocean Center

The Ocean Center provides a wide variety of recreational and educational activities for people of all ages. Please come view the exhibits, experience the wetlands and coastal forest, attend our programs and events, and use our ocean access.

Reviewed By ailatanie

We attended a 2 programs at the Ocean Center (turtle patrol and marsh madness) and both adults and children absolutely loved it. My kids are curious about the places we visit and they were craving an opportunity to learn about the wildlife we are surrounded by in Hatteras. I cannot think of a better way! Shirley showed them around the nature center (only one family is allowed in due to COVID), described the life cycle of turtles and the efforts to protect them, and showed the nest on the beach. It was fun interactive and all kids (ages 6, 9, 12) were very interested and asked a lot of questions. The next day they went crabbing, caught and learned about blue crabs. We even spotted a snapping turtle. I highly recommend it!

3. Sampson County History Museum

313 Lisbon St, Clinton, NC 28328-4118 +1 910-590-0007 http://www.sampsonhmc.com/index.html
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Sampson County History Museum

4. North Carolina Maritime Museum

315 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516-2124 +1 252-504-7740 http://www.ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 856 reviews

North Carolina Maritime Museum

Premier museum that has a large collection of boats, models, decoys and dioramas about life in coastal North Carolina.

Reviewed By 972doloresm - Pinehurst, United States

Very comprehensive museum with many of Blackbeard's artifacts on display.His ship the Queen Anne's Revenge sunk right off the shore of Beaufort NC. Many very nice exhibits encompassing the maritime history.

5. Wilmington Railroad Museum

505 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401-3347 +1 910-763-2634 [email protected] http://www.wilmingtonrailroadmuseum.org
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 294 reviews

Wilmington Railroad Museum

A wonderful railroad museum that will entertain and educate the whole family. The museum pays homage to the major impact of railroads in local and national history, featuring regional railroad artifacts dating from the 1840's through the today. In addition to the historical items, the museum has one of the finest interactive model railroad layouts in the region. Children and adults can also explore a full size steam locomotive, boxcar and caboose.

Reviewed By DrDestination

One of the best museums around. Be sure and take your time and explore the whole place. Great old railroad cars and you can even walk through a caboose!

6. Aurora Fossil Museum

400 Main Street, Aurora, NC 27806 +1 252-322-4238 [email protected] http://aurorafossilmuseum.org
Excellent
81%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

Aurora Fossil Museum

The Aurora Fossil Museum, founded in 1976, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) nonprofit science education resource center. Our mission is to educate the public about paleontology in an enjoyable manner while emphasizing the natural and cultural history of Eastern North Carolina.

Reviewed By Maridale2013 - Cape Vincent, United States

Sleepy little town but big fun at the fossil museum. Lots of great information and displays about fossils, I loved the informative tape regarding the operation of the phosphate plant that is near by. The big fun was in the digging of shark teeth in the outdoor pit just across the street kids loved it. The fossil gift shop had all kinds of choices and souvenirs for the kids of all ages at reasonable prices. This place is a hidden gem and worth the drive.

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. New Bern Fireman's Museum

420 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560-4905 +1 252-636-4087 [email protected] http://www.newbernfiremuseum.com
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 143 reviews

New Bern Fireman's Museum

Attraction featuring antique fire engines including those used in the 1922 fire that destroyed one-third of the city. All equipment was used in New Bern, so the tour includes info about the persons who used the equipment, as well as how it worked. A Children's area offers many hands-on opportunities

Reviewed By nceast100 - New Bern, United States

A New Bern jewel that is a rewarding visit for all; young and old; local or visitor. Friendly volunteer guides will show you through the well maintained exhibits and beautifully restored and historic firehouse.

9. Foscue Plantation

7509 US Highway 17, Pollocksville, NC 28573-8792 +1 252-224-1803 http://www.foscueplantation.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Foscue Plantation

10. Federal Point History Center

1211A Lake Park Blvd N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428-4132 +1 910-458-0502
Excellent
57%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Federal Point History Center

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