What to do and see in Beaufort, North Carolina (NC): The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

March 4, 2022 Nobuko Falco

Beaufort (/ˈboʊfərt/ BOH-fərt) is a town in and the county seat of Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709 and incorporated in 1723, Beaufort is the third-oldest town in North Carolina (after Bath and Edenton). On February 1, 2012, Beaufort was ranked as "America's Coolest Small Town" by readers of Budget Travel Magazine.
Restaurants in Beaufort

1. Seavisions Charters

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5.0 based on 67 reviews

Seavisions Charters

Exciting boat rides to Shackleford Banks, Rachel Carson Reserve and Stingray Shoal. Climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and visit the Keepers Quarters Museum. Search for wild horses, dolphins, seashells and sand dollars. Visit an oyster farm. Private boat charters are our specialty. An authorized tour operator of the Cape Lookout National Seashore for 10 years.

2. Hungry Town Tours

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5.0 based on 372 reviews

Hungry Town Tours

Visitors can pedal or walk through 300 years of Beaufort's history as we explore "America's Favorite Town." Your guide will entertain you with fascinating details, historical narratives and true stories that make up the rich history of this seaport town. Choose from several unique walking, bike, culinary and history guided tours. Open year-round. A Ride to Remember takes visitors to several locations in Beaufort as described in Nicholas Sparks' bestselling novels "The Choice" and "A Walk to Remember." Explore Beaufort's local restaurants on our guided culinary tours. You'll enjoy Southern culinary dishes from restaurants offering fresh, local products that support our local fishermen and farmers. You'll nosh and sip on some of the most delicious flavors on the Crystal Coast. Tour departures take place daily.

3. Beaufort Paddle

424 Old Causeway Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516-8614 +1 252-725-3065 http://www.beaufortpaddle.com
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5.0 based on 59 reviews

Beaufort Paddle

Reviewed By flipfloptravler - Burlington, United States

My wife and I came to Atlantic beach for a belated honeymoon due to covid. I have kayaked many times and my life and my wife never has. We decided to do the tour and couldn’t be happier. Amazing from first point of contact until we left. I usually find atleast one negative to say in my reviews and I honestly cannot think of one. We will be back.

4. Island Express Ferry Service

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5.0 based on 969 reviews

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service is the ONLY ferry service out of Beaufort and Harkers Island, NC that is authorized by the National Park Service to drop passengers off at Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout. Shackleford Banks is the southernmost barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore. Shackleford Banks is a pristine island with one of the best shelling beaches in North Carolina. Famous for the wild banker horses that roam the uninhabited island, this is one of the few places in the eastern United States where wild horses can still be seen. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Cape Lookout, famous for the Cape Lookout Lighthouse Station. While you are there, take time to collect some of the most beautiful shells in the world. Bird watch, swim in the ocean, climb the lighthouse, or ride our famous Beach Shuttle. There is something for everyone to enjoy on this island paradise. Island Express Ferry Service is an authorized National Park Service Concessionaire. Although our name has, at times, been confused with smaller services that do not go to Shackleford Banks or Cape Lookout, there is only one ISLAND EXPRESS FERRY SERVICE. Be sure to add an S for Services when looking for us online.

5. North Carolina Maritime Museum

315 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516-2124 +1 252-504-7740 http://www.ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com
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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.

6. Rachel Carson Reserve

101 Pivers Island Rd Ofc, Beaufort, NC 28516-9701 +1 252-838-0883 [email protected] http://www.nccoastalreserve.net
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4.5 based on 103 reviews

Rachel Carson Reserve

The Rachel Carson component of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve is located between the mouths of the Newport and North rivers in southern Carteret County, directly across Taylor's Creek from the historic town of Beaufort. It is accessible only by boat (local ferry vendor, private vessel, or canoes and kayaks).

Reviewed By bjproducts - Southport, United States

Beautiful preserve and many ways to access it. We used Waterbug Tours which took us along the shore with a great narration on the history, flora and fauna. We saw a couple of wild horses up against some rees. Earlier we'd seen two horses on the beach from the town docks. Kayakers have multiple places to go ashore. Other ferries will drop you off for an hour or more of exploring. If you do that, bring sun screen and buy spray.

7. Beaufort Historic Site Old Burying Ground

400 block of Ann Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 +1 252-728-5225 http://www.beauforthistoricsite.org/old-burying-ground/
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4.5 based on 379 reviews

Beaufort Historic Site Old Burying Ground

Reviewed By E5170INkristenp

I always visit here whenever we visit the Beaufort area. It’s a very well maintained and very old burying ground in town. If you love history, it’s a must see. Pick up a brochure from the visitor center or pull it up on your phone for detailed information on certain graves.

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