Beaufort, NC offers a wonderful mix of maritime history, coastal natural attractions, and lively downtown exploration along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. As the fourth-oldest town in North Carolina (with a town plat dating back to 1713), Beaufort rewards visitors who appreciate the deeper layers of NC’s Atlantic heritage.
History enthusiasts can dive into the town’s pirate past at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, where exhibits on Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge and local shipbuilding bring the town’s storied chapters to life. Just steps away, the Beaufort Historic Site preserves restored 18th- and 19th-century homes that anchor one of the most beautifully maintained colonial seaport districts in the southeastern United States. For an evening twist on Beaufort’s deep history, the popular Beaufort Ghost Walk explores the town’s legends and haunted stories after sundown.
Nature lovers will find equally rewarding experiences. Just across Taylor’s Creek, the Rachel Carson Reserve is a 2,315-acre coastal estuarine reserve home to wild horses grazing along the marshlands. Boat tours from the Beaufort waterfront also reach the broader Cape Lookout National Seashore with its iconic diamond-patterned lighthouse and pristine barrier-island beaches. Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding thrive along Taylor’s Creek, and the downtown waterfront invites leisurely walks past local shops, galleries, and seafood spots. Click on any of the attractions below to dive deeper into the spots we’ve personally explored around Beaufort.
