Activities

Walk Historic Downtown Beaufort

Spend an afternoon wandering Front Street and Beaufort’s historic district, filled with beautiful old homes, waterfront views, shops, and galleries. The Beaufort Historic Site remains open in winter, with guided historic-building tours offered year-round.

P.S. Beaufort has some of our favorite shops and boutiques!

Visit the NC Maritime Museum

315 Front Street | Beaufort, NC

Learn about Beaufort’s maritime history and see artifacts recovered from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort. It’s free, indoors, and open year-round Tuesday–Saturday

See The Wild Horses!

Weather permitting, take the ferry from Beaufort across to Shackleford Banks, an undeveloped barrier island home to a herd of wild Banker horses. It’s one of the most uniquely Crystal Coast things your guests can do.

P.S. Make sure to confirm the winter ferry/tour availability. Town of Beaufort Ferry Gateway → Shackleford Banks

Take A Trip To Fort Macon

2303 E Fort Macon Road | Atlantic Beach, NC

Head across the bridge to Fort Macon State Park to explore the restored Civil War-era fort and walk along the beach. The fort and visitor center are open daily from 9–5 in December.

Explore Cape Lookout

For the adventurous, take a ferry out to Cape Lookout National Seashore for beautiful beaches, incredible coastal views, and the iconic black-and-white lighthouse.

P.S. Winter ferry schedules are limited and weather-dependent, so be sure to check availability in advance.

Take A Walk On The Beach

The Crystal Coast beaches are beautiful year-round. Bundle up for a walk along the water in Atlantic Beach or Pine Knoll Shores—winter means fewer crowds and plenty of shoreline to explore.