Atlantic Beach Guidebook
Sightseeing
A must see for anyone interesting military history and great view of the ocean with trails also. Has free parking and a beach with lifeguards too.
250 locals recommend
Fort Macon State Park
2303 E Fort Macon RdA must see for anyone interesting military history and great view of the ocean with trails also. Has free parking and a beach with lifeguards too.
Learn about the local history of the 3rd oldest NC town in an interesting way. The double decker bus tour is great too.
39 locals recommend
Beaufort Historic Site
130 Turner StLearn about the local history of the 3rd oldest NC town in an interesting way. The double decker bus tour is great too.
Free and a must see! Blackbeard, boats, whales and so much more! They build boats across the street on the water.
75 locals recommend
North Carolina Maritime Museum
315 Front StFree and a must see! Blackbeard, boats, whales and so much more! They build boats across the street on the water.
Something for everyone. Trails outside too. Very busy on rainy days.
275 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
1 Roosevelt BlvdSomething for everyone. Trails outside too. Very busy on rainy days.
Our local national seashore with a lighthouse and miles of beach. Must take a foot ferry from Harkers Island where there is a small museum too. Bring everything you need- food, water, sunscreen! Lots of shells sometimes.
54 locals recommend
Cape Lookout
Our local national seashore with a lighthouse and miles of beach. Must take a foot ferry from Harkers Island where there is a small museum too. Bring everything you need- food, water, sunscreen! Lots of shells sometimes.
Wild horses( don’t get close!)on an uninhabited island. Lots of boats on summer weekends. Take a foot ferry from Beaufort for there or other places.
87 locals recommend
Shackleford Banks
Wild horses( don’t get close!)on an uninhabited island. Lots of boats on summer weekends. Take a foot ferry from Beaufort for there or other places.
Uninhabited island right across Taylors Creek from Beaufort’s waterfront. Wild horses - and they are wild so look from a distance. Shells and shallow water on the Oceanside. Ferries from Beaufort or canoe, kayak or paddle board over. Lots of small boats dock there too.
31 locals recommend
Rachel Carson Reserve
Front StreetUninhabited island right across Taylors Creek from Beaufort’s waterfront. Wild horses - and they are wild so look from a distance. Shells and shallow water on the Oceanside. Ferries from Beaufort or canoe, kayak or paddle board over. Lots of small boats dock there too.
The whole county is full of surprises. And you have never seen a place with more boating! I like it best in the spring and fall when it’s not so hot. But it is fun swimming in the ocean in the summer.
Carteret County
The whole county is full of surprises. And you have never seen a place with more boating! I like it best in the spring and fall when it’s not so hot. But it is fun swimming in the ocean in the summer.
Food scene
Outside and good! Try the fish bites. (Photos shown are of the AB Surf Shop next door- don’t know why!)
40 locals recommend
Atlantic Beach Surf Shop
515 W Fort Macon RdOutside and good! Try the fish bites. (Photos shown are of the AB Surf Shop next door- don’t know why!)
Local favorite but very busy. Only dinner. Nice view of the sound.
92 locals recommend
Amos Mosquito's Restaurant
703 E Fort Macon RdLocal favorite but very busy. Only dinner. Nice view of the sound.
Mondays and Tuesdays are 2 for 1, so really busy. Gourmet but casual. Crowded and noisy.
37 locals recommend
The Island Grille
401 Money Island DrMondays and Tuesdays are 2 for 1, so really busy. Gourmet but casual. Crowded and noisy.
If you like lots of shrimp and other seafood, this is the place! Check hours and location before.
8 locals recommend
Captains Kitchen Food Truck
1502 Salter Path RoadIf you like lots of shrimp and other seafood, this is the place! Check hours and location before.
An oldie but the hush puppies and lemon meringue pie on the best. Go for lunch- too expensive at night.
19 locals recommend
Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant
501 Evans StAn oldie but the hush puppies and lemon meringue pie on the best. Go for lunch- too expensive at night.
Neighborhoods
All your basic shopping and an interesting waterfront with good restaurants in the older part of town. Fun to stroll late in the day. To the west of downtown are all the chain places you could possibly need.
77 locals recommend
Morehead City
All your basic shopping and an interesting waterfront with good restaurants in the older part of town. Fun to stroll late in the day. To the west of downtown are all the chain places you could possibly need.
Great restaurants and shops, history galore, and a waterfront to walk and see boats, people and dogs. Safe small town atmosphere. Historic homes dating to the 1700s.
165 locals recommend
Beaufort
Great restaurants and shops, history galore, and a waterfront to walk and see boats, people and dogs. Safe small town atmosphere. Historic homes dating to the 1700s.
Come on in, the water is great! Still be careful and swim where there are lifeguards. Rarely crowded and a clean wide beach. We face south here so there are sunrises and sunsets over the water. Food lion is your grocery store and Atlantic Theatre is in the same shopping center.
81 locals recommend
Atlantic Beach
Come on in, the water is great! Still be careful and swim where there are lifeguards. Rarely crowded and a clean wide beach. We face south here so there are sunrises and sunsets over the water. Food lion is your grocery store and Atlantic Theatre is in the same shopping center.
Harkers Island and further down east are small fishing villages that have been there for years. Now getting people “from off”, meaning out of Carteret County. Fun for a day trip and the ferry at Cedar Island at the end of the road takes you to Ocracoke. (Not a day trip- a 2 and 1/4 hour ferry each way.)
20 locals recommend
Harkers Island
Harkers Island and further down east are small fishing villages that have been there for years. Now getting people “from off”, meaning out of Carteret County. Fun for a day trip and the ferry at Cedar Island at the end of the road takes you to Ocracoke. (Not a day trip- a 2 and 1/4 hour ferry each way.)
Traveler advice
What to pack
Bathing suits and other choices
Very casual here and hot and humid in the summer. Prepare for some rain and bring comfortable shoes.
Getting around
Cars and walking mostly!
We don’t really have public transportation. Uber and taxis are available.
Don't miss
Fort Macon and the Maritime museum
If you’ve never been here before, be sure to go to those two, both of which are free!