Our Favorite Things to Do in Beaufort NC: Ultimate Travel Guide

Beaufort, North Carolina, is a picturesque waterfront town that has captured our hearts each time we visit, and we can’t wait to show you around! From delicious eateries to beautifully preserved parks, we’ll guide you through all the best things to do in Beaufort, NC. If you’re arriving by boat, don’t miss our Boater’s Guide to Beaufort, NC, at the end for some insider tips!

✏️ Not to be confused with its South Carolina cousin (pronounced “Bew-fert”), Beaufort, North Carolina is pronounced “Boh-furt.”

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Table of Contents

About Beaufort, North Carolina

Beaufort, North Carolina, founded in 1709, is one of the oldest towns in the state. Originally a fishing village, it grew into a bustling port, playing key roles in maritime trade. It even was a refuge for pirates like Blackbeard, whose ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered just off its coast!

Today, Beaufort combines its historical charm with modern coastal appeal, offering visitors a blend of beautiful waterfront views, quaint streets, and friendly locals. Whether you’re looking to explore their Maritime Museum, dine on fresh seafood, or simply stroll along the waterfront, we found Beaufort’s relaxed atmosphere made it a very pleasant stop on our travels and hope you enjoy it just the same.

Top 7 Things to Do in Beaufort, NC

Stroll Through the Downtown

Front Street, as the name suggests, is Beaufort’s charming main street, lined with cute restaurants, gift shops, and boat stores. Don’t miss the nearby Robert W. & Elva Faison Safrit Historical Center, Beaufort’s Visitor Center, where the friendly staff can provide personalized recommendations for exploring Beaufort and its neighboring islands. Also, consider stopping for a picnic at the tiny but quaint Harborside Park or visiting the free Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, located right next door.

On our last trip, we enjoyed strolling along with our dog, Ollie, first thing once we arrived. We love walking the cute downtown streets.

Location: Front Street, Beaufort, NC
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free

Learn about Pirates at the North Carolina Maritime Museum

The North Carolina Maritime Museum is a local museum with a wide range of exhibits that highlight maritime history—and pirate history! This museum explains everything from shipwrecks and the seafood industry to the lore of infamous pirates like Blackbeard! You’ll see artifacts salvaged from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, including cannons and other historical items. The museum also includes hands-on displays related to marine life and ecology, engaging visitors of all ages.

Location: 315 Front St, Beaufort, NC
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Monday – Saturday, Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm
Price: Free admission, donations accepted

Take a Boat over to the Rachel Carson Reserve

The Rachel Carson Reserve offers a unique opportunity to see wild horses in their natural habitat as well as undisturbed, pristine nature. Accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry, the reserve is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. You can launch motorboats from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission access area at 2370 Lennoxville Road in Beaufort, or opt for canoes and kayaks from designated spots along the waterfront.

For a memorable, guided experience, consider joining a public field trip offered during the summer months on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. These trips are free but require reservations due to limited boat space. For more details, consult their website here.

Since we visited Beaufort by our boat, we enjoyed taking our dinghy over to the Rachel Carson reserve and walking around the trails. Be sure to check the tides before you arrive so you can bring your boat or kayak onto shore so it doesn’t drift as the tide rises.

Location: Rachel Carson Reserve, Beaufort, NC
Hours: Open year-round, see their website for details
Price: Free

Visit the Bonehenge Whale Center

The Bonehenge Whale Center is a small workshop in Beaufort dedicated to the conservation of whales, dolphins, and other local sea animals. Although it doesn’t have set visiting hours, you can follow the instructions on their website to set up a time to visit! The staff there are super friendly and their passion for whale conservation shines through both in the design of their exhibitions as well as their storytelling.

Location: 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext Beaufort, NC
Hours: Tours by reservation only
Price: Free, donations accepted

Go on a Tour with the Historic Society

The Historic Society offers three engaging tours in Beaufort: a bus tour, a historic buildings tour, and an Old Burying Ground Tour. Although we didn’t have time to join one during our visit, we highly recommend these experiences if you’re spending a few days in the area as we’ve heard great things!

The Double Decker Bus Tour takes you through Beaufort’s historic district in a charming 1967 English bus. With live narration from local guides, you’ll uncover the town’s intriguing tales of pirates, lovers, and even Confederate spies!
The Historic Buildings Tour features visits to three significant buildings from Beaufort’s past, led by docents in authentic 18th-century attire. These guided tours run year-round, daily except Sundays, and occur twice a day.
For a deeper dive into local history, the Old Burying Ground Tour provides insights into Beaufort’s 300-year-old cemetery, featuring stories about the notable figures laid to rest there. This cemetery can also be explored solo, see below for how!

For more details on these tours and other events hosted by the Historic Society, check out their website or visit their physical location on Turner Street, linked below.

Location: 130 Turner St, Beaufort, NC
Hours: Consult their website, or stop by their physical location to schedule a tour
Price: $15 per adult each tour

Explore the Old Burying Ground

The Old Burying Ground is a historic cemetery in Beaufort, North Carolina, established just over 300 years ago in 1724! As one of the oldest cemeteries in the state, it contains approximately 200 graves dating back to before the Civil War, including notable figures like Captain Otway Burns, a privateer from the War of 1812! Explore its shaded paths and admire the intricate headstones that tell the stories of those interred here. Guided tours are available through the Historic Society (see above), but self-guided tours are also an option for those who prefer to roam freely.

🗞️ Grab a paper guide at the entrance to the graveyard to read about each numbered grave site

Location: 411 Ann St, Beaufort, NC
Hours: Daily 9:30 am – 5 pm
Price: Free

Visit Fort Macon State Park

If you’re in town for more than 1-2 days, consider visiting nearby Fort M acon State Park. This well-preserved Civil War fort just across the water from downtown Beaufort is replete with barracks, cannons, and secret tunnels! Beyond the fort, the park boasts scenic hiking trails, a beautiful beach, and areas for birdwatching and picnicking. If you’re looking to hike, we typically opt for picking out a route beforehand on Alltrails. The moderate, 1-hour Elliot Coues Trail in Fort Macon, pictured below, is an example of a mapped-out hike that we would typically opt for after a day on the boat.

🏆 Fort Macon State Park was voted the “Best State Park in North Carolina!”

Location: 2303 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC
Hours: Daily 8 am – 5:30 pm
Price: Free

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Where to Eat in Beaufort, NC

Restaurants in Beaufort, NC

Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub is a popular seafood, steak, and burger joint right on Front Street, with a unique, vintage interior.
Beaufort Grocery CO is a local bistro with casual American lunches and sophisticated dinners—their sandwiches look particularly delicious!
Dock House Restaurant is a trendy waterfront spot to enjoy seafood and occasional live music in a relaxed space.
Mezcalito Beaufort is a popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Beaufort serving up all your favorites—enchiladas, tacos, bowls, burritos, you name it!

Drinks and Breweries in Beaufort, NC

Mill Whistle Brewing is a local brewery a few streets back from the water in Beaufort where you can enjoy a plethora of delicious beers on tap.
Fishtowne Brew House is another brewery in Beaufort where you can order tasting flights of IPAs, Kolsch brews, Belgian brews, and more in their indoor space or patio.
Backstreet Pub is your classic no-frills dive bar where you can chat with locals and listen to live music upstairs.

Coffee and Sweets in Beaufort, NC

Cru Coffee and Wine is a local half wine half coffee and breakfast spot in Beaufort! We picked up a bag of their ground coffee, a bagel with lox, and a classic black coffee to go—everything was delicious!
Marée is a delightful local coffee shop near the water with delicious, specialty coffee and a small gift shop with tinned fish, Japanese pencils, and more!
Beaufort Cafe is your local mom-and-pop breakfast diner of Beaufort, serving up Southern breakfast classics like shrimp and grits!
Beaufort Creamery is a local ice cream shop located right on Front Street that serves homemade ice cream made in-house! Our sources tell us to try their banana pudding flavor!

Map of Beaufort, NC

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

Events + Festivals in Beaufort, NC

Farmers Markets

Olde Beaufort Farmers Market is an outdoor market that is held rain or shine on Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 1 pm by the courthouse square.

Festivals

Beaufort Music Festival, held each May, is a waterfront event featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities!
Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend is a culinary event in April with wine tastings, food pairings, and other culinary experiences that support local charities. They also organize an Oyster Roast festival in November!
Beaufort’s Wooden Boat Show is an annual event, usually held in May, where you can see handcrafted wooden boats, nautical demonstrations, and boat-related activities for all ages!

For even more festivals in Beaufort, check out Crystal Coast’s annual events and festivals page, which details events happening throughout the year!

Where to Stay in Beaufort, NC

Hotels

Beaufort Harbour Suites and Lodges (Budget)
Inlet Inn NC (Moderate)
Beaufort Hotel (Luxury)

Campgrounds and RV Parks

There aren’t too many campgrounds and RV Parks super close to Beaufort, but here are the closest options we’ve found:

By The Beach RV Park is a clean and well-maintained RV Park right by Fort Macon State Park and a 2-minute walk away from the beach! This is an RV-only campsite.
Oyster Point Campground is located a 36-minute drive from Beaufort, close to Newport, NC, and is composed of 15 sites.

VRBO and Airbnb are two other options for booking apartments and house stays in Beaufort.

When to Visit Beaufort, NC

There are things to do in Beaufort NC year round, but we think the best time to visit is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, averaging between 60°F and 80°F. These seasons also coincide with popular local events like the Beaufort Music Festival in May and the Beaufort Pirate Invasion in November. Summer brings warmer weather (typically in the 80s), perfect for beach activities, but also sees a rise in tourism, making the town busier. Winter offers a quieter experience with cooler temperatures around 50°F and holiday-themed events like the Christmas Candlelight Homes Tour.

Getting To + Around Beaufort, NC

How to Get to Beaufort

Beaufort is accessible by various modes of transportation. Here’s a quick overview of each:

By car: Beaufort is located just off U.S. Route 70 as well as 101.
By bus: For public transportation, Amtrak buses run from major cities to nearby Morehead City, about 5 miles from Beaufort. Just put in your starting location and set the destination to “Morehead City, NC.”
By train: For those traveling by train, the nearest Amtrak station is in Wilson, NC, about 90 miles away, requiring a car rental or bus connection.
By plane: The closest airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) in New Bern, around 40 minutes away, and the second closest is Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, NC, about 50 minutes away.
By boat: You can also arrive by boat via the Intracoastal Waterway, more information in our Boater’s Guide to Beaufort below!

Getting around Beaufort

Once in Beaufort, the town’s walkability makes it easy to explore on foot, especially around the historic downtown and waterfront areas. Biking is also a popular option, and bike rentals are available locally. Cars aren’t necessary for most of the downtown attractions, but if you’re venturing farther, such as to Fort Macon State Park or other nearby beaches, a car may be useful.

Where to Park in Beaufort

Beaufort offers a mix of free and paid parking options. Most downtown streets have free parking, but spots can fill up quickly during peak tourist seasons. There are also several free public parking lots, including this one on Ann Street near the Beaufort Historic Site and this one near Fisherman’s Park.

How much time do you need in Beaufort, NC?

To fully experience all the things to do in Beaufort, NC, we found that two days is the perfect amount of time if you’re mainly interested in the downtown area. Two days give enough time to explore historic sites, stroll the waterfront, and visit nearby attractions like the Rachel Carson Reserve. However, for those wanting a more in-depth experience, you could also easily spend up to 3 or 4 days enjoying the town’s offerings as well as surrounding areas like Fort Macon State Park.

Boaters Guide to Beaufort, NC

Beaufort, North Carolina, is one of our favorite coastal towns on the Intracoastal Waterway and has one of our favorite anchorages! Heading into Beaufort was pretty narrow, and once we got into the anchorage, the boats were quite tightly packed together. But we didn’t experience any anchor dragging at all overnight—which is always a win!

How to Approach Beaufort

When approaching Beaufort by boat from the south, depart the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile 200.8 and follow the markers to enter either Town Creek or Taylor Creek for waterfront access. If you’re coming from the north, head into Beaufort Inlet after navigating around Radio Island. The area is well-marked, but be cautious with shoaling and changing conditions, especially in the Russell Slough Channel. Once inside, you can dock at several marinas or drop your anchor with convenient access to the town’s dinghy dock. Be sure to check your navigation charts for the most up-to-date information.

Download the free Waterway Guide App to locate marinas, services, anchorages, free docks, navigation alerts, bridges, locks, and more!

Marinas in Beaufort

Beaufort Docks is located along Front Street, and counts 98 floating slips. They can accommodate vessels up to 300 feet and are equipped with 5 courtesy cars, wifi, and convenient access to the downtown.
Homer Smith Docks and Marina is a well maintained marina with easy access to downtown Beaufort, counting 30 slips and accommodating up to 100-foot boats. They have all the traditional ammenities—showers, restrooms, laundry, wifi, etc. This is a popular option amongst loopers.
Town Creek Marina is a family-owned marina in Beaufort with floating docks in deep water with bathrooms, a ship’s store, fuel docks, laundry, free Wi-Fi, and even a courtesy car! They count 67 slips.

Use our Referral Code 450ZMS3 for a $15 discount on your Dockwa reservation!

Where to Anchor in Beaufort

We’ve anchored a lot, and Beaufort remains one of our top favorite anchorages after 6,000 miles around the Great Loop! The Beaufort anchorage is situated just along the Rachel Carson Reserve and has stunning views of downtown Beaufort with easy access to shore. It is easily one of our favorite anchorages! For the most up-to-date information on bottom conditions and shoaling, be sure to check the reviews on Waterway Guide.

Dinghy Dock

There are two free dinghy docks available in Beaufort

Beaufort Dinghy Dock – We took our dinghy to this dinghy dock three times and loved it. It’s a super short ride from the Beaufort anchorage to town. Once your dinghy is locked up, the dock takes us to a small park and Front Street, perfect for meandering through Downtown Beaufort.
Topsail Marine Park public dock – This dinghy dock is free for day use but not overnight dockage. We have not personally used this dock.

Check out our Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks Spreadsheet with 600+ anchorages!

Wifi in Beaufort

The above marinas offer free wifi, but you can also find connections at a few coffee shops like Dancing Baristas Café or the nearby McDonald’s. A bit further into Beaufort is the Carteret Country Public Library, a solid option for free wifi and large tables.

Check out our blog post on Boat Internet!

Provisioning in Beaufort

Olde Beaufort Farmers Market is open on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 1 pm and is located at 300 Courthouse Square in Beaufort on the courthouse grounds. The weekly farmers market usually hosts 60 – 70 vendors and features fresh produce from local farmers, baked goods, crafts, pottery, candles, a food truck, and live music under giant live oak trees. It’s a great way to feel like a local while traveling to Beaufort.
Piggly Wiggly is 7 minutes away from downtown Beaufort if you have a bike
Dollar Tree is right next to Piggly Wiggly.

Hardware + Marine Supplies in Beaufort

Watch Our Beaufort Vlogs on YouTube!

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