Beaufort Is the Good Walkable Waterfront City in North Carolina

A beloved city on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, and the Southern Outer Banks, Beaufort remains to be considerably of a hidden gem to these outdoors of the Carolinas—regardless that the fishing village’s historical past goes again centuries. Established in 1709, Beaufort—to not be confused with the South Carolina vacation spot—is among the oldest cities within the state, and far of its allure and enchantment are immediately tied to its long-standing legacy. Ghost excursions element tales of the pirate Blackbeard, who frequented this a part of the coast; quite a lot of houses and buildings on the town are listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations; and an intensive appreciation of the previous is sort of tangible as you stroll alongside Entrance Road, Beaufort’s most important drag.

“I bear in mind the primary time I walked the docks after I was 16—I had this sense I had by no means been someplace so enchanting and delightfully completely different,” Christina Cuningham, proprietor of Beaufort Linen Co., tells Journey + Leisure. “It is informal, quirky, naturally lovely, and (provides) a sense you may solely clarify by being right here.”

Positioned on a channel that results in the Atlantic, Beaufort additionally appeals to those that need to see the seashore, spend the day on a ship, go fishing, or kayak alongside the waterways. “When you’re in search of a cute place to loosen up and have enjoyable by the water, Beaufort is certainly your go-to,” says Hailey Mason, the entrance workplace supervisor on the Beaufort Resort. Simply remember to brush up in your pronunciation earlier than you get there: It’s “Bow-fert” or “Boh-fert,” not “Bew-fert.”

The place to Keep

Beaufort Resort

“The Beaufort Resort is upscale and trendy with a restaurant price visiting, 34°North, even in case you’re not a visitor on the resort,” says Jonathan Edwards, the proprietor of Port Metropolis Tour Firm. The ten-acre waterfront property overlooks Taylor Creek, and most of the nautical-inspired rooms include both their very own personal balcony or patio the place you may take within the views.

Pecan Tree Inn

“The Pecan Tree Inn can be an exquisite property (within the) neighborhood of all of the facilities the city has to supply,” says Cuningham. Lately reworked in 2024, the bed-and-breakfast has seven rooms (all of which have their very own personal toilet), and a sizzling breakfast and afternoon snacks are included within the nightly charge.

Residence Leases

When you’re coming to Beaufort for an prolonged journey—otherwise you’re touring with the entire household—you might need to take into account renting a house. This renovated three-bedroom cottage is positioned proper close to Entrance Road, offering fast, quick access to a lot of Beaufort’s eating places, retailers, and waterfront views. For events of 4 or fewer, take into account this dog-friendly cottage; it’s additionally inside strolling distance of many of the most important sights on the town.

Finest Issues to Do

Discover the Historic District.

One of many first issues you are able to do in Beaufort is get your bearings whereas strolling across the 12-block Historic District. “It is attention-grabbing to see how a lot historical past is packed into one small place,” says Mason, who recommends visiting the Outdated Burying Floor—one of many oldest established cemeteries within the state. “I might additionally counsel going to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and trying out the Beaufort Historic Website to bask in our wealthy historical past,” provides Edwards.

Editor’s notice: The North Carolina Maritime Museum is quickly closed, and a 2025 open date hasn’t been introduced as of publication time.

Go on a guided tour.

When you’d moderately discover Beaufort with a tour information, you’ve got a few choices. The Historic District Double-Decker Bus Tour has passengers board a 1967 English double-decker bus as they enterprise all through city, studying in regards to the pirates of Beaufort’s previous. You may as well be a part of Edwards on the Beaufort Ghost Stroll, the place he says you’ll hear all about “native legends and lore, and discover out much more in regards to the city we love.”

Go to one of many close by islands.

“An ideal Beaufort day for us is taking the boys and our pet to Carrot Island to fish and construct sandcastles, and ending the day consuming on the docks,” says Cuningham. Carrot Island is an uninhabited nature protect that may be reached by a fast ferry; Island Ferry Adventures has a service that runs each half-hour in the course of the season. Edwards additionally recommends going to Shackleford Banks through the Island Categorical Ferry Service. “You may see the wild horses and discover the very best shelling spots. You might also see dolphins or porpoises alongside the best way,” he says.

Get on the water.

Among the finest methods to benefit from the pure great thing about Beaufort is to discover its waterways. Begin by renting a kayak from Beaufort Paddle, then paddle your means from Taylor Creek to Rachel Carson Reserve, the place you can provide your arms a break, go for a brief hike, and hold a watch out for wild horses and dozens of hen species.

Finest Purchasing

Beaufort Linen Co.

“On Entrance Road, there are 5 blocks of nothing however small companies and mom-and-pop retailers. It is a actually neat place with nothing company, no franchises—simply native,” says Edwards. Right here, you’ll discover Beaufort Linen Co., the place Cuningham and her workforce promote high-end dwelling items, tub and sweetness merchandise, and breezy linen blouses and clothes.

Island Correct

“For an important outfit, I really like Island Correct on Entrance Road,” says Cuningham. The boutique consists of items from manufacturers like Agolde, Amanda Uprichard, Elizabeth James, and Tyler Boe. You may as well decide up a swimsuit right here in case you forgot yours at dwelling.

Beautuga

“For nice wine, quirky items, and last-minute provisions, Beaudega is wonderful,” says Cuningham. When you’re staying with a good friend in Beaufort, swing by the store for the proper host or hostess reward—maybe some domestically made cheese and crackers or cute cocktail napkins.

The Normal Retailer

“In fact, you will need to try The Normal Retailer. It is simply what you’d anticipate from an previous nation normal retailer—nice ice cream as effectively,” says Edwards. Embrace the nostalgia and deal with your self to fudge or penny sweet, or snag some memento T-shirts in your family members again dwelling.

Finest Eating places

Black Sheep

“My absolute favourite native restaurant is Black Sheep. They take advantage of inventive pizzas. I really like attempting their pizza particular of the week,” says Mason. Cuningham agrees, recommending the restaurant’s “boats of mac and cheese and French 75s.”

Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub

“Clawson’s … is a traditional restaurant within the space and has been round a very long time, so you may actually really feel the historical past while you enter. They’ve good American eating and a comfortable environment,” says Mason. Come hungry; the menu options hearty entrees, together with fried fish platters and shrimp and grits.

Beaufort Grocery Co.

Beaufort Grocery Co. is one among Edwards’ high picks, and the store, positioned within the Historic District, is the proper cease for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch. You may as well order one of many deli sandwiches or the Beaufort Cheese & Fruit Board (full with the BeauGro pimento cheese) to go, bringing your meal with you on a leisurely bike journey or the ferry to Shackleford Banks.

Aqua

Aqua is one other one among Edwards’ favorites in Beaufort, and he says the restaurant is thought to “fuse some well-known dishes with native aptitude and components.” The menu options tapas in addition to small and bigger plates; anticipate gadgets like truffle fries, seared crab desserts, tuna poke, and a caprese salad.

Nightlife

Beaufort may not be as synonymous with going out as bigger coastal cities, however Edwards says there’s nonetheless a “nice nightlife and bar scene,” one which guests regularly underestimate. “There are not less than 5 laid-back bars—Backstreet Pub, Cru, Fishtowne Brew Home, The Periwinkle, and Royal James Cafe—inside strolling distance from one another, and likewise inside strolling distance from our accommodations,” he says. Given this unbeatable proximity, you gained’t have to fret about driving or parking. Simply don’t anticipate to remain up too late; of the aforementioned ingesting institutions, solely Cru and Backstreet Pub are open previous 10 p.m.

Finest Time to Go to

You would definitely make the argument that Beaufort is a year-round vacation spot, however the locals we spoke with have opinions on the very best time to go to. “Personally, I might say the very best time to go to Beaufort can be within the spring or fall. You have received fewer guests than in the summertime, the climate goes to be cooler, and in case you love fishing, these are the fishing seasons,” says Edwards. Cuningham additionally leans towards fall, saying that a few of “finest climate” arrives throughout fall hurricane season. “It is tough as a result of you’ll have to examine the climate always, however the zero humidity, no ‘noseeums,’ and wonderful fishing is an actual candy spot on the town.”

Whereas winter in Beaufort could enchantment to some guests—there are some vacation festivities and a scarcity of crowds—each Mason and Edwards acknowledge it’s a quieter time on the town. “I wouldn’t say winter is a ‘dangerous’ time to go to since we even have loads of cute Christmas actions, however you do get probably the most out of the world in the course of the hotter months,” says Mason.

The best way to Get There

“To seek out Beaufort, I might say, discover the place company America ends, and go one city additional,” says Edwards. For these driving, that appears like taking both Freeway 70 or Freeway 101 into the waterfront city. Flying can be an possibility, although renting a automobile will nonetheless be vital. Raleigh-Durham Worldwide Airport (RDU) is the closest main airport to Beaufort, round three hours away. There are additionally a handful of regional airports, together with Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) in New Bern and Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Whereas they’re considerably nearer to Beaufort—round 40 and 62 miles, respectively—flights are restricted.

The best way to Get Round

Beaufort is sufficiently small to be thought of walkable, however having a automobile is useful in case you’re planning to drive to close by seashores or discover different cities alongside the Crystal Coast. Biking round Beaufort is an alternative choice, and Bike Beaufort presents seashore cruiser leases that include a motorbike basket, bike lights, and a motorbike lock.