Beach season will soon be upon us and we decided to make a list of some of our favorite things to do in one of our favorite beach towns, Atlantic Beach. As part of the famous Crystal Coast, Atlantic Beach is known for its crystal clear waters, but if you need a little break from the beach, there are so many other great things to do while you’re in this area. Here’s a list of our favorites:
Shackleford Banks – an absolutely beautiful barrier island where you can see wild horses roaming freely. You can take a ferry from downtown Beaufort. The horses, also referred to as “Banker Ponies” are believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs shipwrecked in the late 1500s. In addition to seeing the horses, this is a great island for shelling, fishing, or kayaking!
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores – this aquarium has some unique features, including a 306,000 gallon tank with a shipwreck replica of a German U-boat sunk off the coast of NC in 1942. There’s also an immersive sea turtle exhibit and a nature trail through the marsh with a playground for the kiddos!
Fort Macon State Park – this fort has a little something for everybody. It was originally built to protect the port city of Beaufort from pirates and changed hands several times during the Civil War. Interestingly, it became only the second state park in history when it was purchased by the state of NC in 1924 for only $1. Now, it is also a coastal wildlife museum and gives you access to the beautiful beaches of Bogue Banks. As you can see, even my 2 year old (at the time) really enjoyed it here!
Downtown Beaufort – a cute, historic downtown with great shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. We visited during the Pirate festival and it did not disappoint! Take a stroll along Front Street, visit the NC Maritime Museum, or use this as your jumping-off point to take a ferry to Shackleford Banks or the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve.
Atlantis Lodge – a visit to the Crystal Coast would not be complete without staying at the Atlantis Lodge. It’s rare to find a true 60’s gem on the beach, but this one is an authentic throwback that will give you that retro feel without sacrificing comfort. It’s pet-friendly and even has a dog-washing station for your sandy pup! Stay tuned for a full review of Atlantis Lodge later this week in our Rental Review section.
