Atlantic Seashore, North Carolina, is on the Bogue Banks barrier island on Bogue Sound within the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one facet and Bogue Sound on the opposite, there are numerous issues to do in Atlantic Seashore to get pleasure from enjoyable within the sand, sea and surf.
For those who get pleasure from being near nature, go to Hope Pole Creek Nature Protect, Rachel Carson Reserve and Cedar Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. And should you love spending time on the seaside, try Sand Greenback Island, Cape Lookout Nationwide Seashore and the Circle Regional Seashore Entry. Historical past lovers ought to go to the Beaufort Historic Website, Fort Macon State Park and North Carolina Maritime Museum.
Atlantic Seashore, North Carolina
20 Issues To Do In Atlantic Seashore
1- Go to the Seashore
The seashores at Atlantic Seashore are miles-long, clear, sandy seashores the place you may go swimming, browsing, and boogie boarding within the waves.
The sand is ideal for constructing sand castles or strolling alongside the shoreline.
A number of public entry factors within the city present individuals with locations to park their automobiles and stroll onto the seaside.
The most well-liked public entry level is the Circle Regional Seashore Entry as a result of it has glorious facilities.
With 64 parking areas (parking charges are charged in summer season), restrooms, picnic tables, and outside showers, it is a perfect place to begin and finish a seaside day.
The Circle Regional Seashore Entry is at 201 West Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Seashore, NC 28512.
2- Discover Cape Lookout Nationwide Seashore
The Cape Lookout Nationwide Seashore incorporates 56 miles (90 km) of distant, pristine seashores on barrier islands situated just a few miles offshore from Atlantic Seashore.
One of the iconic sights of this protected shoreline is a lighthouse from 1859. Individuals acknowledge it by its black and white diamond sample.
See wild horses, discover seashells, fish from shore, camp on the seaside and discover historic websites on the island.
Birders flock to this nationwide park year-round to search for the 250 species of birds that reside on or migrate by means of the islands.
Cape Lookout is an authorized Darkish Sky Park, making this a well-liked vacation spot for stargazers, particularly throughout meteor showers and different celestial occasions.
Cape Lookout Nationwide Seashore is on Cape Lookout Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531.
3- Uncover Historical past At Fort Macon State Park
Fort Macon State Park has a fully-restored fort constructed earlier than the Civil Struggle.
Day by day excursions by means of the fort showcase displays in regards to the fort’s historical past and the encompassing park space, whereas interpreters present guests with frequent cannon and musket demonstrations.
The seaside on the state park presents swimming, kayaking and shell searching.
Birdwatchers can discover greater than 300 hen species on 4 miles (6.4 km) of trails that wind by means of the salt marshes and dunes.
Facilities embody a customer centre, seasonal concession stand, seasonal bathhouse, a foot rinsing station, seaside entry to each the ocean and inlet sides of the island and restrooms.
No tenting is out there at this location.
Fort Macon State Park is at 2303 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Seashore, NC 28512.
4- Step Again In Time At Beaufort Historic Website
A fast fifteen-minute drive from Atlantic Seashore, the Beaufort Historic Website presents guests a glimpse of the coastal lifetime of North Carolinians through the 18th and nineteenth centuries.
A 12-block part of the city was established in 1713 and is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
Inside this space, residents restored about 150 properties.
Every home has a plaque that gives detailed details about when it was constructed and who its unique inhabitants have been.
Interpreters information excursions by means of the centre of this historic a part of the city on the Beaufort Historic Website.
These excursions can be found year-round from Monday to Saturday.
The Beaufort Historic Website is at 130 Turner St, Beaufort, NC 28516.
5- Hike In Hope Pole Creek Nature Protect
The Hoop Pole Creek Nature Protect is 31 acres (12 ha) of maritime forest within the centre of Atlantic Seashore.
This protect protects lots of of stay oak bushes, a few of which is perhaps lots of of years outdated.
A one-mile-long (1.6 km) nature path winds by means of the protect and over a boardwalk.
You may stroll, run and bike on this path.
This path is handicapped accessible and offers a shady, quiet place to see among the habitats, maritime forests, dunes, estuaries and salt marshes that when coated the complete area.
Wildlife, comparable to deer, turtles, lizards, and birds, stay within the protect.
The Hope Pole Creek Nature Protect trailhead is adjoining to the Atlantic Station Buying Heart at 1010 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Seashore, NC 28512.
6- See The Turtles At Shackleford Banks
Shackleford Banks is a barrier island offshore of Fort Macon State Park and one of many three islands comprising the Cape Lookout Nationwide Seashore.
Shackleford Banks is the house of the well-known wild horses which have existed right here for over 400 years.
It’s the simplest barrier island to entry as a result of the Nationwide Park Service contracts with a ferry service that gives two routes from the mainland that journey to the island.
Shelling, paddling, browsing, and fishing are the first actions that guests get pleasure from on this island.
Chicken and wildlife watching, particularly through the loggerhead turtle nesting season, are additionally well-liked actions.
7- Be taught About The Ocean At North Carolina Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium has three campuses situated alongside the North Carolina shoreline.
The aquarium campus at Pine Knoll Shores is just a ten-minute drive from Atlantic Seashore.
At this aquarium, guests can see a residing shipwreck exhibit the place a reproduction of a German U-boat wreck off the North Carolina coast offers a habitat for sharks, fish and a sea turtle.
Youngsters can be taught all about Loggerhead Sea Turtles within the Loggerhead Odyssey exhibit.
The Mountain, Piedmont, Tidal Waters, and Ocean Galleries provide individuals a detailed have a look at the completely different aquatic habitats within the state and the animals inhabiting them.
The Marsh Boardwalk takes guests outdoors the aquarium to see the Snake Pavilion and overlooks that stretch into Bogue Sound.
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is at 1 Roosevelt Blvd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512.
8- Calm down At Atlantic Seashore City Park
Atlantic Seashore City Park is a enjoyable place to go should you’re on a price range.
This park has an 18-hole miniature golf course, a big skatepark, a splash pad, a half-court basketball court docket, a playground, a picnic shelter, restrooms, and a concession stand.
The worth to play miniature golf is $5 per individual and kids ages six and beneath are free.
Apart from the concession stand and miniature golf, utilizing the remainder of the park is free and open through the spring and summer season seasons.
Film nights additionally happen each Friday evening through the summer season season.
Public seaside entry is close by, so households can get pleasure from a full day of actions with out driving anyplace else.
The Atlantic Seashore City Park is at 915 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Seashore, NC 28512.
9- Go Fishing
The anglers visiting Atlantic Seashore can discover fish offshore and in inlet waters year-round.
Every season brings new species into the world and offers anglers with many fishing successes.
In the course of the spring season, Bluefish, Grey Trout, Sea Bass and Striped Bass put up an excellent struggle for anglers who hook into them.
In the summertime, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Snook give anglers many alternatives to catch fish.
Fishing for King Mackerel solely occurs through the fall.
Within the winter, Sailfish and Noticed Seatrout are well-liked sportfishing targets.
Many fishing cruises depart Atlantic Seashore for half-day or full-day excursions, going to many locations to search out fish.
10- Go to The North Carolina Maritime Museum
The North Carolina Maritime Museum of North Carolina has a number of branches, certainly one of which is in Beaufort.
The museum educates guests about maritime cultural heritage and the pure historical past of coastal North Carolina.
Displays on the museum show data and artifacts associated to the seafood business, ships, shipwrecks, whaling, boat constructing and native marine life.
Some artifacts on the museum got here from well-known ships, comparable to Blackbeard’s flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge. Artifacts from shipwrecks embody cannons, belt buckles and grenades.
The museum presents boatbuilding lessons on the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Heart subsequent to the museum.
The North Carolina Maritime Museum is at 315 Entrance St, Beaufort, NC 28516.
11- Discover Rachel Carson Reserve
The Rachel Carson Reserve is between the mouths of two rivers close to the city of Beaufort.
The reserve is a set of islands on 2,315 acres (937 ha) containing salt marshes, maritime forests, sand dunes, tidal flats, shrub thickets and estuaries which are necessary habitats for a lot of wildlife species.
Guests to the reserve can see terrestrial wildlife, together with river otters, gray foxes, raccoons, marsh rabbits and wild horses.
Marine life that makes use of this reserve consists of bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles.
This reserve is part of the Atlantic Migratory Flyway, and over 200 species of birds use it yearly.
The Rachel Carson Reserve offers habitats vital to the survival of many terrestrial, estuarine, and marine species.
Guests can solely entry the reserve by ferry, kayak, canoe, or different small watercraft.
12- Be taught About Cultural Heritage At Core Sound Waterfowl Museum
The museum celebrates and preserves the cultural heritage of this area with displays that educate guests about what life is like on the barrier islands.
The “Decoys of Core Sound” exhibit teaches the historical past and artwork of utilizing decoys for searching waterfowl and the way decoys have modified over time.
The exhibit referred to as “Dwelling on the Edge” showcases the challenges and hardships related to residing in coastal communities and the way they handle hurricanes and rising sea ranges.
The museum additionally has a Studying Room, Gathering Room, Library, and Lookout Tower. Different displays embody “Honoring Our Coast Guard” and “Youngsters’s Studying Heart.”
The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Heart are at 1785 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531.
13- Get An Adrenalin Rush On A Watersport Journey
Atlantic Seashore presents loads of coastal waters to apply watersports and lots of locations to lease gear and discover classes to get pleasure from these sports activities.
Watersport actions are one of many top-ranked actions within the Atlantic Seashore space.
Actions that don’t require plenty of ability embody jet snowboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
These actions can happen in calm inlets or the ocean, and you may lease waterbikes, banana boats and surfboards.
There are additionally boats for lease to go to the barrier islands or should you’d reasonably chill out and permit another person to handle the journey particulars, be a part of a cruise.
No matter watersport journey you might be on the lookout for, Atlantic Seashore is the place to search out it.
14- Stroll Alongside Oceanana Pier
The Oceanana Pier is a well-liked place to go to at Atlantic Seashore.
In-built 1959, the Oceanana Pier extends from shore virtually 1,000 ft (305 m) and also you’ll see individuals fishing all alongside its size, catching many alternative species.
The Fishing Heart on the Pier Home sells bait and deal with and rents fishing rods and reels.
Adults solely pay $15 each day, and youngsters beneath 12 pay $6 to fish.
You do not want to buy a North Carolina fishing license to fish right here.
The Pier Home Restaurant, Barnacle Bar, and Backporch Bar situated on the pier present guests with locations to drink, eat and hang around whereas looking over the ocean.
Oceanana Pier is at 700 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Seashore, NC 28512.
15- Have Enjoyable At Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag
The Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag enviornment presents a grown-up, Name-of-Obligation sort of laser tag, axe-throwing and Nerf battles for over 12s.
The laser tag enviornment covers greater than 12,000 sq. ft (1,115 sq. meters) arrange as a real-world immersive simulation.
They use realistic-looking weapons that resemble gear utilized by Particular Operations Groups deployed worldwide.
Along with the specialised laser tag enviornment, axe-throwing and a Nerf battle enviornment are additionally obtainable for play.
The Nerf battle enviornment is about up for teenagers youthful than 12 to play.
Battle Works Tactical Laser Tag is at 1010 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Seashore, NC 28512.
16- Look For Birds At Cedar Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
The Cedar Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is ideal for flatwater actions comparable to kayaking, canoeing and standup paddleboarding.
The coastal marsh of this refuge is usually undisturbed and offers high-quality overwintering habitats for a lot of geese and nesting habitats for marsh birds and water birds.
Threatened species just like the Japanese Black Rail and uncommon species just like the McGillivray’s seaside sparrow use this refuge.
The refuge incorporates roughly 11,000 acres (4,452 hectares) of woodland, pocosin, and coastal marsh habitats.
For these on the lookout for a scenic paddle with out the crowds and boat visitors discovered elsewhere, the Cedar Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is right.
17- Go Paddling In Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park
The Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park, lower than an hour north of Atlantic Seashore, incorporates 133 acres (54 ha) of protected coastal land.
A number of brief and shady strolling trails meander by means of the park.
A 2,000-foot (610m) boardwalk overlooks Broad Creek and has an statement deck, fishing space and kayak/canoe launch.
The flatwater paddling and fishing alternatives provide a enjoyable place for households to go and keep away from boating visitors and crowds sometimes discovered within the Intercoastal Waterways.
Facilities on the park embody two restroom areas, picnic tables, a shelter, and a gazebo.
Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park is at 1095 Broad Creek Rd, New Bern, NC 28560.
18- Go to Sand Greenback Island
Sand Greenback Island is a big sand bar or sunken island that folks can solely entry at low tide.
It attracts a bigger assortment of sand {dollars} than anyplace else on North Carolina’s coast. Individuals can solely entry the sand bar by boat.
Many boat cruises to Sand Greenback Island can be found on-line.
Guests to the island can discover stay sand {dollars} within the tidal swimming pools left behind at low tide.
Nobody ought to take away the stay animals, sometimes brown or purple, with transferring bristles on the underside of their our bodies.
Solely useless sand {dollars}, that are white and really feel brittle like seashells, could also be collected and eliminated.
19- Go SCUBA Diving
Shipwrecks litter the coast of North Carolina, some relationship again lots of of years to the Spanish conquistadors that landed on this space through the sixteenth Century.
Due to the 1000’s of shipwrecks discovered within the area, this space was nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
The range and abundance of those wrecks provide wreck divers unbelievable alternatives to see many species of fish and different animals that hang around round shipwrecks.
Along with wreck diving, dive excursions information underwater safaris, train individuals to spearfish, and discover the ledges and reefs the place divers might uncover a fossilized shark’s tooth.
Guide a SCUBA tour on-line.
20- Hike The Atlantic Seashore Strolling Path Loop
The Atlantic Seashore Strolling Path Loop has boosted outside recreation in Atlantic Seashore with indicators for “Stroll Atlantic Seashore” all through the town telling you the place to stroll, run and bike by means of the town to see the highlights.
4 loops take guests on routes that cross the Pelican Road Pier, Cottage District, the boardwalk and ocean, and the downtown space.
The loop distances vary from one to 3 miles (1.6 to 4.8 km).
5 massive maps posted within the city and mile marker indicators alongside every loop present individuals methods to entry the path loops.
