Hotel Prices & Photos One of North Carolina’s seaside beauties, Beaufort is a small coastal town and the third largest oldest town in the state. This free event takes place the second week of October each year. Of course, we know of the more popular small towns that are just brimming with that cool factor, like Bath or Brevard, but there are plenty of these little gems throughout the state that sometimes go unnoticed. This is a great place for families, with numerous things to do, including mini golf, family-friendly restaurants, and one of the best beaches in North Carolina. This cool mountain town is home to the Appalachian Trail (literally straight through the town). 10 Tiny Towns In North Carolina You’ve Probably Never Heard Of. Located on the Pamlico River, Bath was North Carolina's first port of entry. The area has several good campgrounds for tenters or RVs. Thank you! Each of these towns has a population under 1,000…and sometimes under 500. Avon is a great place to stop and park yourself. One of the most unique features of Kitty Hawk is the large maritime forest in Sandy Run Park. The canopied streets are the best for leisurely walks, be it by yourself or with your friends, while you look around and pop in to one of the stores for art, books, decorations, antiques, and the like. North Carolina's coastal towns offer a mix of experiences, from quaint historic communities with 18th-century homes and tree-lined streets to thriving beach scenes and fun activity-based destinations for families. A tiny town located near the outskirts of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is known and loved for its wide beaches, soft white sand, and picturesque stilt houses situated right on the water, many of which can be rented out to summering families. Known as: One of the smallest inhabited islands on the South Carolina coast A mere 20-minute ride from Charleston, Sullivan’s Island is a largely unspoiled beach town for those who want to get away from the city. This former pirate hangout, once frequented by Blackbeard himself, is now a charming port, replete with preserved historic buildings and maritime views. Yet some of our towns and communities are so small they’re good at keeping their quaint beauty to themselves. Carolina Beach is known as one of North Carolina's top surfing destinations. Set on Albemarle Sound, Edenton is a peaceful escape from the stress of everyday life. One of the highlights is the Chowan County Courthouse. There's a reason people come to Beaufort and almost immediately plan a return trip. Little River, SC - The Intracoastal Waterway and the Waccamaw River 1. A wonderful walk along the Duck Boardwalk starts at the kayak launch parking area and heads south along the shoreline ultimately ending at Aqua Restaurant, where you can have a leisurely lunch on their wonderful outdoor patio. Homes dating from the 17th century are on beautiful tree-lined streets that entice you to stroll along and think about what life used to be like here over 200 years ago. Asheville, the economic and cultural center of the western mountain region, has seen an influx of retirees drawn by its mild climate, great scenery and strong artistic element. Coastal North Carolina is dotted with all sorts of small islands, islets, outer banks, and inner banks. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of one another, and many are free to enter. 6. One of the fun things to do here is take a harbor tour, where you'll almost certainly be able to see dolphins racing in your bow wake. A great way to get to Southport from Wilmington is to take the historic Southport-Fort Fisher car and passenger ferry. Surrounded by water on three sides, the town has a maritime feel about it. Beaufort is full of history and is North Carolina's third oldest town. Fresh catches are prepared in ways that will delight your taste buds. Most of the action is found at the base of South Broad Street. Blackbeard ran his ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, aground near the present day inlet. Fresh breezes off the ocean and cool waters to swim in make for a refreshing retreat. In fact, National Geographic even named it the seventh-best waterfront adventure town. The famous vintage Carolina Beach Boardwalk is full of fun things to do, including carnival rides, a carousel, an arcade, ice-cream shops, and restaurants with beachfront patios. Edenton. Take some time to discover why for yourself. If you want a more outdoorsy experience, you may also want to consider camping in the Outer Banks. Duck is also unique for its extensive, elevated, one-mile boardwalk out over the water that connects various restaurants, shops, and parks while providing great views out over the sound. You can find more of her work on emoryrakestraw.com. Just south of town you'll find the impressive Wright Brothers National Memorial. The town has fishing piers: The Nags Head Fishing Pier, which also has a public aquarium, and the Outer Banks Fishing Pier. This black-and-white beacon can be climbed, and the reward for the effort of going up 257 stairs is amazing views up and down the coast. North Carolina: A Truly Vibrant State North Carolina is an interesting state because it features so many different things. She enjoys writing, photography, filmmaking, travel, wine and cheese. Baby Boomers in search of a beachside retirement hotspot don’t have to flock to Florida for a coastal environment. If you love the small-town vibe, pack a suitcase to discover the … At the southern end of the coast and a quick hop from buzzy Wilmington, this laid-back beach town on a four-mile-long barrier island has charm in spades, from a bird nesting sanctuary at the south end to its iconic Johnnie Mercers Pier. In the summer, every Tuesday, a free concert takes place at the town park, with bands providing a mix of musical styles. The riverwalk is beautiful and filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and a few places to grab a refreshing beverage. If you are a foodie and like charming small towns, Calabash should be number one on your destination list. It's located in the municipal grounds near the town hall. Emory was born and raised in North Carolina. This tiny town has a rich history, but today it’s primarily known as an outdoors paradise and, as its name implies, for its natural hot springs. Swansboro is just a bridge drive over from popular Crystal Coast destinations ike Emerald Isle. The main things to see and do are easily reached by foot, and if you find yourself tired out by the adventure, stop in at one of the restaurants and recharge with a fine seafood meal. Like something straight from a storybook, the town’s charming downtown area is completely walkable and features a variety of restaurants and shops housed in a quaint mountain village. It's a fun family thing to do. want to pay a visit to Yana's for the fried fritters...or enjoy a cool afternoon brew with a waterfront view. Top 10 biggest cities by population are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, and Concord. Kitty Hawk is the place where Orville and Wilbur Wright first managed to fly. Down at the dock areas there is always something to see or do, whether it's a fisherman showing off his catch or people catching up on an outdoor patio. North Carolina’s coast has always held some of the best vacation spots for boaters. Carolina Beach is perfect for families, with the ocean in front and fun and games behind. Located along the innerbanks, Swansboro has an extremely charming main street filled with shops and restaurants. A map of North Carolina cities will show that on one side of the state, you have miles of beaches, including the famed Outer Banks, where many hotels are events take place. North Carolina is home to many quaint towns rich in history and natural beauty that provide an opportunity for relaxation and family togetherness, without the noise and traffic of larger cities. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. You will receive your first newsletter soon. For an even closer look, launch a kayak or canoe and explore the twisty waterways. The oldest community in North Carolina, it was actually an important city during the colonial era and vestiges of this proud past can be found throughout town. North Carolina is in the Southeastern region of the United States and there are quite a few beautiful and charming small towns scattered throughout the state. Silver Gull Motel, Wrightsville Beach/Oyster. Friendly locals, land and water activities, and so much more makes this place epic. For a change of pace from the beach, you can walk along the wonderfully serene boardwalk, where you'll have a good chance of spotting the local wildlife, including yellow-bellied slider turtles, deer, otters, and egrets. 3. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach. There are reasons people have been coming to this stretch of coast since the early 1800s. These places make ideal escapes from the heat and humidity of summer. One of the highlights of a visit to Beaufort is a stop at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, where treasures from Blackbeard's sunken pirate ship discovered just offshore are on display. Love North Carolina? In the summer, there are fireworks every Thursday night and live music concerts featuring a variety of musicians across the musical spectrum. In addition to dining, the town offers great opportunities for shopping across a wide variety of retail shops. A farmers market takes place throughout the summer, from the middle of May to the end of September on Monday's beginning at 8am. History is everywhere here, from the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum to the Maritime Museum, right through to the Fort Johnson-Southport Museum and Visitors Center. The beach at Kitty Hawk is long and wide with golden brown sand, ideal for long beach walks. From here, you can catch the trolley for a tour of the town, take a boat tour on Albemarle Sound, or stop in at the historic Cupola House. Located on the Tuckasegee River, Bryson City is home to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and plenty of small town mountain charm. Located on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, many people arrive to this quaint mountain town by train or boat. Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. Beaufort, North Carolina. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in North Carolina. The main streets are charming and this cool little town is perfect for a weekend getaway or even calling it your forever home. Be sure to stop by the weigh-in area in the afternoon when the boats return with their catches, some of which are enormous. Map of Radon Zones in North Carolina based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data More North Carolina directories: Cities in North Carolina with more than 6000 residents ; Cities, towns, and villages in North Carolina between 1000 and 6000 residents ; More data: Zip Codes, Counties, Businesses, Houses, Weather Forecasts Duck is unique from many of the towns in the Outer Banks. It's a perfect pit stop if you're riding the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad or even a pitstop between your fishing and rafting adventures. North Carolina has SO many small towns, it can sometimes feel impossible to keep track of them all. One of the main attractions off the beach is Jockey's Ridge State Park. Some right on the coast and others high up in the mountains. Wrightsville Beach. For an interesting free show, stop in for lunch at Good Winds, located upstairs in the Kitty Hawk Kites complex, where you can sit on the patio and watch the crazy kiters zip across the waves and perform aerial tricks. Jannette's Pier, Nags Head | Photo Copyright: Lana Law. The small town of Beaufort is the county seat of Carteret County, on the ‘Inner Banks’ coastal area of North Carolina (specifically, Beaufort is situated just where the Outer Banks end). What’s your favorite river town in North Carolina? Fun for all ages, activities include walking, running, and even surfing down the tallest sand dunes in the Eastern United States. Back in 2014, Wrightsville Beach made National Geographic’s list of the world’s top 20 surf towns, finally cementing what locals already knew — this small town is a laid-back and lively coastal haven. Rated as one of North Carolina's best small towns by Frommer's, Edenton sits on the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay, about 70 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia. Just a short distance north of Avon brings you to the tri-cities of Waves, Rodanthe, and Salvo. I agree with the Southport recommendations. The town itself is easy to navigate by foot. 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