This Is The Friendliest Small Town on the Atlantic Coast
With summer quickly approaching, a beach vacation is sounding better by the minute. With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline across the US, there is certainly no shortage of options. The hardest part might be choosing where to go! If you are eyeing the Atlantic Coast, one town in particular excels in both its scenic location and its warm hospitality. Beaufort, located along the central coast of North Carolina, is home to fewer than 5,000 residents. Still, its annual food and wine festivals, holiday celebrations, cozy bed and breakfasts, and friendly cruises have earned it a well-deserved reputation as one of the friendliest coastal towns on the Atlantic.
Community Festivals
With several festivals per season, Beaufort’s community always finds a reason to celebrate. Each spring, the town hosts the Beaufort Music Festival, a two-day event that features live music at the Gallants Channel waterfront venue. Food trucks are also on site, keeping attendees well-fed throughout the day. Food and wine lovers will appreciate the bi-annual Beaufort Wine & Food Fest, which takes place in the spring and again in the fall. Established in 2005, this festival raises money for local charities, meaning that you can feel good about your spending. One of the most beloved activities of the event is the oyster roast, with other activities including beer and wine tastings and live music.
For a quirky Fourth of July, stop by Beaufort for the town’s annual Fourth of July Parade. Later on, a fireworks display concludes the evening. A little over a month later, in August, the town comes to life with pirates for the annual Pirate Invasion. Activities during this weekend include sword fighters, black powder demos with cannons, professional magicians, pirate musicians, and bullwhip demos.
In December, travelers can experience the holiday magic during the Beaufort Business Association's Annual Christmas Parade. Throughout the holiday season, the town also hosts a variety of Christmas activities, such as pet photos with Santa, Santa in his Workshop, holiday art walks, holiday markets, a sing-along at the Christmas tree, and more.
Bed & Breakfasts and Inns
One of the best ways to get a sense for Beaufort’s hospitality is by staying in one of its charming local inns. Pecan Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast is a wonderful option for travelers wanting to stay on a historic property. This inn, constructed as a home in 1866 and remodeled in 1901, is an excellent example of Victorian architecture. In 1992, the owners renovated it into a bed and breakfast. Today, visitors can enjoy wide porches, a koi pond, and a garden patio, along with a homemade breakfast each morning. Breakfast menus rotate and can include frittata, strata, poached eggs, breakfast meats, potato dishes, French toast, and more.
Seeking an inn right on the waterfront? You will love the Inlet Inn. For nearly four decades, this inn has been a seaside favorite for travelers, offering 36 comfortable rooms, most of which have waterfront porches and rocking chairs. Some rooms on the first floor even have cozy fireplaces. Each morning, the inn also includes a complimentary continental breakfast that staff will deliver right to your door. On the breakfast menu, visitors can expect to find items like quiche, muffins, Brazilian & Guatemalan coffee, tea, and orange juice.
Hospitable Restaurants
Beaufort’s restaurants are not only welcoming but also offer an impressively diverse range of cuisines. If you are seeking some hearty southern-style cuisine, consider dining at 34 Degrees North, a restaurant and bar that is located on the waterfront. This restaurant supports the local agricultural community by using seasonal ingredients from farmers and fishermen, with a few of the dishes including shrimp and grits, local grouper, and dry rubbed pork chop. Moonrakers is another waterfront dining option, specializing in coastal cuisine and seasonal seafood. Stop in for dinner, and a few of the plates you might see on the menu are clam chowder, fisherman’s seafood stew, and grilled mahi.
If you are craving something a bit more international, make a reservation at Blue Moon Bistro. Set in a historic 1827 home, the friendly culinary team at this restaurant offers modern French cuisine. Chefs Josh and Jayson work closely with local farmers in the area to ensure the freshest ingredients, with a few of the entrees on the menu including shrimp etouffee, fish du jour, seared duck breast, and filet mignon.
Cruises & Water Recreation
While in Beaufort, you will probably want to get out on the water, and what better way than with a friendly captain on a cruise? Lookout Cruises is a trusted company to consider. Steve Bishop founded the company in 1995, making the company a premier name in the coastal region. Captain Robert Morris has since taken over, offering that same level of hospitality and satisfaction to passengers. Passengers can choose from several cruises to embark on. The Cape Lookout Cruise is approximately six hours and allows visitors to see the beautiful and historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse. There will also be stops for lunch, snorkeling, swimming, and shelling. Prefer to catch a beautiful North Carolina sunset? Sunset Sail Cruises depart each evening, allowing you to relax and take in the waterways as the sun goes down.
If you want to explore the waters at your own pace, consider arranging a rental with Beaufort Paddle. You will find that this local, family-owned rental company is just as friendly, offering single kayak, tandem kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. When you rent from Beaufort Paddle, you can launch right from their private dock, take the gear to your spot, or have it delivered wherever you plan to paddle.
Final Thoughts
Vacations tend to put people in a good mood regardless of the destination. However, if you want to add an extra dose of warmth and hospitality, Beaufort, North Carolina, is sure to leave a big smile on your face. Whether you explore the waters on a cruise with a friendly local captain, relax at a historic bed and breakfast, or savor a southern-inspired meal at one of the waterfront restaurants, you will come in contact with friendly faces from start to finish.
