This Is The Friendliest Small Town on the Atlantic Coast
The summer crowds have thinned, the air has turned crisp, and fall is the perfect time to slip away to the coast. 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, on 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 with 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 and Food Fest, which takes place in the spring and again in the fall. Established in 2005, this festival raises money for local charities, so you can feel good about your spending. One of the most beloved parts 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, capped off by a fireworks display in the evening. A little over a month later, in August, the town comes to life with pirates for the annual Pirate Invasion. Activities during the 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, and a sing-along at the Christmas tree.
Bed and Breakfasts and Inns
One of the best ways to get a sense of Beaufort's hospitality is by staying in one of its local inns. The Pecan Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast is a wonderful option for travelers wanting to stay on a historic property. Originally built in 1866 as the Franklin Masonic Lodge and expanded around 1900, it is an excellent example of Victorian architecture. In the early 1990s, owners converted 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, and French toast.
Seeking an inn right on the waterfront? You will love the Inlet Inn. For nearly four decades, this inn has been a seaside favorite, offering 36 comfortable rooms, most with waterfront porches and rocking chairs. Some first-floor rooms even have fireplaces. Each morning, the inn includes a complimentary continental breakfast that staff deliver right to your door, with items like quiche, muffins, 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 hearty southern-style cooking, consider dining at 34 Degrees North, a restaurant and bar on the waterfront. It supports the local agricultural community by using seasonal ingredients from farmers and fishermen, with dishes like shrimp and grits, local grouper, and dry-rubbed pork chop. Moonrakers is another waterfront option, specializing in coastal cuisine and seasonal seafood. Stop in for dinner and you might see clam chowder, fisherman's seafood stew, and grilled mahi on the menu.
If you are craving something a bit more international, make a reservation at Blue Moon Bistro. Set in the historic 1827 Dill House, the friendly culinary team offers modern French cuisine. The chefs work closely with local farmers to ensure the freshest ingredients, with entrees including shrimp etouffee, fish du jour, seared duck breast, and filet mignon.
Cruises and 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 it in 1995, and Captain Robert Morris has since taken over, offering that same level of hospitality to passengers. There are several cruises to choose from. The Cape Lookout Cruise runs approximately six hours and lets visitors see the beautiful and historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse, with stops for lunch, snorkeling, swimming, and shelling. Prefer to catch a North Carolina sunset? Sunset Sail Cruises depart each evening, letting you 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 this local, family-owned company 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 own spot, or have it delivered wherever you plan to paddle.
A Friendly Coastal Escape
Vacations tend to put people in a good mood regardless of the destination. However, if you want 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 meet friendly faces from start to finish.
