The seaport town of Beaufort, N.C., affords residents and visitors a slice of early American life in a fishing and port town, with plenty of tourist attractions, too, including the North Carolina Maritime Museum and Beaufort Historic Site. Not to be confused with the somewhat larger Beaufort, South Carolina, (pronounced BU-fort), Beaufort (pronounced BO-fort) is the third oldest town in North Carolina.
With tree-lined streets and restored Victorian homes, Beaufort's historical charm is everywhere. Filled with quaint shops, a popular marina and a variety of restaurants, it's a tourist's dream. Home to the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve, just a short swim across Taylor’s Creek, it's also a nature lover's dream. Continuing east past Beaufort on U.S. Highway 70, one comes to the area known as “Down East,” which is made up of many small communities with a rich history of commercial fishing, crabbing, clamming and cultural pride. Harkers Island in the Down East area is home to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, and the community of Cedar Island is the entry point for a ferry ride to Ocracoke Island.
Enjoy your stay in Beaufort!
