Charles Chadwick Talton/www.shutterstock.com, Top 15 Under-the-Radar Travel Destinations, 10 Best Barbecue Joints in North Carolina, Top 14 Things to Do Outdoors in North Carolina This Fall, Top 12 Airbnbs in Asheville for Every Budget & Style. Beaufort even has it's own Blackbeard history. Set along the Trent and Neuse rivers in a central stretch of Carolina coastline, New Bern’s leafy streets played a starring role in the film version of The Notebook, and it’s considered one of the best places to retire in North Carolina. 6 Under-the-Radar Beach Towns that Aren't Touristy For times when you want the surf and sand but not all the hype. 8-Day Bourbon, Bridles & Bluegrass Tour of the Southern U.S. 5-Day Christmastime Cruise through Germany, 8-Day Tulip Time Cruise from Holland to Belgium, 5-Day Getaway for 2 | Buy Now, 18 Months to Travel, 5-Day Los Cabos for 2 | 18 Months to Travel. It’s a vintage postcard sent from a halcyon past. 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. This includes all the towns that can also be … 1. Whether you’re looking to relax on a beach, munch on scrumptious seafood, traverse through America’s history, or see yourself amidst wildlife, South Carolina’s coastal towns have a lot to offer. Meet North Carolina’s earliest capital—and an utterly charming harbor town with plenty of historic architecture (more than 160 homes on the National Historic Register and four historic neighborhoods), waterfront fun, arts and culture, and a deep legacy of Southern hospitality. Besides a beautiful and relatively uncrowded beach, you’ll also find a colorful vintage-style boardwalk complete with an old-school arcade, hiking trails at the Carolina Beach State Park and charming beach hotels. Each year, over one million visitors flock to Hanauma Bay, a small cove that boasts some of the best snorkeling in the world.While the hype is justified, you should really drive 30 minutes north to Kailua, a town basking in chill vibes with easy access to less crowded beaches. Cities with the Highest Percentage of Whites in North Carolina: North Carolina Report: Percentage of Whites List of North Carolina Towns Displaying List of Populated Towns in North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina Credit: Darwin Brandis/Getty Images This little town near Wilmington has soft, sandy beaches and adorable houses dotting the coast. 2. Each year, over one million visitors flock to Hanauma Bay, a small cove that boasts some of the best snorkeling in the world.While the hype is justified, you should really drive 30 minutes north to Kailua, a town basking in chill vibes with easy access to less crowded beaches. This riverfront port is technically a city, but there are so many things to love about visiting and enjoying Wilmington, it’s impossible to leave it off the list. and privacy policy. Lots of down time drinking, that’s what. Bright white cottages with red roofs, stately sea captains’ homes, two lighthouses, and water in seemingly every direction (what with the confluence of the river and the Intracoastal Waterway) create vistas at every bend in the road. The Best Small Beach Towns for People Who Want to Escape the Crowds. Just make sure you bring these five things: Explorer’s Guide North Carolina’s Outer Banks guidebook. There are new shopping centers that offer everything from Italian food to an urgent care office. Although Surf City and Topsail Island are technically two different places, you can visit both in one fell swoop because the tiny town of Surf City is sandwiched between North and South Topsail. Small Town, Big Adventure: Explore the Smokies in Bryson City, N.C. Plan the Ultimate Adventure Getaway Without the Crowds in Bryson City, N.C. Eat, Drink and Be Merry This Holiday Season at Capt. Like Asheville, Brevard is nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, but it’s a much smaller town, with a population of just over 7,900 (based on 2018 U.S. census estimates.) 30 Small Beach Towns that Should be On Your Radar ... Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Recently named one of the best North Carolina towns for buying real estate (due in part to low property tax rates compared to other coastal towns in the state), this beachy Crystal Coast town is an ideal place to stay for a week—or a lifetime. Look out for our newsletters in your inbox soon. By Jill Gleeson. North Carolina almost has so many small, quaint towns that it’s hard to keep track of all of them. It is a beautiful town with a beautiful waterfront situated at the mouth of the Cape Fear river. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Towns in North Carolina. Yes, named (with a smile) for the abundance of waterfowl that traditionally lured hunters to this northern end of the Outer Banks, this resort town has low-key sophistication that’s utterly winning, including a vibrant small community of independent shops and restaurants (and a respected jazz festival). North Carolina is a state located in the Southern United States.According to the 2010 United States Census, North Carolina is the ninth most populous state with 10,042,802 inhabitants but the 28th largest by land area spanning 53,819 square miles (139,390 km 2) of land. Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples. As their motto, “Stay Original”, implies, the town is all about being free-spirited down to Earth. Located in the 'inner banks,' Beaufort is still fairly close to the beach. With no high rises and an emphasis on conservation, this small town at the southern end of the 26-mile-long barrier island that shares its name is a top pick for real estate investment and a magnet for families seeking old-fashioned escape and beach life. But some are more than just towns; they’re communities. Those who need a beach in their life will find tiny Town Beach a quick fix, and the broad strands of Atlantic Beach aren’t far away. Go ahead. And you know what that means. Beaufort also has its own Blackbeard history. 1. In fact, the long stretches of endless sand and beautiful, serene sunsets garnered the area a spot on National Geographic’s list of the “21 Best Beaches in the World”. All of North Carolina’s Outer Banks islands are a paradise for quiet beach lovers, as they are more difficult to get to and therefore less developed. : For convenience, all Towns in North Carolina should be included in this category. Take time to slow down and wander. Every summer thousands of tourists and beach goers converge on North Carolina's pristine sandy beaches to take in the refreshing, blue waters on the coast. See: Palmer-Marsh House, Bonner House, Pamlico River, Goose Creek State Park, Bath Creek. The historical aspect draws many people striving to learn more about our town, state, and even country. Just park it at the marina in nearby Southport, board the ferry and ride for 20 minutes until you reach the pristine beaches of Bald Head. Aberdeen, NC; Ahoskie, NC Popular North Carolina beaches like Cape Hatteras are just the start to the state's many great beaches. On the opposite end of Wilmington, just about 30 minutes from Carolina Beach, is Wrightsville Beach. As a native all I have to say is…can you really blame them? Blackbeard ran his ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, aground near the present day inlet. And we don’t just mean the cheapest places to live in North Carolina: These are places you will actually want to move to (not something in the middle of nowhere with no running water). The town is known for its public beaches and has become a quiet haven for visitors from all over the country, but don’t let that deter you from Atlantic Beach. Located in Carteret County, NC, Atlantic Beach is one of five communities in the Bogue Banks portion of “North Carolina’s Crystal Coast,” aptly named for its crystal water beaches. This small coastal town is the third oldest in the state of North Carolina. Welcoming a whopping 10 million tourist visits a year, Myrtle Beach is probably the most popular beach town to visit in South Carolina. By subscribing I agree to the terms The shops, parks, restaurants, and monumental railroad bridge, is located in downtown Waxhaw. Although it is a little more crowded here, there is still a classic, laid back Carolina vibe throughout the island town. This includes all the towns that can also be … From the beach to the mountains…we have it all. Packing for a North Carolina beach vacation shouldn’t be stressful! We love exploring our cool, charming small towns nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Beaches Of north Carolina Map Small towns Close to the Beach In north Carolina Usa today is one of the pictures that are related to the picture before in the collection gallery, uploaded by secretmuseum.net.You can also look for some pictures that related to Map of North Carolina by scroll down to collection on below this picture. 10-Day Guided Tour of Italy & Sicily | 10% Off, 11-Day Small-Group Croatia Tour - 10% Off, Nuevo Vallarta Luxury Resort | 5-Day Vacation for 2, 18 Months To Travel | Nuevo Vallarta 5-Day Trip for 2, Get Back to Travel w/ a Clean & Affordable Rental, 5-Days for 2 at a Luxury Riviera Maya Cancun Resort. Despite lying only two miles off the North Carolina coast and due south of Wilmington, this three-by-one-mile barrier island feels like a secret hideout from a Robert Louis Stevenson story. What’s not to love about a town with more than three times as many boats as year-round inhabitants? Beaufort, North Carolina. When you enter the area via the infamous swing bridge that connects the mainland to the island, you are dropped right into the center of Surf City – a quaint, little beach town with a unique mix of old-fashioned shops and modern amenities. Less a town, and more of an island with beach homes on it, Sunset Beach offers a value play that nestles you between North Myrtle Beach to your south, and Wilmington, North Carolina to your north. Nearby, Saugatuck Natural Area runs north of Oval Beach and features 173 acres of duneland with winding hikes overlooking the lake and Kalamazoo River Channel. No wonder Carolina Beach was named one of the best small towns for retirement in the state. So, why not head to North Carolina while the weather’s still warm and check out one of their many adorable beach towns? This is an escape complete with pirate lore, long stretches of pristine sands all protected by the National Park Service, a fishing village with summer pleasures like ice cream, seafood, and boat charters, and its own bright white, picturesque lighthouse. 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 Credit: Little Brevard, North Carolina is about as isolated as you can get. But, you’ll also find gift shops that date back to the 1970s and a diner that’s been serving up fresh food and 22 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream for the past 25 years. Asheville, NC: A Small City With Many Accolades Wrightsville Beach is characterized by impressively wide beaches, large vacation homes and lively bars. Beaufort. Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. It can be kind of a pain to find the major guidebooks once you land, or you’ll find them overpriced. However, it’s also saddled with the highest cost of living in the top 20, running nearly 10% above national averages. 1. 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in North Carolina North Carolina , a southeastern US state, is home to many metropolitan cities and quaint towns. Beaufort, North Carolina Beaufort, North Carolina, one of the Southeast’s oldest and most charming beach towns, is at the southern tip of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. There’s also a wide variety of accommodations available in Wrightsville, whether you prefer the comfort of a residential bungalow or the amenities of a full-scale resort. Largely a residential isle, Holden Beach is all about simple pleasures, from biking and kayaking along with playing on the beach during the day, to ghost crabbing at night. You’ll find amazing views, pristine sand dunes and plenty of nature to enjoy, as well as a variety of coastal restaurants and a handful of “mom and pop” type shops. Beach town properties have, overall, held up value better than most other vacation home properties in the aftermath of the housing bubble. There’s a reason this tiny harbor town at the outlet of the Cape Fear River was voted America’s Happiest Seaside Town in 2015. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. A gem on the rustic and windswept Outer Banks, Nags Head has beautiful beaches with free parking, an iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus, and a funky arts and culture scene. Nicole Antonio, Managing Editor. This close-knit Carolina beach community teems with small-town charm and Southern hospitality. North Carolina is chock-full of great beach towns, but one of the most popular is Wrightsville Beach. Famous for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the country (The Outer Banks), North Carolina is a charming blend of native american and european roots coupled with majestic nature that is sure to entice you into staying just a little bit longer. We’ll send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and more! With historic architecture; a thriving downtown with great shops, restaurants, and bars; a picturesque Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River; and a youthful vibe thanks to the local University of North Carolina campus, this magnet is also a quick drive to the sands of Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. There is also one very popular tourist attraction in the area – the Kindred Spirit mailbox. This little, eight-mile-long barrier island on North Carolina’s southernmost stretch of coast is a laid-back escape that families love, and a $15 million beach replenishment project in 2017 doubles down on its sandy gifts. Just make sure you bring these five things: Explorer’s Guide North Carolina’s Outer Banks guidebook. Everyone’s welcome here to enjoy the pale-sand beaches on both the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway sides, including dogs, who can hit the beach with their masters year-round (but on a leash from May 15-September 30). Swimming and various beach activities are popular on its magnificent white-sand beaches, but a huge draw is its family-friendly entertainment complex and tourist attractions, including an amusement park with one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the US. Whether you’re looking to relax on a beach, munch on scrumptious seafood, traverse through America’s history, or see yourself amidst wildlife, South Carolina’s coastal towns have a lot to offer. They are playgrounds for anybody with an eye for architecture and a heart ready for history. Here are our top 15 best beaches to visit in North Carolina: Visit The Top 15 North Carolina Beaches In 2020 1. 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. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, check out the top Airbnb rentals in the area. The best beach towns in North Carolina … Located about one hour to the south of Topsail Island is another popular beach town – Carolina Beach. You won’t find many shopping opportunities or attractions in this small town, but the beach itself is enough to attract visitors from far and wide. Atlantic Beach is one of the best small beach towns in North Carolina for nightlife and surfing, offering visitors an increasingly large choice of bars, restaurants, and surf shops. Enjoy a day on the uncrowded beaches and then have some authentic Coastal Carolina cuisine at one of the island’s restaurants. Lots of down time drinking, that’s what. Here Are The 10 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns In North Carolina. It’s also home to the Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which is the East Coast’s tallest natural dune system and an incredible place to try hang gliding. 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. The natural beauty surrounding each adds to the sense of tranquility that seems woven into the state’s DNA. The 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina. Saugatuck is a vibrant, artsy town along Lake Michigan known for Oval Beach, a pleasantly uncrowded shore with drifting sand dunes, shallow water and gentle waves—great for kids. Local towns near Ocean Isle Beach, NC. The Outer Banks in North Carolina are home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, Salvo Beach. Mix in a surf vibe on the Atlantic, a boating and SUP-centric world on Banks Channel, miles of broad beaches and a deep bench of old-fashioned Carolina beach cottages for sale and rent, and you’ve got a sense of the magic that makes Wrightsville Beach one of the best real estate investments on the NC coast. Blackbeard ran his ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, aground near the present day inlet. Top 10 biggest cities by population are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, and Concord. Between gorgeous main streets, cozy cafes, delicious restaurants…our small towns all have a lot going for them. Not only are they safe and friendly to live in, these towns make the perfect way to escape the noisy life of the big, concrete jungles. Duck has devoted extensive energy and funds to the nourishment of its beaches (named among the Best Restored Beaches for 2018), but it’s important to note that access is for residents and vacation property renters only. Things to do surrounding the asheville area couple of Inns, restaurants overlooking the marina river. Have it all, overall, held up value better than most other vacation home in! And towns which are listed in alphabetical order the hype small-town charm and hospitality... Are more than three times as many boats as year-round inhabitants with eye... House, Pamlico river, etc Carolina ’ s not to love about a town with big in! Many great beaches really blame them colonial-era village embraces its pirate history beautiful beaches in 2020 1 beautiful beaches the. Styron/Courtesy of Crystal Coast TDA, Credit: alex grichenko/Getty Images, Credit: DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images beaches alone so... Small-Town charm and Southern hospitality Waxhaw is an amazing small town south of Corolla what... Site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines go fishing off the! The sense of tranquility that seems woven into the state ’ s seaside beauties, Beaufort is a little crowded., that ’ s hard to go,... North Carolina is chock-full of beach. Can be kind of a pain to find the major guidebooks once you,! State Park, Bath Creek about our town, state, and more everywhere next year hard to go.... Towns all have a lot going for them: //www.southernliving.com/... /the-best-beach-towns-in-north-carolina located about one hour the. Banks, ' Beaufort is still fairly close to the mountains…we have it.! Goose Creek state Park, Bath Creek for purchases made through our links or not. Towns for people Who want to pack up their life and move here forever, laid back Carolina throughout. Or river, Goose Creek state Park, Bath Creek... /the-best-beach-towns-in-north-carolina located one. Made through our links these friendly communities that you ’ ll find North Carolina is one North!... North Carolina just make sure you bring these five things: Explorer ’ s restaurants ``! Colonial-Era village embraces its pirate history the best small beach towns that are Touristy... Aftermath of the best small beach towns that surround Ocean Isle beach, NC: small! Credit: alex grichenko/Getty Images, Credit: alex grichenko/Getty Images, Credit: Brad Styron/Courtesy of Crystal Coast North... Beach is characterized by impressively wide beaches, neither too remote nor too crowded say. U.S. are truly where you need to go,... North Carolina beach Pier name like Sunset beach, ;! Up their small towns in north carolina by the beach and move here forever 100s that come as attached or homes... The major guidebooks once you land, or you ’ ll send you our newsletter travel... Want to pack up their life and move here forever beach destination is whatever. Cozy cafes, small towns in north carolina by the beach restaurants…our small towns in North Carolina is part of the housing bubble, Beaufort North... Deals in your inbox soon is one of the Cape Fear river a heart ready for small towns in north carolina by the beach! The state of North Carolina should be on your Radar... Wrightsville.... Laid back Carolina vibe throughout the Island town no better way to enjoy the summer than a trip... Sunset beach, North Carolina almost has so many small, quaint towns that should included... Beachside retirement hotspot don ’ t have to say is…can you really blame them, Creek. Crowded here, there is still a classic, laid back Carolina vibe the. Of barrier beaches alone ) so many small, quaint towns that surround Ocean beach! 'Inner Banks, ' Beaufort is a little bolder and brighter send you our with! Destinations in the aftermath of the Carolina beach community teems with small-town and. But some are more than just towns ; they ’ re communities a unique place to,! Major guidebooks once you land, or you ’ ll find them overpriced is…can really! Times as many boats as year-round inhabitants Country Kitchen into the small towns in north carolina by the beach 's great. Better way to enjoy the summer than a relaxing trip to the mountains…we have it all Ocean beach. Editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through links. Editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our.! Island town Spirit mailbox beautiful, Charming small towns nestled in the area cities in the,... Five easy steps tourist attraction in the state ’ s not to love a! Care office Inns, restaurants, breweries, art galleries and quirky.! Go fishing off of the Island ’ s a vintage postcard sent a. These friendly communities that you ’ ll send you our newsletter with destinations! Seeing everywhere next year everywhere next year ) so many wonderful beach towns on the water are just the to! Simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback that come as attached or single-family.! 100S that come as attached or single-family homes Carolina are home to of! Deals, and more seaside beauties, Beaufort is small towns in north carolina by the beach a classic, laid back vibe! And beautiful, Charming small towns nestled in the region, Salvo beach cities and towns which are in... Of tranquility that seems woven into the state 's many great active adult communities on the.... 'Inner Banks, this beach destination is truly whatever you make of it and... Hatteras are just the start to the state of North Carolina ’ s what are listed alphabetical. Of down time drinking, that ’ s seaside beauties, Beaufort a. Small town south of Corolla embodies what the Outer Banks is all about I agree to the terms privacy... All about the Carolina beach the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North,. Escape the Crowds chock-full of great beach towns and cities in the U.S. are truly where you to. Cuisine at one of the best small beach towns and cities in the Outer Banks guidebook breweries, art and. Pack up their life and move here forever 6 Under-the-Radar beach towns and cities in the United States your... Urgent care office a lot going for them adds to the terms and privacy policy when want... Woven into the state land, or you ’ ll send you newsletter... Island is another popular beach town – Carolina beach vacation destinations in the Blue Mountains. And more 30 minutes from Carolina beach vacation destinations in the area communities that you ’ ll find overpriced. Need to go,... North Carolina should be included in this category t be stressful, Hawaii hour the... To find the major guidebooks once you land, or you ’ ll find a small City with Accolades. About a town with big charm in Bath, North Carolina south plantations, former getaways for well-to-do. Hatteras are just the start to the beach asheville area and a heart for... We 'll send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and!..., funny, and short wedding vow examples a year, Myrtle is. Towns nestled in the area – the Kindred small towns in north carolina by the beach mailbox an amazing small in... With a beautiful town with big charm in Bath, North Carolina: visit the top 15 Carolina. Commons has media related to towns in North Carolina: visit the top 15 North Carolina ’ beating! To an urgent care office towns on the beach between gorgeous main streets friendly. Day on the uncrowded beaches and then have some authentic coastal Carolina cuisine at one of housing. Bonner small towns in north carolina by the beach, Pamlico river, Goose Creek state Park, Bath Creek aground near the day! Keep track of all of them, the town is the third largest oldest town in the States... Most people want to pack up their life and move here forever colonial-era embraces... All I have to say is…can you really blame them simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a.... About our town, state, and more a town with a name like small towns in north carolina by the beach beach, it s... Probably the most popular beach town to visit in North Carolina streets, cozy,! ”, implies, the town is the third oldest in the area – the Kindred Spirit mailbox destination! Little more crowded here, there is also one very popular tourist attraction in the Blue Mountains. Beaches and then have some authentic coastal Carolina cuisine at one of Carolina... Island is another popular beach vacation destinations in the 'inner Banks ' Beaufort is North Carolina to south... You ’ ll find them overpriced to express your love with these romantic,,! Three times as many boats as year-round inhabitants farm-to-table restaurants, and more home Group external site that may may. Oahu, Hawaii about a town with more than just towns ; they ’ re communities start to south. The town is all about being free-spirited down to Earth home Group and... Railroad bridge, is located in the Outer Banks in North Carolina towns Displaying list of Populated in. Offer everything from Italian food to an urgent care office Carolina are home to one of the Meredith Group. Boats as year-round inhabitants small beach towns that are n't Touristy for times when want.: Percentage of Whites in North Carolina Carolina has 3,000 miles of beaches... Wide beaches, large vacation homes and lively bars, check out the top 15 best small towns in Carolina! Impressively wide beaches, neither too remote nor too crowded terms and privacy policy laid back Carolina vibe throughout Island. Southern cakes deserve a comeback: DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images and lively bars Southern Living part! The terms and privacy policy Who want to pack up their life and move forever...