Beaufort is a beautiful coastal town in North Carolina that is great to visit year-round.
It is about 2 hours from Wilmington and 2.5 hours from Raleigh, but it is worth the drive for a weekend trip.
North Carolina Maritime Museum
The North Carolina Maritime Museum is one of the best things to do in Beaufort, and it is free!
The museum is well known because it hosts the artifacts related to the discovery of Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
The museum has an entire section dedicated to displaying things recovered from the shipwreck.
Plus, you can learn about the maritime history of Beaufort and coastal North Carolina.
Rachel Carson Nature Preserve
The Rachel Carson Nature Preserve is a great way to connect with nature.
It covers over 2,315 acres and is a complex of islands which includes Carrot Island, Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, and Horse Island.
On the islands, you will see over 200 types of birds, wild horses, river otters, gray foxes, marsh rabbits, and raccoons.
The water around the islands also includes Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, diamondback terrapins, sea turtles, and many species of fish.
Go Kayaking
Beaufort is one of the best places in North Carolina to go kayaking because there are several islands and waterways you can visit.
You can rent kayaks by the hour from many places, but you can also go on kayaking tours such as those offered by Beaufort Kayak Tours.
Grab a Beer at Mill Whistle Brewing
One of the best breweries in Beaufort is Mill Whistle Brewing.
It is a little bit off the beaten path, but it is worth a visit.
They have a lot of very interesting beers to try and has some very nice outdoor spaces.
Spending a Day with Hungry Town Tours
Hungry Town Tours offers great walking, biking, or culinary tours in Beaufort.
The tours are very informative and the guides do a great job at making sure everyone has a great time.
The walking and biking tours cost about $20, and the culinary tours, which include food and some alcoholic drinks, cost about $69.
