Perfect for those looking for a unique weekend getaway with plenty of landmarks to see and not far from beautiful beaches. If you want a more outdoorsy experience, you may also want to consider camping in the Outer Banks. Strategically located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Southport has a maritime heritage dating from 1795. What’s your favorite river town in North Carolina? In fact, National Geographic even named it the seventh-best waterfront adventure town. North Carolina is chock-full of great beach towns, but one of the most popular is Wrightsville Beach. want to pay a visit to Yana's for the fried fritters...or enjoy a cool afternoon brew with a waterfront view. The beach is wide, and the water here is clear with an aquamarine color. Aberdeen, NC; Ahoskie, NC Similar in nature to Nags Head, most of the services are along the main highway. 3. In the summer, there are fireworks every Thursday night and live music concerts featuring a variety of musicians across the musical spectrum. It's a fun family thing to do. Here, you'll find an extensive assortment of family restaurants, mini golf, a Children's Museum, and beach shops. Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the picturesque town of Blowing Rock will instantly capture your heart. Wilmington was voted Best Riverfront Town by USA Today 10Best. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. It’s a welcoming place where the water is clear, the sand is clean and the surf’s always up—yes, really. Wrightsville Beach is just a short drive from Wilmington, so getting here is easy and quick; parking is in well-marked lots, and you can pay by the hour and recharge your time via your phone. Surfing started on these shores back in 1909 and has remained a popular pastime ever since, thanks to year-round good weather and beach breaks. You can paddleboard along the Nantahala River, trout fish, check out galleries, and even have a day of tubing. There are a total of 760 towns and cities in the state of North Carolina. Fun for all ages, activities include walking, running, and even surfing down the tallest sand dunes in the Eastern United States. Each of these towns has a population under 1,000…and sometimes under 500. Head over the bridge to Atlantic Beach for a little sun and sand. Many take day trips here while visiting Wrightsville. 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. This is a great place for families, with numerous things to do, including mini golf, family-friendly restaurants, and one of the best beaches in North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach. It's not far from popular destinations like Deep Creek. You'll know you are in the right spot when you see the colorful kites of the kiteboarders just offshore. 10 Tiny Towns In North Carolina You’ve Probably Never Heard Of. Blackbeard ran his ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, aground near the present day inlet. The riverwalk is beautiful and filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and a few places to grab a refreshing beverage. The town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is wonderfully restored to its original glory, and over 40 movies and television shows have been shot here. 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wilmington, N.C. 11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Carolina, 3 Top Places for Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Small Towns in North Carolina, 7 Top-Rated Romantic Getaways in North Carolina, 11 Top-Rated Waterfalls in North Carolina, 12 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina, 10 Top-Rated Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Mountain Towns in North Carolina, 9 Top-Rated Campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC, 5 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in North Carolina 2021, 16 Top Cheap Ski Holidays in North America, 2021, 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Durham, NC, 12 Top-Rated Things to Do in Florence, OR, 12 Top-Rated Things to Do in Leavenworth, WA, 19 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 11 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World. Asheville, the economic and cultural center of the western mountain region, has seen an influx of retirees drawn by its mild climate, great scenery and strong artistic element. One of the main attractions off the beach is Jockey's Ridge State Park. You'll def. Stroll past the various shops, stop by the waterfront to catch the action, and then retire to a waterfront patio to soak up the views of Sugarloaf Island. © Copyright 2021 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. You can check the inventory and house features online and make bookings there as well. Homes dating from the 17 th century are on beautiful tree-lined streets that entice you to stroll along and think about what … As North Carolina's third-oldest town, your day will be filled with history and beauty. In addition to dining, shopping, and walking, additional things to do include fishing from the boardwalk, crabbing on the sound, cycling along the six-mile Duck Trail, or catching a free show at the Amphitheater. She enjoys writing, photography, filmmaking, travel, wine and cheese. Established in 1770, Washington is a laid back place filled with unique history and beauty. While many people might not consider Asheville a small city with a population of 83,393 and the designation of if being one of the largest cities in North Carolina, it actually made the top ranking as one of the top 25 smallest cities in America according to American Style Magazine. The canopied streets are the best for leisurely walks, be it by yourself or with your friends, while you look around and pop in to one of the stores for art, books, decorations, antiques, and the like. The town has fishing piers: The Nags Head Fishing Pier, which also has a public aquarium, and the Outer Banks Fishing Pier. One of the larger towns along the North Carolina Coast, this vibrant outdoorsy place reels you in and makes you want to stay a while. Be sure to check out the Southport Pier and Riverwalk with its great views and fresh breezes. Avon is another wonderful beach town in the Outer Banks that is a great place to base yourself to see the best of the area. Like something straight from a storybook, the town’s charming downtown area is completely walkable and features a variety of restaurants and shops housed in a quaint mountain village. North Carolina is home to many quaint towns rich in history and natural beauty that provide an opportunity for relaxation and family togetherness, without the noise and traffic of larger cities. All that great fishing translates into great seafood at the many fine restaurants spread throughout the town. In the summer, every Tuesday, a free concert takes place at the town park, with bands providing a mix of musical styles. Fishing is king here, with a fine collection of charter boats taking customers out for a day of fishing. The main things to see and do are easily reached by foot, and if you find yourself tired out by the adventure, stop in at one of the restaurants and recharge with a fine seafood meal. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Known as: One of the smallest inhabited islands on the South Carolina coast A mere 20-minute ride from Charleston, Sullivan’s Island is a largely unspoiled beach town for those who want to get away from the city. Depending on the type of vacation you're after, you can find small towns lining the Atlantic Coast or along the sounds. Top 10 biggest cities by population are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, and Concord. You can find more of her work on emoryrakestraw.com. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. North Carolina’s coast has always held some of the best vacation spots for boaters. The beach is a popular destination for those who like to surf, stand up paddleboard, and kayak, so bring your gear. You will receive your first newsletter soon. The town makes a somewhat outrageous claim as the "Seafood Capital of the World," but there is some substance to the statement. Its title as ‘America’s Coolest Small Town’ seems to be down to a combination of 300-years of history – complete with small historic district – and a thriving, convenient, modern-day downtown. Surrounded by water on three sides, the town has a maritime feel about it. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek in Madison County, Hot Springs is an official Appalachian Trail community. For an even closer look, launch a kayak or canoe and explore the twisty waterways. One of the fun things to do here is take a harbor tour, where you'll almost certainly be able to see dolphins racing in your bow wake. Surrounded by water on three sides, the town has a maritime feel about it. Best Boating Towns in North Carolina. Other forms of accommodation include vacation rentals and comfy bed and breakfasts. The trees you see growing in the water are bald cypress trees, ranging in age from 500 to 2,000 years old. This 30-minute ride across the mouth of the Cape Fear River is a cheap way to see the seaside scenery and much better than taking the long way around to get to town. Just a short drive from Wilmington brings you to golden sands and warm waters at Carolina Beach. A wonderful walk along the Duck Boardwalk starts at the kayak launch parking area and heads south along the shoreline ultimately ending at Aqua Restaurant, where you can have a leisurely lunch on their wonderful outdoor patio. Take some time to discover why for yourself. See: Palmer-Marsh House , Bonner House , Pamlico River , Goose Creek State Park , Bath Creek Dine: Blackbeard's Slices & Ices , Old Town Country Kitchen The main gathering spot is at Crystal Pier. Whether you are looking for a place to dock your yacht for a few days or somewhere you can put your skiff in the water and take a sunset cruise, you are sure to find your paradise in one of these North Carolina towns. Beaufort is located along the inner-banks and receives tidal waters from both the Newport River and the North River. Of course, we know of the more popular small towns that are just brimming with that cool factor, like Bath or Brevard, but there are plenty of these little gems throughout the state that sometimes go unnoticed. Some of these beautiful treasures are now bed and breakfasts, shops, and restaurants. Yet some of our towns and communities are so small they’re good at keeping their quaint beauty to themselves. Olympic National Park is just north of Aberdeen, while the small coastal town is within a day's drive of Seattle, Olympia, and the Puget Sound. The beach here is wide, and the sand is soft. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina Located just east of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is made up of two different islands separated by two bodies of water. Asheville, NC: A Small City With Many Accolades. Hotel Prices & Photos One of North Carolina’s seaside beauties, Beaufort is a small coastal town and the third largest oldest town in the state. 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