History, cuisine, culture, and beauty combine to make Beaufort, North Carolina, America’s coolest small town. Here is what you must do when you have one day to explore Beaufort.
History, cuisine, and maybe even Blackbeard’s hidden treasure meet in this North Carolina seaside town. It’s easy to understand why the tiny seaside town of Beaufort is often confused with its more famous namesake town in South Carolina. Still, Beaufort, North Carolina, is a travel destination worthy of its own story. Back in 2012, readers of Budget Travel Magazine ranked Beaufort as “America’s Coolest Small Town,” a designation the town still lives up to today.
Established in 1709 and incorporated in 1723, Beaufort is the third oldest North Carolina town steeped in nautical history. I had previously heard that a trip to Beaufort might have me searching for Blackbeard’s sunken treasure, rumored to be at the bottom of the ocean, just offshore. With that in mind, I had to know more about this notable town’s bygone times.
In the early days, the town of Beaufort was primarily a fishing village and safe harbor for area vessels. Located along a channel leading south to the Atlantic Ocean, the town’s history revolved around using natural resources. The original village laid out in 1713 encompasses a 12-block area appearing on the National Register of Historic Places today.
Top Things to Do in Historic Downtown Beaufort if You Only Have One Day—No Car Required
Strolling through this easily walkable waterfront town, I spotted blocks of beautifully restored homes bearing plaques of the original owner’s names and the construction dates. The privately owned homes along Ann Street were among my favorites, and I desperately wanted to peek inside one or two. But alas, I walked on.
Soon, I came upon the Beaufort Historic Site, a living history museum comprised of many original buildings, including the oldest wood-framed courthouse in North Carolina. For perspective, these structures date back to when George Washington was President of the United States of America, and pirates sailed the Atlantic Coast in search of safe harbors to hide their treasure. Live docents–entirely volunteer based—take visitors through a walking history lesson of life in coastal Carolina, encompassing both land and sea. As I stepped inside one of these vintage restorations, I felt immediately whisked back to the fascinating history of the early 1700s.
INSIDER TIP: Take the double-decker bus tour leaving from the historic site to learn about the history of the homes and their first residents–including a stop by a house where Blackbeard lived. Sit on the bus’s top deck for incredible water views on a nice day.
The John C Manson House, Circa 1825. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Historical Society
The Maritime Museum
Wanting to know more about the mysterious history of the infamous pirate Blackbeard and his significance in Beaufort history, the locals pointed me toward the North Carolina Maritime Museum located along Front Street. This fantastic interactive museum displays everything from seashells to undersea life and wooden boat-building demonstrations. From lighthouses to sea birds, this is a must-stop for any beach lover longing to discover more about the abundance of ocean life. It was also the perfect stop for me to learn more about Blackbeard.
The earliest documents of Blackbeard are dated in 1717, when he and fellow pirates captured the French slave ship La Concorde and seized ten crew members, along with the gold carried aboard. Blackbeard would keep this vessel and rename it Queen Anne’s Revenge, a name thought to harken back to his debut into piracy after the conclusion of Queen Anne’s War (1701 – 1714).
In the spring of 1718, Blackbeard’s fleet tried entering the Beaufort Inlet, where he ran the ship aground on a sandbar. To this day, remnants of Queen Anne’s Revenge are located deep beneath the sea. As for the treasure? Three hundred years later, it remains hidden from the world. His ledger says it “lay in a location known only to him and the devil.” Perhaps you may want to search for buried treasure along the shores of Beaufort during your visit.
INSIDER TIP: Entrance to the museum is free, although donations are appreciated. Open seven days a week, the best time to go is during the week before noon, and they open at 10 am.
North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Photo by Colleen O’Neill Mulvihill
A Culinary Walking Tour
By now, I was working up quite an appetite. And good thing, because on a whim, I had scheduled a culinary walking tour of Beaufort for the early afternoon. Hungry Town Guided Tours offered an opportunity I couldn’t resist. The “Foot by Foot Culinary Walking Tour” allows guests to sip, nosh, and stroll through 300 years of history with several stops. The tour is a progressive dining experience, with one stop for an appetizer, one for an entrée, and one for dessert. Each food is paired with a wine or beer tasting.
I particularly enjoyed the olive oil pairings at the Beaufort Olive Oil Company, where flavored oils and aged balsamic vinegar bottles are also available. Tour guides provide historical accounts about the town and the local restaurants and introductions to chefs and restauranteurs who secure the freshest daily offerings from local fishermen. You can’t get more local than from the fishing vessel docked right outside of the restaurant door!
INSIDER TIP: Wear sturdy walking shoes and be prepared for the day’s weather. The tour operates rain or shine and lasts approximately 3 hours. Participants must be 21 or older.
Waterfront Dining in Beaufort. Picture by Colleen O’Neill Mulvihill
Crystal Coast Lady – Boat Tours
Since I had spent all morning and afternoon exploring the history and tasting the cuisine in “America’s coolest small town,” it was time to view Beaufort from the water. The Crystal Coast Lady Boat Tours offer several scenic tours throughout the day, so I chose the Wild Horse and Dolphin Sunset Cruise. This tour let me relax and enjoy the calm coastal waters while glimpsing the shore in the distance. Several wild horses strolled along the sandy seashore as dolphins seemed to gleefully entertain the onboard spectators.
Horses are seen on the shore at Shackleford Island from The Crystal Coast Lady boat tour. Photo courtesy Crystal Coast Lady Tours
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Beaufort, North Carolina, is a Fabulous Place to Visit
Once the sun began to dip below the water, the landscape transformed into stunning colors. The sea breeze brought the scents of ocean and sawgrass. It was indeed the perfect ending to a fun-filled day. Reflecting on my experiences, there is no doubt why Beaufort, North Carolina, holds such a prestigious title. It was one of the most incredible (and coolest) places I have ever spent a day. The next time you plan a trip to North Carolina or another small town in the United States, let Wander With Wander be your guide.
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