nc Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area.
1 Roosevelt Dr., (252) 726-3775, (252) 247-4003. One of the few remaining maritime forests on the North Carolina coast, the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area offers an interpreted trail adjacent to and leading from the parking area of the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Donated to the state by the family of the 26th president, this nature preserve attracts naturalists and photographers. Trail use is free.
AURORA Local Information: WashingtonBeaufort County TDA Aurora Fossil Museum. 400 Main St.,
BILL RUSS
(252) 322-4238. Tells the story of the formation of the Coastal Plain from the birth of the Atlantic Ocean to the present. The deposit of phosphate is a result of a long evolutionary process, beginning millions of years ago when the sea covered eastern North Carolina. www.aurorafossilmuseum.com The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been guiding sailors for more than 100 years.
BALD HEAD ISLAND Local Information: NC Brunswick Islands/Southport Oak Island C of C (See our ad on page 98) Old Baldy Lighthouse & Smith Island Museum. Lighthouse Wynd, (910) 457-7481.
North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse was built in 1817. Smith Museum is housed in replica of 1850s lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Island is accessible only by ferry or private boat; no cars are allowed on the island. www.oldbaldy.org
BELHAVEN Local Information: WashingtonBeaufort County TDA Belhaven Memorial Museum.
211 E. Main St., (252) 943-6817. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, this museum includes 30,000 buttons, dressed-flea wedding couple, antique dolls and toys, war artifacts, old money, furniture, farm tools, period fashions, and technological antiquities from around the world. www.beaufort-county.com/belhavenmuseum
BATH Local Information: Washington-Beaufort County TDA Historic Bath State Historic Site.
207 Carteret St., (252) 923-3971. Bath is the oldest town in North Carolina and was incorporated in 1705. Features Palmer-Marsh House, c. 1751, a furnished Colonial home of a wealthy official; Bonner House, c. 1830, furnished home of a Bath planter; and Van Der Veer House, c. 1790, selfguided museum of the town of Bath. Guided tours begin each hour from the Visitor Center, and a free 15-minute orientation video is offered. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/bath/bath.htm
BEAUFORT Local Information: Crystal Coast TA (See our ad on page 171)
BEULAVILLE Local Information: Duplin County TDC (See our ad on page 93) Cabin Lake Recreational Park.
220 Cabin Lake Rd., (910) 298-3648. A 167-acre park with 69-acre lake with swimming, hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking.
BURGAW Local Information: Pender County TDA Bannerman Vineyard. 2624 Stag Park Rd.,
(910) 259-5474. We welcome you to our tasting room to sample our wines, meet our staff and enjoy our wonderful vineyard. www.bannermanvineyard.com. See Travel Map for location.
Beaufort Historic Site. Turner St.,
(252) 728-5225, (800) 575-7483. Tour beautifully restored historic homes interpreted in period style, the old jail, the oldest wood-framed courthouse in the state, an apothecary shop, and the Old Burying Ground. Hear costumed guides tell stories of pirates, sea captains, star-crossed lovers and Confederate spies. www.beauforthistoricsite.org
BUXTON Local Information: Outer Banks VB (See our ad on page 169) Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
46375 Lighthouse Rd., (252) 995-4474. The tallest brick lighthouse in North America. Open for climbing Good Friday-Columbus Day. www.nps.gov/caha
North Carolina Maritime Museum.
315 Front St., (252) 728-7317. Preserves and interprets all aspects of the state’s rich maritime heritage through educational exhibits and programs. Tour the Queen Anne’s Revenge Artifact Repository, which houses artifacts of the shipwreck of Blackbeard’s flagship. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/maritime
CAMDEN Local Information: Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center Camden County Heritage Museum.
Hwy. 343, (252) 771-8333. Housed in the former Camden County jail, c. 1910, the museum is a
see page 185 for local information sources
well-preserved reminder of local methods of incarceration at the turn of the 20th century and also documents the history of Camden County with changing exhibits. www.albemarle-nc.com/ camden/history/jail.htm
CAROLINA BEACH Local Information: Cape Fear Coast CVB (See our ad on page 103) Carolina Beach State Park. 1010 State Park,
(910) 458-8206. Spot the rare Venus flytrap and other species of plants. Wind your way through habitats along intriguing trails or enjoy fishing and boating. Covers 712 acres with five miles of hiking trails, boat ramps, slips and fuel dock. Campsites, picnic areas, group camping. Free; fee for camping, ramps and slips. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ visit/cabe/home.html
CEDAR ISLAND Local Information: Crystal Coast TA (See our ad on page 171) Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Lola Rd. at NC Hwy. 12, (252) 926-4021. Established in 1964 to help protect wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl. Fall and winter months bring thousands of waterfowl to the refuge.
COLUMBIA Local Information: Tyrell County VC or Partnership for the Sounds Pocosin Arts Folk School. 201 Main St.,
(252) 796-2787. Open studio experience with weaving, pottery and paint-your-own dinnerware. Retreat workshops combining field and studio experiences that promote understanding of the Pocosin environment and its people. www.pocosinarts.org Scuppernong River Interpretive Trail.
205 S. Ludington Dr., (252) 796-3004, (888) 737-0437. A 3/4-mile loop through a pristine bottomland swamp along the Scuppernong River. Interpretive signs explain the workings of the blackwater swamp ecosystem and encourage visitors to look, listen and learn while they stroll through nature’s garden. Continued on page 94
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