Beaufort & Down East

While Beaufort offers a beautiful walking waterfront, the picturesque Down East communities of Carteret County, many of which are part of a Scenic Byway, provide a great opportunity for a car trip. Beaufort (pronounced “Bō-furt”), is well deserving of its “America’s Coolest Small Town” title bestowed in 2012 by Budget Travel, with its eclectic blend of history and the contemporary amenities we have all grown to appreciate.

FRESH & LOCAL: Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market fills Courthouse Square each Saturday morning with a plethora of locally-sourced products. Open from 9am1pm, visitors will find great fruits, veggies, jams and bread as well as art and crafts created by area residents.

WELCOME BACK, SPOUTER: We’re excited to welcome the Spouter Inn back to Beaufort. When the restaurant was destroyed by fire in late 2019, many area foodies were wondering if they’d ever taste that perfect crab & corn chowder again. Well - wonder no more! With the name shortened to just Spouters, the new spot is located just next door to the former site and will focus on lunch fare. Yes, that includes the popular crab & corn chowder as well as our favorite, the Ole’ Crabbie pita. We wish Robin and Matt the best! We’re so glad they’re back! SHRIMP FRY: The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center on Harkers Island celebrates the season with an All-American Shrimp Fry from 5-7:30pm on Saturday, July 10. Museum staff will use the occasion to celebrate area teachers, school administrators and support staff, who are welcome to attend for free. Diners are welcome to dine outside under the oak trees or pick up their shrimp and trimmings to go. Tickets can be purchased by calling 252-728-1500.

SUMMER SCIENCE SCHOOL: The NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort keeps youngsters busy throughout the summer months with its wildly popular

Summer Science School program. Classes range from a few hours to a few days and programs are designed for specific age groups. Topics include Seashore Life, Pirates!, Fish & Fishing and others. Fees depend upon the length of the program. For more information, visit www.ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com.