Beaufort NC: Waterfront, Wild Horses and the Crystal Coast

Beaufort is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, founded in 1709 and still carrying that history in every block of its downtown. It sits right on Taylor's Creek with a proper working waterfront and water views that will stop you mid sentence. And yes, it is pronounced BOH fort, not Byoo fort. That is the one in South Carolina. People here will gently correct you and then immediately offer you a restaurant recommendation.

What makes Beaufort special is how much it packs into a small footprint. You have the boardwalk and the restaurants along Front Street, wild horses living on an island you can kayak to in five minutes, one of the best free maritime museums in the Southeast, and a historic district that dates back to the early 1700s. It is a genuinely exceptional small town and one of the best day trips or weekend destinations on the whole NC coast.

The Beaufort Waterfront

Front Street runs right along Taylor's Creek and it is one of the best waterfront walks in the South. The boardwalk connects restaurants, shops, and docks with views across the water to Carrot Island. On a nice morning you can walk the whole length in about twenty minutes, stop for coffee, watch the boats coming in and out of the inlet, and wonder why you do not live here.

The waterfront has a good mix of casual and sit down restaurants, a few excellent gift shops, and outfitters offering kayak rentals and boat tours. In the evenings people gather on the dock to watch the sunset and keep an eye on the horses across the water. The atmosphere is unhurried in a way that feels rare on the NC coast.

Taylor's Creek is a navigable waterway that connects Beaufort Inlet to the west and runs between the town and Carrot Island. It sees a steady flow of sailboats and motorboats during the season, and the anchorage just off the waterfront is often full of cruising sailors who have stopped on their way up or down the East Coast.

Wild Horses on Carrot Island

Just across Taylor's Creek from the Beaufort waterfront is Carrot Island, a barrier island that is part of the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve. A herd of wild horses has lived on the island for generations. They are believed to be descended from horses brought to North Carolina by early colonists, and they have been roaming that island ever since.

You can often spot the horses from the dock on Front Street, especially in the morning. But the best way to see them is to paddle over. The crossing takes about five minutes by kayak and the island has open sandy areas where the horses roam freely. You are supposed to keep at least 50 feet of distance, which is the right call anyway since these are genuinely wild animals. The tidal flats on the back side of the island are excellent for shelling and the views back toward Beaufort are beautiful from out on the water.

Several rental shops along the Beaufort waterfront rent kayaks and paddleboards by the hour. Guided tours are also available if you want someone to show you around the island and tell you about the horses and the reserve.

Beaufort Historic District

Beaufort has one of the best preserved 18th century downtowns in North Carolina. The historic district is compact and very walkable, with beautiful old homes, tree lined streets, and plaques that actually tell you something interesting. The town has been carefully maintained and the architecture is genuinely impressive for a town this size.

The Old Burying Ground on Ann Street dates to 1731 and is one of the most interesting old cemeteries in the state. There are some genuinely remarkable graves here, including the famous little girl who was buried in a rum keg so her father could bring her back to England for burial. The stories attached to these graves are the kind that stick with you. A free self guided walking tour map is available at the visitor center.

The Hammock House on Front Street is one of the oldest surviving structures in Beaufort, built around 1700. It has had a colorful history and is considered one of the most haunted buildings in North Carolina, though whether you believe that is entirely up to you. The historic district is also the site of the annual Old Homes Tour, which draws visitors from across the state every June.

NC Maritime Museum

The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is free, and it is genuinely excellent. It covers NC maritime history from the earliest colonial watercraft through the World War II era with well designed exhibits and a real research library attached. Plan to spend at least an hour here, more if you are the kind of person who reads all the plaques.

The most talked about exhibits involve the connection to Blackbeard. The wreck of the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's flagship, was discovered in Beaufort Inlet in 1996. The museum has artifacts recovered from the wreck including cannons, weapons, and personal items from the early 1700s. It is one of the more remarkable collections of pirate era artifacts in the country, and it is free to see.

The museum also has a large collection of ship models, historic watercraft, and exhibits on the fishing and maritime traditions of Carteret County. The boat shop in the back is worth a look if anything is being built or restored at the time of your visit.

Restaurants in Beaufort NC

Clawson's 1905 Restaurant: The Beaufort institution. Clawson's has been feeding people on the waterfront for decades and the building itself is a converted general store from 1905. The seafood is consistently good and the atmosphere is exactly what you want from a historic coastal town restaurant. Go for lunch or an early dinner to avoid the biggest wait.

Beaufort Grocery Company: A Downtown Beaufort staple for casual seafood and Southern comfort food. Great for lunch with fresh local catch and an easy walk from the waterfront.

Aqua Restaurant: The upscale option on the Beaufort waterfront. Aqua does fresh local seafood with a more creative approach and a good wine list. It is the place to go for a nice dinner, and the waterfront views from the dining room are worth the price of the meal.

Front Street Grill at Stillwater: Another solid waterfront option with excellent views, a full bar, and a menu that leans heavily on local seafood. Good for groups and a reliable choice any time of the day.

Getting To Beaufort NC

From Raleigh, take US 70 east all the way to Beaufort. It is a straightforward drive of about two hours with no real traffic to speak of once you get past Goldsboro. US 70 will take you right into downtown.

From I 95, take US 70 east from Goldsboro. If you are coming from the south on I 95, pick up US 70 near the Selma or Smithfield area and head east. The drive from Goldsboro to Beaufort is about an hour.

From Wilmington, take US 17 north to Jacksonville and then pick up US 70 east toward Beaufort. The total drive is about 1.5 hours. From Charlotte, there is no direct highway route, so plan for about 3.5 hours via US 74 east to US 17 north or I 40 east to US 70.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce Beaufort NC?
BOH fort. Not Byoo fort. The South Carolina Beaufort is Byoo fort. The North Carolina Beaufort is BOH fort. Locals will appreciate you knowing the difference.

How far is Beaufort NC from Raleigh?
About two hours via US 70 east. It is a comfortable drive and one of the better road trips you can take from the Triangle.

What is the best time to visit Beaufort NC?
April through October is the main season. Spring is especially good because the weather is pleasant, the wildflowers are out, the crowds are still manageable, and the kayaking conditions are excellent. Summer is busy but the waterfront is lively and the water is warm.

What is Beaufort NC known for?
The waterfront on Taylor's Creek, the wild horses on Carrot Island just across the water, one of the best preserved historic districts in NC, the NC Maritime Museum, and the Blackbeard connection through the Queen Anne's Revenge artifacts. It is a town that punches well above its weight for how much there is to see and do.