This Coastal Hideaway Is North Carolina’s Fall Surprise Destination

Less is ‘More‘ on this North Carolina hideaway boasting secret islands and small city appeal.

A far cry from the massive metropolis lifetime of Charlotte or the plush, autumnal magnificence drawing again hordes to Asheville, Southern Living lately featured maybe North Carolina’s best-kept secret so far as beach getaways go.

Here at Travel Off Path, there’s nothing we love greater than stumbling upon textbook hidden gems, so we are able to reveal them to you (and perhaps even ebook a visit ourselves! 😏)

The excellent news about this coastal shock is you can get pleasure from each the pleasant small city elements of fall with a PSL in hand after which enterprise off to virtually unknown islands to the plenty, laden with vibrant blue waters and gratifying delicate climate till the frigid winter temps arrive.

Welcome To Morehead City

Netflix’s hit present Outer Banks has hoisted North Carolina’s shores onto heart stage lately.

Typically, it is the opposite ‘Carolina’ drawing a crowd for its spectacular shorelines, however do not sleep on NC.

It’s not solely the actual Outer Banks that’s worthy of a seashore getaway, but additionally underrated Wilmington. Morehead City, the most important metropolis within the area, affords these keen to provide this little-known city a good shake limitless delights starting from a charismatic downtown to beautiful, crowd-free islands that slip by the cracks of guidebooks.

Oozing a village-esque appeal teeming with fresh-caught seafood like Southern Living-backed The Banks Grill, welcoming locals, inexpensive stays, and quite a few methods to benefit from the surrounding waterways, be it kayaking, serene marshlands, or boarding a ferry to paradise, fall is a superb time to go to for its open barstools and virtually spotless beaches.

Though the largest shock attraction takes you again over a century of serious U.S. historical past.

Fort Macon is without doubt one of the most picturesque locations within the space, overlooking blue Atlantic waters and offering visitors with guided perception as a Civil War stronghold, a key purpose why this state park holds a near-perfect Google ranking.

Discover North Carolina’s Secret Island Escapes

Wanna take within the views nearer to shore? Maybe keep on the town and ebook a pleasant dinner at Jack’s on the Waterfront.

Otherwise, it is time to hop aboard a ferry or seize your lifejacket and paddle to one of many area’s many untamed islands.

The different possibility is to befriend a pleasant native who possible owns a ship, because it’s ingrained within the day-to-day tradition right here.

Sand Dollar Island is actually a map-dot island. Good luck zooming in on the map. Despite its diminutive measurement, it is a large deal for household excursions within the summertime for — you guessed it — gathering sand {dollars}.

Check out Morehead City Ferry Service to get right here. Plus, they provide dolphin sighting excursions.

Sugar Loaf Island is one other gem value exploring, and the closest to downtown Morehead City. Though it is best reached in your phrases by way of kayak or boat.

Here, you will discover extra serenity within the calm waters of the Bogue Sound.

Shackleford Banks is probably essentially the most distinctive of the bunch because the essential inhabitants are wild horses, and simply throughout to the Northeast is Harker’s Island, standard for fishing and residential to Cape Lookout Bed & Breakfast, an excellent place to unplug and recharge.

Hop aboard a ferry from close by Beaufort.

Though not a secret, Atlantic Beach rounds out the most effective place to be for traditional seaside enjoyable — sprawling seashores, oceanfront bars, and limitless methods to take in the solar, even in fall, akin to browsing or renting a seashore cruiser.

Morehead City’s Small Town Delights

There’s no higher place to cap off epic seashore days or island-hopping than downtown Morehead City, the place its vibrant marina boasts much more vibrant sunsets.

Easy to navigate and brimming with pastel, coastal character, downtown’s mother n’ pop eateries, boutique outlets, and quite a few vintage shops account for numerous hours in your journey.

But seafood is king right here, as you’ll be able to think about. Southern Living additionally recommends Red Fish Grill, which simply so occurs to be the primary Morehead City restaurant on TripAdvisor.

There’s no scarcity of cozy inns and old-timey lodges dotting the area too, however those that aren’t followers of typical chains ought to go for the Bask Hotel, a snug mid-size tower overlooking the scenic waterfront.