"Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly." - Van Morrison
First off I have to send a huge THANK YOU to my readers! I get so excited to check out my stats via the Weebly app and when I see that in less than 3 months I've had 15.7k total page views I could just SCREAM with delight! Ok maybe I really have screamed and done a little jig...EEK!
It has been a while since I've packed a suit case and went somewhere outside of Raleigh. Being a year-round teacher, and taking summer grad school classes, I have not had much time to do what my blog says, get out there. However, what I love about teaching in a year-round school is track-out. For those of you that are unfamiliar with year-round schools, basically we are in school for 9 weeks (or a quarter/semester) and then you get a 3 week break. As opposed to a traditional school where you are in for 9-10 months and then you get a nice 2-3 month stretch of no school, for year-round, we go for 12 months BUT we get 4, 3-week breaks. I am on track 2 so my track-outs occur in February, May, August, and November. I love track 2 because these are all PERFECT months for traveling. Having both May and August (double-summer!) track-outs are perfect for beach-going. This leads me into today's post: The Crystal Coast.
North Carolina is (in my opinion) the best state to not only live in but to travel through. We experience all four distinct weather changes with the seasons, we have the beach to the east and the mountains to the west, and not to mention all of the beautiful cities and towns in between. I grew up vacationing to the beach every summer. My family has a condo in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, a tiny beach town on the Crystal Coast. So what is this Crystal Coast that I am referring to? For those of you that are unfamiliar with NC beaches, the Crystal Coast is referring to a stretch of more than 85 miles and 9 distinct regions of beautiful beaches. This post is dedicated to the beautiful Crystal Coast. Seriously. What are you waiting for? GO GO GO!
Cape Lookout
I am going to start with the east-most point of the Crystal Coast: Cape Lookout. Cape Lookout is the famous black and white, diamond patterned lighthouse. Cape Lookout is a secluded area, only accessible by boat. You can take the ferry over and explore that beautiful lighthouse and beaches. I have personally (gasp!) never been to Cape Lookout before, but according to the Crystal Coast website (link above), it is a great spot for camping and fishing.
Harker's Island
The second of two places in the Crystal Coast that I have not actually explored myself is Harker's Island. Harker's Island is home to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. Harker's Island is also known for being a fishing town. HI is home to the Cedar Island Ferry which can take you to the Outer Banks of NC. Visit the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum to discover the maritime culture and waterfowl heritage that makes up Harker's Island.
Beaufort
Next on our list is the beautiful, and historic Beaufort. Beaufort is one of my most favorite places to visit. Period. It is beautiful, historical, and home to many great shops and restaurants. When I think of Beaufort I always think of how different this town is during the day and at night. If you travel out to Beaufort during the day, you will enjoy shopping in a variety of boutiques. Visit the General Store for some awesome ice cream, or The Fudge Factory for fresh, delicious fudge. My favorite restaurant in Beaufort is The Spouter Inn. The Spouter Inn not only has delicious seafood and outdoor dining on the dock, BUT their little hidden secret is the tiny bakery that you pass as you walk in the main entrance. Their blueberry turnovers are Heaven in your mouth! The Spouter Inn also sales the cutest t-shirts bearing their whale logo. This is the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip! There is a variety of restaurants in Beaufort including Clawson's (your typical bar food/pub), Plaza Mexico, Ribeyes Steakhouse, and more. If you go to Beaufort at night, make sure you go on the weekend and head to The Dock House. The Dock House is famous for having live music on the weekends. Listen to some great music while drinking a beer (or cocktail!) on the dock. You'll see beautifully light sailboats and yatchs going by as you sip your beverage and soak in the tunes. I know you just imagined yourself doing that...
Beaufort is the third oldest town in North Carolina. The history is very rich in Beaufort. While you are visiting Beaufort, be sure to check out the NC Maritime Museum. This museum is home to real pieces of Blackbeard's ship which sunk close to the town of Beaufort. If you are feeling adventurous, Beaufort is a great place to go parasailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. If you are more interested in taking the tour route, the Beaufort Historic Site website has a list of historical tours you can take. Find them here! TourBeaufort.com is another awesome site to find other tours and activities offered in Beaufort including the Beaufort Ghost Walk where you can stroll the same roads as Blackbeard himself!
Morehead City
No matter where you stay in the Crystal Coast, I guarantee you will find your way to Morehead City. Morehead City is what I like to consider the "big city" of the Crystal Coast. Morehead is where you will find your typical chain restaurants and shops including (but not limited to): Harris Teeter, Walmart, Olive Garden, Texas Steakhouse, Belk, Hobby Lobby (MY FAVE), Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Dunkin Donuts, etc. When I go on vacation, I like to hit up the non-chain restaurants and shops because why go somewhere you can go to at home?! Some of my favorite non-chain restaurants to go to in Morehead include:
Atlantic Beach
When you cross the bridge from Morehead, you enter Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach is like a mini version of Morehead. Driving over that bridge into this city is breathtaking. Make sure you snap a picture as you reach the peak of the bridge. Atlantic Beach has a ton to do with your family. From Fort Macon to the Boardwalk, restaurants and more, you will not be disappointed in AB.
Shopping
Atlantic Beach is home to several awesome surf shops. Not only can you get a great t-shirt, you can actually rent (or buy) a surf board to use on one of the beautiful beaches on the Crystal Coast. Check out Marsh's, AB Surf Shop, Tony's, and Bert's Surf Shop- all located within minutes of each other.
The Atlantic Station Shopping Center is a one stop shop for all your beach and souvenir needs. There are some commercial stores, as well as fun little shops you won't find anywhere else. There are also some restaurant choices as well if you want a quick bite, or a sit down meal.
Eating
AB is home to the famous 4 Corners Diner. It actually sits on the corner of Atlantic Beach Causeway and East Fort Macon Road. 4 Corners is your typical diner to get a traditional diner style breakfast. They serve lunch but they are known for their breakfast. As much as I loved 4 Corners growing up, unfortunately over the past few years their prices have soared and it has become a more "touristy" spot. Typically it is very crowded with limited parking as well. If you are wanting a good breakfast, without the crowd, and don't mind a few more minutes of driving, head on down to Morehead and hit up The Banks.
Amos Mosquito's is another restaurant that has been around for years in AB. It wasn't until this past May that I went there with my beach-loving friend and coworker, Jill. The atmosphere of this place just makes it! One area of the restaurant has mini garage doors that serve as the windows. They fling those back and you have a few of the deck and the water- it's beautiful! The decorations are fun and it's just a great place to go with your family or with a big group of friends. We started the night with an appetizer of fried pickle lollipops. These are so much fun and SO good! The pickles were thickly cut and fried to perfection! For dinner, I had the shrimp and grits. They were amazing! The servings are huge so you definitely get all the bang for the buck. The prices are a bit high, but that's dining in AB for you. I've found that most places in AB are on the pricey end. Amos Mosquito's also sells t-shirts- another great souvenir of the awesome trip you will have at the beautiful Crystal Coast!
The Shark Shack is the perfect, quick, lunch spot in AB. They serve up some awesome fish tacos, grouper bites, clam strips, and several other delicious seafood dishes. This is an all outdoor restaurant with picnic tables and umbrellas to eat under. The atmosphere is fun and great for the family. The food is great and definitely one of your cheaper options in AB.
I have been told of two different dive bars that are fun to go to while in AB. I've never been to either but I have been told some pretty awesome people-watching situations at both places. BT's and Tackle Box Tavern are your typical dive bars with bar food, pool tables, and entertainment (via the people watching). According to Yelp, Tackle Box Tavern earned 4 out of 5 stars. Tackle Box is a beach style bar with an outside area and tiki bar feel. BT's is your more typical bar with pool tables and they serve up some traditional bar style food. If you are in the mood to meet someone, or just to be entertained by other people trying to pick someone up, hit up either one of these bars!
In my opinion, pizza deserves to be a food group all on its own. You can not go wrong with a slice of pizza, and you especially can't go wrong with a slice from Michelangelo's Pizza located in the Atlantic Station Shopping Center. Michelangelo's serves up NY style (HUGE) pizzas by the slice, or you can buy the full pizza. They serve up calzones, strombolis, and and hot and cold subs. This is the type of place you show up in in your bathing suit and enjoy a slice of pizza, or take it to go. There is also one located in Emerald Isle!
Playing
When visiting Atlantic Beach, you must take a day and explore Fort Macon State Park. This old battleground is fun to explore with your family. You will learn a lot about the Battle of Fort Macon as you walk the same grounds that the soldiers did back in 1862. There is a gift shop and small museum there as well! Check out the beach access as well. There is a spot where the sound and the ocean meet. It's a beautiful spot for a picnic or just a nice walk.
On the same side of AB as Fort Macon, go for a walk on the Oceanana Pier. I don't know what it is about a pier, but when I go to the beach, I have to go to the pier at night. There's something about walking out on that pier and watching people fish that fascinates me. It's also pretty crazy to look over the edge at the water crashing into the pier. Check it out, if you dare!
Pine Knoll Shores
My home away from home is the beautiful, Pine Knoll Shores. Beautiful beaches and homes that sit on those beaches are reasons to visit Pine Knoll. If you are staying in the Crystal Coast, break away from the hustle and bustle of Emerald Isle and AB and stay in a beautiful beach house or condo in Pine Knoll Shores. Bluewater is a great place to start if you are looking for a place to stay in the Crystal Coast. I personally think that staying in Pine Knoll is ideal because Pine Knoll is not a tourist town. It's small, quaint, and quiet. Pine Knoll is home to the North Carolina Aquarium. This aquarium is beautiful and home to multiple sea creatures that you can watch and actually interact with. The aquarium is a MUST GO, especially if you are traveling with children.
Salter Path/Indian Beach
I've decided to combine both Salter Path and Indian Beach just because they are the smallest of the two destinations and they are literally right on top of each other. If there is only one place I could tell you to visit in all of the Crystal Coast, it is right there in Salter Path.
Big Oak Drive In & Bar-B-Q: O M G. Y'all. You could literally just eat here your whole trip. It's so important that you guys understand that if you are going to the Crystal Coast, YOU HAVE TO EAT HERE!!!!!!!! Big Oak is home of the BEST Shrimpburger on the Crystal Coast. So what is a shrimpburger, you non-southerners may ask? Basically it's hamburger bun PILED ON with fried shrimp. When you order a shrimpburger, you have to get it "all the way" which includes slaw, ketchup, and tarter sauce. You can get it either in the regular size, or large. Go big or go home. This is literally the best thing you can eat at the coast. Some tips for eating at Big Oak: this is a drive-in (like El's mentioned above, except you do go up to the window and order) so you will be eating in your car or at the picnic tables behind the building, or take it wherever you wish. A way to save some money is to bring your own drink so you can splurge on some fries or onion rings to go with your large shrimp burger. Big Oak is CASH ONLY. I think they also take checks, but who writes checks anymore? Finally, and this is so important, Big Oak has some random hours. Their menu online even says "call for hours." I believe they are closed on Mondays and then the other days the hours vary for each day. Make sure you give them a call or just drive by and check out the hours. If shrimp isn't your thing, they have a flounder burger, regular burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, BBQ, wings, and more!
So other than the best food you will put in your mouth, Salter Path/Indian Beach is home to Lost Treasure Golf where if you get a hole-in-one on the secret hole you win a free game! This really is a fun mini golf course and great for kids. If you love to be adventurous, check out Island Water Sports in Indian Beach. We have rented jet skis here twice and have had a blast each time. They have a ton to offer including: jet skis, kayak rentals, boat rentals, paddle boards, and more. Check out their website for more info and videos!
Salter Path and Indian Beach are also great places to stay. Again, like Pine Knoll, these are more quiet areas that you can stay at to avoid the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas.
Emerald Isle
The final stop on our Crystal Coast Cruise is Emerald Isle. Emerald Isle is beautiful spot with lots of activities similar to Atlantic Beach. There are many restaurants, shops, and activities to choose from. Some of my favorites are:
Ben & Jerry's: I am an ice cream FREAK and Ben & Jerry's is one of my faves! If you are staying at this end of the Crystal Coast, this is the spot for a delicious ice cream treat!
Emerald Plantation Shopping is a huge shopping center equipped with a movie theatre and grocery store! Eat at the delicious Rucker Johns or feed turtles at the turtle lookout spot! Michelangelo's Pizza is also located here! Yelp.com offers up a list of all of the shopping spots available at Emerald Plantation Shopping.
If you are staying at this end of the Crystal Coast, there are several beautiful homes and condos to stay at as well as a large RV park if your family prefers to camp.
Overall the Crystal Coast is a beautiful place to visit. Whether you are visiting the lighthouse at Cape Lookout, shopping for souvenirs in Atlantic Beach, or relaxing on the beach in Emerald Isle, you can't go wrong with the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina. I've been going to the Crystal Coast for the past 27 years and even though there has been a lot of change in terms of entertainment and restaurants and places to stay, one thing has always remained the same: you can't find a more beautiful beach than one on the Crystal Coast.
Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words...
First off I have to send a huge THANK YOU to my readers! I get so excited to check out my stats via the Weebly app and when I see that in less than 3 months I've had 15.7k total page views I could just SCREAM with delight! Ok maybe I really have screamed and done a little jig...EEK!
It has been a while since I've packed a suit case and went somewhere outside of Raleigh. Being a year-round teacher, and taking summer grad school classes, I have not had much time to do what my blog says, get out there. However, what I love about teaching in a year-round school is track-out. For those of you that are unfamiliar with year-round schools, basically we are in school for 9 weeks (or a quarter/semester) and then you get a 3 week break. As opposed to a traditional school where you are in for 9-10 months and then you get a nice 2-3 month stretch of no school, for year-round, we go for 12 months BUT we get 4, 3-week breaks. I am on track 2 so my track-outs occur in February, May, August, and November. I love track 2 because these are all PERFECT months for traveling. Having both May and August (double-summer!) track-outs are perfect for beach-going. This leads me into today's post: The Crystal Coast.
North Carolina is (in my opinion) the best state to not only live in but to travel through. We experience all four distinct weather changes with the seasons, we have the beach to the east and the mountains to the west, and not to mention all of the beautiful cities and towns in between. I grew up vacationing to the beach every summer. My family has a condo in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, a tiny beach town on the Crystal Coast. So what is this Crystal Coast that I am referring to? For those of you that are unfamiliar with NC beaches, the Crystal Coast is referring to a stretch of more than 85 miles and 9 distinct regions of beautiful beaches. This post is dedicated to the beautiful Crystal Coast. Seriously. What are you waiting for? GO GO GO!
Cape Lookout
I am going to start with the east-most point of the Crystal Coast: Cape Lookout. Cape Lookout is the famous black and white, diamond patterned lighthouse. Cape Lookout is a secluded area, only accessible by boat. You can take the ferry over and explore that beautiful lighthouse and beaches. I have personally (gasp!) never been to Cape Lookout before, but according to the Crystal Coast website (link above), it is a great spot for camping and fishing.
Harker's Island
The second of two places in the Crystal Coast that I have not actually explored myself is Harker's Island. Harker's Island is home to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. Harker's Island is also known for being a fishing town. HI is home to the Cedar Island Ferry which can take you to the Outer Banks of NC. Visit the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum to discover the maritime culture and waterfowl heritage that makes up Harker's Island.
Beaufort
Next on our list is the beautiful, and historic Beaufort. Beaufort is one of my most favorite places to visit. Period. It is beautiful, historical, and home to many great shops and restaurants. When I think of Beaufort I always think of how different this town is during the day and at night. If you travel out to Beaufort during the day, you will enjoy shopping in a variety of boutiques. Visit the General Store for some awesome ice cream, or The Fudge Factory for fresh, delicious fudge. My favorite restaurant in Beaufort is The Spouter Inn. The Spouter Inn not only has delicious seafood and outdoor dining on the dock, BUT their little hidden secret is the tiny bakery that you pass as you walk in the main entrance. Their blueberry turnovers are Heaven in your mouth! The Spouter Inn also sales the cutest t-shirts bearing their whale logo. This is the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip! There is a variety of restaurants in Beaufort including Clawson's (your typical bar food/pub), Plaza Mexico, Ribeyes Steakhouse, and more. If you go to Beaufort at night, make sure you go on the weekend and head to The Dock House. The Dock House is famous for having live music on the weekends. Listen to some great music while drinking a beer (or cocktail!) on the dock. You'll see beautifully light sailboats and yatchs going by as you sip your beverage and soak in the tunes. I know you just imagined yourself doing that...
Beaufort is the third oldest town in North Carolina. The history is very rich in Beaufort. While you are visiting Beaufort, be sure to check out the NC Maritime Museum. This museum is home to real pieces of Blackbeard's ship which sunk close to the town of Beaufort. If you are feeling adventurous, Beaufort is a great place to go parasailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. If you are more interested in taking the tour route, the Beaufort Historic Site website has a list of historical tours you can take. Find them here! TourBeaufort.com is another awesome site to find other tours and activities offered in Beaufort including the Beaufort Ghost Walk where you can stroll the same roads as Blackbeard himself!
Morehead City
No matter where you stay in the Crystal Coast, I guarantee you will find your way to Morehead City. Morehead City is what I like to consider the "big city" of the Crystal Coast. Morehead is where you will find your typical chain restaurants and shops including (but not limited to): Harris Teeter, Walmart, Olive Garden, Texas Steakhouse, Belk, Hobby Lobby (MY FAVE), Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Dunkin Donuts, etc. When I go on vacation, I like to hit up the non-chain restaurants and shops because why go somewhere you can go to at home?! Some of my favorite non-chain restaurants to go to in Morehead include:
- Snapperz Grill and Steam Bar: If you are in the mood for seafood this is the place to get it. Snappers is home to the Crystal Coast Steam Pot. This pot is huge and easily feeds at least two. It's loaded with steamed crab legs, shrimp, clams, sausage, red potatoes, corn, and it is served with a side of slaw. Yes this is a pricey pot, but again it does feed two and it's SO good!
- The Banks Grill: If you are hungry for a hearty breakfast, The Banks is THE place to get it. The Banks is one of the newest restaurants in Morehead and it is definitely one that will be sticking around for years to come. The Banks is famous for making homemade donuts. You read that correctly. HOMEMADE DONUTS. Churro, S'mores, Lemon Pie, Rise and Shine (with espresso glaze), and the list goes on and on. I am DROOLING as I look at their Facebook page. XXL Biscuits are their specialty along with breakfast nachos and shrimp and grits. The Banks is also open for lunch where they serve awesome seafood dishes, burgers, and more. Not only is the food to die for, the prices are even better.
- Circa 81: tapas and cocktaileria: Circa 81 is perfect for a girls night, or a date night. I'm going to go all Sandra Lee on you and rave about the cocktails you can get at Circa 81. They have numerous choices and great specials. Mojito Monday (my personal favorite) serves all mojitos for just $5. They don't skimp on the size (or the alcohol) in these drinks! Wednesdays you can get select wine for just $4 a glass. Thursdays you can get $5 martinis (again, another favorite of mine), and finally Sunday offers $10 pitchers of Sangria. Circa 81 serves up tapas, or small plates. Order several and split them with friends. By the way, the seafood mac and cheese is on point.
- El's Drive-In: El's Drive-In is the spot if you are craving a burger, hotdog, or BBQ sandwich. This is a legit drive-in. You pull up and a waitress runs out to your car, takes your order, and then delivers your food back to your car. Call-in orders are available as well! I will say to NOT get a shrimp burger here because there is only one place in the Crystal Coast to get a shrimp burger...more on that later in the post.
Atlantic Beach
When you cross the bridge from Morehead, you enter Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach is like a mini version of Morehead. Driving over that bridge into this city is breathtaking. Make sure you snap a picture as you reach the peak of the bridge. Atlantic Beach has a ton to do with your family. From Fort Macon to the Boardwalk, restaurants and more, you will not be disappointed in AB.
Shopping
Atlantic Beach is home to several awesome surf shops. Not only can you get a great t-shirt, you can actually rent (or buy) a surf board to use on one of the beautiful beaches on the Crystal Coast. Check out Marsh's, AB Surf Shop, Tony's, and Bert's Surf Shop- all located within minutes of each other.
The Atlantic Station Shopping Center is a one stop shop for all your beach and souvenir needs. There are some commercial stores, as well as fun little shops you won't find anywhere else. There are also some restaurant choices as well if you want a quick bite, or a sit down meal.
- Michelangelo's Pizza, Subway, and Bojangle's are all located here if you are in the mood for a fast, but delicious lunch
- Need supplies for the beach? The Dollar Tree, Ace Hardware, and Food Lion are conveniently located in this shopping center
- Unique gifts for back home? You MUST check out Island Traders, Ernie's Gift Shop, Kite's Unlimited, and Book Mart
- Ice cream anyone? What a stupid question! Of course you are going to get some ice cream when you are at the beach! THE BEST place for ice cream is AB Ice Cream Shoppe located in this shopping center. They serve up Hershey's Ice Cream (AKA THE BEST) AND they make their own fudge! They sell fun novelty candy as well. This is a MUST STOP when in AB!
- What do you do when it's raining at the beach? Hit up Cinema 4 Theatre to watch a new release!
- Ready for a sit down dinner? Kelli's, and The Monkey Bar (they have daily specials!), are perfect spots for a delicious dinner
- Low on cash? There is a PNC and State Employee's (or Cashpoints) ATM conveniently located in this shopping center
Eating
AB is home to the famous 4 Corners Diner. It actually sits on the corner of Atlantic Beach Causeway and East Fort Macon Road. 4 Corners is your typical diner to get a traditional diner style breakfast. They serve lunch but they are known for their breakfast. As much as I loved 4 Corners growing up, unfortunately over the past few years their prices have soared and it has become a more "touristy" spot. Typically it is very crowded with limited parking as well. If you are wanting a good breakfast, without the crowd, and don't mind a few more minutes of driving, head on down to Morehead and hit up The Banks.
Amos Mosquito's is another restaurant that has been around for years in AB. It wasn't until this past May that I went there with my beach-loving friend and coworker, Jill. The atmosphere of this place just makes it! One area of the restaurant has mini garage doors that serve as the windows. They fling those back and you have a few of the deck and the water- it's beautiful! The decorations are fun and it's just a great place to go with your family or with a big group of friends. We started the night with an appetizer of fried pickle lollipops. These are so much fun and SO good! The pickles were thickly cut and fried to perfection! For dinner, I had the shrimp and grits. They were amazing! The servings are huge so you definitely get all the bang for the buck. The prices are a bit high, but that's dining in AB for you. I've found that most places in AB are on the pricey end. Amos Mosquito's also sells t-shirts- another great souvenir of the awesome trip you will have at the beautiful Crystal Coast!
The Shark Shack is the perfect, quick, lunch spot in AB. They serve up some awesome fish tacos, grouper bites, clam strips, and several other delicious seafood dishes. This is an all outdoor restaurant with picnic tables and umbrellas to eat under. The atmosphere is fun and great for the family. The food is great and definitely one of your cheaper options in AB.
I have been told of two different dive bars that are fun to go to while in AB. I've never been to either but I have been told some pretty awesome people-watching situations at both places. BT's and Tackle Box Tavern are your typical dive bars with bar food, pool tables, and entertainment (via the people watching). According to Yelp, Tackle Box Tavern earned 4 out of 5 stars. Tackle Box is a beach style bar with an outside area and tiki bar feel. BT's is your more typical bar with pool tables and they serve up some traditional bar style food. If you are in the mood to meet someone, or just to be entertained by other people trying to pick someone up, hit up either one of these bars!
In my opinion, pizza deserves to be a food group all on its own. You can not go wrong with a slice of pizza, and you especially can't go wrong with a slice from Michelangelo's Pizza located in the Atlantic Station Shopping Center. Michelangelo's serves up NY style (HUGE) pizzas by the slice, or you can buy the full pizza. They serve up calzones, strombolis, and and hot and cold subs. This is the type of place you show up in in your bathing suit and enjoy a slice of pizza, or take it to go. There is also one located in Emerald Isle!
Playing
When visiting Atlantic Beach, you must take a day and explore Fort Macon State Park. This old battleground is fun to explore with your family. You will learn a lot about the Battle of Fort Macon as you walk the same grounds that the soldiers did back in 1862. There is a gift shop and small museum there as well! Check out the beach access as well. There is a spot where the sound and the ocean meet. It's a beautiful spot for a picnic or just a nice walk.
On the same side of AB as Fort Macon, go for a walk on the Oceanana Pier. I don't know what it is about a pier, but when I go to the beach, I have to go to the pier at night. There's something about walking out on that pier and watching people fish that fascinates me. It's also pretty crazy to look over the edge at the water crashing into the pier. Check it out, if you dare!
Pine Knoll Shores
My home away from home is the beautiful, Pine Knoll Shores. Beautiful beaches and homes that sit on those beaches are reasons to visit Pine Knoll. If you are staying in the Crystal Coast, break away from the hustle and bustle of Emerald Isle and AB and stay in a beautiful beach house or condo in Pine Knoll Shores. Bluewater is a great place to start if you are looking for a place to stay in the Crystal Coast. I personally think that staying in Pine Knoll is ideal because Pine Knoll is not a tourist town. It's small, quaint, and quiet. Pine Knoll is home to the North Carolina Aquarium. This aquarium is beautiful and home to multiple sea creatures that you can watch and actually interact with. The aquarium is a MUST GO, especially if you are traveling with children.
Salter Path/Indian Beach
I've decided to combine both Salter Path and Indian Beach just because they are the smallest of the two destinations and they are literally right on top of each other. If there is only one place I could tell you to visit in all of the Crystal Coast, it is right there in Salter Path.
Big Oak Drive In & Bar-B-Q: O M G. Y'all. You could literally just eat here your whole trip. It's so important that you guys understand that if you are going to the Crystal Coast, YOU HAVE TO EAT HERE!!!!!!!! Big Oak is home of the BEST Shrimpburger on the Crystal Coast. So what is a shrimpburger, you non-southerners may ask? Basically it's hamburger bun PILED ON with fried shrimp. When you order a shrimpburger, you have to get it "all the way" which includes slaw, ketchup, and tarter sauce. You can get it either in the regular size, or large. Go big or go home. This is literally the best thing you can eat at the coast. Some tips for eating at Big Oak: this is a drive-in (like El's mentioned above, except you do go up to the window and order) so you will be eating in your car or at the picnic tables behind the building, or take it wherever you wish. A way to save some money is to bring your own drink so you can splurge on some fries or onion rings to go with your large shrimp burger. Big Oak is CASH ONLY. I think they also take checks, but who writes checks anymore? Finally, and this is so important, Big Oak has some random hours. Their menu online even says "call for hours." I believe they are closed on Mondays and then the other days the hours vary for each day. Make sure you give them a call or just drive by and check out the hours. If shrimp isn't your thing, they have a flounder burger, regular burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, BBQ, wings, and more!
So other than the best food you will put in your mouth, Salter Path/Indian Beach is home to Lost Treasure Golf where if you get a hole-in-one on the secret hole you win a free game! This really is a fun mini golf course and great for kids. If you love to be adventurous, check out Island Water Sports in Indian Beach. We have rented jet skis here twice and have had a blast each time. They have a ton to offer including: jet skis, kayak rentals, boat rentals, paddle boards, and more. Check out their website for more info and videos!
Salter Path and Indian Beach are also great places to stay. Again, like Pine Knoll, these are more quiet areas that you can stay at to avoid the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas.
Emerald Isle
The final stop on our Crystal Coast Cruise is Emerald Isle. Emerald Isle is beautiful spot with lots of activities similar to Atlantic Beach. There are many restaurants, shops, and activities to choose from. Some of my favorites are:
Ben & Jerry's: I am an ice cream FREAK and Ben & Jerry's is one of my faves! If you are staying at this end of the Crystal Coast, this is the spot for a delicious ice cream treat!
Emerald Plantation Shopping is a huge shopping center equipped with a movie theatre and grocery store! Eat at the delicious Rucker Johns or feed turtles at the turtle lookout spot! Michelangelo's Pizza is also located here! Yelp.com offers up a list of all of the shopping spots available at Emerald Plantation Shopping.
If you are staying at this end of the Crystal Coast, there are several beautiful homes and condos to stay at as well as a large RV park if your family prefers to camp.
Overall the Crystal Coast is a beautiful place to visit. Whether you are visiting the lighthouse at Cape Lookout, shopping for souvenirs in Atlantic Beach, or relaxing on the beach in Emerald Isle, you can't go wrong with the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina. I've been going to the Crystal Coast for the past 27 years and even though there has been a lot of change in terms of entertainment and restaurants and places to stay, one thing has always remained the same: you can't find a more beautiful beach than one on the Crystal Coast.
Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words...