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Beaufort, North CarolinaBeaufort

Beaufort, North Carolina.
Photo: Aurora30 at English Wikipedia, Public domain

Give Beaufort two nights, not one: the historic district and the ferry islands are separate half-days, and US-70 traffic eats the rest.

Beaufort is a small waterfront town on the Crystal Coast, the county seat and the third-oldest town in North Carolina, settled in 1713. Two things fill a visit: a compact grid of restored 18th- and 19th-century houses, and the water — Taylor's Creek, Carrot Island and Shackleford Banks, reached by passenger ferry. The town is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes. It is pronounced "BO-furt", unlike the South Carolina Beaufort.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
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Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (heat, humidity, crowds), hurricane season peaks Aug–Oct
Airports
Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) · Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) · Wilmington International (ILM)
Nights
2

About Beaufort, North Carolina

Beaufort sits at the eastern edge of North Carolina's Crystal Coast and serves as the county seat. It was established in 1713 on the Newport River and takes its name from Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort. It ranks as the third-oldest town in the state. Two things draw visitors: a large collection of restored historic homes and the town's link to the pirate Blackbeard. The name is said differently from the South Carolina town of the same spelling — here it is "BO-furt".

The downtown is compact, with a wooden boardwalk along the waterfront that was revitalized in the 1970s, plus gift shops and restaurants. Across the water, wild ponies are often visible on Carrot Island. US-70 runs through the middle of town before turning north toward Atlantic.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Beaufort, North Carolina: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Beaufort, North Carolina.

  • Beaufort Historic Site — Tours cover ten restored buildings grouped within two acres of downtown.
  • Old Burying Ground — A cemetery on Ann Street dating from 1709, with many unmarked stones and earliest inscriptions from 1756.
  • North Carolina Maritime Museum — Front Street museum with exhibits on maritime history, artefacts from Queen Anne's Revenge, local fossils, watercraft, commercial fishing and coastal marine life.
  • Carrot Island — Wild ponies can often be seen roaming there from across the waterfront.
  • Hammock House — Considered the oldest of the town's historic homes, built in 1698, and once an inn that regularly served Blackbeard.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • Clawson's 1905 Restaurant — A former general store turned restaurant known for mud pie, seafood, steaks, pasta and stuffed potatoes called "dirigibles".
  • Front Street Grill at Stillwater — Waterfront spot with views of Taylor's Creek and Carrot Island, serving raw and baked oysters and seafood-focused entrees.
  • Aqua — Fresh seasonal food inspired by Spanish tapas, with small bites priced $4-12.
  • Blackbeard's Grill and Steam Bar — Local seafood, fresh cut steaks and sushi, plus Grog cocktails and a late-night menu on Fridays and Saturdays.

Customs

  • The town's name is pronounced "BO-furt", unlike the South Carolina Beaufort.
  • The Beaufort Historical Association, founded in 1960, places plaques on homes more than 80 years old that have not been greatly altered.
  • Strolling the waterfront and browsing the town's shops is a common way to spend an afternoon.

Events

  • Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour — Held annually during the last weekend in June, with an antique car show the same weekend.June
  • Beaufort Music Festival — Free admission; musical groups perform on several stages in town over one weekend.April/May
Emergency numbers for Beaufort, North Carolina911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Beaufort, North Carolina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeUS$3–6
  • Beerdraught at a bar / six-pack at a storeUS$7–9US$10–14
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or ride-hailing tripUS$12–20
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum or historic-site tourUS$0–20
  • Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedHistoric inn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedHistoric inn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Restored historic homesBlackbeard and Queen Anne's RevengeWild horses on Carrot Island and Shackleford BanksNorth Carolina Maritime MuseumWaterfront boardwalk
Airports
EWN Coastal Carolina Regional (New Bern) (Closest commercial airport, about 45–60 min west on US-70; small, limited routes) · RDU Raleigh-Durham International (About 3 h by car via US-70 and I-40; the usual choice for cheaper fares) · ILM Wilmington International (About 2.5 h south)

Map of Beaufort, North Carolina

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

Morehead CityAtlantic BeachHarkers IslandNewport, North CarolinaEmerald IsleHavelockCape CarteretSwansboro

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Beaufort, North Carolina
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  5. May

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Care

    28°C (82°F)

  10. Oct

    Care

    24°C (75°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

Best: Apr–Jun. Mixed: Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Beaufort, North Carolina: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

13°C (55°F)

3°C (37°F)

10 rd

Feb

14°C (57°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

Mar

18°C (64°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Apr

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

May

26°C (79°F)

17°C (63°F)

9 rd

Jun

30°C (86°F)

21°C (70°F)

10 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

12 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

12 rd

Sep

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

10 rd

Oct

24°C (75°F)

14°C (57°F)

8 rd

Nov

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Dec

15°C (59°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The historic core is walkable: Front Street to the Old Burying Ground is about 15–20 minutes on foot. For anything beyond that — the marina, the beaches, Morehead City — you need a car; there is no useful local bus. Bikes and golf carts are common in summer. Passenger ferries leave from Front Street for the islands.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Morehead City

go

Door to door: About 15 min

US-70 west, about 10 min by car

Working waterfront, more restaurants and the nearest big grocery.

Atlantic Beach

go

Door to door: About 25 min

US-70 west then NC-58 over the causeway, about 20 min by car

The closest ocean beach; go early in summer for parking.

Harkers Island

go

Door to door: About 35 min

US-70 east then NC-70, about 30 min by car

Base for Cape Lookout lighthouse trips; the ferry from Harkers Island is the short crossing.

Swansboro

caution

Door to door: About 50 min

NC-24 west, about 45 min by car

Small historic waterfront; worth it only if you are already driving west.

New Bern

go

Door to door: About 1 h 10 min

US-70 north, about 1 h by car

Colonial capital with a bigger historic district and Tryon Palace.

Emerald Isle

go

Door to door: About 1 h

NC-24 west then NC-58, about 45–55 min by car

Longer, quieter beach strand; a full beach day, not a quick stop.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Historic district (Front, Turner, Craven, Ann streets)

Walk to the museum, boardwalk and restaurants; mostly inns and B&Bs, few chain hotels.

Waterfront / Front Street

Boardwalk views over Taylor's Creek; the priciest rooms and the noisiest evenings.

US-70 corridor and outskirts

Motels and vacation rentals with parking; you will drive in for dinner.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
US$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
US$150–250 excl. bed
High
US$280+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Historic inn or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × US$180US$360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170US$680
Passenger ferry to Shackleford Banks or Carrot Island, round trip2 × US$14US$28
Maritime Museum entry2 × US$0 · Free; donations welcomeUS$0
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$110
Trip total≈ US$302 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,208

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeUS$3–6
Fried seafood plate or shrimp basketUS$16–28
Raw oysters, half dozenUS$14–22
Beer: draught at a bar / six-pack at a storeUS$7–9 / US$10–14
Passenger ferry to the islands, round tripUS$8–14
5 km taxi or ride-hailing tripUS$12–20
Museum or historic-site tourUS$0–20

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Beaufort is a small, low-crime town and the historic district is safe on foot after dark. The real risks are summer heat, rip currents on the ocean beaches, and storms: check the forecast in hurricane season and never swim near a red flag.
  • Summer heat and humidity: plan the walking between 08:00 and 11:00.
  • Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov, peaking Aug–Oct; coastal flooding and evacuation orders are possible — check forecasts.
  • Ferry and cruise sailings are weather-dependent and can be cancelled the same day.
  • Restaurant kitchens close early outside summer; many places shut one or two weekdays in the off season — check before you walk.
  • Parking in the historic district is limited and metered in places; park once and walk.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Poison Control (24 h)
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Beaufort, North CarolinaBeaufort

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassies in Beaufort. Consulates and embassies are in Washington, DC, Atlanta and Raleigh — check your country's list.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Ferry Beaufort → Shackleford Banks, round trip: about US$14 per adult, weather permitting
  • Ride-hailing Beaufort → Morehead City: US$12–20
  • Drive Beaufort → New Bern (EWN airport): about 45–60 min on US-70

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the ferry dock? — Where is the ferry dock?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
  • Is it safe to swim today? — Is it safe to swim today?

Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 per drink at a bar, US$3–5 a night for housekeeping.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Beaufort, North Carolina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, humidity, crowds), hurricane season peaks Aug–Oct · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for EWN and RDU: last departures, drive times, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Front Street waterfront, Turner and Craven streets, the Old Burying Ground, the museum.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Maritime Museum, Beaufort Historic Site, Old Burying Ground) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Ferry and weather fixtures so island days can go green or be swapped.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Beaufort, North Carolina

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