Itineraries
Our tour professionals will help customize an itinerary that truly caters to the specific interests of your group. Culinary, historic, adventure, shopping—or do it all—we will create a plan to suit your needs. Your greatest challenge will be that they won’t want to leave!
Crystal Coast One-Day Itinerary: Beaufort Getaway
9:00 AM:
Arrive in Beaufort and hop aboard a scenic cruise along the Newport River, where local captains often spot familiar pods of dolphins. Depending on the season, you may catch these playful creatures leaping through the waves—some even recognized by name! This relaxing ride also provides a beautiful view of the coastline and surrounding waterways.
12:00 PM:
Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Beaufort's waterfront seafood restaurants, where fresh local ingredients are always on the menu.
1:30 PM:
Climb aboard a restored 1967 English double-decker bus for a narrated tour of Beaufort's historic district. Learn about the town's fascinating past—pirates, Civil War spies, star-crossed lovers, and more—from passionate local guides.
After your tour, spend time browsing along Front Street, home to unique shops, art galleries, and boutiques. Then depart for home with a new appreciation for one of North Carolina's most charming coastal towns.
Crystal Coast Two- to Three-Day Itinerary
Day One:
Morning:
Begin your visit with a guided tour of Fort Macon State Park, a restored Civil War-era fort surrounded on three sides by water. Explore its rich history and take in the natural beauty of Bogue Banks’ eastern end, with marshes and estuaries teeming with coastal wildlife.
Lunch:
Dine at a Morehead City waterfront restaurant such as Southern Salt, known for its fresh seafood and harbor views.
Afternoon:
Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Exhibits include maritime history, boatbuilding, marine life, and the fascinating artifacts recovered from Blackbeard's Queen Anne’s Revenge. Then stop by the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center across the street to observe traditional boatbuilding in action.
Evening:
Check into your hotel, followed by free time to explore the shops, galleries, and waterfront dining options along the Beaufort Boardwalk.
After dinner, take the Beaufort Ghost Walk, a guided stroll through the town's oldest streets and cemeteries. Hear stories of betrayal, shipwrecks, and local legends spanning the Golden Age of Piracy to the early 1900s.
Day Two:
Morning:
Cruise to Cape Lookout National Seashore, a three-mile offshore adventure to the wild and scenic barrier islands. Enjoy horse watching, shelling, birding, fishing, and more. Depending on the season, you may have the opportunity to climb the iconic Cape Lookout Lighthouse for panoramic views.
Lunch:
A boxed lunch can be arranged through the cruise provider or enjoyed picnic-style on the island.
Afternoon:
Return to Beaufort for a historic tour on the double-decker bus or a walking tour of the Old Burying Ground, one of North Carolina’s oldest cemeteries. Learn about the region’s 300-year history through the tales of sailors, soldiers, and townsfolk buried beneath ancient oaks.
Afternoon:
Return to Beaufort for a historic tour on the double-decker bus or a walking tour of the Old Burying Ground, one of North Carolina’s oldest cemeteries. Learn about the region’s 300-year history through the tales of sailors, soldiers, and townsfolk buried beneath ancient oaks.
Evening:
Dinner at a local favorite like Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub, known for its welcoming atmosphere and century-old charm.
Day Three:
Morning:
After breakfast at your hotel, head to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Journey from the mountains to the sea as you explore immersive exhibits—from mountain waterfalls and coastal river otters to stingray touch tanks, shipwreck displays, and the rare white sea turtle.
Lunch:
Grab lunch on your own along the Morehead City Waterfront, where casual eateries and harbor views offer the perfect sendoff.
Afternoon:
Depart for home, refreshed and inspired by your Crystal Coast adventure.
