THINGS TO DO...
photo courtesy of https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMap/carteret.jpg
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photo credit to Lisa Parks.
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 Copyright, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Fort Macon State Park and beach - Atlantic Beach - Not just a state park, they do re-enactments, host movie nights, free concerts and they have a beautiful beach with a covered bathhouse. https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-macon-state-park/home **Use of Fort Macon State Park picture does not imply or portray Fort Macon, NC State Parks or DPR's endorsement of our business.** |
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores - #ncaquariumpinknollshores
Come by and check out this beautiful aquarium, for a rainy day excursion and they have events planned all year. https://www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores 
Photo credit TO Renee B.
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All of our gorgeous beaches...
- Atlantic Beach #atlanticbeach http://atlanticbeach-nc.com/ - Pine Knoll Shores https://www.townofpks.com/ - Indian Beach/Salter Path https://www.indianbeach.org/ - Emerald Isle https://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/ - Cape Lookout https://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm |
photo credit to Lisa Parks.
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Emerald Isle -
Salty Pirate Waterpark - https://www.saltypiratewaterpark.com Atlantic Beach - Fort Macon State Park - https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-macon-state-park/home The Circle Laser Tag - https://www.battleworks.co/ |
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Newport Pig Cookin' Contest - TBA.
The USA's only whole hog bbq pig cookin' contest. Held every year on the first weekend of April, this year will be the 44th annual cookin'. newportpigcooking.com/ 
photo credit of the Newport Pig Cookin' website.
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New Bern - Home of the annual Mum Festival. The birth place of Pepsi, New Bern Firemen's Museum and a lot of other history.
visitnewbern.com/ https://mumfest.com/ www.newbernfiremuseum.com/ Tryon Palace - Beautiful grounds and buildings. Learn lots about our "First Capital" of NC. /www.tryonpalace.org/ 
Photo from Tryon Palace website.
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Morehead City - Home of the Crystal Coast, lots of fishing, restaurants with FRESH seafood, History Museum of Carteret County and the gateway to our gorgeous beaches.
moreheadcitync.org/ www.downtownmoreheadcity.com/
NC Seafood Festival - The first weekend of Oct. - www.ncseafoodfestival.org/
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament - Every June - www.thebigrock.com/
History Museum of Carteret County - www.carterethistory.org/
El's DRIVE IN - A popular food spot for locals and tourist alike. Only 14 miles away.
The Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant - Downtown Morehead City on the water front. Only 17 miles away.
Kids at Play Cafe - https://kidzatplayfamilycafe.com/
Trusty Sail & Paddle (paddle & kayak rentals) - https://www.trustysailandpaddle.com/
moreheadcitync.org/ www.downtownmoreheadcity.com/
NC Seafood Festival - The first weekend of Oct. - www.ncseafoodfestival.org/
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament - Every June - www.thebigrock.com/
History Museum of Carteret County - www.carterethistory.org/
El's DRIVE IN - A popular food spot for locals and tourist alike. Only 14 miles away.
The Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant - Downtown Morehead City on the water front. Only 17 miles away.
Kids at Play Cafe - https://kidzatplayfamilycafe.com/
Trusty Sail & Paddle (paddle & kayak rentals) - https://www.trustysailandpaddle.com/
photo credit from el's drive in website.
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photo credit from NC Seafood Festival Website.
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photo credit from Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant FB page.
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Beaufort - Home of Black Beard, history and so much more for a small town. Your gateway to the ocean, the intercoastal waterway, NC Maritime Museum,Shackleford Banks (wild horses) and Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
beaufortnc.com/ www.beaufort-nc.com/ www.blackbeardthepirate.com/ ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/ www.beaufort-nc.com/shackleford-banks.html www.shacklefordhorses.org/ www.outerbanks.com/cape-lookout-lighthouse.html Skydiving - https://crystalcoastskydiving.com/index.html Several ferry's are available to explore the islands for seashells, horses and dolphins. www.islandexpressferryservices.com/ islandferryadventures.com/ www.islandexpressferryservices.com/ |
photo credit from Beaufort's town website on business page.
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Havelock - Havelock is the home of Cherry Point MCAS, Home of the Havelock Rams and Havelock Chili Festival - this Oct. 18, 2025 will be the 43rd Annual.
https://havelocknc.us/ www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/ https://chilifestival.org/ 
photo from Havelock Chili Festival website
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Some other local attractions...
-Croatan National Forest...www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48466 -Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center...www.coresound.com/ -Carteret County Speedway...www.carteretspeedway.com/ -Morehead City Marlins...mhcmarlins.com/ -MacDaddy's...mymacdaddys.com/ -Little Doo Mud Bog...www.facebook.com/groups/180049015793758/ -Bryan Farms Lake Rd, Newport (close to the campground) https://www.facebook.com/bryanfarms2 -U-Pick Strawberry Fields...garnerfarmsnc.com/ 173 Sam Garner Rd, Newport (70 towards Morehead City) -Willis Farms 575 E. Chatham St, Newport -Newport Flea Market...www.newportfleamall.com/ |
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Cherry Point MCAS - https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/
Home of the largest Marine Corps air base. MCAS Cherry Point Air Show - May 9 - 10. 2026. www.cherrypointairshow.com/
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Jacksonville - Home to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base -
jacksonvillenc.gov/ /www.lejeune.marines.mil/ 
photo from militarybases.com
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Dogwood Family Campground
101 Happy Camper Way
Newport, NC 28570
252-777-4343
101 Happy Camper Way
Newport, NC 28570
252-777-4343