These towns are buoyed by their proximity to water — river, sound, bay — yet they’re far enough from the ocean that you won’t find sand in your shoes. Here, 14 quirky places claim their fame in boats and bears, local characters and history.
Take the 1.5 mile hike on sand to Bird Island’s Kindred Spirit mailbox. Like a message in a bottle, the notes inside the seaside mailbox a contain the stories and secrets of those who seek a spiritual connection.
Live near the coast? Far from it? Either way, Stump Sound oysters are within your reach. Read more about this Carolina delicacy and how to order them from a few local companies.
Every month, we highlight the best of North Carolina travel through storytelling and stunning photography. Don’t miss out! Use the link below to save $5 on a subscription today.
The eastern North Carolina community of Kinston has found new life as a culinary mecca, but locals see it — and know it — as so much more. See why we think it’s a must-visit stop on your next coastal tour.
The Sans Souci Ferry is one of the last of its kind, a scavenger hunt of a destination that you’ll find if you’re dedicated. Or a local. Or lost. Read more about one of the only three remaining cable-guided ferries left in North Carolina.
To commemorate our 90th anniversary, we’ve compiled a time line that highlights the stories, contributors, and themes that have shaped this magazine — and your view of the Old North State — using nine decades of our own words.
From its northernmost point in Corolla to its southern terminus on Cedar Island, this scenic byway — bound between sound and sea — links the islands and communities of the Outer Banks.
Us? An icon? Well, after 90 years and more than 2,000 issues celebrating North Carolina from mountains to coast, we hope you’ll agree that we’ve earned the title.
After nearly a century — or just a couple of years — these seafood restaurants have become coastal icons, the places we know, love, and return to again and again.
