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2026 Scenic Spots Guide

Outer Banks Pier is one of the few fishing piers still standing on the Outer Banks, and it worth a visit even if you don’t fish. The ocean pier in South Nags Head was first built in 1959, and rebuilt after the Ash Wednesday storm in...

Hitting the seashore in Atlantic Beach is an easy venture, thanks to a number of local public beach accesses, including the sprawling Picnic Street Park. With a prime locale that straddles the borders of the Fort Macon State Park and the town limits...

Located on the edge of the Bulkhead Channel which leads to the Back Sound, the Radio Island Beach Access is a unique and wonderfully convenient beach destination for both Morehead City and Beaufort visitors.

From kiteboarding rentals and equipment, to unique summer camps and some of the biggest events on Hatteras Island, there’s certainly a lot for water lovers to discover at Real Watersports. This tri-villages landmark that is world famous with...

Tucked away on the edge of the Cape Fear River just a few miles south of Downtown Wilmington, the River Road Park is a popular launching point for a myriad of adventures that can range from kayaking and boating expeditions, to just enjoying the...

Enjoy a gorgeous sunset, a little birdwatching, or just a leisurely and short hike that hovers above the White Oak River with a visit to the aptly-named Riverview Park. Located along NC Highway 24 / Corbett Avenue, in between the central downtown...

Celebrate the origins of America with a fascinating and purely entertaining visit to the Roanoke Island Festival Park. This 25-acre historic site, an easy stroll from the downtown Manteo waterfront, is a popular summer attraction for visitors of all...

Looking for a private sail charter? Call the folks at Sail Outer Banks. They offer a variety of year-round trips with low minimum fees to make it within reach of many folk. Dan and Katherine are your crew. Dan is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain...

The Shackleford Banks is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, and is a barrier island system that is found just off the coast of Beaufort and Harkers Island, and which is a popular offshore beaching destination for summertime Crystal Coast...

Boasting an incredible location surrounded by water, and an arsenal of amenities just waiting to be enjoyed by vacationers, the Shoals Club is easily one of the most unique and accommodating community clubs on Bald Head Island. With fun and active...

Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway, and located just a quick cruise away from the Atlantic Ocean, Snow’s Cut Park is a popular destination for anglers, birdwatchers, and anyone who appreciates a stunning...

The Historic Riverwalk in Downtown Southport will quickly introduce newcomers to the waterfront scene in this coastal community, and will surely instill a newfound appreciation and overall enthrallment with this scenic laid-back region.

The "Cape Fear Station" community is a collection of homes and estates with a variety of settings from oceanfront locations tucked behind the sand dunes to wooded sites that are virtually hidden beneath the towering oaks of the maritime forest. All...

Head to the very western edge of Emerald Isle to discover an iconic spot that’s been popular with longtime vacationers and locals alike – The Point. This informally named stretch of beach is where the borders of Emerald Isle ends, and...

A full-service diving and outdoor sports center.

Kayakers, mariners, and any visitor who adores an endless waterfront view will want to make a convenient but secluded stop at the boat ramp and launching area at Thorofare Bridge. Situated in the heart of Cedar Island, this little-known destination...

Take a quick pause along the Beaufort waterfront near the NC Maritime Museum and you’ll spot the small but scenic Topsail Marine Memorial Park. This tiny parcel of land is a fine spot to take a pause from a self-guided walking tour, and to...

Join us in Duck, North Carolina, as we celebrate the Town’s 10-Year Anniversary with a host of fun-filled, family-friendly events.

Water lovers who want to explore the picturesque waters of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), or who want an easy trek to the nearby Masonboro Island, will want to head to the small but scenic Trails End Park.

Riverfront Park, which encompasses a decent chunk of the popular Downtown Riverwalk, is a scenic region which will lure visitors into pulling up a bench seat, staying a while, and enjoying the miles of Cape Fear River views on the horizon.

Mariners who want an easy way to access the Intracoastal Waterway as well as the open Atlantic Ocean waters will find a convenient outlet thanks to the boat ramp at the Wrightsville Beach Causeway.

Zeke's Island Coastal Reserve is found just south of the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, and is one of the three original 1985 National Estuarine Research Reserve components dedicated by NOAA and the Division of Coastal Management. Encompassing a...