Love this beach. It is wide open, clean, and easily accessible. Very few people any time we went. The folks at guest center are always super friendly and helpful. Be careful crossing the highway. If you like looooonng walks on an uncrowded beach, this is the place for you.

Our family when here while visiting OBX. Was right after the hurricane, so most waters were closed, but we had a blast! GHOST CRAB hunting was exactly as exciting as we thought it would be!! We were the ONLY ones there for ghost crabs haha. Had the entire area to ourselves! It’s says “day access” but as long as ur not IN the water, police leave u be. Also, we saw a Sea Turtle site roped off…which was on my bucket list. Was too dark to get a pic unfortunately but I have my memories! Very important that u read the signs, going in and those put up ON the beach!! They’re there for safety. I would HIGHLY recommend Pea Island for ghost crabs haha hunting at night & for daytime swimming . Beach is maybe 200 ft walking distance from the parking lot…through the sand. No surprises in there thankfully haha. 10/10, would definitely recommend this location ! And yes, that’s me screaming in the video, where my kids and husband chased some crabs over to me to scare me when I wasn’t paying attention lol

Beautiful seaside wildlife refuge to watch a variety of birds. If you are lucky you can see pelicans along with terns and other seabirds. There is a pond full with turtles including snapping turtles. But the trails are bushy and don't forget to use bug spray. The people in the visitor center are really nice. However, the bathroom was kinda dark. If you are visiting in the weekends you might have to roam around for parking. The parking lot was not that big, and people who visit the nearby beach always park there.

Pea Island is a beautiful wildlife refuge!! This island offers gorgeous views and plenty of nature sight-seeing opportunities!! Across the street from the visitor center, at the beach, you can see an old shipwreck.

North pond trail is awesome. Bring your binoculars or scopes to watch birds. We saw few big fishes jump out of water. Weather was nice. At the end of the trail there is an observation deck with some old viewing scopes. We saw a deer, bunch of turtles and various birds. Parking is very limited so we had to wait a bit to find a spot. There are restrooms there. Visitor’s center also has some binoculars and scopes you can use to view the area.

Beautiful and if you get on the beach you may have it all to yourself!

Absolutely love this place, very secluded from population!! Lots of seashells/ocean pepples to choose from for the avid collector!

We visited just for some views on our last full day of vacation. It was 2 dollars per person just to sight see, which is good obviously. It was very nice! Beautiful and calm, even lined with fishermen and birds 🤣

Great Experience! Except for getting wet out at end of the pier from waves hitting the pier. Very good views! Read about the piers history. There is a small aquarium and retail shop. Had a good time. Cost to explore pier $2 per person.

One of the best pier and I would definitely visit again. Restrooms and outdoor shower areas, even fishing pier has accessible restrooms and nearby restaurants. On a sunny day we were able to sit under pier as well which was great. Pier parking right near to beach and if its full, parking available nearby location as well.

Nice pier. Was popular for fishing. Nice walk to the end. Saw a guy catch a huge fish which drew quite a crowd. Cost $2 to walk on. More to fish. Aquarium was small but a nice touch. Shop was good also. The beach either side was exceptional.

What a fascinating store. This might be my favorite store I’ve ever been too. It is definitely the best store in the Outer Banks. They make things out of recycled materials like driftwood and sea glass. I will definitely be coming back here next year. Also there is something for everyone’s budget starting with a $5 sea glass hair clip. Make sure you check out the outside area also.

Labor Day, took the 1hr 45 minute road trip from Norfolk VA to OBX Jeannette’s Pier, unplanned…well worth the trip. Adult son loves to fish and excited about a new location, enjoyed casting into the deep ocean off the pier. Mom and I hung out on the beach: NO crowds, CLEAN and peaceful. Enjoyed the mini-aquarium and gift shop.

Beautiful new Pier Nice gift shop A couple of large, gorgeous fish tanks with local fish. Beautiful beach surrounding the pier Nice parking lot beautiful bathrooms

Amazing history of the Life Saving Station history. It had to take alot of moxie to get in a wooden boat and save those people. Very informative and displays were great.

This was a wonderful place to visit while vacationing on Hatteras Island. We drove 30 miles to visit, and it was worth it! There's so much history preserved and presented in a wonderful way. There is an entry fee. It's a self-guided tour starting with a video and a brochure full of facts about the different sections of the museum.

Looks very promising. Unfortunately, they're not open on weekends. We walked around a bit and took some pictures. I looked up the history and the story's behind it, and it sounds like a good reason to come back.

This lifesaving station is a MUST stop! Spend 1-3 hours there depending on how deep you want to go. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and the exhibits are good. This place documents the important history of the lifesaving service along the Atlantic coast, which eventually became the US Coast Guard. the kids will entire the view from the top of the building!

We landed up here on a whim, and ended up in a field trip with an group of 4th graders. Not only was the tour super educational and entertaining, but it felt good to feel like I was on a field trip again. Lol. This place is definitely worth checking out. I'm just bummed that I didn't pick up one of the local books!

This place is beautiful and full of historical significance. We we're lucky enough to catch a drill reinactment and it was so neat! They are on Thursdays at 2pm definitely something to check out. The artifact and old life saving gear are fascinating, as well. The view from the tower is like none other. This site is $8 well spent.

So cool. I wish I could have seen the drills they run on the beach, but I wasn't able to come back the following day. Learn about the USLSS (Life Saving Service) and the Revenue Cutter Service, predecessor to the US Coast Gaurd.

A very nice little lighthouse. It was very peaceful. Unfortunately you had to buy tickets in advance to climb to the top. It looks like you previously were able to walk in on the first floor however now you can't due to some people going up to the top without tickets. We checked out the marsh boardwalk which was cool!! The views are very pretty. Some people lost hats over the side lol.

Visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse during our way home from vacation in OBX. Since Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was closed for renovations, visiting Bodie Lighthouse let me fulfill my wish to climb to the top of a historic OBX lighthouse. The intricate ironwork and craftsmanship of the circular staircase was amazing. And yes, my calf muscles felt it at the halfway point but getting to the top was well worth it. The view is spectacular! Tip: it's easy to buy lighthouse climb tickets while visiting —there is a scan code at the front entrance to the lighthouse. The times are usually 11am (every 20 mins with groups of 8 people at a time) till 5pm, at least during weekdays. Tickets purchased at recreation.gov [Note, we visited a week after Labor Day, it may be more crowded during high season. You should still check the recreation website, it has a wealth of OBX info]

Stopped with the girls to check out Bodie lighthouse on a recent girls trip. Was shocked by how beautiful and picturesque the actual lighthouse and the grounds were. We didn't get a chance to the top of the lighthouse as you need to purchase tickets in advance, but that is an option if you plan accordingly. The employees on grounds were extremely informative, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were on our way out but one of the rangers was just about to give a presentation on the lighthouse and its history. Definitely a cool little sightseeing spot for visitors and locals alike.

Overall a pleasant visit. What a great surprise, there was a 0.4 mile scenic walk too. Great view, informative guidelines on local plants and animals. Has a bathroom and that made it extra nice.

Wonderful experience. The grounds and lighthouse were great to view and well maintained. My one disappointment was that the beautiful 2 story house was not being utilized. We arrived and walked up the cement sidewalks (not damaging the dry and stressed grass from summer) only to discover doors locked and the bldg not assessable. We read the info board on the porch and proceeded around to the lighthouse itself. With budget cuts and costs I understand but a gift shop in a metal “prefab office box” was very disappointing, again I wish the beautiful original house could be better utilized. Overall it was a nice facility and we enjoyed the views.

The park rangers are the best of the best! So sweet and knowledgeable, I highly recommend this lighthouse if you’re nearby. Do the tour, the view is stunning from the top!

Really nice light house that is beautifully maintained. We got there and realized that you need to get the passes on the internet prior to arriving because there is a wait. They only send up small groups every ten minutes or so. The grounds and area around the lighthouse is beautiful. Also beware of the weather conditions because they might not allow you up or outside at the top.

Pleasantly surprised by this location! Went on a cloudy day so it wasn’t hot, super windy and VERY cool. Like walking on the moon! The views are incredible, so much space, and not a too far walk. Loved it! The visitor center is also super nice and informative and they had free stickers :) AND DOG FRIENDLY

This is a really cool place. I have a few tips after being here. Bring some kinda shoes that are throw aways. Crocs and sandals are useless in sand. The sand is not smooth like the beach it’s more gritty and sharp in places. Absolutely beautiful views from on top. We flew kites from on top and what a blast it was. Definitely can see why the Wright Brothers got flight near by. It’s a lot of walking here and it’s on soft sand so it really slows you down.

The tallest sand dunes in Eastern US are a beautiful sight to see. Been coming to Jockey's Ridge since I've been grade school and it nice to see that this site is being well maintained. These dunes are not an easy feat but well worth the uphill climb. Definitely a place to visit for nature lovers, very serene. Great free adventure for solo, couple, or family trips!

I am working my way through the 42 state parks in Nc and we went to Jockeys Ridge yesterday and the evening before. The best time to go is about 30 minutes before the sun sets. It has amazing views with a 360 degree view of Nags Head. The trail is all sand so as recommended I walked barefoot. It says it takes about 30 mins to 1 hour to get to the very top…I think it took us about 25. We went back yesterday morning to find out how to find the buried castle. We parked at the kite shop and crossed the crosswalk and the castle (which is no longer buried) was just a few yards from the road. Pretty neat and worth the stop!

This is a really fun and unique thing to do in the area. Theres a board walk through trees from the visitor center to the dunes. It isn’t a far walk up the dunes. It’s beautiful to see the ocean on one side and the sound on the other at the top of the dunes. It’s quite windy at the top, I saw many kites. I went in October and it was a perfect temperature and I was able to walk barefoot on the dunes.

Such a massive sand dune! The climb to the top wasn't bad. If you're able to do it, I would definitely try! There is an observation deck, where you can see part of the dune. This is a great option for those with mobility issues. I also would not be bringing a stroller. We brought a boogie board and a saucer sled to try and sled down but we didn't have any luck with those.

Looking to climb dunes. Taking 3 steps for every 1 step gained. Then thus will be the place for you. Once you reach the top you can enjoy the view, fly a kite, or watch others enjoy the area. Sand can be hot depending on the season so morning/evening is best in the summer.

This is a really nice area! If you have younger kids this might be a little boring for them. As someone who has always enjoyed aviation I thought it was awesome. You have to take time to get through the museum before going outside to understand what everything is. There is a nice gift shop here as well.

A must see attraction when in the area! Great for children! There's definitely a lot of walking and some climbing but you can still enjoy the memorial without the walking and climbing! The visitor's center has lots of information and things to see! The ranger program was fun and informative!

If you are into history and Aviation you will love this place. Adonis the guide that gave the presentation was amazing! He should be on stage in NYC or CLE! Standing and walking the flight line that the Wright Brothers used was a touching feeling. And the climb to the top of the National Memorial was exhilarating! Don't forget to get you passport stamped!

Awesome experience, fun and historical to see the monument, sculpture and barn. Due to the Government Shutdown the museum, tour and general parking is all closed off but you can still walk around the property and see the monument and stuff. I walked around while listening to a podcast and felt like I was getting pretty much the whole experience. Use the First Flight airport parking lot and walk in. The airport has no gate.

It was a nice experience to see where the wright brothers experimented with flight and to see the flight landing markers. They made it farther than I thought they made it for the first few flights. Theres a recreation statue of the flight and the other people that were present for it. The uphill walk up to the wright brothers monument was worth it. Plus the walk back down was soooo much easier than going up. One of the signs says the wright brothers carried each piece up the hill manually. Even after each flight.

Awesome memorial to the Wright Brothers and the first flight. Great little gift shop with good quality clothing made in U.S. you can bring your dog along for the walk up the sand dune to the outside memorial, too! Good clean facilities

Your vehicle can get in with your NPS pass or pay $10 pp. This place is very cool, so much history behind the 1st flight. It’s like walking on hallow ground - the hill where they tested the plane without engine, the field where they made the 4 successful flights. Instead of walking from the visitor center to the hill, you can drive & park at the base of the hill. It’s a long walk. There’s an outdoor area with the bronze statues too. Must visit place when in the OBX area.

My friend and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon here taking in the beautiful nature along the boardwalk and stopping along the way to visit very nice shops and also enjoyed some homemade ice cream. Highly recommend stopping in the town of Duck to explore this great scenic boardwalk! Only a 30 minute drive from our house in Nags Head. We were blessed to see a beautiful great blue heron and also see a snake slithering through the water in the sound! Lots of fish, too!

This Boardwalk is great addition to Duck. The access to shopping and a nature walk is wonderful. It got 4 stars because the town needs a better maintenance schedule for this venue. They need a volunteer group to clean up and repair every spring.

If you're looking for a peaceful escape from the noise of the city, the Downtown Park Boardwalk is a hidden gem worth exploring. Surrounded by trees and the calming sound of birds and flowing water, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature. The boardwalk is well-maintained and easy to walk, making it accessible for all ages. Whether you're taking a quiet morning stroll or just need a break in the middle of a hectic day, this place offers a refreshing breath of fresh air. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the simple beauty of nature and a relaxing getaway close to home.

Such a fun place to visit. So many different shops you'll definitely find what you want. The wildlife on the boardwalk was very enjoyable.

We love the boardwalk! Great for a stroll but then also has so many different shopping places and restaurants! Definitely recommend. Public restrooms off the boardwalk by the Town Hall and also a public parking lot by the park.

There's a lot of cool shops and places to eat. Nice atmosphere and right on the sound.

Nice boardwalk for a wide variety of local food & wares vendors for visitors to stroll&shop - in early May we found plenty of available parking and bathrooms. Photos taken at mid-day, imagine the sunsets at this location!

Super cute Aquarium! I love Aquariums, my husband and I were married in one so of course we needed to come here. The Aquarium is on the smaller side and we went during off season so I could imagine during peak season would be pretty crazy, but regardless there is a good bit to see and do along with some really amazing creatures. Staff were great in general, very nice, willing to answer questions and super helpful. I would definitely stop back by if I was in the area! The Aquarium shop was also super cool, they have a good bit of really cute souvenirs

The aquarium is a great way to learn more about local sea life, Outer Banks history, and the care and rehabilitation of injured marine animals. You can go through the turtle hospital, visit a touch pool, and there are many displays that appeal to visitors of all ages. Volunteers are welcoming, patient, and very knowledgeable. We learned so much! Advance tickets were required and entrance is timed, but it is easy to purchase tickets online and select a time that works for your schedule. There is a gift shop where you can purchase a memento of your visit, which goes to support conservation efforts. We had such a wonderful time!

Stopped by here while on vacation. The family absolutely loved it. Seeing the smiles on my daughter and wife made it all worth it. Plus it's only $15 for adults. They have a great facility and even help rehabilitate sea turtles. If you're in the Outer Banks area. Put this on your list! They even have a pollinator garden & forest!

This place is so cool! They rehabilitate sea turtles and you can see what they do! They have a shark tank and tell you all kinds of interesting things while they are feeding them. There is a place outside kids and people in general, can dig for shark teeth and fossils, plus a lot of other stuff to see. We had a great time!

Very nice Aquarium. Several interactive displays for kids an adults alike the big shark tank is awesome. I recommend getting your tickets ahead of time if you know you're going to avoid waiting in line at the ticket window great way to make memories with your family.

Excellent aquarium!! Have lots of variety of animals. Love their otter and also seeing a white alligator. So majestic. Had large snapping turtle and other turtles. Variety of fish. Me and my kids had a blast and would go again. Prices were good. Not expensive. We have been to the one at pine knolls and fort fisher. But I believe this one was a lot better. We can’t wait to go back.

Informative and entertaining. Fantastic rainy or overcast day trip for young kids. Easily accessed and navigable from the outer banks and coastal areas. Even with backed up bridge traffic it was a quick day trip.

The nor Easter prevented most people from catching any fish at this time. The waves were rocking underneath of the pier floor and running about 7- 10' regularly. For happiness, seek the Lord.

It's a decent pier, the staff recognized my son was disabled and did not charge me for him to fish. Which that's the first time ever in 15 years of going to OBX and hitting different piers with my son that that's ever happened. The end of the pier is roped off so if you are trying to fish for mackerel or blues with a gotcha you won't be able to. It's for live bait fishing only. I recommend the pier, I just wish they would let folks go all the way to the end that wan't to fish for mackerel or blues do so.

We visited the beach by this pier for the first 3 days of our beach week. It is a classic fishing pier with beautiful views of the ocean.

Waves are too intense for my girls, and it was fairly busy. The outdoor showers were not on either. Very beautiful though.

Great views from the pier. I love it I go to see it everytime I visit the Outer Banks

Great place to fish, check out the views, and best place to watch fireworks on the 4th!

Overall, this is a great place to fish off a pier. They could use a few more benches.

Visited in October 2014. I was prepared to drive past the brewpub without visiting because I had their OBX Beer the previous night and found it dreadful. However, my better half persuaded me to give it a chance, so we stopped by. Initially, I thought I could just pick up some beers to go and continue on my way, but it turned out that you have to purchase either a 6-pack or a 1-liter bottle. Eventually, I was convinced to try a flight. Most of the brews were German-inspired and somewhat lackluster. The standout selections were the American-style beers. The sausages, however, were excellent. In conclusion, it seems they excel more at crafting sausages than beer. The service also had a distinctly German feel.

We stopped today as part of the Harvest Host membership. Excellent food, great beer to sample...wine choices also. The staff are outstanding and very welcoming. Loved the ambience. Please stop if you're passing through the area. Highly recommend the establishment. Well done Uli !

Grab yourself a tasty sausage and some beer! No, I'm not kidding. The Weeping Radish is a very cool place to get some fresh farm made food a pint of something delicious (personally, I can't recommend the Black Radish enough). They're big on keeping everyone healthy and keeping the whole operation running, so do them a favor and wear your mask. It's not because they want to nanny you, but because they care--and you get the same sort of feeling when they're sitting you down and bringing you out your order. Service is friendly and familiar, like your favorite set of aunts wanting to make sure you have enough to eat. If you're checking out the many breweries in the OBX area be sure to stop by the place that also makes their own cuts of meat.

First Microbrewery in North Carolina. Pretty cool! The food is authentic and amazing. The beer is also authentic and amazing. The doppelboch was great, so was the Tuli and the Black. The best pretzel 🥨 that I have ever eaten. Thinking about the sausages makes my mouth water. Wish they had a better retail selection, but that’s not a complaint - just a wish. Ps. The goats are really sweet.

Nice brewery with a good selection of beers. Several very good beers. We ordered a couple of the appetizers, fried green tomatoes and soft pretzel. The fried green tomatoes were very good. The pretzel was ok would be nice if they had a beer cheese to go with it. Service was good. Place was clean.

This place was awesome! We went here based on the good reviews we read. Good variety of beer and they even offered us some samples before we ordered. The food was some of the best German food weve had, it reminded us of being in Germany.

We stopped here on our way to the Outer Banks. From the greeting and seating to our server Brenda it was just the warmest friendliest place. Brenda our server made suggestions at our request and she was spot on. We ordered the Ruben, 3 sausage sampler and apple strudel. Yummy is the word to describe. We decided if we lived close this would be a weekly trip. oh be sure to try the curry ketchup.

This is a must stop if in the area and looking for something to do, and it's free! I was killing time in town and wandered upon it. They had a wide range of exhibits of local history. Thought it was quite well done. Was able to take my time and check it all out. Lots was pretty interesting and very informative. Some of the wood carvings and making were amazing. They even had a current surfing exhibit going on. They had a duck decoys through the years, which was neat. There is also a little gift store. Lady working the front desk was super nice and helpful.

Excellent little museum with an immersive exhibition of local history. It has free admission and a waterfront park across the street. The big glass windows make for a nice backdrop and the outdoor ballroom area is well lit with good acoustics. Makes for a good wedding venue up to 200 guests.

Interesting NC state museum focused on the Albemarle region, including history and links to modern life. Really well done exhibits. Free admission, with donation boxes.

My husband and I really enjoyed visiting the Museum of the Albemarle. The best thing about the museum are the people that work there. We had multiple museum employees greet us and share information and wisdom with us. We liked how the information was shared. You can scan a QR code to open a webpage that takes you on a tour thru the museum. It shares much of the same material you can read and some anecdotes and info not on the displays. This museum is free to visit.

The Museum of the Albemarle, a hidden gem in Elizabeth City that goes above and beyond what one might anticipate for a town of its size, is tucked away along the shoreline. The size and caliber of the displays immediately establish that this is not a little local collection but rather a well designed area that reflects the richness and complexity of the history of northeastern North Carolina. Despite my short time today, I was amazed by the depth of the exhibits, which cover centuries of local history, from colonial colonization and Indigenous cultures to maritime heritage and contemporary municipal development. The museum's layout is expansive, with high ceilings and spacious galleries that invite deeper exploration. It's the kind of place where you could easily spend several hours and still feel like there's more to uncover.

This museum was well worth the long drive and visit. It took us about 3 hours to see everything and there was a section that was closed off. In addition to the regular sections of the museum they had special exhibit on the contributions of women and one called High on the Hog which was about the history of slaughtering and processing pigs. It was really interesting. Aside from those there was a section on the history of Native Americans as well as the history of the area. The museum is fully accessible and has benches throughout. I was able to easily navigate it with my scooter. One thing that was disappointing was the first floor bathroom. There was a handicap sign on the outside but no handicap stall inside. Then when I looked a little further I found a door that said “nursing room”, when I looked inside there was a handicap toilet set up. It was strange. The staff here are really nice and helpful. The gift shop was really nice, I spent way too much in there. I was also able to buy gifts from the local area. Take the time to enjoy this gem of a museum!

Visited the Northeastern North Carolina Surfing Exhibit today at MOA. Admission is Free. The exhibit was awesome! There is a wall outside the exhibit where visitors can bring a sticker from their favorite surf shop, attach the sticker to the wall and get a photo on a surfboard in front of the wall. Inside the exhibit we saw so many local surf boards shaped from locally owned surf shops and shapers on Hatteras Island and Nags Head areas. Displays of vintage boards and accomplishments of local surfers are also included in the exhibit. There is so much history of NE North Carolina at MOA. We enjoyed the rest of our time visiting the history exhibits. Great time for friends and family!

Great place to visit! We focused on free to low cost activities, but there is something for everyone & every budget. We started at the Edenton State Historic Site Visitor Center (108 N Broad St). The staff were friendly, knowledgeable & welcoming. We were charmed by the “mini-manager” (a sweet, young lady helping her mom that day). We browsed the museum, gift shop, got a map and headed out. Free parking is available at the visitor center and downtown. The easily walkable downtown has maintained its historic charm with plenty of places to explore.1) The self-guided walking tour has several plaques highlighting the revolutionary history and reveals a unique story of the town’s emblem- the teapot- and the brave ladies who dared defy a king! 2) The Colonial Park at Edenton Bay is perfect for picnics, has a large playground, and brings you to 3) the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse. Walking the deck wrapping around the lighthouse, there is a panoramic view of the bay that doesn’t disappoint and the breeze is refreshing. There is a $2.50 charge to go inside and to the top of the light. Just across the street is 4) The Penelope Barker House which is perfectly preserved from that time period with handcrafted furniture, a museum, and many books about the town. Check out the quilt on the second floor- it’s amazingly detailed & informative. We strolled a couple blocks into town to the 5) Cupola House Gardens, they are vast and filled with variety. Take note of the murals as you walk downtown & there are plenty of shops and eateries. We stopped at 6) Huckleberry Ice Cream Parlor and enjoyed a cooling treat as we continued walking towards 7) the “Edenton Teapot” marker on Colonial street. We walked towards the waters’ edge fanned by cool breezes and checked out the cannons on the shoreline; a testimony to the naval battles and importance of this area where the river meets the ocean. We circled back to the park by the bay and headed out. Will definitely be back. There is so much to do, trolley rides, boat rides, guided tours, town festivals and events- it’s definitely worth checking out!

Our tour guide Charles was nothing short of knowledgeable, very kind and very accommodating for our Women's Ministry group. He answered all of our questions and gave factual information which was mind blowing! This is a must if you're visiting Edenton!

Small, quaint town. Was the first capital of NC until the capital was moved to New Bern. People are friendly. Historical Sites and homes. Eating out in the downtown area is a little pricey. Friendly people, although we saw a very few protesters wanting to take down a statue of course. (Eye roll). Otherwise worth a quick day trip.

Charles was our tour guide. He was amazing. We asked many questions and he took his time to answer everything. Definitely went above and beyond, one of the best tour guides we have had. Great job Charles, we will be back sir. We also had a tour with Lucas who again went above and beyond with the tour of the lighthouse. Finally we met Bailey with NC Historic Sites who answered questions about the area and offered some sites to see in Edenton, We have been on many NC historic sites to visit but this has to be one of our favorites along with Somerset Place. Great job NC Historic Site team. A+

Very nice place to take a History trip. We had a tour guide. We made ropes and dolls.It was $3.50 per person. Veiwed the inside of a historic home, court house, and a lighthouse. We picniced at the park near the lighthouse and water. Just have to go back to visit the cute little downtown shops. And there was a boat you could go out on for a fee.$18 per person. Would like to do that! The tour guide did a wonderful job! It was worth it! Great one day trip. ☺👍💒

Wonderful and beautiful little historical town from Revolutionary Era. Lots of historical sites to see and shops and restaurants.

Small town with a huge amount of history! Friendly folks and great places to eat. Make sure you take the trolley tour on your visit!?

Great piece of history. Well done exhibit and the people are super friendly.

Friendly & informative folks! The house is beautiful & well kept and the location stunning!

This old house is packed with old historical items. One can easily see this house is very old and very creaky. I really enjoyed sitting in the rocking chairs overlooking the water front. If you like to fish bring your fishing poles! There are great places to bank fish at the Penelope Barker House.

Welcome center indeed! 😍 Our family of seven felt so warmly welcomed here and we enjoyed learning about the history of the home before taking a self-guided tour through the downstairs and upstairs rooms. Great view of the water from the second story balcony! In the gift shop, be sure to purchase the walking tour guide of Edenton (green cover) and you'll learn so much as you walk through town.

Museum was as expected. Docents were very helpful. There is a lot of history on this town which they try to preserve and cling to. There's a lone cypress tree still standing next to the museum's dock that if you stand still, you could feel the tradesmen and slaves that passed through here. I tried not to look at it too often. If you're a sensitive, you'll know what I mean.

I enjoyed happening along this place. We stopped in Edenton to see the historic waterfront and found this treasure. I had no idea who Penelope Barker was. I had never heard about her tea party resolution. I found the museum very informative. It was neat how you can see the inside of the walls. (the ceiling is sagging in there because of the missing wall pieces). There are period correct dresses and slippers worn by the people that lived in this home. There are lots of local books for sale. A neat one that caught my eye was a book about all of the historical houses in Edenton, and their individual history. The museum is free to visit. We will definitely be back to explore this town more

Great place to visit! Beautiful views and lots of history. Staff very friendly and helpful. We could have spent all day in Edenton and learning the history of the town.

Fun little stop in a cute little town. The museum is nice but a bit dated. The big draw is the dig pit. They bring in loads of dirt from the local phosphate mine which is full of fun little items like fossils, shark teeth, and coral skeleton fragments. My 4 and 2 year old loved digging (to be honest, I did too!). Bring your own screen and a shovel for even more fun!

I've been to the NC Fossil Festival in Aurora for the last two years and I plan to be back this year too. I've always been a huge fan of fossils and have loved the opportunity that the Festival gives me to add to my personal fossil collection. It's always fun meeting new people at the Festival and exploring all it has to offer. The museum is cool, especially if you like shark's teeth. It's always fun to dig in the pits, especially if a new sediment pile has recently been delivered. I haven't found anything too crazy, but I have found shells, fossilized coral chunks, and a couple shark's teeth. If you are a fossil lover, I would definitely recommend this little museum in this little town in North Carolina. It's worth the drive out there! Also, there is a silent auction during the fossil festival. Got a lot of extraordinary pieces in my collection from that.

There is absolutely nothing bad that I could say about this place. First off it is free to the public and they appreciate donations which is quite kind. Museum wise it is small but there is a lot to see within it. They have definitely gone above and beyond to make this an enjoyable experience. Outside they have three separate fossil finding pits. Completely free and they offer you free baggies for your finds. Keep this place in business, make a donation, and make some amazing memories!

A fun place to go and spend the day and admission is completely free, you just check in at the museum store. I learned about the Aurora Fossil Museum from a Facebook fossil group I follow and decided to give it a try as a stop on the way to the beach. Now I've been there at least 10 times so far and will definitely be going back. My sister and I have gone to the Fossil Festival they host three times and even competed in the sponsored Fossil 5K twice. The dig pits are well maintained and spacious. The museum has a lot of neat fossils on display. The gift shop always has something new, and it has clean restrooms. And the workers are always very friendly and willing to answer questions or assist in any way.

Such a fantastic museum with people who are knowledgeable about what you brought in from the dig pit to be identified. Both buildings are very awesome. I took my grandson and we had such a great time. Not too impressed with the dig pits though as there are a lot of big rocks That have to be moved out of the way before you can get to the smaller soil and bits to be screened.

A very interesting place, driven by wonderful people. Highly recommend to anyone who is fascinated by marine paleontology and especially shark tooth hunting. You will no doubt be able to find something for your collection here! A perfect place for children.

This was a super fun excursion! The fossil pit was great and our group found lots of fossil shells, bones, and shark teeth with very little digging. The museum is fantastic with rooms that explain the mining and fossil layer. Highly recommend and will be back soon!

My wife and I learned everything we know about sailing at this school. Captain Jim Nixon is an amazingly likable guy and a top notch maritime instructor. He puts you in charge of the boat and drills you until you feel very confident. Jim also did a 5 day charter with us and was nothing short of awesome. We give Jim and the Oriental school of sailing a A+ and highly recommend you get signed up and out there.

Captain Will was a funny, accommodating instructor. I learned to windsurf after my first lesson. Got plenty of time on the board. Love the fact that if the weather's bad, you can come back for free.

Captain Wil's enthusiasm, knowledge and teaching techniques allowed me to progress quickly in feeling comfortable sailing the Neuse River. The classroom was well equipped with hands-on teaching aids and the boats were set up for instruction. Overall, a very good experance.

Oriental School of Sailing is a great place to learn to sail. The instructor is truly committed to making you a confident new skipper. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate but you can make up days Free or come back and sail as much as you want at no additional charge.

Great time sailing with Capt Will and I really feel confident sailing on the Neuse. Lot's of hands-on instruction and local knowledge that really helped me take my sailing to the next level.

Thanks for the great instruction Will. My sons had excellent experience learning to kite and will continue ripping going forward. See you soon!

Captain Will is one of the best teachers I've ever seen. Amazing ,so patient!

This campground had the perfect beach meets forest feel. The campground itself is small and quaint. There's a hiking trail and a bath house. The cabins are adorable. If you travel down a trail or drive over you'll access the beach area. The entire park just has a feel. We will definitely be going back. I think the only thing I would say it was missing was a playground for the kids. My son doesn't need a playground to stay busy, but it would be nice to have one. Our dogs enjoyed the trails too.

This is an amazing state park in Eastern NC!! Accessing the park is very easy, especially for ECU students looking to be a bit more outdoorsy. I went late last January during a snowy, cold period and had a blast. Even in the snow, it was clear that trails and boardwalks were well maintained and clear of trash. The unique environment of the park makes the visit all the more fun! I would highly recommend.

Beautiful state park, out in the middle of nowhere. Really unique scenery, lots of spanish moss in places as well. Not crowded whatsoever, free to enter and plenty of parking. Worth the drive!

This is a great hidden gem! The RV sites are very nicely spaced and a great size. The camp host was very friendly and informative about the area. The common area restrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a while at a State Park.

What a GORGEOUS place! It was PUT there as far as primitive camping goes. Not too bad with bugs surprisingly. Peaceful and quiet. Saw 3 deer and had an amazing time. The litle beach is quite nice too! Check it out!

I solo camped here for over a week in early August with my German shepherd. I stayed in the RV campground, which has 30/50 amp service, sewer, and water. There is also a separate tent campground. I LOVED this park. I hiked on all of its trails during my stay. The park is gorgeous, with well-kept, sandy trails and lots of raised boardwalk trails with ethereal Spanish moss gracing all of it. It must have rained every single day I was there -- once, torrentially -- and you would never know it on the trails the next day; a testament to great water mitigation. The trails also had fantastic options to fetch my dog in the water (Ivey Gut was my favorite trail). The trails were very quiet and I hardly saw another hiker. I saw park staff on all my hikes, however, maintaining trails and removing garbage. The whole area underwent a controlled burn (I'm not sure when, even though there was a placard about it). There were great interpretative displays on almost all of the trails to help hikers learn about the history, flora and fauna of the park. This is a very well-loved, well-cared for park. All of the camps are very well spaced (tent sites too) and unlike other reviewers, I loved that the RV campground was in an overgrown field, because the bird watching was amazing. I heard bluebirds, ospreys, and indigo buntings the entire time, with a bob white on two nights! The tent campground is shady, close to the water, and also has well spread out sites. *I used the boat launch for my kayak one day, but that's a ten minute drive, and I do wish there were better options for getting cartop boats in the water directly from the campground.

Amazing location! Saw dolphins our first morning there. Walk right over to a little beach and kayak dock right around the corner.

Really off the beaten path, but worth the time to get there. Wasn’t super expensive and the food was delicious. The place itself was not crowded whatsoever, but the restaurant was doing pretty good. The fries had a great seasoning and the burger (1/2 lb patty!!) was juicy and delicious. Go here for some good food!

Found this place through a friend. Its 16-17 miles from Greenville NC. There is a lot of driving on the back roads on the country through the farm lands but trust the map and you will find it. The place is beautiful and seems like a little amusement park if you bring your kids they have rides and playgrounds for the kids. Went on a weekday at 12 and had to wait 10 mins to get seated so I definitely recommend reservation if you are coming later in the day or the weekend. The isnide atmosphere is really nice, clean and has attentive staff. The food is ordered was a well done steak with coleslaw and chips/fries. The steak was juicy and full of flavour. They also have a little built in ice cream store outside in the yard as well as vintage comic shop that has figurines, old console games etc. I will definitely be coming here again to try the rest of the menu.

We absolutely love this place, sometimes we come for a day trip or stop in on our way home. Great place for everyone to get out and walk around for awhile, the boys love the toy shop and everyone loves the resturant. Even as the kids get older we always ride the train!

This place is a hoot. It is an experience destination, but the steaks are good too. It is out in the middle of nowhere but definitely worth the trip, at least once. They were not taking reservations when we went. We had to wait for a little while, but there was plenty to walk around and see while we waited. We also rode the train, but it does not run year-round. You may want to call ahead of time if this is important.

We went on a Saturday night. Place had a 20 to 30 minutes of wait. Take advantage of them by walking around the place. It's a western theme with carriages, trains, bridges and the old west look. A cold beer and fried green tomatoes or Wagon Wheels as they are called here. Followed by the petite ribeye and green beans. Great meal and proper temp on the sirloin. We walked around after just to get most of the sights. Plenty to see. Enjoy.

It's such a unique place. You can tell they have put alot of money into it and continue to do so. I can't wait until they get everything done. The food was delicious and the staff were wonderful.

Western themed chaos is the best way to describe this place. The food was good and the atmosphere was nice. They also have a coffee shop/toy store. We'll be back

Really great place to visit while your on vacation. They have a beautiful trail that has overlooks that go out into the marsh a little play ground for the kids to enjoy bald eagles, turtles, and snake exhibits. Inside they have beautiful tanks with fish, jellys, seahorses and more. It exceeded our expectations and would definitely go back.

This is an amazing little spot. We were visiting from out of town and decided to burn a few hours at the aquarium. We did not buy tickets in advance and walked right in, but I can see how you would want to do that during busier seasons. It is so clean, well taken care of and the staff are fantastic. We had so much fun with our 11 and 8 year olds. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions! We decided to do the $20 behind the scenes tour and feeding frenzy and it was worth every penny!! Our tour guide was amazing, so kind and patient with our kiddos and engaged them so well. We got to “meet” 5 sea turtles that were rehabilitated and were getting returned to the sea later in the afternoon! We loved hearing their stories and the mission of this program. Would definitely go again and spend more time. What a great local aquarium!!

Beautiful! The nature trails, the recreated habitats, the marsh boardwalk…everything about this place is just beautiful! And the staff was completely lovely! Friendly, knowledgeable, & interesting in their delivery. The building & parking lot are well maintained, the restrooms are clean. Admission is reasonable, the gift shop expensive & largely mass-produced. I went on a rainy Monday morning in the “off season” for the area & it was decently crowded, but easily maneuverable. There is plenty of room between exhibits. I also purchased my ticket in advance which made entry faster & probably does help a lot during busy times. Just over an hour was spent inside & just under an hour was spent outside. And they have plenty of programs throughout the day (feedings, animal encounters, divers in the shark tank, etc). The older gentleman at the otter enclosure was especially kind & friendly.

The NC aquariums are all great, and each one has its own character. This one has a nice trail onsite and faces a salt marsh, so the location is beautiful and easily accessible from Morehead City. The shark tank at the end is fun, and the staff onsite are knowledgable and friendly. There's also touch tanks and lots of NC-native fish to see. For the price it's hard to beat.

Took our kids here while at Atlantic Beach for a family vacation! They had a blast and said it was their favorite part of the trip! It is smaller than the aquarium at Fort Fisher, so we got through it pretty quickly. But the live diving demonstration and the exhibits were really cool!

Had the most wonderful time here with my family today! We especially appreciated the ladies at the touch tank and Callie B. at the shell stand. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about marine life. Almost talked to her for about an hour lol. I definitely left knowing and caring more about the ocean! Thanks guys!

Very Enjoyable~Quite a bit to look at and reasonable prices. Love the photos & photo package. Love the turtles 🐢 and Owls 🦉 ~Love the Butterflies out back when exiting. Very much enjoyed my time~💖

A nice Firemen's Museum and an outside park with memorials. Even if you don't go inside the park is a nice place to walk around in New Bern .

Definitely, a must visit spot in New Bern. They provide a guide tour as part of the experience. It is rich in historical facts about this beautiful town and fun opportunities for the little ones.

Very interesting history of the New Bern Firefighters. Definitely have one of the guides do a tour since they know a lot of information you might not get otherwise. Our guide Lynn, a former New Bern fireman, was an excellent tour guide. Great display about the 1922 fire that ravaged the town

Amazing Experience! We had a very thorough and kind tour guide that told us about all of the fascinating history and also some of his personal experience. Very family friendly, handicap accessible, and has a children’s play room. Very kind staff and excellent cleanliness. We were reminded of the hard work and amazing service our firemen do that we often forget is very difficult! We love this place and will definitely be back.

A must visit place while you’re in new Bern! The guides were exceptionally knowledgeable in giving a history of the town. It’s more than just fire memorabilia (although they have a ton of it and it’s really neat). The history of the department details a lot about the town, it’s people, and how it’s evolved over time. Overall a great visit! They have a scavenger hunt for kids too.

I had way too much fun here! I had an amazing tour guide who was a retired volunteer firefighter. The space is incredible. You learn so much not only about fire trucks, but the entire town of New Bern. If you have kids, they have a dedicated kids space.

Historic Firehouse with vehicles and other items dating back more than a century. Good guided tour and then you can stay for as long as you like. $7/adult, $5/kid, and children under 5 are free. Right in downtown New Bern. Good for about an hour to hour and half, especially with small kids.

Traveled down to Morehead, NC (first visit to this area) from the mountains to celebrate my birthday. On 5/17/24, we visited Tryon Palace, on advise from some friends who were originally from New Bern. Unfortunately, most everything was not open, including the gardens. We were able to visit the Gift Store, and walk down to the water's edge. We are hoping to come back another time. New Bern is a great town full of friendly people. Enjoyed our visit there very much!!

It was beautiful nand our tour guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We learned so much while there from each person we encountered. Beautiful place! Beautiful area w so much history!

It is a very interesting place to visit, you learn some interesting facts about New Bern and the people involved in the Tyron palace,but not disabled friendly which is understandable because it's a very old building

Great tour and many great events heald on the Palace ground, such as, The North Carolina symphony playing on the back lawn, the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July, continental soldiers, explaining history on the front lawn of the palace and many more things.

Wonderful tour. Have to buy tickets at museum before going to the palace. The ladies that do a wonderful job, really know historical details and always friendly and helpful. Loved how they draw the kids into the experience.

Wonderful tour of the palace. Great history about Tyrol palace.

Great tour! Gardens would be beautiful in the Spring.

We had a blast! I think we paid like $34 per person for all day pass. There are two putt putt courses that everyone enjoyed. They have bumper boats but only 4 were working. But they were still fun. The go carts is what the kids loved the most. Nice track and usually able to get back in line and go again since they have a decent amount of go carts. You can also pay for each thing individually if you only want to do certain things. But $34 for unlimited access all day is hard to beat.

Had a great time playing putt-putt here! Staff was friendly & both courses were fun with beautiful scenery!! We went at Halloween and one of the courses was spooky with Halloween decor all through it.

Fun mini-golf courses (two to choose from), go-kart racing, and bumper boats. The mini-golf courses were both fun with one (Gold Course) being slightly easier than the more challenging one (Diamond Course.) Last night we played two rounds which took about two hours. We had a blast. If you get a hole-in-one on hole 7 (both courses) I think you win a free game.

We took the family (8, 10, 14) and did the day pass. Highly recommend. We raced go karts, played in the bumper boats (which have water guns FYI), and played 36 holes of mini golf on the two courses. Everything is in good shape, the employees are helpful, and we had a lot of fun. The Diamond course has a cool hidden feature on hole #11. Check it out! All day pass were legit, they sell them all day thru 5pm and they are good until 6pm. We went on a hot (93) and sunny day and definitely needed hydration frequently, so be prepared if it’s a similar day.

We had so much fun. Everyone from the 5 year old to the 65 year old enjoyed out trip today. We rode go carts, water bumpers, the train and played one round of putt putt. We will definitely be back to play a second round.

Our family had such a great time here that it's become a must do activity each time we visit family in this area! We purchased the day pass wrist bands for $36/person and spent the whole day mini-golfing, racing go-karts, and riding the bumper boats. We typically leave to get something to eat and return to our fun filled activities!

A truly fun and enjoyable experience. Being our 30’s the wife and I only did the PutPut Golf, but it was unique, they had some abnormal obstacles in the mix. It was fun and fairly priced.

As a former MBA student at East Carolina University, I feel compelled to share my experience to warn others considering this institution. My tuition waiver was submitted on December 6, 2024, yet due to ECU’s failure to process it by the December 17 payment deadline, I was forced to pay $840 out of pocket to avoid being dropped from my classes. This financial strain was entirely avoidable had ECU handled their responsibilities competently. What followed was a month of administrative chaos: The Cashier’s Office gave vague assurances but failed to act in a timely manner. Senior leadership, including Dr. Lee Grubb, Senior Associate Dean of the College of Business, completely ignored my emails seeking assistance. Even after escalating to the Chancellor’s Office, I received only a last-minute apology and yet another delay in my refund, which is still not resolved. This isn’t just one person’s oversight—this is a systemic issue with ECU’s administration. Their inability to process basic requests, communicate effectively, or prioritize students’ financial well-being is appalling. If you’re considering ECU for graduate studies, think long and hard about whether you can afford to waste your time and money on an institution that treats students like afterthoughts. I’ve withdrawn from their MBA program and will be pursuing opportunities elsewhere—at schools that actually value their students.

ECU is probably the only thing interesting about Greenville to be honest. If you’re a partygoer, you just came to the biggest party school in NC. Just kidding, those frats are a small, insignificant, second-class portion of the student population. Things get wild on Halloween, though, and that’s not an exaggeration.

We had such a great tour of ECU! Was not expecting a large university experience on the eastern edge of the state, but coming from out of state, there it is! Our tour guide was well-informed and sung the praises of the school. We really enjoyed the energy of the student body, observing the hustle and bustle between classes and seeing how a big school can feel navigable at the same time. Loved Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and the athletic facilities for the students were unreal! We even learned that the Maritime Studies program is working on the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's true-to-life ship - apropos that the Pirates are working on a pirate ship! We felt like ECU is competitive, but not impossible to get into, and that the out-of-state cost was much more reasonable than many schools of the same size and type (Division I). This is my daughter's first choice now, and while we have other schools to see, her hope is to become a Pirate!

I got to see my sister graduate! Great experience for all involved. 🎓

If you go to _faithboi_ socials, you will see how they react to SA it will change your opinions about going to this University. Especially if you are a women

I visited Joyner Library. A great place to study and quietness

As an online student at East Carolina University, my experience has been frustrating from the start. Communication has consistently been poor, and there is a noticeable lack of accountability when issues arise. Despite balancing work, parenting, and full-time studies, I’ve received little support in resolving mistakes or addressing concerns. Unfortunately, I won’t be continuing beyond my second semester here.

I'm from here and prefer this over fighting traffic going to the beach. Always friendly staff and they have a golf cart to help you across the island. I walked across yesterday with my hiking pack, food, water, tent and wasn't bad. My only regret is I could only camp 1 night because tonight is booked 5-17-25

It was a hot but very nice weekend paddle and camp on Bear Island last weekend. Staff at the visitor center were very knowledgeable and helpful (and the AC felt great). The kayak dock and launch was perfect...very easy to get in and out of the water with a loaded vessel. Not a fan of the kayak carts but overall, they worked okay. Stayed at site 14, was easy to find and land. Had good shade in the afternoon and an easy spot to walk into the water to cool off. Easy paddle around the corner to the beach access and very welcomed shower. Low tide access to the beach landing requires a few walks over the shallow areas. Thank you for this clean and wonderful gem of a beach experience. Will be back when it cools a little.

This beach is for those who don’t need the amenities of the tourist traps. It’s a great place for the contemplative personally or a family that doesn’t care for the crowds. It is definitely an adventure to get to Bear Island to include the ferry ride and a hike, but this place revives the soul!

Great place to RV camp with full hookup, or non-electric waterfront sites or tent camping, and cabins, all on the new mainland camping area. They also have primitive camping sites available on Bear Island which are accessible only via ferry or personal watercraft.

This is a very nice state park. It’s in 2 sections for camping. You have Bear Island primitive campsites that you have to ferry over to or paddle in. I think there are some local boat services available to take you and your stuff over for a fee also. If you camp on Bear Island there is a restroom and showers and water available in the public beach access area. This could be pretty far from some campsites. The mainland campground is pretty small but fairly new. There are maybe 20 sites. There are tent and RV sites available with full hookup ups. They also have a handful of cute cabins for rent. We stayed at site 35 the last tent site on the water and it was beautiful. The sites are large and level and gravel including a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole. There is a huge bath house in the middle with 3 toilets and 3 showers and a sink area. There is also a family bathroom with its own toilet and shower. The bath house also has a sink for cleaning dishes and a bike rack which we appreciated having bikes. The bath house is nice but the cleaning could be a little better. Cob webs and spiders in the corners and surfaces just needing to be wiped down. It would also have been great to have a washer/dryer here BUT there isn’t one. A beach campground equals needing to do some laundry with a weekly stay 😕. Also the campground sells wood bundles for $10 but no ice available! I wish they sold ice instead of wood. It’s hot and people visiting especially in summer would rather have ice over a fire. Think of the people taking the ferry over to Bear Island with a cooler. Atleast sell ice at the visitors center where the ferry departs. We had to ride our bikes 2 miles into Swansboro for ice after 2 days. The visitors center is very nice and large. Staff was friendly. If you want to take the ferry over to Bear Island or the beach you must buy your passes here in person no pre purchasing. Tickets are $10 each but if you purchased a NC State yearly pass it includes 4 free ferry tickets per day per visit! Just show them your pass and you get free ferry tickets!! Loved that! The ferry runs at different times and is closed certain times of the year. I will take a picture of that information. Ferry is nice and quick. Only takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the island. Once you get off the ferry it is a 1/2 mile walk out to the beach. Be warned there is zero shade over there so if you need it take something. There is also a golf cart to take you out to the beach if you don’t mind dropping them a “donation “. We were told no cell service on Bear Island but we have Verizon and had 2 bars 5G. There is a concession stand on the beach but it’s cash only because there is no cell service 🤷🏼‍♀️ Did you read the previous sentence?! Also there is not a bike rack at the visitors center which sucked. We had to ride our bikes over to catch the ferry and ended up locking them up to a bat house post. Please buy a bike rack for the visitors center! All in all this is a great place but if I want to do the beach I’m choosing Edisto Island SP, Hunting Island or Myrtle Beach SP so I don’t have to deal with the ferry and the 1/2 mile walk afterwards to the actual beach. Also the mainland campground is a mile from the visitors center where you take the ferry so you’ll need have a vehicle to drive there or bikes. It’s just not real convenient for beach camping in my opinion.

The Nature/visitor center of Hammocks beach state park has great educational materials, souvenirs, docks for launching the kayaks and paddle boards or catching the ferry to Bear Island. The bathrooms and facility are well maintained. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There is ample parking.

Just visited Bear Island via ferry from Hammocks Beach State Park, and it was amazing! 🌴🚣‍♀️ The island's unspoiled maritime forest and wide beach are stunning. Getting there is easy: head to Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro, NC, stop by the visitors center to book your ferry, and you're all set! Just a heads up: plan ahead for the tides, especially if you're bringing gear. 😅 But the scenery and peace are totally worth it. Can't wait to come back!

Very nice place, it was my first time here and I enjoyed it. I bought a tumbler and homemade dog treats. They had a baby calf that you can go visit and pet. There was a playground area, very kid friendly.

Tried this place for the first time and it was excellent. The service was friendly, the ice cream (and waffle cone) were delicious. The portions were generous and the facility was lovely. We would definitely visit again if in the area.

Took a long bike ride today and it was a little over 2 hours to get here. Heard a lot of things about this place and heard it was some damn good ice cream. Boy was I disappointed. I got a scoop of the key lime pie ice cream and a scoop of the blueberry cheesecake. That KLP was ALL frost bitten. While it was edible, it tasted awful. The blueberry cheesecake was a bit better, but it still was not great. This was a super disappointing visit. Key Lime Pie - 2/10 Blueberry Cheesecake - 5/10

Ice cream was fantastic. There were about 20 flavors. Prices were reasonable. The tour was definitely worth it. They gave an overview of thr farm and let you pet some young cows. All while riding in a large wagon

We really enjoyed our tour and learned a lot from our guide. The ice cream is delicious and it's even better knowing the cows are treated so well. Highlight-- we got to pet the babies! Definitely recommend.

Finally, we found the natural half gal cream here! Plus the store has a nice welcoming atmosphere to visitors👏🏻 kids also enjoyed their Sally Dairy Day Camp!

My son has a diary allergy.. I hate they only have one flavor for him… He be so sad but that’s all they have.. Wish they had more non diary ideas

I came here for the Beirut Memorial, but it was under the construction. I was very impressed with the Corpsman Memorial. If you get a chance to go here, you won’t be disappointed.

What a nice tribute to our Veterans and service men and women from 9/11. I wish we would have had time to visit during the evening hours. I can only imagine how pretty everything must look with the uplighting. The Vietnam wall is replica is quite impressive and I really enjoyed reading about "The Other Wall" as I never knew any of this history behind The Other Wall. For such a small town, this memorial is very well done!

It was really motivating to see the history of montford point and a little about ww2

Beautifully done park. Wide sidewalk throughout. Also lighting along walkway so should be well lit at night. There is a 9/11 memorial, Vietnam memorial, Beirut memorial and Montford memorial. All are well done. The park is very peaceful and offers the perfect place to remember and honor those who have paid the highest price for our freedoms. The Vietnam memorial is exceptionally beautiful with names appearing on glass panels that surround the fountain in the center.

I was visiting my son while he was off for the weekend. My husband and I got a hotel near there and we went to look at it during the day and then at night it's beautiful it's a great memorial it's not something you would take young children to it's historical got great history. It has a great African-American tribute and history of that beautiful statues and displays and they're going to make it bigger with kind of a museum it's would be interesting then we took our son there and took some pictures because he's a Marine and they have a great EGA there in the water is beautiful.

Peaceful little walk around. Thank you veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

A really well designed and deserved memorial. I hope and can return when the museum is complete. This place makes you appreciate and grateful for the men and women who help protect our country and way of life. Thank you too all members of the armed forces!!!!!!

Been going here for over 30 years. Still the best beach vacation around.

Wonderful community!! Low key beach island, great for relaxing and enjoying uncrowned beaches!

Very nice place to vacation. It Excellent restaurants on and off the island. We have been vacationing for several years. I'm sorry to say, Investors are taking the beauty out by over building. So Sad......

Have been coming to Topsail Island for many years. It has grown a lot. Some of that is good but other times I wish it would have stayed smaller and more charming but it is my favorite beach. The beach itself is the best anywhere. The people are friendly and the restaurants offer the best seafood around. Love this place.

Can still drive and Park on the beach at the North end. Family loves it. Get there early as business picks up as the day goes on.

This is the nicest, most beautiful beach I have ever been to. It is family-friendly, accessible, and fun! There are turtle sightings daily, little fish, and nice little shops downtown.

Weather was windy…waves were plentiful…sun was hot…we had a good time. Grandkids loved the boogie boards, sand castles, catching the sand fleas, shells, walking on the shoreline- fun and very relaxing.

We had the best experience! Karen our guide was so informative and knowledgeable and really helped us learn more about all the work they do! My oldest is obsessed with all things turtles so he was so excited to visit here!!! Thank you for all your hard work keeping these turtles safe and helping all the ones who need it!

The experience of a lifetime! It was amazing to see the sea turtles and learn about all the important work the volunteers do to keep the oceans safe for wildlife. The staff were well educated and eager to answer any questions. They do such important work. The best part was seeing the sea turtles and getting to learn facts about each of them, like their favorite snacks. They are so cute, and it was fun learning about the various types of sea turtles that they rescue. Would definitely recommend this experience if in the area!

An hour guided tour with a knowledgable guide. Plenty of time to ask questions. Great learning experience for kids of ALL ages! Reservations required. Adorable items in gift shop. They do great work here. Very worthy addition to any beach vacation. Downside: must be able to stand for the entire hour.

We’ve been coming to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital for years, and it’s truly one of my favorite places to visit. The work they do is incredible, and you can feel the passion and dedication from the staff and volunteers the moment you walk in. This time, we brought our 1-year-old for his first visit, and he had such a great time too—lots to see and enjoy even for little ones! The tour is always inspiring, educational, and heartwarming. It’s a must-visit if you’re in the Topsail area. We love supporting this amazing mission and seeing the turtles heal and thrive!

This was a highlight during our trip, booking tickets in advance is a must. We were a group of 11 and were able to get tickets the day before online. We loved learning about the different type of turtles and how we can help! Highly recommend for all ages!

This was so much fun!!! All staff, minus the guy at the door, were all super friendly, knowledgeable, and seem very dedicated to their conversation efforts!! We took our 5 year old daughter and she loved it. There were also other families with small children and they seemed to really enjoy it also. I would highly recommend giving this place a visit!!!!

What an experience. If you are in the area and must stop and check. Tour takes about 45 minutes. And they are truly doing it for the right reason. Great to see what they do. Answered all the questions and staff were super knowledgeable and friendly

We decided to make Duplin Winery one of our visits today to celebrate our ten year anniversary together and what an incredible and amazing experience we had together with Ms. Pamela and the staff here at Duplin Winery; such amazing and friendly staff and we absolutely enjoyed our wine tasting experience with Ms. Pamela she went above and beyond to help us make this experience even better for us. We would highly recommend a visit to Duplin Winery not only for their exquisite tasting wines because there is truly something special there for everyone but as well as visiting and experiencing “ The Bistro” as well. It is such an amazing story behind this family business that truly needs to be shared and enjoy the amazing wine, foods and shopping experience here at Duplin Winery. Thank you again for making the start of our ten year anniversary celebration so special.

We just stopped on our way out of town but we will absolutely be back soon! The wines are delightful, employees welcoming, friendly and helpful and the merchandise is fantastic! We also made sure to grab a pamphlet about the wine club and they ship!!!

My favorite winery in America! Have been here a few times and we always have a great experience. I did A tasting with my family and Pamela gave a great experience. Very welcoming. Will always recommend Duplin Winery.

Always feel very well taken care of and our bartender was Amy.. she was great! Thank you so much for great time

Wonderful experience doing the wine tasting at Duplin Winery in Rose Hill! Karen chose excellent wines as her “Bartender’s Choice” selections. We are leaving here with many more bottles than intended but they were all too good to pass up!

Duplin winery never fails! Been a member for years and will continue to be until I can’t no more. Best tastings and wine ever!!

This thoughtful gift basket was an absolute hit! From the moment my friend opened it, the Duplin Brice’s Creek wine immediately stood out—not just for its beautifully coastal label, but for the crisp, sweet character that Duplin is known for. Paired with a vibrant Raspberry Mango Lemonade cocktail mixer, it struck the perfect balance between relaxing and refreshing. Duplin Farms truly is a cut above the rest; you can taste the care and tradition in every sip. It felt like a celebration in a basket, and it brought real smiles all around. What made this gift even more special was the handwritten letter that accompanied it. The words you chose—simple, warm, and intentional—were exactly what I would’ve hoped for in a card, and they added a deeply personal touch that no store-bought message could replicate. It turned a great gift into a memorable moment. It wasn’t just appreciated; it was genuinely felt.

Visiting the Battleship North Carolina was such a memorable experience! It’s truly impressive to see this historic World War II warship up close, and it gives you a real sense of the scale and strength of naval history. Walking around the grounds is free, which makes it easy to admire the ship from the outside and snap some great photos. If you’d like to explore onboard, there is an admission fee—but from what I’ve heard, it’s absolutely worth it. Since we were short on time, we didn’t get to go inside, but even just seeing the exterior was fascinating. For those planning a full tour, I’d recommend setting aside at least two hours to really experience the ship, its exhibits, and the details of life at sea. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a unique stop in Wilmington, this is definitely worth a visit! ⚓️

Spent about an hour here with my family of four. Make sure your kids use the restroom before going in: we had to cut our visit short because the toilets were down and we had to use the portapotties outside. I would recommend doing the lower decks first then the upper decks. Really cool living museum. Just wish we could have stayed longer. It's better suited to order kids, although our 4 yo did great.

What an incredible experience!! I highly recommend coming here! It was a cloudy overcast Tuesday and the ship didn’t have too many people touring. We chose to do the self paced tour on our own. There are plenty of signs to read about every part of the ship. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours. There were fans blowing in areas inside the ship which made it nice when we started feeling hot.

The battleship is a fabulous museum. Fascinating to see how the whole place functioned. Very well marked walk through tour. Lots of ladders and steep steps. Amazing In depth showcase of the targeting computer used onboard. The guns are unbelievable my huge.

You can feel chills of respect ,and you can feel the souls of these brave sailors who endure the battles !! Still embedded on the USS NC , highly recommend the experience , not suitable for small children thats for sure , the Confine spaces and the small access to the rooms might be tricky , I’ve work before on ships , a war ship ! My utmost respect for the people who Do or did . Definitely visit this part of the American History in the Flesh makes you appreciate the value of freedom , but don’t get comfy people you might get call soon to the battle of war ! You never know !! The gift shop was little bit pricey ! Adapting little bit high tech to the shop would be better , the only problem they only work on donations no government funding , like I always say local economies are the best ! And thanks to the tour guides that donate Their time during The Weeknd !!! Thanks. Guys what an honor !!

Such a stunning example of American military might from WWII!! It had been almost 30 years since my last visit and I thoroughly enjoyed spending several hours going all over the ship!! All the volunteers were so helpful in answering questions and they had a really nice gift shop too. Weather was quite nice so we walked the boardwalk around the ship too. Well worth going and seeing this Great battleship!

This is a great reminder of the boldness, courage, and sacrifice of our service members. This is a great tour of an amazing piece of our country's history. The cost is nominal and the access is pretty amazing. It certainly gives you a glimpse into life on a battleship. The only thing I wish the memorial could have was more videos or interactive experiences to help visualize aspects of the ship and life. Otherwise, it is worth the visit.