SCENIC DOWNTOWN SWANSBORO Swansboro's rich history has been  preserved in the charming stores and elegant old homes of its business district. Take a stroll through downtown and immerse yourself in the rich, sea-faring traditions of this coastal community. Like to shop? You'll love the unique gift, toy and specialty shops on the waterfront. Looking for old treasures? You're in pirate's country but you won't need a treasure map to navigate Swansboro's many antique stores. Take a break and feed the ducks in beautiful Bicentennial Park and enjoy the natural scenic wonder of Bogue Sound, the Intracoastal Waterway and the White Oak River. Lunch with Elvis at a fifties cafe or watch the shrimp boats come in as you dine at one of the many fine waterfront restaurants. Savor the southern hospitality of a charming bed and breakfast or the convenience and comfort of a motel. Ready for more? Read on for family fun at its finest! OUTDOOR FUN Swansboro and surrounding areas offer unparalleled opportunities to appreciate nature unspoiled. Camp at an oceanfront resort with all the comforts of home and entertainment galore or in one of our glorious state parks. Mapped bicycle routes that pass through Swansboro, Beaufort and Jacksonville await the bicycling enthusiast. Don't miss a visit to Hammocks Beach State Park on Bear Island, North Carolina's best kept secret, where you can picnic, sunbathe, swim, hike or fish. Look for the Loggerhead turtles' nests but don't touch! Collect sea shells as you stroll the beach. Discover blue crabs and other marine life in tidal pools and mud flats. Laugh at the antics of gulls and sandpipers and camp  among the sand dunes, your only companion the stars above. The passenger ferry to Bear Island operates Memorial Day through Labor Day. Discover Croatan National Forest, where a mild climate provides an extended season for campers and hikers. Wildlife includes a variety of game that may be hunted. Explore the Island Creek Nature Walk and the Cedar Point Trail, kayak or canoe through the secluded and tranquil marshlands and the White Oak River. Bird watchers will delight at Croatan's 157 acres of unspoiled wilderness. A ferry to the Outer Banks will take you to explore its coastal communities, fishing villages and unspoiled beaches. Ferry service to the Outer Banks is available year-round. North Carolina is nationally recognized for its golf courses. Serious golfers and casual players will find a selection of championship courses, including Bogue Banks and Star Hill Country Clubs and Silver Creek Golf Club. All three feature excellent golf courses with a variety of layouts and rolling coastal terrain...and visitors are always welcome. WATER SPORTS The Crystal Coast is a water sports utopia. Surfing, swimming, sailing,  windsurfing, water skiing and jet skiing...the water is ideal. Add to that power boating and yachting, and you'll understand why water enthusiasts flock to the coast of North Carolina. Scuba divers love to explore the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." Who knows- you could discover a pirate's treasure, a Civil War blockade runner or a German U-boat! There's nothing like the challenge of landing a 300-pound Marlin or fighting with a King Mackerel. Experience the thrill when you charter a boat in Swansboro, Emerald Isle or Morehead City. Deep sea and Gulf Stream fishing are available on a daily basis. Spend an afternoon casting a line from the pier or surf fishing while the kids have fun crabbing and clamming. ENTERTAINMENT  The Crystal Coast offers a variety of activities for the entire family. Sharks, turtles and all manner of sea life can be found in the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. You can look and touch at the Children's Touch Tank or enjoy educational activities, a nature trail, field trips and a gift shop. The Crystal Coast Amphitheater offers "Worthy is the Lamb," a world-class Christian drama based on the life of Christ. Civil War history enthusiasts will cherish a trip to Fort Macon State Park near Atlantic Beach, where they can step into the past at Civil War re-enactments on special weekends. For entertainment on the wilder side, don your swimsuit and prepare to get wet! Water slides, bumper boats, miniature golf, go-karts and arcades provide thrills for the entire family...and there's more than enough ice cream to go around!
Come visit Swansboro, home of the world-famous Mullet Festival. There's so much to do in the Friendly City by the Sea, where a warm, sea-faring colonial welcome waits for you!
| 
