Crystal Coast, NC, Guide and Information

The North Carolina Seafood Festival is the largest three-day festival in the state, according to Visit NC, an economic development partnership in North Carolina, and ranked nationally in the top 200 “Must See” festivals by the International Festivals & Events Association.

The NC Seafood Festival’s 37th annual event will be held October 6-8, 2023. Over the festival weekend, the festival will entertain an estimated 200,000 visitors; host more than 200 artisan and commercial vendors, seafood vendors featuring fresh, locally caught North Carolina Seafood and other NC produced food and beverage products; and provide children’s games and rides, cooking demonstrations and tastings, and two musical stages

The most popular festival in Swansboro, NC is the Mullet Festival, which celebrates its 69th year in 2023!

What began as a small event to celebrate the completion of the bridge over the White Oak River has become a highly anticipated part of eastern North Carolina culture. Taking place on the second weekend in October, it's celebrated with a parade, live entertainment, street vendors, and tons of seafood, especially our local delicacy--the mullet!

MumFest is a combination of family fun, entertainment, attractions, exhibitors, and great food in the beautifully restored setting of historic downtown New Bern and its waterfront.

It is is one of the finest award-winning festivals in the state of North Carolina. It is recognized statewide as a major eastern North Carolina family festival and has received numerous awards over the years to include Best NC Main Street Downtown Event, Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 October events, and the Sun Journal Reader’s Choice winner as Best Festival for many years running.

Most Discovery Map franchise owners live and work in their map territories. The ones that do not spend significant time in those territories (think vacation home, seasonal visits). As a result, they’re experts in all things local.

We asked Rich Sheridan from Discovery Map of Crystal Coast, NC about some of his favorite local spots. Read on for an informed local's perspective!

The Crystal Coast is a 30-mile stretch of North Carolina coastline that begins at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and includes the barrier island communities of Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach, and Emerald Isle.

Check out our favorite maritime activities below!

Situated in the heart of the town’s historic district, the two-acre Beaufort Historic Site encompasses six authentically restored buildings, including the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, as well as the Old Burying Grounds. The Beaufort Historic Site serves as a testament to the Beaufort Historical Association’s dedication to the continued research and documentation of the peoples, customs, lifestyles, and artifacts of Beaufort’s past, and it’s efforts to preserve the town’s historic identity in the future.

Tryon Palace is known for being North Carolina's first permanent state capitol. Walk in the footsteps of colonial governors, stroll through more than 14 acres of beautifully-sculpted gardens, or travel back in time for an interactive experience that blends the 1830s with 21st-century technologies.

Clipped hedges, flowers and paths combine to form the patterns you see in this photograph. The hedges are dwarf yaupon holly, a Carolina native, rather than the boxwood that was used in English gardens of the period. Statues of the four seasons survey the seasonal displays of spring bulbs, summer annuals and fall chrysanthemums.

On this episode we talk with Carol Lohr from the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority about this picturesque region along the North Carolina coast.

Crystal Coast Tourism Authority