Discover the Area
Using the city/county names below, choose which eastern & coastal NC region you would like to learn more about:
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GREENVILLE / PITT COUNTY |
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Greenville has been called the Gateway to Eastern NC. Home of East Carolina University and ECU School of Medicine, Greenville and Pitt County have emerged as the commercial, cultural, educational, and medical hub of the region. There are lots of great communities to live in within the Greenville area, such as Winterville, Farmville, Ayden, Grifton, and Bethel. Each community is known for its own annual festivals and diversities. With the new Hwy 264 expressway, you're just over an hour away from RDU International Airport and all of the shopping and dining that the Triangle has to offer. Just over an hour to the east you can enjoy all of the relaxing pleasures of the Crystal Coast.
VisitGreenvilleNC.com
Greenville Chamber of Commerce
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KINSTON / LENOIR COUNTY |
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Kinston, NC is centrally located in eastern NC in the state’s Inner Banks region and has served as the county seat for Lenoir County since 1791. Kinston is home of the NC Global TransPark, a combined airport and industrial complex developed by the State in Lenoir County. Also home of the Kinston Indians baseball club of the Carolina League, Kinston offers fun for all ages with a variety of recreation and cultural activities. Communities within the Kinston area are LaGrange, Pink Hill, and Deep Run.
City of Kinston Official Site
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NEW BERN / CRAVEN COUNTY |
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New Bern, the second oldest town in North Carolina, is situated where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet. New Bern abounds with history around every corner with over 150 historic landmarks, the magnificent Tryon Palace, Birthplace of Pepsi and a 157,000-acre national forest. Recently featured on the Today Show on NBC as one of the top 10 places to retire in the US.
VisitNewBern.com
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PAMLICO COUNTY |
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Pamlico County is located in the center of Eastern NC and is the home great coastal communities such as Bayboro, Oriental and Merrit. It is a peninsula surrounded by waters from the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. Pamlico County is a rural county compromised of 213,000 acres of land and 151,00 acres of water. Blessed with fresh air blowing off the rivers and bays, and abundance of natural recreational recourses, good schools, good government, rich heritage and is a great community for families.
The people of the community exhibit a pride in their culture that is evident in the their schools, homes and overall community along with a love for their land and heritage that is quickly acquired by those who discover the riches of coastal living.
Visit Pamlico County NC
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JONES COUNTY |
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“You have probably never heard of Jones County, North Carolina. That is about to change. Jones County is home to Trenton, Pollocksville and Maysville. We are a small county in eastern North Carolina--just a stone's throw from the beautiful Atlantic Coast and only a two-hour drive from the capital city of Raleigh and the bustling Research Triangle Park. Steeped in a farming tradition, we are hardworking, friendly people who care about our neighbors and will welcome you into our communities. We have lots of open space, fresh air, water, trees, and rivers. We have only a few traffic lights in the entire county, and there is no traffic congestion.
We have experienced local business people, an excellent community college, and helpful municipal and county government officials who want to work with you locating sites, providing necessary infrastructure, and training workers in whatever skills are needed by your company. We have good schools, attractive neighborhoods, and unlimited recreational opportunities for you and your family to enjoy.
Visit Jones County NC
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MOREHEAD CITY / CRYSTAL COAST |
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MOREHEAD CITY
Morehead City is Carteret County's other sound-side mainland seaport situated on the opposite bank of the Newport River from Beaufort. True to its maritime history, the city is home to several marine-research facilities such as the Institute of Marine Sciences and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. It is also home to the Ferry Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It is one of North Carolina's few deep-water port cities and home to the second largest festival in the State, The North Carolina Seafood Festival.
BEAUFORT
Pronounced ''Bo-furt'' by natives, the picturesque and historic ''Beaufort Town'' was established as a seaport with the right to collect customs in 1722. During the American Revolution, it was the third largest port in the state. Enjoy great dining and shopping on the beautiful and historic Beaufort waterfront.
ATLANTIC BEACH
Across Bogue Sound from mainland Carteret County lies Bogue Banks and thereon, Atlantic Beach. What began as a fledgling resort in the 1920s has continued to increase in popularity, complete with amusement parks and beach clubs mingling with hotels and condominiums. Thousands of sun-seekers flock to the area each summer. Nearby the other resort villages of Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach, and Emerald Isle give way, one into another. Historic Fort Macon, now one of the most popular state parks in the United States, guards Beaufort Inlet.
EMERALD ISLE
Take an early morning walk on our wide sandy beaches. Enjoy shelling, sailing, swimming, fishing, surfing, kayaking, charter boating, and biking. Take in the natural beauty of the salt marshes. Located between mileposts 15 & 21 at the western end of Bogue Banks, and overlooking Bogue Inlet and Sound, Emerald Isle is known for its family-oriented vacation beaches. This end of the island is full of cottage retreats without the shoulder-to-shoulder resort hotels, and the best way to enjoy Emerald Isle is to rent a beach cottage — ocean-front would be fabulous — from one of the many real estate rental and sales agencies. There is something available in all price ranges and for all family and group sizes.
CAPE LOOKOUT NATIONAL SEASHORE
Cape Lookout is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and is protected from commercial development.................. an ideal setting for all seashore activities, whether they be picnicking, camping, scuba diving, shell collecting, or just throwing the Frisbee. North Carolina is quite fortunate to have such an accessible playground that has not succumbed to hapless commercial development, and never will.
SALTER PATH
White dream dwellings in the picturesque village of Salter Path are in stark contrast to the other resort villages on Bogue Banks. Legend has it that its name came from the dunes-to-salt-water patch of ground on which it was settled.
CAPE CARTERET
A great place to enjoy coastal living while raising a family, Capet Carteret is conveniently located between Morehead City and Jacksonville, NC and offers some of the best schools in the State of NC. The community was named for Sir John Carteret, landholder.
CrystalCoast.com
HAVELOCK
Havelock is proud to be the home of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, the 2nd Marine Air Wing and the Naval Air Depot. Located in Eastern North Carolina, midway between historic New Bern and the beautiful beaches of the Crystal Coast, Havelock has much to offer residents and visitors alike. A city of 22,500, Havelock is a great place to live or visit, blending old fashioned Southern hospitality with a cultural diversity.
CityofHavelock.com
CEDAR POINT
Way back in 1713, the town of Cedar Point, North Carolina was founded on a platform of family and small town values. When you visit you will see how this close-nit community has grown while holding true to its coastal small town roots.
CedarPointNC.org
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JACKSONVILLE / ONLSOW COUNTY |
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JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville is the commercial center of Onslow County and home to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and the Marine Corps Air Station New River. Early growth for Jacksonville began with the establishment of a court house in 1755. The town was later incorporated in 1842 and named Jacksonville after President Andrew Jackson. In 1941 construction began on a Marine Corps Training Center, later named Camp Lejeune after Lt. General John A. Lejeune. Today, the Base covers over 150,000 acres and has become a stable economic force for Onslow County. Both Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station are home to the largest Marine force in the world. As you can imagine, Jacksonville, North Carolina, together with a diverse combination of people and plain old southern hospitality, makes for a very interesting visit.
JacksonvilleNC.net
SWANSBORO
Centrally located between Atlantic Beach and Topsail Island, Swansboro offers the laid back coastal atmosphere of Eastern North Carolina., where the neighbors and business owners work together to promote and provide for their community. From the unique waterfront shops, boutiques and dining, to boating, water sports, and fishing, Swansboro is a quaint waterfront town on the White Oak River whose citizens truly enjoy its visitors.
TourSwansboro.net
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PENDER COUNTY |
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Conveniently located in attractive southeastern North Carolina, Pender County is easily accessible from Interstate 40, which runs through the center of the county, and from U.S. primary highways 17 and 117. Pender County's beautiful beaches are a popular destination for visitors seeking a relaxed, family oriented vacation. The unspoiled rivers, bountiful woodlands, and friendly communities make it a very attractive stop, within a day's drive of both the Northeast and Florida.
VisitPender.com
TOPSAIL ISLAND AREA
If you like the beach atmosphere without a lot of commercialization, it’s right here at Topsail Island. With three towns in which to choose from, North Topsail Beach, Town of Surf City and Town of Topsail Beach, your perfect vacation spot or second home is just over the bridge. Topsail Island is what dreams are made of. Over twenty-six miles of white Carolina sand, this island is enriched with a unique history. With it’s eye on the future, Topsail Island promises to be just what it is today, a family-oriented spot, sunbathed in a laid back atmosphere.
Topsail-Island.info
HAMPSTEAD
“The Village of Hampstead is an unincorporated area of Pender County north of Wilmington on US Hwy. 17. Just a few years ago, it was just a “wide spot” in the road with a couple of fish houses and a small grocery store. Bordered on the south by New Hanover County and Wilmington , on the west by Holly Shelter Game Preserve, on the north by Onslow County and on the east by the sound and Topsail Island , it is a place that has become very attractive to those who come to visit and those searching for a new start.
Because of lower taxes and inexpensive property, Hampstead is an up-and-coming place to live where many retirees have moved from places such as Pennsylvania , New York and New Jersey . In fact, there are families from all over the nation that have found Hampstead to be a good place to raise a family or to spend the latter years of their lives.
Hampstead is now home to four of the top golf courses in southeastern North Carolina : Castle Bay Golf Club, Olde Point Golf Club, Belvedere Plantation Golf Club, and Topsail Greens Golf Club. Each of these is centered in residential developments where you can live in the same area you play golf. Just recently, there have been plans revealed by a Wilmington developer for the development of a large commercial/ residential area on US Hwy. 17. Included in this are two commercial areas and 500 lots for single-family homes”. Topsail-Island.info
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WILMINGTON / NEW HANOVER COUNTY |
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WILMINGTON
This charming port city is located in the southeastern corner of North Carolina between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. Although not just a tourist town, Wilmington has become a popular destination because of its moderate, four-season climate, historic preservation district, annual events such as Riverfest and the Azalea Festival, and numerous championship golf courses. In addition, nearby Wrightsville Beach is a Mecca for sailors, surfers, sunbathers, beachcombers and seafood lovers.
Wilmington.net
“If you have not yet discovered North Carolina’s Southern Coast and Wilmington, you won’t believe what you’ve been missing! The up-and-coming sophistication of the city of Wilmington, the laid-back nature of the area’s beaches and the growing inland communities deserve a spot on your travel and relocation radar. It’s no wonder that everyone from travelers to retirees to those longing for a better life are seeking out this diverse area.”
Insider's Guide to Wilmington
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
Every time you visit Wrightsville Beach, NC, you will find a breathtaking stretch of paradise along the North Carolina coast. A true NC resort, the clear waters off Wrightsville Beach often resemble those of the Caribbean. The promise of soul-stirring sunrises on the Atlantic and calming sunsets on the Intracoastal Waterway await your visit. Wrightsville Beach, NC offers its pleasures to any who seek fishing, boating, surfing or simply a peaceful place to lounge at the water’s edge. Perhaps best of all, Wrightsville Beach is incredibly easy to get to. A quick glance at a coastal NC map shows Wrightsville Beach near the end of Interstate 40...
VisitWrightsville.com
FIGURE EIGHT ISLAND
“Figure Eight Island, just north of Wrightsville Beach, is a private, very exclusive, oceanfront resort community. This island is, in the most extreme sense, a highly restricted residential island of 406 expensive homes. It's a favorite hideaway for stars and political bigwigs who want privacy when they're visiting the area. Former Vice President Al Gore and family, for example, have enjoyed vacationing here since 1997”.
Insider's Guide to Figure Eight Island
CAROLINA BEACH
"Carolina Beach NC is a classic small town beach with something for everyone in your family to enjoy. From the beachfront to the marina and everywhere in between, charm and hospitality are evident. Enjoy the sand and surf at the beach, or head over to the marina where you can hop a charter boat or watch the fishermen unload the day's catch. Shopping and dining are just footsteps away. In fact, park the car and save gasoline! Flip-flops and a bike will take you most everywhere you need to go”.
“The quiet atmosphere of Carolina Beach is also perfect for your business meetings or social events. Several different options for meetings and accommodations are available. Once you visit, we know the simple pleasures and unexpected treasures of Carolina Beach will keep bringing you back”.
CarolinaBeachGetaway.com
KURE BEACH
The small family-oriented community of Kure Beach, N.C. lies at the southern tip of North Carolina's Pleasure Island. Today Kure Beach is overwhelmingly residential, dotted with modest cottages, new upscale houses and a number of beach motels. Several condominium buildings cluster together in one area, but there are few tall buildings. In fact, new structures may not be built taller than 35 feet. At the center of town, a popular fishing pier extends 712 feet out over the ocean (see our Fishing chapter) and there are several restaurants. A charming boardwalk with benches extends north along the beach and is lighted at night.
VisitKure.com
FORT FISHER
“To the south of Kure Beach are the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The Historic Site, amidst twisted live oaks on the west side of U.S. Highway 421, was the largest of the Confederacy's earthwork fortifications during the Civil War. It fell to Union forces in 1865, cutting off the last of the Confederate supply lines from the sea. An extensive visitors center offers an historical perspective and guided tours. The Recreation Area on the east side of U.S. 421 has 4 miles of wide, unspoiled beach, a visitors center with bath house, a snack bar and restrooms. Also, located here is the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The state's largest aquarium, it offers many dramatic exhibits and features a huge shark tank and a half-acre freshwater conservatory.
At the southern end of U.S. 421 is the Fort Fisher–Southport Ferry, possibly the best $5 cruise in the world. Across the road is a public boat launch area that is popular for windsurfing, parasailing, kiteboarding, kayaking and fishing. All in all, these southernmost beaches of New Hanover County from Carolina Beach to the southern tip of Pleasure Island offer 7.5 miles of pleasant vacationing and relaxed beach living”.
Insider's Guide to Fort Fisher
BALD HEAD ISLAND
oard the passenger ferry to North Carolina’s southernmost cape island, and you’ll be transported to a new state of mind. One of relaxation and recreation. Serenity and security. You’ll adopt a way of life that honors simple seaside pleasures, and a pace that places a premium on downtime with family and friends. You’ll find the absence of cars here refreshing, and the 18 mph speed limit of the electric carts positively exhilarating. On Bald Head Island, you’ll revel in a spectacular range of environments- 14 miles of ocean beach, 10,000 acres of protected salt marsh and tidal creeks, and a vast maritime forest preserve. As you take in the island’s sensitive land planning and coastal architecture, you’ll become more aware of man’s place within the realm of nature. All told, it’s an experience you can’t match anywhere else. Come discover the exceptional nature of Bald Head Island.
BaldHeadIsland.om
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BRUNSWICK COUNTY |
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Over the recent years, the beautiful beaches, quaint towns, mild climate and the quiet of Brunswick County has brought many new residents to the area. Visitors have a hard time leaving our county and often decide to move their family and business here. Though there has been phenomenal growth in Brunswick County, it has managed to maintain its true treasure, peacefulness. Our hospitable neighbors always welcome in new residents, so feel free to take the time to discover what could be a better life for you, here in Brunswick County.
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
SOUTHPORT
“Southport is a quaint, historic seaport situated at the confluence of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape Fear River where it flows out to meet the Atlantic Ocean. Once known as the best kept secret in North Carolina, this lovely little village with its live oak–lined streets is slowly but surely being discovered. New shops, restaurants and hotels are springing up in the area as well as in the town, affording residents better choices without the necessity of traveling out of town”.
Southport-NC.com
LELAND
“Just five minutes west of Wilmington across the Cape Fear and Brunswick rivers, you’ll find the dynamic and growing Town of Leland. Known as the Gateway to Brunswick County, Leland is fast becoming known as one of southeastern North Carolina’s gems. New residents and businesses are flocking to Leland because of the town’s abundant natural beauty highlighted by the Brunswick River and Sturgeon Creek, small town atmosphere and enormous economic potential”…
TownofLeland.com
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