This bike tour was AWESOME! My husband & I went on a date…read moreon the Hidden Beaufort tour & really enjoyed ourselves. Liz is fun & very informative. Can't wait to go back for another ride!

We had a fantastically delicious tour with Betsy in Beaufort! If you want to know more about this…read morequaint and beautiful town, while sampling foods at the locals' favorite spots--- the culinary walking tour is a must. It was wonderful spending over 3+ hours, walking through a progressive food experience. Appetizers first at Finz (fresh- catch tacos)...then Front Street Grill for lunch...Clawson's for huge desserts....and all with the best tour guide providing us the rich history and folklore of Beaufort. We will definitely come back for a few more of her tours--so much fun, learning and eating all rolled into one!

FAVORITE PLACE HERE. We spent hours finding the most amazing shells. The water is crystal clear and…read morethe wanes aren't bad at all. I would come back in a heart beat.

We had so much fun on Shackleford Island. We saw so many horses, found a lot of cool shells, and…read morethe beach was beautiful. It's about a 30 minute ferry ride from Beaufort. There is a restroom but NO amenities or food available for purchase. Bring everything you need with you. Once we arrived, there was a tour guide but it wasn't much of a tour. She walked us to the other side of the island to show us two horses on the beach and then walked all the way back to where we started to show us where to find the best shells. Her "tour" lasted about 30 minutes. We did most of the exploring on our own and that's when we found the majority of the horses. As long as you aren't looking for a super guided tour, this is a great day trip!

I recently took the Beaufort Cart Tour with Rich. I had a great time and got to see more of…read moreBeaufort than expected as we took a detour to the Beaufort Hotel to pick up others then made some stops along the way. Rich was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the town. We went to Hammock House that is one of the oldest houses in the state. It was used by the Union Army in the Civil War. It is thought to be the "White House" that was used to help those at sea navigate the shoals and harbor entrance. I am interested in architecture so the tour was tailored to that somewhat. Beaufort houses tend to have a white fence with sharp tops so that the chicken and pigs didn't get loose. Neighbors were allowed to kill the animal to eat as long as half was donated to the church. The three sided roof is another Beaufort style to cover the front porches as a form of air conditioning. Some houses are a story and a jump which is a one story house with a sleeping space for children The Old Burying Ground was interesting learning about. Captain Otway Burns is buried with a cannon on his grave. I got attraction and restaurant recommendations too. This was a fun and educational tour that I highly recommend.

My sister and I toured historical Beaufort with Rich. We had such a good time. Our tour was…read moresupposed to be 90 minutes, but we went almost 45 minutes over because we were so engrossed in conversation. I highly recommend this tour.

We did the Sherlock Holmes escape room and had a blast! Thank you, Brian for being a great game…read moremaster.

We had so much fun on our tour. Zelda was an incredible guide and stayed in character the entire…read moretime. So knowledgeable and fun! Highly recommend, suitable for kids too!

We booked the Crystal Coast Lady Cruises dinner cruise on July 2, 2026, from 7-9 p.m. for our…read morefamily and extended family, which included one toddler, four children, two teens, and six adults. My husband and I paid close to $800 for our group. Because we had several small children with us, I specifically chose tables close to the buffet, knowing that the adults would need to help make plates for the kids. Anyone who has done a buffet with little ones understands that it often takes multiple trips to get everyone settled and fed. I went through the line to get my food and food for my niece, then realized my sister was holding the toddler and also needed a plate, along with my other four-year-old niece. My husband was helping our other children at the time, and my family was still in the buffet line. I stepped beside my elderly parents, who were getting their food, and said, "Sorry, I forgot two more plates." At that point, the man serving yelled, "Ma'am, STOP!" His tone and behavior were completely unnecessary and embarrassing. I was not cutting in front of another party or trying to get extra food unfairly. I was simply helping feed the children in our group -- a group we had paid a significant amount of money for. The way I was treated was rude, humiliating, and completely unacceptable. It felt as though I was being scolded for trying to get food that we had already paid for. For a family dinner cruise, there should be some understanding that adults may need to assist young children at the buffet. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend this dinner cruise for families with small children. If your children will need help getting food from the buffet, this is not a family-friendly experience. We left feeling disappointed and disrespected.

We had a wonderful time tonight. Good food, great music and beautiful scenery. We got to see wild…read morehorses and lots of dolphins. The sunset was spectacular. Our crew was super friendly and gave us lots of pointers about the area. Would definitely do it again!

This was what I needed getting out on the water was the highlight of my trip!…read more Thank you CA John for an awesome sunset tour it's a beautiful scene! Thank you so much!!! We brought a small cooler so we didn't get thirsty ... carry on carry off keep it clean! The tours are very reasonable $20-$25 a person on a smaller charming boat. I'd get advance tickets if you want to do this tour maybe holds 10-12 people, we had 7. I can't believe I didn't get a photo of the boat, ooops!

I was taken on a tour for my 70th birthday. The tour itself was not impressive but it was ok until…read morewe got back to the dock. We were asked to exit the boat and found that last step up to the dock was very high and uneven. There was no one from the company to assist us to get off that boat. I fell and injured my knees and not one person tried to attend to me, not even the captain of the boat. There was no post or suggestions this could be difficult for me. When I tried to email the company, I found out they posted a fake email address. Buyer beware.

Excellent boat trip. Very relaxed trip with insightful information about multiple towns in the…read morearea. Saw dolphins and a wild horse.

A Sunset Adventure to Remember with Captain Trent & Chillin' Charters NC!…read more When my friend and I stumbled across the option to book a sunset cruise on a random Tuesday evening with Chillin' Charters NC, we thought--there's no way this is real. But guess what? It was 100% real and 110% AMAZING! From the moment we arrived at the dock in beautiful Beaufort, Captain Trent greeted us with the warmest welcome and the chillest vibes. Even though it was just the two of us, he treated us like absolute queens! We stepped onto the tiki-themed pontoon party boat, ready for an unforgettable evening--and that's exactly what we got. As we cruised along the serene waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, the sky lit up in a masterpiece of sunset hues, painting the perfect backdrop for our personal dance party. With our favorite playlist flowing through the boat's sound system and nothing but open water and good vibes around us, we danced like no one was watching--and it felt like pure magic. But it didn't stop there! We spotted multiple dolphin pods playfully frolicking in the waves and even caught breathtaking views of the wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs roaming free on the barrier island dunes. It was the kind of natural beauty that makes you pause, breathe deep, and feel completely alive. And just when we thought the night couldn't get any better, Captain Trent--with his signature easygoing, no-rush attitude--offered to dock in Morehead City so we could grab a bite to eat. YES, PLEASE! We landed at Southern Salt Seafood Co. and Waterfront Restaurant, where we devoured some of the freshest, most delicious local seafood we've ever tasted. From bow to stern, this was hands-down one of the best boating experiences I've ever had. Captain Trent, you are the real MVP of the water! If you ever need a crew, sign us up! Highly, highly recommend Chillin' Charters NC for the most relaxed, scenic, and unforgettable coastal cruise. Thank you, Captain Trent, for being truly AWESOME!

When I returned to Beaufort, NC, I knew that the Beaufort Visitor's Center would be my first stop…read more I bought a ticket for the Double Decker bus tour as that seemed like the best way to get better oriented. Seating on the bus is either on the lower level or the top level and it is possible to switch if it gets too hot up top with the sun. It is a 1967 bus. A tour guide narrates as we went along discussing Beaufort's culture and history. The tour covers a lot of areas and the bus driver did an awesome job of getting us into tight spaces. I was fascinated about the spy Emilene Pigott who was a spy for the Confederates during the Civil War. She hid items in her hoop skirts. She even ate documents so they wouldn't be found. The Josiah Bell house was a Victorian styled house built in 1825. The Leffers cottage was built in 1778 and is an example of a story and a jump. It had a demonstration of weaving. I also got to visit the Courthouse which is where people came to be entertained. It was built in 1796 and is wood framed. I saw the Old Jail where one person was hung. It has 28 inch walls and was a home as well as a jail. The building was built in 1829. It has a pillory outside. The Apothecary Shop and Doctor's Office, was built in 1859 and has various items sold in the shop and the doctor artifacts. The bus tour and the historic sights are must sees while in Beaufort.

This center is on a side street, so don't miss it! They are…read morevery knowledgeable about the area and can give you directions and advise. Very nice staff, very helpful. Clean bathrooms that are open to the public, which is a welcome treat when walking around for hours. You can put on some costumes and take pictures, add to the weaving or shop in the small gift shop. The outside houses several old buildings which all have a great history. A nice, clean place to go when you are new to the area and need some direction on what to do and see!

Sunset cruise--book ahead, bring a hat, and maybe a thermos…read more We grabbed the last two seats for a late-September weekend sunset cruise--as of noon the same day--so tip #1: book ahead, especially on weekends. Our boat had two larger groups (a bachelorette and a birthday), which made for a fun, jovial crowd. Seating & comfort: Plenty of places to sit and move around--shade, sun, or rail time by the water. Nice flexibility as the light changes. Drinks: They offer drinks on board; the selection was basic beer and some generic wine. I don't drink, so I can't rate them. Even if I did drink, I would still hesitate. I brought my own THC beverage, and no one blinked, but check their current policy and use common sense. A water bottle or a thermos/juice blend is a definite yes. Crew & service: Excellent across the board. Two bartenders--friendly, efficient--and the whole crew felt professional and upbeat. Bathroom note: There is a restroom onboard, which is clutch, but it's a bit awkward to access. Go before you board if stairs/steep steps are tricky. Overall: Great time: good music, easygoing crowd, smooth operation. I'd definitely recommend. Next time, we'll try a longer day cruise to the Outer Banks (with lunch)--it looked like a solid daytime option; we just didn't have the time this trip. Bottom line: Great crew, great sunset, zero fuss. Would do again.

Our last-minute date night with Lookout Cruises was absolutely incredible. The sunset was stunning…read moreand truly unforgettable, and the entire evening felt effortless from start to finish. Captain and crew--Mike and David--were professional, kind, and attentive. A special mention goes to the captain's mom, who has served as his assistant for the past 26 cruises--she is truly a treasure and adds such a warm, personal touch to the experience. All of the staff had genuinely jovial personalities, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable. One of the most thoughtful details was having crew members walk around and take photos of each couple throughout the evening, allowing everyone to simply be present while still capturing lasting memories. It was the perfect evening to take in the stunning coastal views, watch dolphins play, and see Fort Macon from the water. The boat was exceptionally clean, and safety was never a concern--it was clear we were in very capable hands. We were so impressed that we've already booked their 4th of July fireworks cruise and can't wait!

The Beaufort Historical Society is a non-profit organization that runs the Beaufort Historic Site…read moreand the Visitors Center. The organization's goal is to preserve the area's history and culture. The Beaufort Historic Site is on two acres and has restored buildings to look as they would have in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Mattie King Art Gallery is in the Rustell House, built in 1732 and shows the talent of artists in the area. It is the oldest house on the Beaufort Historic Site. The house showcases American and Colonial architectural styles. The Leffers Cottage, built in 1778, showcases cooking on an open hearth, as well as sewing, spinning, weaving, and candle-making. It is a "story and a jump" house, aka a one-and-a-half-story house. The original Carteret County Courthouse was built in 1796 and is the oldest wood-framed courthouse in North Carolina and the only English-Circuit courthouse remaining in the state. The Josiah Bell House, built in 1825, is a Victorian-style house with elaborate furnishings inside. The attic may have been used as part of the Underground Railroad. The John C. Manson House was also built in 1825. This house shows the Bahamian architecture, which was common in the area. The wood frame, double porches, and symmetry are features of this style. The Carteret County Jail was built in 1829 and has 28-inch-thick walls. The bricks were made by the masons who built Fort Macon. It was designed to prevent inmates from escaping. The jail was used until 1954 and housed the jailer, his family, and the inmates. The first floor was the family's living quarters and included a kitchen. The second floor was the family's bedroom and prison cells. A doctor's office and apothecary were built in 1859, and show what the doctor's office and pharmacy would have looked like. There are many artifacts of equipment, drugs, and herbs used for care. The organization runs tours and events throughout the year.

This past Wednesday I did the Historic buildings tour. I was at first concerned when I was the only…read moreperson who had purchased a ticket. I know some places will cancel tours if the group isn't large enough. Happily, that was not the case, so I basically had a private tour. It was about 1.5 hours and was very interesting!! there were a couple houses from different time periods, and the court house, jail and apothecary. every house was fascinating, beautifully furnished with period matching furniture. the brief stories of the people who lived there and some of the pieces were fascinating. My schedule did not allow for the bus tour in the afternoon, but I will definitely make time for it in the future. overall, spending some time to tour a little bit of Beaufort makes for a nice break from the salt and sun. the staff was very nice too. if you have some time and love seeing how people used to live, give the tours a try!!