Beaufort

Beaufort is a coastal town in Carteret County, North Carolina, with streets running parallel to Taylor Creek and lined with wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. The old core extends between the water and Highway 70, with narrow lanes and small parks along the shore.

The settlement began in 1709 as a harbor for tobacco and timber trade, with British ships docking here to transport goods to England. During the 18th century the population grew through sailors and craftsmen who built shipyards and warehouses along the waterfront.

Local families maintain wooden boats at the waterfront, continuing fishing traditions from earlier centuries, and the town hosts an annual gathering where sailors share skills and stories. The cemetery on Ann Street contains headstones of ship captains and merchants from the 1700s, offering a glimpse into the seafaring past.

Several public docks along Taylor Creek provide boat access and water transport, while the town center can be crossed on foot in about 20 minutes. Most buildings and parks are at street level, making the visit easier for travelers with limited mobility.

Just offshore lie the Rachel Carson Estuaries, shallow islands of sand and grass that become reachable on foot at low tide and host shells, crabs, and wading birds. These areas shift with the tides and offer an unusual natural show directly across from the town.