The Crystal Coast in North Carolina is a diamond in the rough. Whether you're visiting for a romantic getaway, a girls weekend, or a solo trip- Atlantic Beach, North Carolina will greet you with beautiful beaches, live music, craft beer, cute markets, and excellent restaurants.
Unless you live within a few hours of the town, I recommend taking a long weekend or a week for your getaway. Before moving to the area in February, I would travel here every other weekend from Arlington, Virginia. The six hour drive was worth it to visit my now-husband. I absolutely adore Atlantic Beach because of it's relaxed beach-town aesthetic, clean beaches, and friendly people.
The perfect itinerary:
Thursday
Check-in at your hotel at Airbnb
Dinner at Idle Hour Bier Garden
Despite the name, this is not a German restaurant, it's a beach-side dinner shack with a sandy outdoor dining area and live music. Definitely plan to eat outdoors since the inside is very small and has only a couple of tables.
Ballroom Dancing class at Carolina Home & Garden
Carolina Home & Garden is a charming events venue filled with lush greenery inside and out! The first time there I fell completely in love, and we are considering it as a venue for our big wedding when we get back from Japan. If I didn't have you at "lush greenery" maybe the velvet vintage arm chairs and couches, local beer, plant boutique, cute dogs, colorful pheasants, rose gardens, and fountains will convince you. If you can't make it for Thursday night ballroom dancing, they have live music on Friday nights, and are open throughout the weekend even when an event isn't taking place.
Friday
Go for a sunrise stroll on the beach or walk at Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Sunrises in Atlantic Beach are absolutely stunning. I am also a bit of a sucker for them since my husband proposed to me on a sunrise stroll on this very beach.
If walking on the beach isn't your cup of tea, try walking at Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail before getting some coffee at Atlantic Beach Coffee (see below). This trail is almost entirely flat and can be done by hikers of all experience levels and children. There are beautiful tree canopies, marshes, and a small beach area. I've done this walk many times in the spring and early summer, but once July hit I began to avoid it due to the high volume of bugs. I also did this walk while having a stress fracture in my right shin, to give you an idea of how easy this walk is.
Pick up local cold brew at Atlantic Beach Coffee
A personal favorite, Atlantic Beach Coffee has a great home brew, and plenty of flavors to be added to your coffee. They also sell baked goods, growlers, coffee beans, and local honey.
Spend the afternoon in Beaufort, North Carolina
I can't recommend the little strip of shops in Beaufort enough! Beaufort Olive Oil Company has a wide selection of olive oils that you can taste there in the shop. You can taste the oils by dipping small pieces of bread into the a tasting cup. Each station is equipped with bread, personal tasting cups, and trash receptacle - so as to minimize contamination and the spreading of germs. My favorite is the garlic infused olive oil! My husband and I have also purchased several of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Chipotle infused, and Balsamic Olive Oils in the past. If you check them out - comment below what your. favorite was!
There are plenty of cute shops, restaurants, and breweries along the strip but my recommendations are: Clawson's 1905 Restaurant, Island Proper Boutique, Fishtowne Brew House.
* If you want a good view of the water while you it, you'll want to check out Finz Grill. The location was beautiful, BUT one thing to note: the service was pretty slow, and we weren't super impressed with the food. It wasn't a bad experience, and the food was fine, but I can't say I love the place. Granted, we did go there right at the beginning of COVID in the United States, before North Carolina shut everything down. Hopefully they were just having an off-day.
Saturday
Salty Air Open Market
Wake up early and head out to Salty Air Open Market at 307 Cedar Point Boulevard, Cedar Point, NC 28584. Unlike regular farmers markets, this one feels like you're walking into a community rather than a pop-up stand in a parking lot. The vendors sell everything from local produce and honey, "grown up gummies" (wine and vodka infused candy), to food and coffee. There are cushioned palette wood seats, umbrellas, a revamped school bus, and willow trees.
Patsy Pond Nature Trail
One your way back from Salty Air Open Market, stop at Patsy Pond Nature Trail for a lights troll. The entrance to this trail will sneak up on you as you're driving towards it. Patsy Pond Nature Trail has three paths of varying distances: the green trail at 0.75 miles, the blue trail at 1.75 miles, and the yellow trail at 1.9 miles. All of the trails are easy to follow with signs along the way, sandy terrain, and beautiful wildlife. This was my go-to quarantine trail, several times we saw heron's flying through the trees and woodpeckers.
Beach Day
When you're done walking in the morning, go treat yourself to a day of relaxation on the beach!
Dinner at Amos Mosquitos
Arguably the nicest restaurant in the area! They are only open starting at 5:00 pm, so you'll want to arrive early so that you don't have a long wait! If you don't go on Saturday - you should aim to go on a Thursday when they have sushi and karaoke! The restaurant is on the pricier side though and should be taken into consideration for your budget.
Crystal Coast Brewing Company
After dinner, take an Uber over to my all-time favorite brewery! Every single one of Crystal Coast Brewing beers are great but the very best are the Black Pelican (maple porter) and the Atlantic Beach Blonde (American Lager). They have a large indoor game room, private events like yoga on Saturday mornings, and a large outdoor area with corn hole.
Sunday
Check out of your hotel or AIRBNB
Fort Macon State Park
Before your long drive home, get your legs moving and check out the old civil war bunker!
Other Recommendations
Restaurants
Grumpy's Restaurant (order The Coastie)
Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar
Tight Lines Pub & Brewing Company
Ioanni's Grill (they have amazing crab dip)
Dank Burrito
Promise Land Market
Loretta's Pizza
Things To Do
Oyster Point Trail
Friendly's Market
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Enjoy your trip - Let me know in the comments below or on social media if you're making a trip over to the lovely Crystal Coast!
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