ATLANTIC BEACH, NC

Atlantic Beach is the oldest  town on Bogue Banks. It was first visualized as a seaside resort in the 1870s by Appleton Oaksmith of mainland Carteret County. Mr. Oaksmith acquired all of what is now Atlantic Beach and a portion of the future Pine Knoll Shores but never constructed his resort community after four of his daughters died in an accident on July 4, 1879. However, Mr. Oaksmith’s conception of a seaside resort came to fruition when John J. Royal of Morehead City and Winfield S. Chadwick of Beaufort constructed the first bathing pavilion on Bogue Banks in the location of present day Club Colony in 1887. Atlantic Beach enjoyed a brisk ferry trade and entertainment business and quickly became the center of dancing and band music by the time the bridge from Morehead City opened in 1928.  As a result of the bridge, Atlantic Beach experienced a revitalization period and a "new" Atlantic Beach  opened for business with a newly established resort situated in an area that became known as the “Circle”, which continues to be the town’s focal point today. The economic boom of the post-World War II era helped Atlantic Beach develop to its modern level of today , as did extending N.C. Highway 58 to the rest of Bogue Banks heading west. The commercial district of Atlantic Beach is a popular area with its array of shopping and dining options. This coastal beach community also offers plenty of activities such as boating, fishing, surfing and more. The town really comes alive with local events that take place throughout the year such as the Carolina Kite Fest and the Crystal Kai SUP Cup. If this all sounds like your cup of tea, then a stay near Atlantic Beach is in order.

 

Atlantic Beach is home to Fort Macon State Park, an historic Civil War fort, located outside the eastern borders of Atlantic Beach. It is one of the most visited and highly acclaimed destinations along the Crystal Coast, and for good reason. The expansive 389 acre park, which features gorgeous inlet views, fantastic beaches, and plenty of history in plain view around every sand dune, always tops the list of Crystal Coast attractions that can't be missed.

 

Named after the U.S. Senator from North Carolina, Nathaniel Macon, who procured the funds to construct a defensive structure at the site,  construction began in 1824, and by 1834, the completed five-sided fort was a network of solid, above-ground walls, and almost hidden living quarters and storage areas. Improvements were made in the ensuing years, including a revolutionary new erosion control, designed by famed future Confederate general, Robert E. Lee. This involvement of General Lee would prove to be prophetic, as when the Civil War began, the fort suddenly became a very important stronghold for the Confederate forces to protect the busy port towns of Beaufort, New Bern, and a number of other central coastal regions in North Carolina

 

Abandoned by the US Army in 1903, just 30 years later in 1936, the relatively intact structure was open to the public as a North Carolina State Park. Today, Fort Macon is open for exploration daily, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and is a fascinating step back in time. Short tours lead by expert park staff take visitors deep into the history and concavities of the fort, which include underground storage areas, cramped living quarters, and the unmistakable five-sided perimeter that feels safe and imposing at the same time. A Visitor's Center is also located on site for a wealth of information on the fort itself, the local ecology, and the Crystal Coast region in general, and there's also a bookstore on the premises for seaworthy reads and local souvenirs. Tours are available throughout the day, without advanced reservations, for a small fee.

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Best Things to Do in Atlantic Beach

1. Catch the Civil War reenactment on the grounds of Fort Macon State Park. Then take a guided tour of the restored fort or conduct your own to see bunks, cannons, a rations storage room, Civil War artifacts and more.

2. Watch the latest blockbuster movie on the big screen at Atlantic Station Cinema.

3. Skate the bowl or grind the rails at the Atlantic Beach Skate Park, the region’s only skatepark and one of the biggest in Eastern North Carolina. The town park also features a splashpad, which is a great place to let the kids cool off and play in the fountain.

4. Sip a glass of wine and enjoy oceanfront dining at its finest at the Crab’s Claw.

5. Test your skills with a sport fishing trip for Blue Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi or Mackerel on a fishing charter from the Capt. Stacy Fishing Center.

6. Spend a day flying high and taking in the views of the coast on a parasailing adventure with AB Watersports.

7. Make-your-own s’mores with a tableside ‘campfire’ after a delicious dinner in a bayou style setting at Amos Mosquitos.

8. Drop a line off the Oceanana Fishing Pier, which stretches close to 1,000 feet into the ocean. If hunger strikes, grab breakfast or lunch at the Pier House Restaurant.

9. Enjoy amazing beer options at The Growler.

Top Events in Atlantic Beach

1. Penguin Plunge

2. Carolina Kite Fest

3. Crystal Kai SUP Cup

4. Tuna Run 200-mile Relay