Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. 1. For a change of pace from the beach, you can walk along the wonderfully serene boardwalk, where you'll have a good chance of spotting the local wildlife, including yellow-bellied slider turtles, deer, otters, and egrets. Not to be confused with the South Carolina town of the same name (and pronounced differently), this small and charming harbor town at the southern end of the Outer Banks has a lively downtown marina, is dotted with historic buildings, is home to a wonderful North Carolina Maritime Museum, and is a stone’s throw from the natural riches of the Rachel Carson Reserve. From here, you can catch the trolley for a tour of the town, take a boat tour on Albemarle Sound, or stop in at the historic Cupola House. #13 in Best North Carolina Beaches Kitty Hawk is best known for being the home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who conducted the first flight in nearby Kill Devil Hills in 1903. Just a short distance north of Avon brings you to the tri-cities of Waves, Rodanthe, and Salvo. It’s not just all about the fun to be had driving on the broad sands of this southern coast getaway at the northern end of Pleasure Island; or hitting its vintage boardwalk, lively beach bars, and superb seafood spots. The town center, on a bluff above the coastal highway (and beyond, the vast Pacific Ocean), is home to more than a dozen independent boutiques, restaurants, and markets, making daily life a pedestrian pleasure. There are reasons people have been coming to this stretch of coast since the early 1800s. Similar in nature to Nags Head, most of the services are along the main highway. Kitty Hawk is located just north of Kill Devil Hills, and if you are driving along the highway 158, with its big box stores and shops, you could be forgiven for not noticing that you are in a new town. North Carolina Coast Cheap Beach Hotels; Near Landmarks. Majestic pines, indigenous wildlife, pristine mountain streams—there's so much to take in. 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wilmington, N.C. 11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Carolina, 3 Top Places for Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Small Towns in North Carolina, 7 Top-Rated Romantic Getaways in North Carolina, 11 Top-Rated Waterfalls in North Carolina, 12 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina, 10 Top-Rated Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Mountain Towns in North Carolina, 9 Top-Rated Campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC, 5 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in North Carolina 2021, 16 Top Cheap Ski Holidays in North America, 2021, 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Durham, NC, 12 Top-Rated Things to Do in West Yellowstone, MT, 12 Top-Rated Things to Do in Lincoln City, OR, 19 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 11 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World. No wonder Carolina Beach was named one of the best small towns for retirement in the state. One of the fun things to do here is take a harbor tour, where you'll almost certainly be able to see dolphins racing in your bow wake. This 30-minute ride across the mouth of the Cape Fear River is a cheap way to see the seaside scenery and much better than taking the long way around to get to town. Carolina Beach is perfect for families, with the ocean in front and fun and games behind. Homeowners in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can get a place by the coast for less than $250,000. Best Places to Live in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Beach city complex / college town - Northeast South Carolina on Atlantic Coast, 20 miles from North Carolina border. Fresh breezes off the ocean and cool waters to swim in make for a refreshing retreat. Duck is also unique for its extensive, elevated, one-mile boardwalk out over the water that connects various restaurants, shops, and parks while providing great views out over the sound. Yes, named (with a smile) for the abundance of waterfowl that traditionally lured hunters to this northern end of the Outer Banks, this resort town has low-key sophistication that’s utterly winning, including a vibrant small community of independent shops and restaurants (and a respected jazz festival). This is an escape complete with pirate lore, long stretches of pristine sands all protected by the National Park Service, a fishing village with summer pleasures like ice cream, seafood, and boat charters, and its own bright white, picturesque lighthouse. It is right next Research Triangle Park (RTP), which is filled with many companies like Cisco, IBM, & Biogen. Fishing is king here, with a fine collection of charter boats taking customers out for a day of fishing. Boulder, CO #2. ... 3.58 medical centers. The town makes a somewhat outrageous claim as the "Seafood Capital of the World," but there is some substance to the statement. Just saying, America.) A farmers market takes place throughout the summer, from the middle of May to the end of September on Monday's beginning at 8am. I have lived here almost all of my life and plan on staying here when I get older. With history running through its veins (including pre-Civil War Fort Macon), the oldest town on Bogue Banks—with its back to Bogue Sound and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south—is also home to the nostalgic (and 1,000-foot-long) Oceanana Fishing Pier plus a steady swell for surfing. 1. In fact, the world-famous Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament takes place here each year the second week of June. ... that information in one place can be quite a challenge so we have risen to the occasion and created our list of the 15 best places to live in South Carolina, taking into account all the facts, figures and statistics that are important to you! Nags Head is well located for easy day trips. Asheville is the most expensive of the five North Carolina metro areas on the Best Places to Live list, with residents spending 24.15% of the median annual household income on housing. Check out the best places to live in North Carolina. Not to be confused with the replica courthouse, this original structure looks out over a large green space and faces out onto the sound with cannons at the water's edge. The Best Places to Spend the Summer. Charlotte’s median income has increased substantially, which is partly why this metro region is responsible for more than a quarter of N orth Carolina’s GDP. The beach is a popular destination for those who like to surf, stand up paddleboard, and kayak, so bring your gear. Pinehurst, North Carolina is the safest place to live in all of the state. To customize the list of best places to live in and around Carolina Beach, NC, you are able to first select the search radius, which is the maximum distance you'd like to search for nearby cities or neighborhoods. Still awesome, just not quite awesome enough. Nags Head is one of the few towns on the Outer Banks where you can find a good selection of hotels, including resorts. This classic summer vacation spot is also home to natural gifts, including Carolina Beach State Park, with some of the area’s finest fishing and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous Venus Flytrap plants along its path. From rugged mountain paths to casual, woodland trails, NC offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Just a short drive from Wilmington brings you to golden sands and warm waters at Carolina Beach. Access to the world's best surf forecast team at Surfline. Jannette's Pier, Nags Head | Photo Copyright: Lana Law. #1 Woodstock, Vermont. Stroll past the various shops, stop by the waterfront to catch the action, and then retire to a waterfront patio to soak up the views of Sugarloaf Island. Often described as one of North Carolina's best beaches, Wrightsville Beach, lures visitors with its easy access and wonderful waterfront. Displayed first is the matching location - Carolina Beach, NC, followed by the best places to live near Carolina Beach, NC, sorted by Livability Score. Best … Head over the bridge to Atlantic Beach for a little sun and sand. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach. Most of the action is found at the base of South Broad Street. The town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is wonderfully restored to its original glory, and over 40 movies and television shows have been shot here. It's a fun family thing to do. Recently named one of the best North Carolina towns for buying real estate (due in part to low property tax rates compared to other coastal towns in the state), this beachy Crystal Coast town is an ideal place to stay for a week—or a lifetime. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of one another, and many are free to enter. Brad Styron/Courtesy of Crystal Coast TDA, Credit: Homes dating from the 17th century are on beautiful tree-lined streets that entice you to stroll along and think about what life used to be like here over 200 years ago. Outdoor life here centers—appropriately—around boating, paddling, and casting, but the famed beaches of the Outer Banks are just an hour to the east. Best Places To Live In South Carolina; Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina; The 10 Safest Cities In South Carolina For 2021. These places are best for marinas in North Carolina Coast: Anchorage Marina; Dowry Creek Marina; Port City Marina; River Forest Manor & Marina; Morehead City Yacht … alex grichenko/Getty Images, Credit: You’ll get plenty of entertainment, cultural, and outdoor experiences here. May, October and April are the most pleasant months in North Myrtle Beach, while July and August are the least comfortable months. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Mix in a surf vibe on the Atlantic, a boating and SUP-centric world on Banks Channel, miles of broad beaches and a deep bench of old-fashioned Carolina beach cottages for sale and rent, and you’ve got a sense of the magic that makes Wrightsville Beach one of the best real estate investments on the NC coast. Just south of town you'll find the impressive Wright Brothers National Memorial. Fresh catches are prepared in ways that will delight your taste buds. North Carolina has some of the best places to retire near the water. Wrightsville Beach is just a short drive from Wilmington, so getting here is easy and quick; parking is in well-marked lots, and you can pay by the hour and recharge your time via your phone. It has beautiful beaches, great shopping places and restaurants, and is only a few hours away from the … Pinehurst. The main things to see and do are easily reached by foot, and if you find yourself tired out by the adventure, stop in at one of the restaurants and recharge with a fine seafood meal. This westernmost community on Bogue Banks is a treasured vacation getaway for families, with its 12 miles of clean shores, clear waters, and old-fashioned neighborhoods and vibe. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nags Head. With historic architecture; a thriving downtown with great shops, restaurants, and bars; a picturesque Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River; and a youthful vibe thanks to the local University of North Carolina campus, this magnet is also a quick drive to the sands of Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. It’s quaint. You won't find any big box stores or chain restaurants here, it's all local and sometimes eclectic establishments with a low-key scene. A gem on the rustic and windswept Outer Banks, Nags Head has beautiful beaches with free parking, an iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus, and a funky arts and culture scene. Residents can enjoy 6 of South Carolina’s best beaches, 22 public and private golf courses, some of the state’s best public and private schools, three colleges/universities, numerous parks, farmers’ markets, the South Carolina Aquarium, and many … The main town area of Duck is set on the broad and flat Currituck Sound and is protected from the worst of the Atlantic Ocean weather. ... As an owner in the Creston Community you can live comfortably in two worlds. Near Asheville alone, there's Pisgah National Forest, Mount Mitchell, Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and numerous smaller state and regional parks. It begins at the City Pier. You'll know you are in the right spot when you see the colorful kites of the kiteboarders just offshore. Best places come at a cost– If you want to raise your family in one of the best places in North Carolina, you’ll likely need to spend. Greenville. Jannette's Pier, Nags Head | Photo Copyright: Lana Law. The city’s downtown, named one of America’s Best Downtowns by Forbes, ... Myrtle Beach. In the summer, every Tuesday, a free concert takes place at the town park, with bands providing a mix of musical styles. It’s also home to the Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which is the East Coast’s tallest natural dune system and an incredible place to try hang gliding. For more information on how we rank, read the Best Places to Live methodology. Creston's mountain homesites in Western North Carolina have a viable community of homeowners yet many homesites are designed to … Colorado Springs, CO #5. Tropical beaches and sea islands, South Carolina lies in the southeast of the United States and has a whole host of darling towns and villages to explore. Holden Beach is an ideal destination for families, as one of five barrier islands that make up the Brunswick Islands off the North Carolina coast. Explore the best places to live near Wilmington Area based on crime, public schools, cost of living, real estate, and local amenities. Pepsi was invented here. Because of the curvature of the coastline, the ocean lies about 5 miles east and about 20 miles south. #2 Best Places to Live in North Carolina Current Resident: Cary is a wonderful place to live overall! If you prefer a hotel room, there are a few places just south of town in Buxton. That connection to water—fishing, pleasure boating, paddling, and sailing (Oriental is known as the sailing capital of North Carolina)—defines the maritime charm of this village-like spot on the broad Neuse River as it opens into Pamlico Sound. The town itself is easy to navigate by foot. Five … Emerald Isle, NC began as a small fishing community and is now home to a wide variety of ice cream shops, martini bars, and bistros. Many great equestrian communities are too steamy in the summer months, while others are just right for enjoying the sunshine. 3. Know Before You Go. Buyers will find new and resale homes priced from the high $100s that come as attached or single-family homes. ... North Carolina. South Carolina's climate may be best for beach life, but North Carolina has South Carolina beat when it comes to greenspaces and parks. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired.