There’s a host of reasons to explore a creative side, as well as the picturesque Swansboro waterfront, at the Swansboro Arts by the Sea Festival. This unique and day-long festival has a wealth of activities, entertainment and enticements for everyone in the family, and with plenty of food, crafts, children’s activities, shopping opportunities and more, the festival is sure to be a highlight of any Crystal Coast vacation.
If you’re a southern seafood fan, then you’re going to love the annual Mullet Festival of Swansboro. This two-day affair features a wealth of ways to enjoy this local crystal coast staple, as well as plenty of games and activities that celebrate the food, flavor, and all around fun of the heart of Swansboro and the North Carolina coastline.
Come explore a winter wonderland of holiday sights, sounds, and smells at this festive event that is celebrating its 12th year in 2026. The annual Gingerbread Festival & Competition is a fun and all-encompassing celebration that has incredible gingerbread displays, fun crafts and activities for the kids, and lots of ways to celebrate the holidays in style while admiring some of the most unique and creative gingerbread creations that the Crystal Coast has to offer.
Located on the edge of North Carolina and serving as a midway point between the Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast, Cedar Island is a relatively undiscovered gem that feels miles away from the rest of the world. Close to historic and natural...
You can have a Victorian experience firsthand at this refurbished North Carolina apartment. Constructed in 1880 and refreshed with all the modern amenities, this vacation rental features antique furnishings, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, WiFi, and more. This...
- New Bern
- 2 Bedrooms
- 1 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 4
Welcome to your extravagant 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath oceanfront getaway, where thoughtful design and high-end amenities create the ultimate coastal escape. Every detail of this designer home has been curated for comfort, style, and relaxation.Step...
- Atlantic Beach
- 5 Bedrooms
- 5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 12
Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour...
HGTV-Featured Coastal Retreat | Ocean Vistas | Steps to the BeachWelcome to your ideal Crystal Coast escape—an elevated coastal getaway just steps from the shoreline, ideally positioned in one of Atlantic Beach’s most sought-after...
- Atlantic Beach
- 4 Bedrooms
- 7 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 8
The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown...