Live like a Local - Things to do in Emerald Isle
Food scene
Our #1 recommendation for the Emerald Isle experience - John and Sara have managed to hit it out of the park with a fun, funky, casual beach restaurant/bar. Open air atmosphere, fresh local seafood, great burgers and fun drink specials, this place always has a line out front. Not to worry, you can get a drink while you wait! Very family friendly, this place is a MUST! Check their hours as they are not open every day. Lunch and dinner.
69 habitants recommandent
Fish Hut Grill
301 Mangrove DrOur #1 recommendation for the Emerald Isle experience - John and Sara have managed to hit it out of the park with a fun, funky, casual beach restaurant/bar. Open air atmosphere, fresh local seafood, great burgers and fun drink specials, this place always has a line out front. Not to worry, you can get a drink while you wait! Very family friendly, this place is a MUST! Check their hours as they are not open every day. Lunch and dinner.
This is definitely the locals' choice for a 'fancy' night out. An intimate place with great food and experienced wait staff. Known for their martinis, the bar is always crowded. Get there early for first seating or you will be waiting! Dinner only.
42 habitants recommandent
Kathryn's Bistro & Martini Bar
8002 Emerald DrThis is definitely the locals' choice for a 'fancy' night out. An intimate place with great food and experienced wait staff. Known for their martinis, the bar is always crowded. Get there early for first seating or you will be waiting! Dinner only.
beach food at the pier - breakfast during the season, lunch, dinner, drinks, all with an ocean view! At the Bogue Inlet pier, the CENTER of beautiful Emerald Isle! Off season daily drink specials - fun place to people watch, dolphin watch, surfer watch, fisherman watch, heck just check it out!! You'll love it! Ride your bike or walk to avoid paying for parking - or walk down the beach from our private lot.
30 habitants recommandent
Surf's Up Grill & Bar
102 Bogue Inlet Drbeach food at the pier - breakfast during the season, lunch, dinner, drinks, all with an ocean view! At the Bogue Inlet pier, the CENTER of beautiful Emerald Isle! Off season daily drink specials - fun place to people watch, dolphin watch, surfer watch, fisherman watch, heck just check it out!! You'll love it! Ride your bike or walk to avoid paying for parking - or walk down the beach from our private lot.
Gaffers moved from Ocracoke NC to EI and we are SO HAPPY about it! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, live music and an outdoor patio make it a super popular place all day! They get busy so be ready to wait for a table. The food is good. I order the ZEEGAN for breakfast - it’s not on the menu so you have to ask for it!.
53 habitants recommandent
Gaffer's
9106-A Coast Guard RoadGaffers moved from Ocracoke NC to EI and we are SO HAPPY about it! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, live music and an outdoor patio make it a super popular place all day! They get busy so be ready to wait for a table. The food is good. I order the ZEEGAN for breakfast - it’s not on the menu so you have to ask for it!.
In the season this place has a line out front! So many great choices - make sure to walk over and get you a homemade donut!
11 habitants recommandent
Flip Flops Donut Shop
7702 Emerald DrIn the season this place has a line out front! So many great choices - make sure to walk over and get you a homemade donut!
If you want to cook amazing seafood at home, this is the place to go! Fresh fish, shrimp, crab cakes, oh and their key lime pie!!! Don't forget the Old Bay and cocktail sauce!
14 habitants recommandent
Cap'n Willis Seafood Market
7803 Emerald DrIf you want to cook amazing seafood at home, this is the place to go! Fresh fish, shrimp, crab cakes, oh and their key lime pie!!! Don't forget the Old Bay and cocktail sauce!
New and groovy, this place offers açaí bowls and smoothies during the day. They have great suggested combinations or get yours however you want. Warning - the large will FILL YOU UP!
Sol Bowls
New and groovy, this place offers açaí bowls and smoothies during the day. They have great suggested combinations or get yours however you want. Warning - the large will FILL YOU UP!
Always consistent and great for two or a larger party, Rucker John’s is a family owned favorite for us. Eat inside, at the bar, or outside on the patio. Buttery croissants are a signature garnish to most meals. Mmmmm croissants 🥐
60 habitants recommandent
Rucker Johns Restaurant
8700 Emerald DrAlways consistent and great for two or a larger party, Rucker John’s is a family owned favorite for us. Eat inside, at the bar, or outside on the patio. Buttery croissants are a signature garnish to most meals. Mmmmm croissants 🥐
We LOVE Chinese food and this place is now one of our favorites for take out. Call ahead and go pick it up - right beside Sweet Spot Ice Cream Shop.
Great Wall
8201 Emerald DrWe LOVE Chinese food and this place is now one of our favorites for take out. Call ahead and go pick it up - right beside Sweet Spot Ice Cream Shop.
Hands down the best thin crust pizza around! They also have great salads and chicken wings. They also have garlic knots! Crowded in the summer because they are AMAZING!
38 habitants recommandent
Lazzara's Pizza & Subs
9104 Coast Guard RdHands down the best thin crust pizza around! They also have great salads and chicken wings. They also have garlic knots! Crowded in the summer because they are AMAZING!
Higher end Italian restaurant in a beautiful old venue on the White Oak River in Swansboro. We had linguine with white clam sauce and seafood fra diavolo and both were amazing! We are recommending all our friends try this place!
12 habitants recommandent
il Cigno Italiano
206 West Corbett AvenueHigher end Italian restaurant in a beautiful old venue on the White Oak River in Swansboro. We had linguine with white clam sauce and seafood fra diavolo and both were amazing! We are recommending all our friends try this place!
Tucked back in the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center, Gio offers freshly made bagels - check out their Yelp page and go early if you want one - they sell out!
14 habitants recommandent
Giovanni's Brooklyn Bagels
8700 Reed DrTucked back in the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center, Gio offers freshly made bagels - check out their Yelp page and go early if you want one - they sell out!
The Trading Post is within walking or biking distance and is a great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner (check online as hours change with the seasons). Full bar, beers on tap and lots of great menu options! Live music in the season - sit outside if you can - it’s a great fun space for couples or families!
The Trading Post; Southern Food & Spirits
The Trading Post is within walking or biking distance and is a great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner (check online as hours change with the seasons). Full bar, beers on tap and lots of great menu options! Live music in the season - sit outside if you can - it’s a great fun space for couples or families!
Guy Fieri likes this place so much he featured it on Diners Dives and Drive-Ins! Tiny little shack that cranks out some serious pork BBQ!
Shepard Barbecue
Guy Fieri likes this place so much he featured it on Diners Dives and Drive-Ins! Tiny little shack that cranks out some serious pork BBQ!
Sightseeing
The center of town and activity during the high season! Walk out on the pier and get your camera ready - you can enjoy the sunrises AND sunsets here on our south-facing beach. Be sure to snap that photo under the pier too! Pier house sells fishing tackle, t shirts, drinks. Closed Christmas to March to all but season pass fishermen.
77 habitants recommandent
Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier
100 Bogue Inlet DrThe center of town and activity during the high season! Walk out on the pier and get your camera ready - you can enjoy the sunrises AND sunsets here on our south-facing beach. Be sure to snap that photo under the pier too! Pier house sells fishing tackle, t shirts, drinks. Closed Christmas to March to all but season pass fishermen.
A beautiful aquarium - they offer classes for more in depth instruction on various subjects - take one if you're interested! Call ahead and get tickets.
275 habitants recommandent
Aquarium de la Caroline du Nord à Pine Knoll Shores
1 Roosevelt BlvdA beautiful aquarium - they offer classes for more in depth instruction on various subjects - take one if you're interested! Call ahead and get tickets.
Restaurants, shops, an amazingly quaint waterfront community. Lots of history in this little seaside town. Parking is tight but everything is within walking distance once you’re there. Well worth the trip over the bridge!
74 habitants recommandent
Swansboro
Restaurants, shops, an amazingly quaint waterfront community. Lots of history in this little seaside town. Parking is tight but everything is within walking distance once you’re there. Well worth the trip over the bridge!
One of the most popular and picturesque water towns on the east coast, Beaufort has a rich pirate history, good restaurants, a few good watering holes, and some amazing photo opportunities. Our favorite stop is the Black Sheep - they have great food, good craft beer selection and outdoor waterfront seating!
165 habitants recommandent
Beaufort
One of the most popular and picturesque water towns on the east coast, Beaufort has a rich pirate history, good restaurants, a few good watering holes, and some amazing photo opportunities. Our favorite stop is the Black Sheep - they have great food, good craft beer selection and outdoor waterfront seating!
Home of the Big Rock fishing tournament, the MHC waterfront has restaurants, shops, and a cool vibe. Try Red Fish or Yellow Fin and eat outside!
77 habitants recommandent
Morehead City
Home of the Big Rock fishing tournament, the MHC waterfront has restaurants, shops, and a cool vibe. Try Red Fish or Yellow Fin and eat outside!
Right around the corner, this park is a lovely, shaded walk in the largest undeveloped parcel of land in Emerald Isle Partly maritime forest, townsfolk are working hard to keep it pristine and natural. Wear bugspray in the summer.
McLean-Spell Park
Right around the corner, this park is a lovely, shaded walk in the largest undeveloped parcel of land in Emerald Isle Partly maritime forest, townsfolk are working hard to keep it pristine and natural. Wear bugspray in the summer.
If you’re a person who needs a destination when on a walk or bike ride, here’s one. This park is an easy walk down to the sound and back around. Wear bug spray in the summer.
37 habitants recommandent
Emerald Isle Woods Park
9404 Coast Guard RdIf you’re a person who needs a destination when on a walk or bike ride, here’s one. This park is an easy walk down to the sound and back around. Wear bug spray in the summer.
Cape Lookout has just been designated an International Dark Sky Park! Daily trips leave from Beaufort to visit the lighthouse and experience this wild and remote place.
54 habitants recommandent
Cape Lookout
Cape Lookout has just been designated an International Dark Sky Park! Daily trips leave from Beaufort to visit the lighthouse and experience this wild and remote place.
Take a drive up to Atlantic Beach and visit the museum at Fort Macon. The history is fascinating!
250 habitants recommandent
Fort Macon State Park
2303 E Fort Macon RdTake a drive up to Atlantic Beach and visit the museum at Fort Macon. The history is fascinating!
our personal faves
In the offseason 4 wheel vehicles are allowed on the beach strand with a permit, available at the Police Department. Well worth the bike ride about five miles down Coast Guard Road all the way to the end and walk out to experience the wide open wildness of the Point. The hour before sunset is known around here as the “golden hour” and being out there to watch the sun go down is almost a spiritual experience. Set your watch and get out there!
21 habitants recommandent
The Point
In the offseason 4 wheel vehicles are allowed on the beach strand with a permit, available at the Police Department. Well worth the bike ride about five miles down Coast Guard Road all the way to the end and walk out to experience the wide open wildness of the Point. The hour before sunset is known around here as the “golden hour” and being out there to watch the sun go down is almost a spiritual experience. Set your watch and get out there!
This place literally has EVERYTHING! From yeti cups,sunglasses, flags, clothing, bird feeders, beach toys, to everything hardware. You have to go here at least once!
Sound Ace Hardware
300 Emerald Plantation RdThis place literally has EVERYTHING! From yeti cups,sunglasses, flags, clothing, bird feeders, beach toys, to everything hardware. You have to go here at least once!
You just HAVE to make this a stop during your time here. You need an EI t shirt, sweatshirt, koozie, coffee mug AND a fridge magnet to remember your stay here!
Pacific Superstore
You just HAVE to make this a stop during your time here. You need an EI t shirt, sweatshirt, koozie, coffee mug AND a fridge magnet to remember your stay here!
Night Life
Considered by many to be the true “heart of the community”, the E Club is a casual beach bar that offers live entertainment most weekends. Cornhole, music bingo, the usual local bar stuff. The Parrot Head Club meets here every month, and almost all fundraisers start and end here.
24 habitants recommandent
Emerald Club
8102 Emerald DrConsidered by many to be the true “heart of the community”, the E Club is a casual beach bar that offers live entertainment most weekends. Cornhole, music bingo, the usual local bar stuff. The Parrot Head Club meets here every month, and almost all fundraisers start and end here.
Why did I put this under Night Life? Because there are always CROWDS here after dark! Great fun for the family - the lines are long but move fast thanks to all the young people working hard to make sure you 'have enough' ice cream in your cone!
29 habitants recommandent
Sweet Spot
8201 Emerald DrWhy did I put this under Night Life? Because there are always CROWDS here after dark! Great fun for the family - the lines are long but move fast thanks to all the young people working hard to make sure you 'have enough' ice cream in your cone!
New owners have turned this into a new locals favorite for live music and a fun night out. Full bar, casual atmosphere, outside space, food trucks - plus the bands are really good!
77° West
New owners have turned this into a new locals favorite for live music and a fun night out. Full bar, casual atmosphere, outside space, food trucks - plus the bands are really good!
Family Fun
Restaurants, clothes, t shirts, gift shops, candy, olive oil, movie theater, take a turn around our little shopping center and 'treat yo self'. Two sports bars here if you have to catch a game!
14 habitants recommandent
Emerald Plantation Shopping
8700 Emerald DrRestaurants, clothes, t shirts, gift shops, candy, olive oil, movie theater, take a turn around our little shopping center and 'treat yo self'. Two sports bars here if you have to catch a game!
When our girls were young this was a MUST DO every year!
12 habitants recommandent
Emerald Forest Mini-Golf
8720 Reed DrWhen our girls were young this was a MUST DO every year!
What else can I say? Waterpark. Summer. How can this be anything but a good time???
63 habitants recommandent
Salty Pirate Waterpark
8915 Reed DrWhat else can I say? Waterpark. Summer. How can this be anything but a good time???
Go carts right here on the island! Fun for kids of all ages.
14 habitants recommandent
Fun World Motorsports
9102 Coast Guard RdGo carts right here on the island! Fun for kids of all ages.
Bowling, a new ropes course, arcades, and food that isn't bad for a bowling alley! We love this place in the off season but its also popular on rainy days.
66 habitants recommandent
Mac Daddy's
130 Golfin Dolphin DrBowling, a new ropes course, arcades, and food that isn't bad for a bowling alley! We love this place in the off season but its also popular on rainy days.
Coffee!
Coffee hot, cold, frappes, capps, however you like it you can get it here. Open till 3. In the Food Lion shopping center. You may see me there on Wednesday mornings!
11 habitants recommandent
Stir It Up Coffee Shop
Coffee hot, cold, frappes, capps, however you like it you can get it here. Open till 3. In the Food Lion shopping center. You may see me there on Wednesday mornings!
My new favorite for coffee with a friend in a beautiful sunny spot. All the fancy coffee drinks plus smoothies.
Sol Bowls
My new favorite for coffee with a friend in a beautiful sunny spot. All the fancy coffee drinks plus smoothies.
Conseils sur la ville
Déplacements
Bicycles are the way to go!
The bike trail on the south side of Emerald Drive will take you to the Point if you head west, and all the way to Atlantic Beach if you head east. A morning bike ride around our neighborhood is a great way to start your day! Be sure to lock your bike up to prevent someone 'borrowing' it! Look out for cars - people get so excited to be here they don't always know to look out for bikers! Obey all signs and laws please - the bike path and sidewalks are for you to enjoy!
Que faut-il apporter?
Casual is the word - flip flops, t shirts, sunscreen
Don't overpack! Even our 'fancy' restaurants are 'beach fancy', so as long as you showered and don't wear a bathing suit out to dinner you should be good. ;) We are all about comfortable and casual. The beach stores have lots of EI 'swag' so leave room in your suitcase for a t shirt, sweatshirt, hat and a koozie!
Coutumes et culture
Wave at everybody!
“Nice Matters” is our town motto- we pride ourselves on our friendly, laid back lifestyle. Manners and a smile and a wave go a long way around here!
Déplacements
Walk and bike as much as possible
Locals love to walk and bike as much as possible- just a walk down the street can take twice as long as you’re bound to run into a neighbor. We love to stop and chat!
Ne manquez pas
Sunset at the Cedar Street pier on the sound.
Set your watch for 10 minutes to sunset and head over there to watch the magic.
Ne manquez pas
The Turtle Bridges!
Walk or bike down Loblolly or Live Oat Street and look for all the turtles in the canal. Super fun for the little ones! They eat lettuce and bread if you want to feed them. Don't touch - some are snapping turtles!
Ne manquez pas
Sunrise on the beach- summer
Since we are a south-facing beach, many are confused when the sun comes up to your left! Get out of bed early and get out there when it's quiet - the waves, the birds, the salt air - it's the reason you're here!