Overlooking the tranquil waters of Bogue Sound, Morehead City is a lively port town on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Its downtown area is clustered with buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, while the surrounding coastline is dotted with thousands of shipwrecks.
Things to do in Morehead City
Learn about the people, events and industries that have shaped the region at the History Museum of Carteret County, which lies in the heart of the Morehead City Historic District. Its exhibits include period clothing, textiles and furnishings, as well as military memorabilia and local artwork. Directly opposite the museum is Morehead City Depot Park, where you’ll find a pirate-themed playground.
Morehead City makes an ideal base for exploring Fort Macon State Park, which preserves the site where a Civil War battle took place in April 1862. In addition to touring the beautifully restored fort, the park is a popular destination for hiking and surf fishing. Soak up the views across the dunes, maritime forest and marsh on the Elliot Coues Trail or tour the historic Coast Guard Station.
The waters off the coast of Morehead City have been nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” due to the 2,000 shipwrecks that litter the ocean floor. Join a local operator to explore the World War II tankers, cargo ships and German U-boat submarines, as well as fishing trawlers and an early-20th-century luxury liner. Several vessels have also been purposefully sunk to create fascinating artificial reefs.
Getting around Morehead City
Morehead City is around an hour’s drive from Jacksonville and Albert J Ellis Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. The much larger Wilmington International Airport is two hours away. Buses travel to Morehead City while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region.