Ready to start having fun? Then get your vacation started with these 100 Free things to do on the Crystal Coast

1. Watch the wild horses run on Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island
2. Search for the largest shark tooth
3. Fly a kite on the cool ocean breeze
4. Watch the dolphins play in the surf
5. Build a sandcastle
6. Explore historic Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach
7. Look for the biggest seashell at low tide
8. Walk down the scenic Beaufort waterfront and window shop
9. Gaze at the fireworks on the 4th of July in Historic Beaufort, Bogue Inlet Pier in Emerald Isle, Morehead City Waterfront, and the Circle at Atlantic Beach.
10. Soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches
11. Start your own body surfing competition and put your skills to the test
12. Have a free taste of Ice Cream or one free piece of Salt Water Taffy at The Sweet Spot in Emerald Isle
13. Watch the boats weigh their catch at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
14. Walkthrough the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort
15. Pack a lunch and have a picnic at Fort Macon State Park
16. Wander through the Carteret County Curb Market in Morehead City
17. Watch the 4th of July parade and feast at the Community Picnic in Beaufort
18. Listen to the Summer Concert Series at Fort Macon
19. Watch the OWLS Sand Sculpting contest at Pine Knoll Shores
20. Take a trip and explore the Cape Lookout National Seashore and see the Lighthouse
21. In the mood for ghost stories? Visit Blackbeard’s House in Beaufort to hear some spooky tales
22. Watch the surfers at the Buddy Pelletier Longboard Competition in July
23. Create your own sand dollar picture frame to remember your wonderful vacation
24. Learn about Down East culture and traditions at Community Night with Rodney Kemp at the Core Sound Water Fowl museum
25. Take part in the traditional cannon firing at Fort Macon State Park
26. Burn some extra vacation calories riding your bike on the Emerald Isle Bike Trail
27. Catch a free climb day at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse
28. Watch the fishing charters unload the daily catch on the Morehead City waterfront.
29. Attend the Free Friday flick in Emerald Isle
30. Watch the craftsmanship of the local boat builders create masterpieces at the Water Craft Center in Beaufort
31. Explore the heritage of Down East at the Core Sound Museum in Harkers Island
32. Dance the night away at the Beach Jive After Five in Emerald Isle
33. Need an idea for good pictures? Walk to the end of the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier for a wonderful view
34. Attend the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade for some holiday cheer
35. Witness the baby sea turtles hatch and make a run for the ocean in the early summer evenings
36. Enjoy the sights and Gaelic sounds of the Annual St. Patrick’s Festival in Emerald Isle
37. Surf Fish off the beach and see what you can catch (make sure you have your fishing license)
38. Bask in the sun at Hammocks Beach State Park
39. Play corn hole and dance the evening away at the Sheraton Pier every Thursday during the Summer
40. Take a step back in history on a tour of the Beaufort Historic Site
41. Play a game of beach Ultimate Frisbee
42. Visit the Morehead Summer Concert series
43. Hunt for sea glass along the shore, blue and purple are rare finds
44. Stroll down the docks at the Morehead City waterfront
45. Interact with the Marine life in tidal pools along the coast
46. Search for sand dollars in the surf
47. Watch the Fighter Planes fly down the coast
48. Take a walk through the shops in historic downtown Swansboro
49. Feed the turtles behind Rucker Johns
50. Go whale watching at Cape Lookout
51. Walk out on the Point in Emerald Isle
52. Check out the local catch on the Bogue Inlet Pier
53. Go bird watching in Emerald Woods
54. Visit the 3rd Thursday Free music concert in at the Beaufort city waterfront
55. Spark the romance with a walk on the beach at sunset
56. Launch your kayak at the Emerald Isle boat ramp and explore the sound
57. Start a game of beach football
58. Find what gets washed up on shore after a big storm
59. Take a sequence of photos of the sun rises and sunsets
60. Watch the big ships dock at the State Port in Morehead City
61. Chase Ghost Crabs along the shore after dark, they’re pretty fast and tricky!
62. Play volleyball at the Atlantic Beach Circle or the Emerald Isle Beach Access
63. Chase seagulls as they float on the ocean breeze
64. Spend the day exploring the many islands along the Crystal Coast
65. Launch your boat for a day of fun on the water at the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp
66. Unwind from an exciting day to a good book outside on the porch with a cold drink
67. Write messages in the sand and let the waves wash them away
68. Sit and daydream about never leaving the Crystal Coast
69. Take pictures of the ocean so you will never forget its beauty. How many shades of blue and green can you find?
70. Scavenger hunt for different colored shells
71. Count the seconds between waves breaking on the beach, you will notice a pattern
72. Look for shapes in the clouds as they blow in the breeze
73. Watch the windsurfers battle the ocean’s current
74. Throw the baseball with family at Western Park in Cedar Point
75. Play a game of Bocce Ball with those around you
76. Dig a hole and bury someone to their waist
77. Walk under the Bogue Inlet Pier and take a family picture
78. Bury your toes in the warm sand
79. Take a trip to Shark Tooth Island
80. Take a walk with the Emerald Isle walking club
81. Play a game of Horseshoes on the beach
82. Catch Sandfiddler crabs in the surf, before they can burry back into the sand
83. Throw a cast net into the sound to see what you catch
84. Walk the path through Emerald Isle and visit the shops along the way
85. Look for starfish in the surf
86. Put a bottle on the tree on Bottle Island
87. Artists on Arendell will occur every Friday in August-“till the weather turns cold” watch for amazing demonstrations from local artists
88. Create your very own treasure adventure – dig buried treasures for your friends and family to find
89. Make your own unique seashell jewelry
90. Don’t forget kids under 2 years old get in free at the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores
91. In October enjoy the Carolina Kite Festival in Atlantic Beach and watch kites from all over the world paint the beach coast during the day and at night
92. Visit the birthplace of Pepsi in downtown New Bern
93. Enjoy the outdoors by bike on Swansboro’s 25-mile bike trail along the water and through the Croatan National Forest.
94. Learn about the coastal region’s history by taking a visit to the History Place in downtown Morehead City
95. Enjoy a walking nature tour and even a boat cruise on Taylor’s Creek ending at Carrot Island boardwalk during the spring and summer months through The Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research office.
96. Try your skills at the Morehead City Seafood Festival Flounder Fling. Participants try and fling a large flounder into a frying pan on Saturday and Sunday of the festival
97. Not much for Flounder Flinging? Stroll the streets downtown to live music and find the perfect seat for the Seafood Festival Fireworks Show
98. Ever wonder what real pirate invasions were like back in the day? Visit Beaufort waterfront for their annual Pirate Invasion in August, couldn’t get any more real than this authentic show
99. Need a relaxing night outdoors? Atlantic Beach holds outdoor movies every Wednesday night starting at dusk in the Circle
100. Plan your next vacation

*Bonus Ideas*

• See local craftsmanship at the Swansboro Mullet Festival
• Watch the experts slow cook a feast at the Newport Pig Pickin’
• Don’t blink! You might miss the fast boat racing in the Crystal Coast Grand Prix in September