Free things to do on the Crystal Coast
Spend your vacation on the Crystal Coast and explore the entire area without spending a dime! Bluewater Vacation Rental’s list of free things to do on the Crystal Coast will keep everyone in the family entertained without breaking the budget. You will find the one and only Free Things to Do List right here – so glad some ideas for your Crystal Coast vacation!
From Emerald Isle to Beaufort, North Carolina there are tons of attractions, activities and events that your family can enjoy and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready to start having fun? Then get your vacation started with these 100 Free things to do on the Crystal Coast
- Watch the wild horses run on Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island
- Search for the largest shark tooth
- Fly a kite on the cool ocean breeze
- Watch the dolphins play in the surf
- Build a sandcastle
- Explore historic Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach
- Look for the biggest seashell at low tide
- Walk down the scenic Beaufort waterfront and window shop
- 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.
- Soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches
- Start your own body surfing competition and put your skills to the test
- Have a free taste of Ice Cream or one free piece of Salt Water Taffy at The Sweet Spot in Emerald Isle
- Watch the boats weigh their catch at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
- Walkthrough the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort
- Pack a lunch and have a picnic at Fort Macon State Park
- Wander through the Carteret County Curb Market in Morehead City
- Watch the 4th of July parade and feast at the Community Picnic in Beaufort
- Listen to the Summer Concert Series at Fort Macon
- Watch the OWLS Sand Sculpting contest at Pine Knoll Shores
- Take a trip and explore the Cape Lookout National Seashore and see the Lighthouse
- In the mood for ghost stories? Visit Blackbeard’s House in Beaufort to hear some spooky tales
- Watch the surfers at the Buddy Pelletier Longboard Competition in July
- Create your own sand dollar picture frame to remember your wonderful vacation
- Learn about Down East culture and traditions at Community Night with Rodney Kemp at the Core Sound Water Fowl museum
- Take part in the traditional cannon firing at Fort Macon State Park
- Burn some extra vacation calories riding your bike on the Emerald Isle Bike Trail
- Catch a free climb day at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse
- Watch the fishing charters unload the daily catch on the Morehead City waterfront.
- Attend the Free Friday flick in Emerald Isle
- Watch the craftsmanship of the local boat builders create masterpieces at the Water Craft Center in Beaufort
- Explore the heritage of Down East at the Core Sound Museum in Harkers Island
- Dance the night away at the Beach Jive After Five in Emerald Isle
- Need an idea for good pictures? Walk to the end of the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier for a wonderful view
- Attend the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade for some holiday cheer
- Witness the baby sea turtles hatch and make a run for the ocean in the early summer evenings
- Enjoy the sights and Gaelic sounds of the Annual St. Patrick’s Festival in Emerald Isle
- Surf Fish off the beach and see what you can catch (make sure you have your fishing license)
- Bask in the sun at Hammocks Beach State Park
- Play corn hole and dance the evening away at the Sheraton Pier every Thursday during the Summer
- Take a step back in history on a tour of the Beaufort Historic Site
- Play a game of beach Ultimate Frisbee
- Visit the Morehead Summer Concert series
- Hunt for sea glass along the shore, blue and purple are rare finds
- Stroll down the docks at the Morehead City waterfront
- Interact with the Marine life in tidal pools along the coast
- Search for sand dollars in the surf
- Watch the Fighter Planes fly down the coast
- Take a walk through the shops in historic downtown Swansboro
- Feed the turtles behind Rucker Johns
- Go whale watching at Cape Lookout
- Walk out on the Point in Emerald Isle
- Check out the local catch on the Bogue Inlet Pier
- Go bird watching in Emerald Woods
- Visit the 3rd Thursday Free music concert in at the Beaufort city waterfront
- Spark the romance with a walk on the beach at sunset
- Launch your kayak at the Emerald Isle boat ramp and explore the sound
- Start a game of beach football
- Find what gets washed up on shore after a big storm
- Take a sequence of photos of the sun rises and sunsets
- Watch the big ships dock at the State Port in Morehead City
- Chase Ghost Crabs along the shore after dark, they’re pretty fast and tricky!
- Play volleyball at the Atlantic Beach Circle or the Emerald Isle Beach Access
- Chase seagulls as they float on the ocean breeze
- Spend the day exploring the many islands along the Crystal Coast
- Launch your boat for a day of fun on the water at the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp
- Unwind from an exciting day to a good book outside on the porch with a cold drink
- Write messages in the sand and let the waves wash them away
- Sit and daydream about never leaving the Crystal Coast
- Take pictures of the ocean so you will never forget its beauty. How many shades of blue and green can you find?
- Scavenger hunt for different colored shells
- Count the seconds between waves breaking on the beach, you will notice a pattern
- Look for shapes in the clouds as they blow in the breeze
- Watch the windsurfers battle the ocean’s current
- Throw the baseball with family at Western Park in Cedar Point
- Play a game of Bocce Ball with those around you
- Dig a hole and bury someone to their waist
- Walk under the Bogue Inlet Pier and take a family picture
- Bury your toes in the warm sand
- Take a trip to Shark Tooth Island
- Take a walk with the Emerald Isle walking club
- Play a game of Horseshoes on the beach
- Catch Sandfiddler crabs in the surf, before they can burry back into the sand
- Throw a cast net into the sound to see what you catch
- Walk the path through Emerald Isle and visit the shops along the way
- Look for starfish in the surf
- Put a bottle on the tree on Bottle Island
- Artists on Arendell will occur every Friday in August-“till the weather turns cold” watch for amazing demonstrations from local artists
- Create your very own treasure adventure – dig buried treasures for your friends and family to find
- Make your own unique seashell jewelry
- Don’t forget kids under 2 years old get in free at the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores
- 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
- Visit the birthplace of Pepsi in downtown New Bern
- Enjoy the outdoors by bike on Swansboro’s 25-mile bike trail along the water and through the Croatan National Forest.
- Learn about the coastal region’s history by taking a visit to the History Place in downtown Morehead City
- 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.
- 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
- Not much for Flounder Flinging? Stroll the streets downtown to live music and find the perfect seat for the Seafood Festival Fireworks Show
- 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
- Need a relaxing night outdoors? Atlantic Beach holds outdoor movies every Wednesday night starting at dusk in the Circle
- 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