Get in
[edit]Cape Carteret is at the junction of NC-58, which runs from Maysville across Bogue Banks to Morehead City, and NC-24, which runs between Fayetteville and Morehead City. It's also a short drive from US-70, the main road in the region, and US-17, which connects Wilmington to New Bern.
Get around
[edit]As with the rest of the area, you should really have a car if you want to get anywhere.
See
[edit]- The local tourism office (+1 252-393-3100) is on Highway 58 by the Cameron Langston bridge to Emerald Isle.
Do
[edit]- Barrier Island Kayaks, 160 Cedar Point Boulevard, ☏ +1 252-393-6457. Trips to Bear Island and the Cape Lookout National Seashore, as well as an ecological tour; all trips last at least 2.5 hours, $35-75 per person. Kayaking lessons available, and an on-site shop sells kayaks and equipment.
- Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness, 300 Taylor Notion Road, ☏ +1 252-393-1000. Open Monday through Friday, 5:30AM-9PM; Saturdays from 8AM-4PM; and Sundays from 1 to 6PM. The best gymnasium facility in the area, if you feel the need to keep up your workout routine while you're on vacation. Offers free weights, LifeFitness cardio equipment, a basketball court, a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Classes available in Pilates, floor aerobics and water aerobics, swimming and surfing. Summer camps are given for kids ages 5-12. Personal training and weight loss planning are offered, and you can get massages (athletic, Swedish or deep-tissue, $60 for non-members). If you're just visiting, rates are $12 daily or $50 weekly.
- There are a couple of golf courses in the area:
- Golfin' Dolphin (near the intersection of Highway 58 and Highway 24), ☏ +1 252-393-8131. Open 9AM-11PM. A lighted 250-yard driving range, 18-hole miniature golf, a batting cage, go-carts and bumper boats. Golf lessons available.
- Silver Creek Golf Club, Highway 58 N (4 miles from the bridge), ☏ +1 252-393-8058, toll-free: +1-800-393-6605. The longest course in the county, with a practice green, driving range, pool, tennis courts, pro shop, clubhouse and snack bar. $35-55 year-round.
- Star Hill Golf and Country Club, 202 Club House Drive, ☏ +1 252-393-8111, toll-free: +1-800-845-8214. A 27-hole championship golf course, a Cayman driving range, tennis court, pool, pro shop, lounge and the Sandbar Grill, which serves breakfast and lunch. Private airstrip on-site. $65 peak season, $42 off-season.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]There really aren't many restaurants in Cape Carteret; people tend to flock to the surrounding communities when they want to find a good meal. There are a few around, however, if you really don't want to go far.
- Mike's Family Restaurant, 1000 WB McLean Boulevard, ☏ +1 252-764-9000. Specializing in fresh seafood, sandwiches and salads.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]There's a lot of accommodation around Cape Carteret, but not too much in the town itself. If you want a more inexpensive place to stay in the area, there are some nice waterfront campgrounds near Cape Carteret listed on the Newport page.
Go next
[edit]The Crystal Coast area has a variety of other areas to visit:
Further afield, there are some interesting destinations for daytrips:
- Havelock, about 40 minutes north on US-70.
- New Bern, about 1 hour north on NC-58.
- Jacksonville, about 30 minutes west on US-24.
- Bath, about 2 hours north.
- Ocracoke Island, about 3.5 hours east.