I love the North Carolina Coast. My family has vacationed at Emerald Isle, NC for the better part of the last twenty years. I learned to fish and boat in the waters from Bogue Inlet to Beaufort Inlet. If we didn’t live as close to relatives as we do, I’d move down there in a heartbeat. I love the quaint towns, friendly people and beautiful beaches and waterways. I remember as a young boy begging my parents to take me to visit Fort Macon every year. I also remember being drawn to the pirate and ghost stories focused on this “Graveyard of the Atlantic“. I may have outgrown the ghost stories, but I’m still fascinated by North Carolina’s rich coastal history.

A couple of days ago, I had to travel to Swansboro for work. Swansboro’s just a tiny town, but it is a real gem that you could easily spend a couple of days exploring. If you happen to find yourself there, make sure you check out Yana’s Restaurant, which is full of 1950s memorabilia. Check out all of the antique and curiosity shops downtown. Carve out a morning, afternoon or entire day to take the ferry over to Hammock’s Beach State Park located on Bear Island, one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic Coast.

Before leaving, I had to have a fresh seafood dinner. A local turned me on to T & W Oyster Bar and Restaurant located on Hwy 58 in Cape Cartaret. The food and service were both excellent. I had, of course, oysters. I also tried the grouper, which was some of the best I’ve ever had.

On my way home, I couldn’t miss stopping by one of my favorite cities in North Carolina – New Bern. The downtown homes are beautiful. I wish that Tryon Palace had been open to visitors when I got there. I still managed to snap a few decent photos. I took several pictures of Centenary Methodist Church. I love church architecture and this is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve seen in North Carolina. I also stopped by Union Point Park. My wife, Lauren, and I found Union Point Park on a stop in New Bern Last year. This is a wonderful spot to take your kids for an afternoon or evening. It overlooks a broad span of the juncture of the Neuse and Trent Rivers.

Check out these photos that I took…

Technorati Tags: Fort Macon, Bogue Inlet, Beaufort Inlet, Graveyard of the Atlantic, Emerald Isle, Centenary Methodist Church, New Bern, North Carolina, Swansboro, T & W Oyster Bar, Tryon Palace, Union Point Park, Yana’s Restaurant

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