Phil's Guidebook
Places to Eat
Best shrimp burger around. For the first timers - a shrimp burger is a sandwich with while fried shrimp (think po boy on a hamburger bun). This place gives you the sandwich and piles on extra shrimp on the side. Capt Marty is awesome and the service can’t be beat.
7 locals recommend
Captain's Kitchen (Food Truck)
1502 Salter Path RdBest shrimp burger around. For the first timers - a shrimp burger is a sandwich with while fried shrimp (think po boy on a hamburger bun). This place gives you the sandwich and piles on extra shrimp on the side. Capt Marty is awesome and the service can’t be beat.
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill
140 Fairview DrHands down best mexican on the island.
Hands down best pizza on the island (NY style). The “Godfather” size is ridiculous but can easily feed 4+.
38 locals recommend
Lazzara's Pizza & Subs
9104 Coast Guard RdHands down best pizza on the island (NY style). The “Godfather” size is ridiculous but can easily feed 4+.
Gio puts a lot of love into these bagels and it shows. Made fresh daily and they also have breakfast sandwiches. Some of the best I’ve had anywhere.
14 locals recommend
Giovanni's Brooklyn Bagels
8700 Reed DrGio puts a lot of love into these bagels and it shows. Made fresh daily and they also have breakfast sandwiches. Some of the best I’ve had anywhere.
Fish Hut Grill
301 Mangrove DrLocal seafood, American classics, and more.
Gaffer's
9106-A Coast Guard RoadKathryn's Bistro & Martini Bar
8002 Emerald DrParks
Tennis courts, pickleball, basketball, and a great playground. They also have a nature trail nearby that cuts through to the sound side.
11 locals recommend
Blue Heron Park
7500 Emerald DrTennis courts, pickleball, basketball, and a great playground. They also have a nature trail nearby that cuts through to the sound side.
Neighborhoods
Great sunsets because it’s the only place on island facing west. Can get a bit crowded. Little to no parking however and you will get ticketed or towed for unauthorized parking.
21 locals recommend
The Point
Great sunsets because it’s the only place on island facing west. Can get a bit crowded. Little to no parking however and you will get ticketed or towed for unauthorized parking.
Sightseeing
One of NC oldest state parks. An old civil war fort right on the beach.
Can be crowded during peak weekend/holiday times.
250 locals recommend
Fort Macon State Park
2303 E Fort Macon RdOne of NC oldest state parks. An old civil war fort right on the beach.
Can be crowded during peak weekend/holiday times.
Really awesome aquarium. There’s also a nature trail and a small playground to enjoy. Also a great rainy day activity.
275 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
1 Roosevelt BlvdReally awesome aquarium. There’s also a nature trail and a small playground to enjoy. Also a great rainy day activity.
Accessible only by boat, this is the place you want to go if you’re interested in seeing wild horses on a uninhabited island :-). Very crowded in the summer.
13 locals recommend
Shackleford Banks
Accessible only by boat, this is the place you want to go if you’re interested in seeing wild horses on a uninhabited island :-). Very crowded in the summer.
Built in 1859 , Cape Lookout has one of NC's seven lighthouses. Accessible by ferry from Harkers Island or Beaufort.
Cape Lookout
Cape Lookout RoadBuilt in 1859 , Cape Lookout has one of NC's seven lighthouses. Accessible by ferry from Harkers Island or Beaufort.
City/town information
Front St, Swansboro, NC 28584, USA
Shops, restaurants and historic homes on the waterfront.
A bit of a drive from Emerald Isle, Beaufort is a historic town with a great waterfront area (Front Street). There are shops and restaurants or you can take a stroll on the boardwalk. Wild horses can sometimes be spotted on the island across the creek (Carrot Island).
Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
A bit of a drive from Emerald Isle, Beaufort is a historic town with a great waterfront area (Front Street). There are shops and restaurants or you can take a stroll on the boardwalk. Wild horses can sometimes be spotted on the island across the creek (Carrot Island).
Fun
Two great mini golf courses, go karts, and bumper boats. Great for kids and kids at heart!
40 locals recommend
Lost Treasure Golf & Raceway
976 Salter Path RdTwo great mini golf courses, go karts, and bumper boats. Great for kids and kids at heart!
Arcade, bowling, bar/restaurant, mini golf, driving range, and a sky trail obstacle course. This place has it all. Great rainy day activity.
66 locals recommend
Mac Daddy's
130 Golfin Dolphin DrArcade, bowling, bar/restaurant, mini golf, driving range, and a sky trail obstacle course. This place has it all. Great rainy day activity.