Calabash proves you dont need to drive to the outer banks for serene beachfront vacations. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. One of the highlights is the Chowan County Courthouse. 2,546) Royal Pines (Pop. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach 6. Population: 7,033Percent Democrat: 72.8%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $122.5# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 1.29More on Hillsborough:Photos |Data. There are reasons people have been coming to this stretch of coast since the early 1800s. Lexington lives up to its BBQ reputation by not changing a thing. Head to Semora if youre looking for solitude. Our love story begins in Wilmington, where we met while attending UNCW. Ken Christensen, CEO of Washington-based The Politics Company Inc., a Democratic messaging and fundraising firm, said there are reasons a candidate would want to keep initial fundraising numbers . There are so many reasons to escape from this place--not the least of which is the harsh winters, snow shoveling, etc. iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus. Thank you for providing all of this information! The Greenville area is a college town, not terribly far from the Coast, but if you absolutely must be in a NC coastal town and want the most progressive, Wilmington is your only hope. Calabash has signature seafood that is lightly battered and deep-fried, and theres always plenty of it. Some of the attractions around town are the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center. If you love fishing, bring your gear, you might land any one of the following: Spanish mackerel, bluefish, triggerfish, sea mullet, croakers, and pigfish. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wrightsville Beach. Chasing Chains, LLC. With no high rises and an emphasis on conservation, this small town at the southern end of the 26-mile-long barrier island that shares its name is a magnet for families seeking old-fashioned escape and beach life. On the Northern edge of the outer banks, it hasnt developed to favor tourism as much as other towns on the barrier banks of the state. The town of Murphy NC is nestled in the far southwest corner of the state, near the borders with Tennessee and Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 11,415. Official Website. 27. It's also home to the Jockey's Ridge State Park, which is the East Coast's tallest natural dune system and an incredible place to try hang gliding. We are looking to possibly move to the Carolinas and it has really helped in our research with the small town info given here! Big Oak Drive-In and Bar-B-Q Sandwich in Salter Path. Looking for: Most liberal beach towns in north carolina A cult favorite, this Outer Banks island is accessible only by boat or ferry from Hatteras and Cedar islands and has a relaxed romance imbued with salt air. As is the case with most California towns on our list of the most affordable liberal college towns, the biggest difference in cost is housing. The Pines and Cherry Grove are well-known for their LGBT-friendly party places and clothing-optional beaches. Of course you can lounge on the beach all day, but some of the best things to do in Carolina Beach are play disc golf, enjoy a beer at one of the best Wilmington breweries, or take a kayak out to Zekes island. Cn Gp Th Nail Cho Tim ng Khch In Liberal, KS. Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country. Down at the dock areas there is always something to see or do, whether it's a fisherman showing off his catch or people catching up on an outdoor patio. The main town area of Duck is set on the broad and flat Currituck Sound and is protected from the worst of the Atlantic Ocean weather. 22. Asheville. The rapid growth of the city is in part, because o its affordable cost of living. The first stop on the Outer Banks for many, Nags Head has beautiful beaches with free parking, an iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus, and a funky arts and culture scene. Just south of Beaufort, this quiet fishing community known for retaining the Down East dialect has also become a popular spot for retirees. Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach If you knew, Read More When is the Best Time of Year to Purchase a House?Continue. The pier is located behind the large Hilton Garden Inn. You can find a view of the town from the top of the historic Jackson County Public Library. If warm waters and golden sands tick your box, youre going to love Carolina Beach. Two nearby campgrounds are some of the best places to camp in the Outer Banks. Washington, NC, USA 2. These are the best towns in North Carolina where LGBT individuals and families can find a warm community: Asheville Raleigh Durham Charlotte Winston-Salem Wilmington Greensboro 1. Then well take a closer look at each of our top 10 most liberal cities in North Carolina. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. All that great fishing translates into great seafood at the many fine restaurants spread throughout the town. The George on Wilmington's Riverwalk. If the wind is up, which it frequently is in the Outer Banks, you may be lucky enough to see the hang gliders launching themselves off the dunes. With a population of 230, it would not be easy to find a smaller beach town that is as beautiful and unique as Bald Head Island. Hickory. Credit. 2. Corolla/Currituck Beach. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. If you want a low-key vacation, get a house on the lake in Semora for the weekend and relax in peace. The area was one of the states industrial headquarters, and as businesses died down, warehouses and brick mill buildings morphed into a hip district worth checking out. Population: 257,232Percent Democrat: 77.7%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $53.76# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.36More on Durham:Photos |Data. In the first of a new series exploring cool US towns and cities, Emma John soaks up the sporting fanaticism, liberal traditions, food and music of a university town where the 'individual streak . The 10 Most liberal Places In North Carolina For 2019 1. If youre considering making your next visit the permanent kind, check out these 10 best places to live in North Carolina near the beach. Duck is also unique for its extensive, elevated, one-mile boardwalk out over the water that connects various restaurants, shops, and parks while providing great views out over the sound. Its greatest claim to fame is that its home to the steepest railroad grade in the region. Whatever youre seeking in a small town, North Carolina can likely deliver! Liberal voters: 42% Thrift store rank: 2nd Vegan rank: 11th Waynesville might be considered a little hippie town just west of Asheville. Sail on the Neuse River. The Culture Trip considers Kitty Hawk one of the ten most beautiful towns in North Carolina. The small town of Beaufort is the county seat of Carteret County, on the 'Inner Banks' coastal area of North Carolina (specifically, Beaufort is situated just where the Outer Banks end). You have everything from sleeping seaside towns in the Outer Banks to artistic mountain havens like Boone and Brevard. Compared to other nearby states, South Carolina has more republican voters. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Morehead City. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. Duck has devoted extensive energy and funds to the nourishment of its beaches (named among the Best Restored Beaches for 2018), but it's important to note that access is for residents and vacation property renters only. An iconic gay beach destination since the 1970s, Fire Island is 5 kilometers off the coast of Long Island, New York, and comprises a dozen beachside communities. There are now several popular breweries and taprooms right downtown. With history running through its veins (including pre-Civil War Fort Macon), the oldest town on Bogue Bankswith its back to Bogue Sound and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the southis also home to the nostalgic (and 1,000-foot-long) Oceanana Fishing Pier, plus a steady swell for surfing. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Consider these retirement communities in North Carolina: Asheville. With its romantic historic mansions; a thriving downtown with great shops, restaurants, and bars; a picturesque Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River; and a youthful vibe thanks to the local University of North Carolina campus, this magnet is also a quick drive to the sands of Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. About 70 miles north of Charleston, South Carolina, is Pawleys Island, a barrier island known for its sand dunes, beaches, golf courses, and rope hammocks. Oregon has a liberal advantage of -4 points due to 32% of voters identifying as conservative; however, 35% of voters identify as moderate. The town springs to life in the summer, and you can expect special events and remarkable sunsets every weekend from spring through fall. Its population was 57,233 in the 2010 census, making Chapel Hill the 15th-largest city in the state. Over the past several decades there have been significant changes in the population of the world. Asheville is known for its outdoor recreation, craft beer scene, and overall artsy vibe. Also known as the Prairie State, Illinois borders the Mississippi River and Indiana. A tiny town located near the outskirts of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is known and loved for its wide beaches, soft white sand, and picturesque stilt houses situated right on the water, many of which . Rent kayaks to explore the islands or take a ferry for prime shelling on Shackleford Banks. Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker and writer with over three years of professional experience in the field. Median Home Price: $247,112. Calm, sedate, and gorgeously green, Duck is the perfect option for city folk who secretly hate the city. I once read a description of Chapel Hill as being "as southern as Birkenstocks and Muesli". This riverfront port is technically a city, but there are so many things to love about visiting and enjoying Wilmington, it's impossible to leave it off the list. The downtown is lively, home to numerous attractions (including the very visit-worth North Carolina Maritime Museum), and blessed with enough entertainment and amenities to keep everyone happy. University of North Carolina at Asheville offers local residents a full calendar of arts and cultural events. This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Asheville, the most popular "cool" city in North Carolina. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Pinehurst Pinehurst Pinehurst was recently named the "Best Place to Live in North Carolina," by Smart Travel Tips. With Rodanthe as a base camp, you can head either north or south along the Outer Banks and find a great way to spend the afternoon. in Journalism from Columbia University. This quaint, historic town is full of local shops and restaurants where you can happily while away the day. Chef Nina Compton's Bywater American Bistro, Alon Shaya's Saba, Pythian Market, and Auction House Market are some new places to check out if you're in The Big Easy. Kitty Hawk has a small pier at the northern end of town, right where highway 158 joins up with Highway 12. If youre sick of the noise and congestion of the city, Duck might be just what youre looking for. We picked our twenty favorite beach towns based on the following criteria: 1. The main things to see and do are easily reached by foot, and if you find yourself tired out by the adventure, stop in at one of the restaurants and recharge with a fine seafood meal. The town is home to sunset beach, miles of iconic sandy dunes where visitors can catch the sunrise over the sound and the sunset across the ocean. (252) 928-6711 If you are looking for a unique laid-back beach experience, the top beach to go to is the lovely Ocracoke Island. You can check the inventory and house features online and make bookings there as well. Some of these beautiful treasures are now bed and breakfasts, shops, and restaurants. The town itself is a delight, with charming, Victorian-era homes sitting side by side with modern-day architectural gems. The other pier in town, Nag's Head Fishing Pier, is as the name suggests: mostly about fishing. Quiet, calm, and as peaceful as a summer breeze, its the perfect place to experience the simple pleasures in life. With nearly 85 percent of its total area a preserved landscape of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and scrubby, subtropical forest, plus 14 miles of pale sands, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, locally owned shops, and a community of beautiful beach houses, this is most certainly a Treasure Isle. Park your car and remember where you put the keys; you wont need them for a while. The beach itself is wide, sandy, fringed by turquoise waters everything, in fact, youd want a beach to be. Oak Island is also a dog lover's dream: Four legged friends are allowed on the beaches year-round, and they can be off the leash from October 15-March 15. North Carolina is one of the pork capitals of the country, and they take their BBQ seriously. Overall Niche Grade. The town has plenty of dining and entertainment offers, so youll never get bored, and has held on to its Southern charm to make it feel like home. Views up and down the coastline from here are spectacular. At the southern end of the coast and a quick hop from buzzy Wilmington, this laid-back beach town on a 4-mile-long barrier island has charm in spades, from a bird nesting sanctuary at the south end to its iconic Johnnie Mercers Pier. Bath and its surroundings around Goose Creek were once the home to the infamous pirate Edward Teach, a.k.a "Blackbeard You can camp right on the sand or right on the sea; every side is waterfront. The towns proximity to exciting whitewater rafting and ziplining has kick-started a lovely downtown, with plenty of dining and shopping options on one side and a public park on the other side of the tracks. While the best BBQs are often found in the hole in the wall spots along state highways, the best BBQs in NC all use Lexington sauce. Next: Asheville, North Carolina. Only electric carts and bicycles can travel the roads, making sure you catch everything while you're in paradise. If youre curious, here are the least liberal cities in North Carolina: For more North Carolina reading, check out: Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. Until a craft beer and outdoor sports explosion, Saluda wasnt much more than a truck stop with peaches in the summer and apples in the fall. Often described as one of North Carolina's best beaches, Wrightsville Beach, lures visitors with its easy access and wonderful waterfront. Boiling Springs, North Carolina Gardner-Webb University Just a short distance north of Avon brings you to the tri-cities of Waves, Rodanthe, and Salvo. Summer street festivals are a common occurrence, and most weekends will bring plenty of organic entertainment near Weaver Street Market, the prominent meeting place for the town. Early inhabitants dug a canal here that used to power local mills. The small towns of North Carolina are one of our favorite aspects of the state. This has created a bustling central few blocks that havent felt the need to change to please anyone else. Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. Initially named for a politician by the name of Swann, the town has since enthusiastically adopted the swan as its mascot, and you'll see the graceful bird displayed on signs and in private gardens. Tracey Minkin is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in national and regional magazines as well as digital platforms including Southern Living, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure, Outside, Food & Wine, Men's Journal, VERANDA, and many more. Home - North Carolina - NC Towns - 22 BEST Small Towns In North Carolina. Myrtle Beach, SC. Bryson City. No matter which of our favorites you choose, you'll feel restored by an escape to small-town life at the beach. One of the best things to do in North Carolina is enjoy world-class BBQ. Wilmington is a big, sprawling beach town with a little something for everyone. Miami. Attractions for mom and dad are in the form of outlet malls, beach shops, Gallery Row, and the Historic District, with its unpainted traditional cedar shake beach cottages. Powered by Mai Theme, 15 Best Romantic Getaways In Arkansas You Must Try, the prettiest Outer Banks towns you should visit. A great way to get to Southport from Wilmington is to take the historic Southport-Fort Fisher car and passenger ferry. If you are a foodie and like charming small towns, Calabash should be number one on your destination list. Southport is one of the best small towns in North Carolina. Similar in nature to Nags Head, most of the services are along the main highway. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Wrightsville Beach. Stop by Ms. Sils for a famous cream pie. Oak Island is one of the best family beach towns in North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach (Pop. There are more golf carts than cars driving through town, and with a plethora of rental options available, you can have your choice of open-air off-road vehicles to explore the uncrowded beaches. It is a calm, green place with large trees and stately homes. Most weekends, youll find the main street of this town blocked off and plenty of pedestrians strolling through art shops and shacks set up for the occasion. The peaceful vibe is perfectly complemented by quiet streets lined with majestic trees and even more majestic homes. Durham County was even more lopsided - Clinton won 78-18. Carolina Beach is a popular place to visit in the summer as vacationers flock here from around the United States. 3. Once the sun goes down, head to town to try their seafood dishes. Close to Virginia and entirely flanked by the Roanoke River, Downtown Roanoke Rapids has a little bit of everything you need for a quiet weekend in the woods. The town itself is easy to navigate by foot. Its wide, sandy beach and aquamarine waters are a beachcombers dream, while the range of water sport opportunities on offer will leave no one disappointed. In the summer, there are fireworks every Thursday night and live music concerts featuring a variety of musicians across the musical spectrum. 15. Greenville is the 11th-most populous city in North Carolina and is known as the state's health, entertainment, and educational hub. Oak Island offers more than 10 miles of coast with immaculate sandy beaches. Here are some of the world's best beaches for partying. Here, you'll find an extensive assortment of family restaurants, mini golf, a Children's Museum, and beach shops. in English from Stanford University and a M.S. Carolina Beach is not just a beach, but an island between the Cape Fear River on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. If you cant get enough of the sauce, Lexington-sauce lovers flock to the town every year to sample 1,000s of sauces made in the traditional style but full of new kicks. 1. Learn how your comment data is processed. Not to be confused with the South Carolina town of the same name (and pronounced differently), this small and charming harbor town at the southern end of the Outer Banks has a lively downtown marina, is dotted with historic buildings dating back to the 1700s, is home to a wonderful North Carolina Maritime Museum, and is a stone's throw from the natural riches of the Rachel Carson Reservelook for wild horses and dolphins across the water while you stroll on boardwalks downtown. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. 2. Not to be confused with the replica courthouse, this original structure looks out over a large green space and faces out onto the sound with cannons at the water's edge. ferry takes you from Hatteras to the northern tip of the island. Nags Head is one of the few towns on the Outer Banks where you can find a good selection of hotels, including resorts. This fishing town off the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River Inlet at the South Carolina border is dubbed the "Seafood Capital of the World" for a reason. The towns are ideally positioned to allow you to make the most of the North Carolina seashore. The town has even gone full hog and shares its spirit with pig statues located throughout downtown. Be prepared for a bit of exercise on your visit. With pig statues located throughout downtown to explore the islands or take a for. Closer look at each of our favorite aspects of the liberal beach towns in north carolina are along the main.... 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