Overview
Morehead City is the largest town in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina, with a population of 7,691 (as of 2000). Morehead (as it is usually called) is not actually in the Outer Banks, being situated on the opposite shore of the Bogue Sound from Atlantic Beach, and is the main gateway to the island of Bogue Banks.
1 sights · 5 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Morehead City
History Museum of Carteret County
Dedicated to promoting public knowledge of, and interest in, the history and culture of Carteret County. Features exhibits on coastal history, a research and genealogical library, a museum shop, and a tea store.
Crystal Coast Jamboree
A two-hour entertainment show featuring country-music singers and musicians, and dancing. Tickets are $12 - $21.
Brandywine Bay Golf and Country Club
A semi-private 18-hole championship course, rated as the area's best by Golf Digest in 1995. $47 peak season, $37 off-season.
Olympus Diving
An award-winning dive operation, offering training, repairs, air and nitrox fills, a full line of rental equipment and gear sales, a Divers’ lodge, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Trips include wreck diving, shark o…
Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament
Is held for a week during June. Fisherman converge on the area in an attempt to hook the largest blue marlin, or other gamefish, for cash prizes.
North Carolina Seafood Festival
Is held during the first weekend in October to recognize the importance of seafood to eastern North Carolina. Along with the opportunity to sample familiar ("down east" clam chowder, raw oysters and shrimp burgers) and a…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Aug. (climate data from nearby North Carolina Coastal Plain)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWN Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, New Bern — 29 mi away. Directions
- OAJ Albert J Ellis Airport, Richlands — 50 mi away. Directions
- RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh/Durham — 140 mi away (major hub). Directions
Visitors will enter the city by car via US-70, which runs directly through downtown Morehead. It's a straight shot from Greensboro or Raleigh. you can also get here using Hwy-24.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $65–$65 a night (typical $75), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$230.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning History Museum of Carteret County, Brandywine Bay Golf and Country Club
- Lunch El's Drive-In
- Afternoon Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament
- Dinner The Sanitary Fish Market
- Evening Arendell Room
Day 2
- Morning Crystal Coast Jamboree, Olympus Diving
- Lunch Cox Family Restaurant
- Afternoon North Carolina Seafood Festival
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
Visitors will enter the city by car via US-70, which runs directly through downtown Morehead. It's a straight shot from Greensboro or Raleigh. you can also get here using Hwy-24.
Get around
There is no public transportation system in Morehead City; you'll need a car to get much of anywhere, although there are a number of reliable taxi companies in the area. The main downtown thoroughfare is Arendell Street (pronounced "uh-REN-dull"; IPA [.'rn.dl]).
If you want to catch a ride to other towns in the area; you'll need to call the Carteret County Area Transportation System at 252-240-1043 for a reservation ahead of time. Tickets start at $2.50.
See
- The Morehead City waterfront is a pleasant promenade of gift shops and restaurants by the harbor where the fishing boats come to dock. Naturally, some of the freshest seafood can be found at the adjacent fish market, but if you'd rather have someone else prepare it for you, there are plenty of places here where you can find that too.
- The area visitors' center is the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority, 3409 Arendell St, +1 252-726-8148 or +1-800-SUNNY-NC (786-6962).
Do
- Visit the Carteret County Curb Market, the oldest continuously-operating curb market in North Carolina. Open Saturdays from 7:30AM-11:30AM from May through Labor Day. Local farmers and fishermen bring fruits and vegetables, seafood, baked goods and flowers for sale.
Do Brandywine Bay Golf and Country Club
A semi-private 18-hole championship course, rated as the area's best by Golf Digest in 1995. $47 peak season, $37 off-season.
Do Olympus Diving
An award-winning dive operation, offering training, repairs, air and nitrox fills, a full line of rental equipment and gear sales, a Divers’ lodge, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Trips include wreck diving, shark observation, underwater photography and spearfishing.
Morehead also hosts several festivals during the year:
- The Carolina Chocolate Festival, +1-877-848-4976, is held in the Crystal Coast Civic Center for three days during early February. Includes chocolate demonstrations from expert chefs, fondue, a baking contest, a champagne and truffles party, a chocolate Sunday brunch, and live entertainment.
Do North Carolina Seafood Festival
Is held during the first weekend in October to recognize the importance of seafood to eastern North Carolina. Along with the opportunity to sample familiar ("down east" clam chowder, raw oysters and shrimp burgers) and adventurous (calamari, marinated eel, sea urchin on a stick) seafood, the festival features entertainment, sporting events, and a ceremonial blessing of the fishing fleet.
Buy
There's nothing especially unique to Morehead City; if you want beach souvenirs, you'd be better off trying Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle. However, there are quite a few nice gift shops and galleries around town.
Shop The Book Shop
One of the best selections of new and used books in town, if you need something to read on the beach or by the pool. They also accept your used books for trade-in.
Shop Ginny Gordon's Gifts and Gadgets
The perfect store for the cooking aficionado; a wonderful selection of cookware, cookbooks, utensils and kitchen gadgets ranging from indispensable to wacky.
Shop Parson's General Store
An old-timey general store in an old Victorian home; offers gifts, crafts, home accessories, seasonal decorations and a vast selection of sweets, including ice cream.
Eat
Eat El's Drive-In
Open for breakfast Sunday to Thursday, and all day Friday and Saturday. Delicious shrimpburgers and milkshakes, and amazingly good Pepsi, brought to your window by car hops.
Eat The Sanitary Fish Market
Open daily for lunch and dinner; closed between Thanksgiving and early February. Originally a waterfront seafood market (in 1938), now serving traditional broiled and fried seafood dishes at reasonable prices. It's a very popular local restaurant that seats 600, with lovely views of the sound through its large dining-room windows. Their complimentary Tar Heel hushpuppies are legendary, and try the homemade chowder. There's still a market next door if you want to buy your own fresh (and sanitary) fish.
Eat Cox Family Restaurant
Nothing fancy here, just good country cooking at a very good price. Menu changes frequently with good specials. Serves a great breakfast as well.
- Luigi's Pizzia, 5167 Hwy 70 W #120, +1 252-240-3125. New York Style Pizza done right - if you don't want to spend a fortune every night eating fresh seafood, you can't miss with anything on their menu. Great Calzones and Meatball subs.
Drink
Drink Arendell Room
Only the best cocktails on the Crystal Coast! Live Jazz on the weekends.
Sleep
Stay Holiday Inn Express
75 rooms. Outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna, whirlpool, complimentary breakfast. Average price $97.
A bed-and-breakfasts is also located in Morehead:
Go next
The Crystal Coast area has a variety of other areas to visit:
Further afield, there are some interesting destinations for daytrips:
- Havelock, about 30 minutes north on US-70.
- New Bern, about 1 hour north on US-70.
- Jacksonville, about 1 hour west on US-24.
- Bath, about 3 hours north.
- Ocracoke Island, about 3 hours east.
Nearby
Atlantic Beach
City / town · 25 listings · 2 mi away
Beaufort
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
Newport
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Harkers Island
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Emerald Isle
City / town · 6 listings · 12 mi away
Havelock
City / town · 4 listings · 14 mi away
Cape Carteret
City / town · 6 listings · 18 mi away
Swansboro
City / town · 17 listings · 22 mi away
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