Overview
Newport is a small town just outside the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina, situated on the scenic Newport River. Because it's inland, away from the touristy coastal area, and doesn't have much in the way of attractions, Newport remains a mostly residential community. However, it's in the Croatan National Forest, so if you want a convenient base to reach both the beach and the woods, Newport might be the ideal spot.
1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Newport
Little Doo Mud Bog
One of the more unusual activities in the Crystal Coast area, Little Doo Mud Bog offers entertainment for the entire family, centered around a wide muddy track. Adults can bring trucks or buggies to race, and there's als…
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 — 22 mi away. Directions
- OAJ Albert J Ellis Airport, Richlands — 43 mi away. Directions
- RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh/Durham — 132 mi away (major hub). Directions
Newport is right on US-70, between Havelock and Morehead City. As with the rest of the region, it's about a 3-hour drive from Raleigh.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
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
Get in
Newport is right on US-70, between Havelock and Morehead City. As with the rest of the region, it's about a 3-hour drive from Raleigh.
Get around
Being a rural town, Newport has no public transportation to speak of. Bring your car; you'll need it to get here anyway.
See
When you leave the Crystal Coast, the rest of Carteret County is taken up by the Croatan National Forest. Newport is in the southeastern corner of it; the larger town of Havelock, to the north, is smack in the middle. It contains elevated swamp habitat, salt marsh, estuaries and carnivorous plants. The White Oak, Neuse and Newport rivers flow through the forest. As activities go, there are plenty of boat ramps, canoeing areas, fishing spots and trails, some of them self-guided.
Do
- At the end of March, Newport hosts the Newport Pig Cookin' Contest in the community park, an annual tradition since 1978. Over 80 cooks, armed with their own secret sauces, grill a whole pig in the hopes of winning a cash prize.
Do Little Doo Mud Bog
One of the more unusual activities in the Crystal Coast area, Little Doo Mud Bog offers entertainment for the entire family, centered around a wide muddy track. Adults can bring trucks or buggies to race, and there's also a smaller track where kids can race in toy trucks. There's a race every Saturday at 6PM; Gates open at 3PM. $7 (adults), free for kids 12 and under.
- Outside Newport, near the community of Mill Creek where the Newport River widens out to meet the Bogue Sound, people often take their boats out to go shrimping, or harvest fresh oysters.
Eat
Eat Fat Fellas
Features Carolina BBQ and surf and turf.
Drink
Mixed drinks are not available for purchase in Newport restaurants, only beer and wine. If you want something stronger, there's an ABC store at 7015 Hwy 70 East, +1 252-223-4136; but it isn't open on Sundays.
Sleep
Stay Hostess House Courtyard
125 rooms. The only hotel in town, with a playground, game room, miniature golf. $39-59 off-season, $59-89 peak season.
The greater Newport area features several campsites where you can stay very cheaply on the Bogue Sound. These sites are closer to Cape Carteret, and all are practically on the water.
Stay Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort
Offers a large swimming pool, a 135' waterslide, sun decks, a beach area, basketball and badminton, jet skiing, great saltwater fishing from the 250' fishing pier, clamming, scalloping and oystering. Full hookup sites, tent sites. Fully grassed, paved streets, night lights. Leashed pets welcome. Open year-round.
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 15 minutes north on US-70.
- New Bern, about 40 minutes north on US-70.
- Jacksonville, about 1 hour west on US-24.
- Bath, about 2 hours north.
- Ocracoke Island, about 3 hours east
Nearby
Havelock
City / town · 4 listings · 7 mi away
Morehead City
City / town · 17 listings · 8 mi away
Atlantic Beach
City / town · 25 listings · 9 mi away
Emerald Isle
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Beaufort
City / town · 16 listings · 13 mi away
Cape Carteret
City / town · 6 listings · 13 mi away
Swansboro
City / town · 17 listings · 17 mi away
Harkers Island
City / town · 10 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
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