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Atlantic Beach North Carolina
is located between Emerald Isle and Morehead City along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean on North Carolina’s “Crystal Coast.” It is the oldest of five towns located in this region known as the Bogue Banks. Originally the site of a small pavilion built on the beach in 1887; Atlantic Beach was little more than a refreshment stand and stalls for changing clothes. In 1916, Von Bedsworth, who built the 100-room Atlantic View Beach Hotel, purchased the original pavilion and 100 acres. This hotel later burned, but by the 1920s, Atlantic Beach was a fledgling resort with another pavilion, a bathhouse and dining facilities. This complex was also destroyed in a fire in the late 1920s. Next, a New York banker built another hotel and Atlantic Beach slowly began to grow and increase in popularity. Soon amusement parks were added, beach clubs, hotels and condominiums. Today, Atlantic Beach is home to approximately 3,500 permanent residents, and the population swells to around 35,000 during the summer months. The center of town known by locals as “The Circle” is at the southernmost end of the Atlantic Beach Causeway and offers amusement park rides for children, an array of shops and businesses, and plenty of parking for the beach. Atlantic Beach is home to the 398-acre Fort Macon State Park. Here, guided tours are given of the fort; there is a museum, nature programs and trails for hiking. The North Carolina Aquarium is located in nearby Pine Knoll Shores, where visitors can get a fun, close-up look at North Carolina’s maritime ecosystem. The aquarium features a popular touch tank, a riverbank display with live alligators, canoe trips, interpretive beach walks, excursions to remote barrier islands and much more.
Atlantic Beach sits at the eastern end of Bogue Banks and is considered by many to be the “gem of the North Carolina Crystal Coast.” Rich in history and scenic beauty, with coastal charm and a wealth of activities, Atlantic Beach offers fun and recreation for the entire family. Swimming, sunning, windsurfing, boating and fishing and almost any other type of beach activity imaginable is available here. Many fairs and festivals are held in the Atlantic Beach/Bogue Banks area throughout the year, and Atlantic Beach is host to several fishing tournaments, including the Hardees/Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament. Other nearby resort villages include Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle. The historic town of Beaufort, founded in 1709 and one of North Carolina's oldest cities, is just ten miles from Atlantic Beach. Beaufort is a great little seaport village, home to many attractions, including lots of quaint shops and restaurants to explore. With lovely, tree-lined streets and grand, old homes, Beaufort gives visitors a glimpse into what Colonial life was like in the area. Whether you come for the history or the beautiful beaches, Atlantic Beach is a great choice for a vacation getaway.
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