The Great Smoky Mountain train line departs from the town center, and theres always plenty of action downtown after the sun sets. Largely a residential isle, Holden Beach is all about simple pleasures, from biking and kayaking along with playing on the beach during the day, to ghost crabbing at night. Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. 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! Most of these areas are one, two, or three roads wide, flanked on one side by a sound and the other by the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, the Denver area will have more brewpubs and live music and will be more socially liberal, but it's also a lot pricier. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Bath and its surroundings around Goose Creek were once the home to the infamous pirate Edward Teach, a.k.a "Blackbeard Crammed with malls, restaurants, shops, and bars, its big, fun, and the ideal spot for a family-friendly vacation. The beach is a popular destination for those who like to surf, stand up paddleboard, and kayak, so bring your gear. 4. Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Outer Banks. Activities just outside of town include golfing, dolphin cruises, and deep-sea fishing. Founded in 1705, it is the state's oldest town and was North Carolina's first port of entry. The population was 19,582 at the 2010 census. Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker and writer with over three years of professional experience in the field. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nags Head. Beaufort is what happens when you build a small town where the land meets the sea and it's easily one of the best small towns in North Carolina. Looking for: Most liberal beach towns in north carolina The university, one of the more popular ones in the North Carolina system, has brought more and more young people to the area, so there's always something cultural to do on the weekends. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. 1. This free event takes place the second week of October each year. 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. Ashevilles laid-back nature doesnt want any attention, but it has plenty to offer. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. Well there you have it, the places in North Carolina that have the highest number of liberals per capita, with Durham ranking as the least conservative in the entire state. Working as a vice president at a Fortune 500 . Only electric carts and bicycles can travel the roads, making sure you catch everything while you're in paradise. Right along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort has created a wonderful Carolinian destination that showcases the sea that has given the area life. Thanks to its short driving distance from Wilmington, youll never be far from the city lights. The beach itself is wide, sandy, fringed by turquoise waters everything, in fact, youd want a beach to be. Perhaps as expected, the small town of Athens, Ohio was named after the ancient center of learning in . 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. These places make ideal escapes from the heat and humidity of summer. 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. Most families rent a vacation home for a week or more, meandering around town, fishing, swimming, and relaxing around the bonfire. Population 28,824. Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach Official Website. There are plenty of things to do in Beaufort for all! It's at this point that the hard work begins. Named by PlanetWare as one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina, Edenton is a peaceful, charming town thats the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of modern life. From here, you can catch the trolley for a tour of the town, take a boat tour on Albemarle Sound, or stop in at the historic Cupola House. The iconic Carolina Beach Boardwalk with its carousel, arcade, carnival rides, and ice cream parlous is the place to be in the warmer months, especially on Thursday evenings when it comes alive with firework displays and live music shows. North Carolina's coastal towns offer a mix of experiences, from quaint historic communities with 18th-century homes and tree-lined streets to thriving beach scenes and fun activity-based destinations for families. Nantahala Outdoors Center is located in the Nantahala Gorge and provides excursions for whitewater rafting, ziplining, mountain biking . Harkers island is served by a post office, a few restaurants, and a grocery store, but is primarily known for slowing life down to a pace that's nice and easy. plenty of things to do in Beaufort for all! No visit to the North Carolina coast is complete without visiting Carolina Beach. 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. You won't find any big box stores or chain restaurants here, it's all local and sometimes eclectic establishments with a low-key scene. 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. You can camp right on the sand or right on the sea; every side is waterfront. Even within a single year, a particular neighborhood or metro area can change from being a sellers market to a buyers market and back. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. 2 - Fayetteville, Arkansas Retiree Cost of Living: 13.8% below national averages Average Retiree Income: $85,436 Tax Status: Not Tax-Friendly Politics: 40% Democrat 50% Republican The cities with the highest percentage of voters who voted Democrat and gave the most to liberals where named the most liberal cities in the state. Ferry service to Fort Fisher provides a fun all-in-one outing to the Fort Fisher historic site, aquarium, and beach. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. With the warm tides of the Atlantic Ocean washing the shore, the wide, pristine beaches, and the photographic lighthouses dotted along the shoreline, its unquestionably a stunning place to visit. Because North Carolina has 3,000 miles of coastline (including more than 300 miles of barrier beaches alone), there are many wonderful beach towns and harbors that are just a short boat ride away from the sand. The town sits on the edge of the Haw River, close enough to major cities like Raleigh for ample accessible day trip opportunities. Its greatest claim to fame is that its home to the steepest railroad grade in the region. One of the highlights is the Chowan County Courthouse. Topsail Island was not even accessible by car until WWII; the Missiles and More Museum shares the island's history as the former home of a secret missile operation. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Its reputation for charm precedes it, known mainly as the hometown of Andy, (free!) Bryson City sits at the gateway to the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. The town has even gone full hog and shares its spirit with pig statues located throughout downtown. This 30-minute ride across the mouth of the Cape Fear River is a cheap way to see the seaside scenery and much better than taking the long way around to get to town. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. This is the oldest of all the Black resort towns in America. Oak Island is one of the best family beach towns in North Carolina. There's plenty to do, with a lighthouse and nature center to visit and prime paddling on the Intracoastal side of the island. Greensboro. Consider these retirement communities in North Carolina: Asheville. Carrboro has the hip feeling of Piedmonts central triangle area but doesnt quite conform like the other places. Camping in the Outer Banks: Staying in coastal towns is a great way to enjoy summer in North Carolina. 2. She has fact checked lifestyle topics ranging from destination wedding venues to gift guide round-ups for a variety of publications including Brides, The Spruce, and TripSavvy. iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus. The main reason I want to leave is the aggressive and abrasive attitude of a majority of the residents. It has many historical churches, some dating from the early 19th century. 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. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach. Inside the clubhouse lies a museum that broadcasts more of the history of the area. Take some time to discover why for yourself. 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. Its the voters. One of the most interesting things to see near Avon is the towering Cape Hatteras lighthouse, about eight miles south of town. Red Bank, NJ which is 5 miles inland would be a good alternative to seasonal Ocean Grove for example. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends. YWCA camp for girls hosted at Highland Beach in 1930. History is everywhere here, from the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum to the Maritime Museum, right through to the Fort Johnson-Southport Museum and Visitors Center. 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. Here are some of the world's best beaches for partying. Oregon has a liberal advantage of -4 points due to 32% of voters identifying as conservative; however, 35% of voters identify as moderate. On most nights of the week, you can find just about anyone in Hillsborough singing through the historic downtown streets. Here, you'll find people fishing, strolling hand in hand, or just hanging out gazing out at the ocean. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You can find a view of the town from the top of the historic Jackson County Public Library. Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.09%. Once the sun goes down, head to town to try their seafood dishes. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Wrightsville Beach. The town itself offers festivals, galleries, shops, sporting events, and all activities hosted by the Biltmore Estate. 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. In the summer, every Tuesday, a free concert takes place at the town park, with bands providing a mix of musical styles. 1. It is part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area. North Carolina is one of the pork capitals of the country, and they take their BBQ seriously. Cornelius is a lakeside town located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Some of these towns don't have large off-season populations, though, and may be pretty quiet/dull during winter months. Whether were talking property or goods and services, your salary will take you a lot further here than it will in a lot of other states. This black-and-white beacon can be climbed, and the reward for the effort of going up 257 stairs is amazing views up and down the coast. There's a reason people come to Beaufort and almost immediately plan a return trip. The play area had multiple swings, slides, jungle gyms, and even a small zipline. 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. In fact, the world-famous Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament takes place here each year the second week of June. Credit (Getty Images) View as article. Its proximity to the big city hasnt impacted this small towns development. Durham County was even more lopsided - Clinton won 78-18. With two fishing piers, a miniature golf course, and a clutch of ice cream parlors to its name, its a paradise for nostalgia lovers. Year-round energy: The town can't pack up and leave after "the season". Compared to other nearby states, North Carolina has more republican voters. The heart of Hyco Lake, one of North Carolinas most beautiful lakes, has one gas station that doubles as the areas only restaurant and boat launch. Powered by Mai Theme, 15 Best Romantic Getaways In Arkansas You Must Try, the prettiest Outer Banks towns you should visit. Wrightsville Beach. The town itself is equally noteworthy, with every kind of amenity youll need and enough housing options to please all tastes and budgets. Plenty of alumni have stuck around and built up a vibrant arts scene that emphasizes the towns culture. This family-friendly island near Wilmington has 10 miles of south-facing beaches, not to mention a fishing pier and nostalgic pleasures that include ice cream and miniature golf. Most liberal beach towns in north carolina October 10, 2022 By 3174179506438150 Comments are Off. 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