With two fishing piers, a miniature golf course, and a clutch of ice cream parlors to its name, its a paradise for nostalgia lovers. The beach is wide, clean, and the perfect place to kick back and relax in the sand. Ferry service to Fort Fisher provides a fun all-in-one outing to the Fort Fisher historic site, aquarium, and beach. Bookshops, boutiques, and art galleries allow plenty of chances to find the right souvenirs. Asheville. 19. The town of Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, North Carolina. Asheville Source:Flickr.com With a population of less than 90,000, Asheville is just barely over a tenth the size of Charlotte and a fifth the size of Raleigh. It is just across the Intracoastal Waterway from the small beach town of Indiatlantic and several miles north of the Sebastian Inlet, widely recognized as one of the best surfing beaches on the East Coast and one of the state's most popular beaches. If you feel this is something you just have to try, lessons are available right at the park. This little, eight-mile-long barrier island on North Carolina's southernmost stretch of coast is a laid-back escape that families love, and a $15 million beach replenishment project in 2017 doubled down on its sandy gifts. Book a stay at one of the charming old bed and breakfasts and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. The small town in NC is the home of the unique vinegar concoction that defines the state. 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. The South Florida hot spot is the seventh-most populous metro area in the U.S., and its beaches attract vacationers year-round. Residents are referred to as Charlotteans. 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. Straight south of town is the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and just a few miles north is the Wright Memorial National Monument. Some of these blips are barely more than resort towns, but others, like Rodanthe, are full of flavor. The Woodlands. All rights reserved. Hillsborough provides plenty of history as you stroll through an authentically lovely downtown. Very liberal Split evenly Very conservative North Carolina tends to be a political battleground based on voting results in recent elections. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. Calabash-style seafood is lightly breaded right off the boat, and there are plenty of restaurants featuring the local fare. The population was 6,087 in 2010. Thank you for providing all of this information! 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. Cameron grew up in Charlotte and spent his childhood traveling around this great region. Named by Southern Living as one of the best beach towns in Northern Carolina, Emerald Isle is a small, charging community that makes the perfect home for families, singles, and professionals alike. The 10 Most liberal Places In North Carolina For 2019 1. As well as being a couple minutes away from a bunch of other smaller cities nearby. Named by Southern Living as one of the best North Carolina beach towns, Beaufort is a small, charming harbor town with a list of perks a mile long. Liberal voters: 42% Thrift store rank: 2nd Vegan rank: 11th Waynesville might be considered a little hippie town just west of Asheville. Kitty Hawk is located just north of Kill Devil Hills, and if you are driving along the highway 158, with its big box stores and shops, you could be forgiven for not noticing that you are in a new town. It is the second-largest city in the southeastern United States, just behind Jacksonville, Florida. For an even closer look, launch a kayak or canoe and explore the twisty waterways. plenty of things to do in Beaufort for all! Buxton is home to the famous black and white Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. That connection to waterfishing, pleasure boating, paddling, and sailing (Oriental is known as the sailing capital of North Carolina)defines the maritime charm of this village-like spot on the broad Neuse River as it opens into Pamlico Sound. It's located in the municipal grounds near the town hall. Miles to Beach: 1 mile. Carolina Beach is known as one of North Carolina's top surfing destinations. Powered by Mai Theme, 15 Best Romantic Getaways In Arkansas You Must Try, the prettiest Outer Banks towns you should visit. Learn how your comment data is processed. The main street, also known as Highway 12, has an assortment of unique shops, restaurants, and hotels spread along its length. The NC coast is known for vacation beach towns with small populations and not a lot of full-time residents, and they are heavily conservative, by and large. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. With 65 public beach access points, it is one of the most welcoming beach towns in the country. Albemarle. Swipe left for slideshow. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. 23. 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. Now this "Mayberry by the Sea" is an idyllic spot to meander, eat out at area restaurants, and soak up the suneveryone's welcome to enjoy beaches on both the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway sides, including dogs, who can hit the beach with their masters year-round (but must stay on a leash from May 15-September 30). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Population: 11,038Percent Democrat: 65.2%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $2.24# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.02More on Tarboro:Photos |Data. This article may contain affiliate links. Calm, sedate, and gorgeously green, Duck is the perfect option for city folk who secretly hate the city. This quiet Northern California coastal town is named for the river that flows through town and into the Pacific. Where to stay: "To the Moon and Back" home on VRBO. 2. An ideal way to begin your tours is to view a 15-minute video at the tourist information office at the top end of South Broad Street. Working as a vice president at a Fortune 500 . 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. 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. Kitty Hawk. Then well take a closer look at each of our top 10 most liberal cities in North Carolina. Oregon is the eighth-most liberal state in the country, with 28% of voters identifying as liberal. One of the most charming towns in rural North Carolina, Washington still retains coastal charm while being a simple, charming, and cool small town all on its own. Median Household Income: $42,612. Credit (Getty Images) View as article. If you want a low-key vacation, get a house on the lake in Semora for the weekend and relax in peace. Many renters arent aware that they have certain rights that are protected under the law. Rockaway Beach, NY isn't as liberal/gay . 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. It's a fun family thing to do. Its population was 57,233 in the 2010 census, making Chapel Hill the 15th-largest city in the state. Early inhabitants dug a canal here that used to power local mills. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology. Despite lying only two miles off the North Carolina coast and due south of Wilmington, this three-by-one-mile barrier island feels like a secret hideout from a Robert Louis Stevenson story. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Morehead City. Read More The 20 Best Places to Live in IllinoisContinue, Denver has a total of 78 neighborhoods to its name. Pay a visit to the Center for Wildlife education and get acquainted with NC's rich biodiversity. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach 6. There are many urban areas, including the states capital Chicago, but there is also plenty of rolling hills, wetlands, farmland, and forests. A world-class golf course at nearby Pinehurst resort has defined the town as the golf capital of a state rich in opportunities for a tee time. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. Home - North Carolina - NC Towns - 22 BEST Small Towns In North Carolina. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. Article continues below. Roanoke Rapids has embraced the natural beauty of northern North Carolina to serve as a fantastic outdoor sports border town destination. As beach towns go, youll struggle to find much better than Wrightsville Beach. (Chapel Hill is in both counties). Driving on the beach is allowed here (with a permit), and there is plenty of public water access and parks. Often described as one of North Carolina's best beaches, Wrightsville Beach, lures visitors with its easy access and wonderful waterfront. Itll only take you four blocks to make it through downtown Saluda, each block an eclectic mix of new shops and stores that havent changed in decades. We picked our twenty favorite beach towns based on the following criteria: 1. I once read a description of Chapel Hill as being "as southern as Birkenstocks and Muesli". Raleigh and Durham. 2. Carolina Beach is a popular place to visit in the summer as vacationers flock here from around the United States. Metro Population: 6,129,858. North Carolinas middle section is full of flat plainland, perfect for growing strawberries, and playing golf. For a change of pace from the beach, you can walk along the wonderfully serene boardwalk, where you'll have a good chance of spotting the local wildlife, including yellow-bellied slider turtles, deer, otters, and egrets. Morrisville is one of my favorite cities in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. The beach at Kitty Hawk is long and wide with golden brown sand, ideal for long beach walks. #15 Oak Island Beach, Oak Island, N.C. Shutterstock Oak Island, North Carolina, didn't just make this list because of its stellar views and clean sand. Carolina Beach, one of three island beaches near Wilmington. Carrboro has the hip feeling of Piedmonts central triangle area but doesnt quite conform like the other places. Chasing Chains, LLC. Downtown buffets and fine dining experiences offer refined takes on Calabash-style seafood. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to the Carolinas, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. Tracey holds a B.A. Brad Styron/Courtesy of Crystal Coast TDA, Photo: Michael DeFreitas/robertharding/Getty, 12 Lesser-Known Southern Destinations Our Editors Can't Wait To Visit In 2023, The Prettiest Beach Town in Every Beachy State, Emerald Isle Is the Tiny North Carolina Beach Town That Inspires a Slowdown, Duck Is the Tiny Outer Banks Town You Have to Visit Now, Affordable Florida Beach Towns Perfect For Your Next Vacation, The Under-The-Radar Florida Beach Town You Need To Visit, The 10 Best Beaches In Texas To Visit, From State Parks To Small Towns, South Carolina town of the same name (and pronounced differently). And playing golf serve as a fantastic outdoor sports border town destination Duck is the Memorial! 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