Newport (North Carolina)

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.

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.
 * 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.
 * 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.

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, ; but it isn't open on Sundays.

Sleep


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.



Go next
The Crystal Coast area has a variety of other areas to visit:


 * Atlantic Beach
 * Emerald Isle
 * Morehead City
 * Beaufort
 * Harkers Island
 * Swansboro

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