Morehead City

Travel Guide

Photo provided by The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority.
Photo provided by The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority.
Photo provided by The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority.
Photo provided by The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority.
Photo provided by The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority.

With its shipwrecks just offshore and fresh seafood just off the boat, it is easy to see why visitors flock to this coastal North Carolina city.

Calling Morehead a city is a bit of a misnomer, although it is the largest town in North Carolina’s Crystal Coast region. This charming coastal town’s location is convenient, very close to the Outer Banks and Bogue Banks, but it is also a destination in its own right.

The Morehead City Waterfront scenic promenade along the harbor is full of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Watch fishing boats dock after a day on the Atlantic Ocean. Eat the fresh seafood they harvest at one of Morehead City's many fish markets and seafood restaurants. To try your own fishing luck, hop on a charter boat for a day on the open sea.

Scuba diving is one of Morehead City's most popular recreational activities. Explore the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Settled beneath these treacherous waters between the Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Banks are numerous famous shipwrecks, including the WWII German submarine, U-352. Onshore, dive into the area’s history at The History Place. Visitors of all ages enjoy hands-on exhibits devoted to the heritage of Carteret County and the surrounding area.

The Crystal Coast Jubilee live entertainment venue puts on concerts, magic shows, plays and more. Expect to find something to appeal to a range of tastes, from Motown to Shakespeare.

Morehead City also hosts several regular events that attract crowds every year. Indulge your candy cravings at the Carolina Chocolate Festival, held every February. For one week every June, fishermen descend upon Morehead City to try to catch the largest blue marlin during the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament. In October, the North Carolina Seafood Festival features sporting events, entertainment and of course, seafood, from traditional favorites to exotic fare.

Whether you visit during the bustling summer months or in the sleepy off-season, Morehead City provides entertainment for all ages for days. This seaside town gives you all the beauty and fun of the North Carolina coast without the crowds of the Outer Banks.

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

3.5 out of 5
814 Shepard Street, Morehead City, NC
The price is P7,128 per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
P7,128
P8,037 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Morehead City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"Quick getaway. Beautiful hotel with friendly staff. Things that would have made the stay better would have been more mirrors in the room and more comfortable pillows. Only mirror was in the bathroom in a room that slept 4, and the pillows were rock hard. If the opportunity presents in the future, ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing
Garnet Inn & Suites, Morehead City near Atlantic Beach

Garnet Inn & Suites, Morehead City near Atlantic Beach

2.5 out of 5
3100 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Morehead City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
6.6/10 (525 reviews)
"Our stay was nice and comfortable"

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Garnet Inn & Suites, Morehead City near Atlantic Beach
Hampton Inn Morehead City

Hampton Inn Morehead City

2.5 out of 5
4035 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC
The price is P6,808 per night from Sep 4 to Sep 5
P6,808
P7,676 total
Sep 4 - Sep 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Morehead City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"Super friendly, great breakfast which is a huge cost saver, good location!"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Hampton Inn Morehead City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham

Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham

3 out of 5
715 W. Fort Macon Rd., Atlantic Beach, NC
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,227 reviews)
Great stay at the beach
"We were pleasantly surprised by the size of our room and the amount of amenities - 3 pools, jacuzzi, tennis/pickle ball courts, basketball court, laundry facilities, workout room. For families it also has a kids playground and small putt-putt course. The unit had a full kitchen, although we didn't ..."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham
A Place at the Beach

A Place at the Beach

2.5 out of 5
1904 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Triple S Marina and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (226 reviews)
"Nice place! Clean and great location! Amenities are nice. Close to the beach and convenient to restaurants."

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025

A Place at the Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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