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Town in North Carolina, United States
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Haem85 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Swansboro, sometimes called the "Friendly City by the Sea", is a town of 3,700 people (as of 2020) in Onslow County, North Carolina, between the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The town was incorporated in 1783, and named for Samuel Swann, a former Speaker in the North Carolina legislature. It's on the western border of the popular Crystal Coast tourist region, and is often considered to be unofficially part of the region. The town's main attractions are its beautiful waterfront views and its quaint downtown, filled with boutiques, shops and delicious restaurants.
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On Bear Island. Secluded beaches for picnicking, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, fishing and shelling. Loggerhead turtle nests can be viewed as well. 14 primitive backpack campsites, 3 primitive group campsites, 4 sites for canoe campers. A passenger ferry runs to the island between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but pets are not allowed onboard.
Locals claim it serves some of the best fried seafood in the state, and you get a complimentary bowl of down east chowder with every meal.
Famous for their secret-recipe sweet-potato muffins. Sandwiches, steaks, seafood and pasta. $6.95 (sandwiches) - $26.95 (steaks).
Italian cuisine. Try the il Cigno Mozzarella platter and house-made desserts.
Open for breakfast and lunch. Reminiscent of 1950s drugstore lunch counters, serving omelettes, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches, salads, homemade onion rings and old-fashioned ice-cream desserts. A 1950s memorabilia shoppe is right next door.
Live music on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Breakfast, lunch and bar, with fusions of South Florida flavors.
Located in the 1888 James Moore House. Eat indoors or on our outdoor Bistro tables.
Wine and craft beer bar, ice cream and gifts, with a beautiful deck overlooking the Intercoastal waterway. Also has a Homebrew and winemaking section.
65 rooms, including suites and whirlpool rooms. Outdoor pool, jacuzzi and fitness center. Adjacent to the Cedar Point Grill and Silver Creek Golf Course (golf packages available). Average price $102.
98 rooms, including suites. Gym/fitness center, free breakfast, free high-speed internet access, two versatile function rooms for up to 100 guests.
Owned & operated by Dave & Kay Owens, 160 Cedar Point Boulevard. 16 new rooms with sea themes, accessible by car or boat; wireless internet access; refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker available in every room; cable w/ HBO; A/C and heat; free local calls; family bar-b-que area; boat slips; 90-ft fishing pier; picnic and play area. Adjacent to a public boat ramp.
Live handfed birds (including cockatoos, cockatiels and caiques), bird supplies and cages, toy birds and vintage parrot-inspired jewellery.
Antique store.
Open daily. A gift and home-furnishings store located in three renovated buildings, offering country crafts, costume jewellery, pottery and handpainted items.
Open daily; call for winter hours. Home and garden accessories, perfume, jewellery, candles, Christmas gifts and an excellent selection of wines.
Swansboro is on NC-24, about half an hour east of Jacksonville and just across the White Oak River from Cape Carteret.
Read in the guideParking in town is free, and many people enjoy walking or biking through the downtown area.
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New Bern · Regional · EWN
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