With a population of 7,691 people (as of 2000),
Morehead City - named for NC governor and early settler John Motley Morehead - is the largest town in the Crystal Coast region of Carteret County, North Carolina. Morehead (as it is usually called) is not actually in the Outer Banks, being situated on the opposite shore of the Bogue Sound from Atlantic Beach, and is the main gateway to the island of Bogue Banks.
Get in
Visitors will enter the city via US-70, which runs directly through downtown Morehead. It's a straight shot from Greensboro or Raleigh.
Get around
There's no public transportation system in Morehead; you'll need a car to get much of anywhere, although there are a number of reliable taxi companies in the area. The main downtown thoroughfare is Arendell Street (pronounced "uh-RUN-dull"; IPA .'rn.dl]), named for early settler Bridges Arendell.
The
bus station is located at 105 N 13th Street (252-726-3029) if you want to catch a ride to other towns in the area; you'll need to call the
Carteret County Area Transportation System at 252-240-1043 for a reservation ahead of time. Tickets start at $2.50.
See
The Morehead City waterfront is a pleasant promenade of gift shops and restaurants by the harbor where the fishing boats come to dock. Naturally, some of the freshest seafood can be found at the adjacent fish market, but if you'd rather have someone else prepare it for you, there are plenty of places here where you can find that too.The History Place, 1008 Arendell Street, 252-247-7533 (museum), 252-247-2742 (library), . Open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Dedicated to promoting public knowledge of, and interest in, the history and culture of Carteret County. Features exhibits on coastal history, a research and genealogical library, a museum shop, and a tea store.The area visitors' center is the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority, 3409 Arendell Street, 252-726-8148 or 800-SUNNY-NC (786-6962).Do
Visit the Carteret County Curb Market, the oldest continuously-operating curb market in North Carolina. Open Saturdays from 7:30 - 11:30 am from May through Labor Day. Local farmers and fishermen bring fruits and vegetables, seafood, baked goods and flowers for sale.Crystal Coast Jamboree, 1311 Arendell Street, 252-726-1501 or 866-580-7469, . A two-hour entertainment show featuring country-music singers and musicians, and dancing. Tickets are $12 - $21.Brandywine Bay Golf and Country Club, Highawy 70 W, Route 2, 252-247-2541, . A semi-private 18-hole championship course, rated as the area's best by Golf Digest in 1995. $47 peak season, $37 off-season.Olympus Diving, 713 Shepard Street, 252-726-9432, . An award-winning dive operation, offering training, repairs, air and nitrox fills, a full line of rental equipment and gear sales, a Divers’ lodge, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Trips include wreck diving, shark observation, underwater photography and spearfishing.Morehead also hosts several
festivals during the year:
The Carolina Chocolate Festival, 877-848-4976, is held in the Crystal Coast Civic Center for three days during early...
