Down East
The Crystal Coast's Best Kept Secret
Craving your own personal plot of sand for a day of sunning and swimming? How about up-close encounters with wildlife such as birds, dolphins and crabs?
Welcome to the area known as Down East, which encompasses the inner coastal area spreading from Cedar Island all the way down to the town of Bettie, as well as the coastal paradise of Harkers Island, Shackleford Banks and the Cape Lookout National Seashore to Portsmouth Island.
This large area encompasses loads of untouched nature, pristine beaches and marshes, abundant wildlife, friendly locals and a distinct seafaring atmosphere. Area families have been working these waters for decades and take great pride in their traditions of fishing, boat-building and delicious home cooking. Restaurants are known for fresh local seafood, their famous Core Sound recipes and Down East cooking.
Waterfowl art and crafts are extremely popular here, and you’ll find many nautical-themed gift shops and stores featuring the incredible workmanship of local carvers and artists. Check out the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum for special exhibits about this local tradition, or plan a trip to the Core Sound Decoy Festival. Held annually, it is the biggest off-season event in the county.
A prime Down East attraction, Cape Lookout National Seashore, is a national park and one of the few remaining undeveloped coastal barrier island systems. It encompasses Shackleford Banks, North Core Banks (Portsmouth Village) and South Core Banks (Cape Lookout Lighthouse). All three are unspoiled by human hands but are accessible to visitors via private ferries from several Crystal Coast locales. The lighthouse is active and is open for tours.
Of course, with such a stunning backdrop of serene marshes and sandy beaches, there are many ways to get out and explore the great outdoors. Go camping, rent a boat, snorkel, fish, hunt, bird watch, windsurf, kayak, spot ponies on Shackleford Banks, or just relax on the beach and skim the shore for seashells.
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