Beaufort, NC Hotels, Vacations, Tourism

BEAUFORT , about 150 miles southeast of Raleigh, is probably the nicest of North Carolina's coastal towns: a relaxing place to hang out and drink cold beer, or just sit around on the waterfront, which heats up at night. The Maritime Museum has good displays on local ecology and shipping history (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 2–5pm; free; tel 252/728-7317). In the restored area on Turner Street, off the waterfront, you'll find handsome old houses , an apothecary and the city jail. Across from the museum, you can take a more active excursion with The Watercraft Center (tel … more »