Big Rock Week & Beyond

A Crystal Coast Road Trip!

Big Rock week is one of my favorite times of year on the Carolina coast – there’s nothing like watching the boats come in at Big Rock Landing in Morehead City, especially with my husband out there competing (shoutout to Redemption Lures for keeping us in the game; if you’re a local angler and haven’t tried his lures yet, you need to). This year’s tournament ran June 5th–14th, and in between dock time, we explored up and down the coast – Morehead City, Beaufort, Swansboro, Oriental, and New Bern. Here’s everywhere we hit, plus a few extra favorites if you’re planning your own Crystal Coast trip.

Morehead City & Big Rock Landing

This is tournament headquarters, and the energy here during Big Rock week is unmatched.

Big Rock Landing
The heart of it all. This is where the boats weigh in, where the crowds gather every afternoon to see what’s coming off the water, and honestly one of the best free spectacles on the coast. If you’re ever in Morehead City during Big Rock week, you have to experience the weigh-in at least once.

Mar Restaurant
Easily one of our favorite dinner spots from the trip. Coastal, upscale, and the kind of place you want to sit on the waterfront and order a second glass of wine.

Other Morehead City favorites: Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant (a local institution since 1938) and the Morehead City waterfront boardwalk are worth a stroll if you have extra time.

Beaufort, NC

Just a quick hop from Morehead City and one of the most charming little waterfront towns in the state.

Compass Margaritaville Hotel
We stayed here, and it did not disappoint – laid-back, beachy, and right where you want to be for easy access to downtown Beaufort and the waterfront.

Beach Bowls
Acai bowls and smoothies that hit different while on the water. I personally came here ever morning to fuel me for the adventures that ensured!

Other Beaufort favorites: the Beaufort Historic Site (charming for a walk through old homes and gardens), the waterfront boardwalk along Front Street, and a ferry ride out to Shackleford Banks if you want to see the wild horses.

Swansboro

A sleepy little fishing village with a ton of character and an easy day trip from Morehead City or Beaufort.

Novelty Nook
A cute local shop full of finds you won’t see anywhere else – great for a little retail therapy between stops.

Fish House Dock
Quintessential Swansboro waterfront – great for photos, a casual bite, or just soaking in the small-town fishing village vibe.

Other Swansboro favorites: Yana’s Ye Olde Drug Store Soda Fountain (a classic old-school soda fountain if you want something nostalgic) and the White Oak River waterfront park.

Oriental

Tiny, quirky, and full of personality – Oriental calls itself the “Sailing Capital of North Carolina,” and it shows.

Inn on Turner
Charming boutique stay if you want a slower-paced overnight in a town with a totally different energy than the bigger coastal spots.

The Old Theater
A historic theater turned event/community space – worth popping in if anything’s happening while you’re there.

River Dunes
A gorgeous marina and community on the water – even if you’re not docking a boat, it’s worth a drive-through for the views alone.

New Bern

The biggest town on this list and packed with history – also the actual birthplace of Pepsi, which is a fun fact most people don’t know.

Bradham’s Pharmacy
The original site where Pepsi-Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham in 1898. A must for the history buffs and a great quick stop downtown.

Franklins Antiques
If you love digging through antiques as I do, this is a great stop; you never know what you’ll find.

Peacocks Plum
Adorable boutique with gifts and home goods, absolutely perfect for picking up something special from the trip.

Other New Bern favorites: Tryon Palace (the reconstructed colonial governor’s mansion, gorgeous gardens included) and a stroll along the New Bern waterfront where the Neuse and Trent rivers meet.

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Whether you’re coming for Big Rock week or just looking for an under-the-radar coastal NC road trip, this stretch from Morehead City to New Bern has something for everyone – fishing culture, small-town charm, and just enough good food and shopping to round it out.

If you’ve made it to any of these places, what’s your go-to spot?