Where To Stay
Harkers Island RV Resort - beautiful, but small. Reserve your spot WELL in advance. Most of the spots are rented out for the entire season leaving very few nightly rentals. Get on their books 2-3 months before arrival. We were able to secure a water front spot for $85 a night in April. Inland spots go for $75 nightly. Absolutely beautiful views of the water!!
The bathhouse has only 2 rooms. Each had a large private shower and toilet that was heated. There was more water pressure in the sink than there was in the shower and the shower was a push button that has to be restarted. Twice when I restarted it, I got cold water. But the shower was the only downside to this community. It had a great play ground for the kids complete with a Pirate Ship and a clean, small pool to cool off in. http://www.harkersislandrvresort.com/
Where To Eat on Harkers
There are very few places on this hide-away GEM. Here are a few we were able to experience.
Fish Hook Restaurant, within walking distance to the RV Resort was a delicious, local joint. Fresh fish catches were the special each day. Kid items available were chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and hot dogs. There is an ice cream shop right across the street!
Billy's Groceries: apparently they grind their own beef. If you are looking for groceries, make grilling at the campsite a meal! We made the best hamburgers one night with fresh beef from Billy's. It is located at the main turn into the RV Resort.
Mr. Big's Seafood. https://www.facebook.com/MrBigSeafood/ This converted shed is easily missed as you drive down the main road, but ALL the locals recommend it. Unfortunately, when we stopped by to pick up fresh fish to cook at the camper they did not have any available. There had been bad storms the Friday before (Monday) and they were not unable to go out fishing.....that is HOW FRESH IT IS! No frozen fish here.
What To Do On Harkers
Core Sound Water Foul Museum is recommended by all. Check their website. When we visited it was still closed due to Hurricane Michael damage and had not reopened. https://www.coresound.com/
Island Express Ferry Service - A MUST!!! located at the end of Harkers Island is ferry service to Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout. We went with the kids to Shackleford Banks and saw the wild horses. This was my favorite activity during our entire trip, a once in a lifetime memory. Pack chairs, bug spray, sunscreen, swim suits, towels, and picnic. Only 2 items are allowed per person: so a chair and a beach bag. Shackleford Banks is a completely barren barrier island where the horses run free. The ferry ride is only about 17 minutes. There is no dock to arrive at, so wear waterproof shoes to disembark from the boat, walk through the water, onto the sand. The water is perfect and there is a small beach area all around the island. Hunt for HUGE shells! Hike inland or rest on the sand. Plan to stay about 2-3 hours. https://www.islandexpressferryservices.com/
Fish: there is a great little beach area and the tip of the RV Resort. It was a nightly walk with the kids to find shells, fly kites, or fish.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Historic Beaufort, NC and Morehead City, NC are just steps away!!!! https://www.crystalcoastnc.org/ Fort Macon...The Aquarium...just to name a few things that we ran out of time to do.
Beaufort,NC
We spent a day exploring Historic Beaufort, NC with the kids and here is what we enjoyed!
The NC Maritime Museum is a FREE museum with a scavenger hunt for the kids! Lots of great pirate artifacts for your younger explores to see! https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/
Black Sheep Restaurant. We enjoyed the best shrimp pizza from a wood burning stove. I recommend the Grapefruit Margarita! There is mac and cheese and a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu for the kids. https://blacksheepbeaufort.com/
Kitty Hawk Kites - when in Rome...you have to pick up a well made kite from Kitty Hawk Kites located downtown. I let both Rex and Camilla pick out a new souvenir to take home from our trip.
Beaufort Ghost Walk. I enjoyed it. It is about 1.5 hours of walking with a real pirate telling ghost stories. Wear good shoes, pack a stroller if necessary, maybe snacks for the kids. Rex and Camilla did great. It was Steve (the 46 year-old kid) that had to be pushed, LOL! https://pctourco.com/beaufort-ghost-walk/
The Rum Bar at Still-water Front Street Grill was a great end to our long Pirate Walk. We ended our night perfectly with calamari and their signature drink: Painkiller! Amazing!! Or either I was just tired from walking. We let the kids share a chocolate tort for dessert to end the night. https://frontstreetgrillatstillwater.com/the-rhum-bar/
