MOREHEAD CITY
Photo credit :
Morehead City Community
Original Content by Carl Johnson
The original settlers of Morehead City saw the potential of its great location, building infrastructure in the 1700’s to make a port city and railways that would allow the city to grow and prosper. It is no wonder that Morehead City is the largest city on the Crystal Coast as it continues to support its own people as well as tourist year after year.
The original settlers of Morehead City saw the potential of its great location, building infrastructure in the 1700’s to make a port city and railways that would allow the city to grow and prosper. It is no wonder that Morehead City is the largest city on the Crystal Coast as it continues to support its own people as well as tourist year after year.
Morehead City | Homepage
Just under a smooth three hour drive from downtown Durham, you can get to Morehead City for a day trip or a full week vacation and take in all the city has to offer. A popular place for fishing, beach activities, and events all year-round, Morehead City is a most stop spot for anyone in the Triangle Area.
Morehead City | Map
Even if you have a beach trip planned at Emerald Isle or Atlantic Beach, I highly recommend stopping by Morehead City on your way into the Crystal Coast and catch dinner at a great local restaurant on their mainstreet and check out their happening events on their interactive website’s calendar, Morehead City NC | Official Website. Picture yourself picking up local produce and goods on any Saturday morning May-November at the Morehead City Curb Market, what a way to start off your beach vacation! Diving down the main drag is fun and stopping to check out some of the many shops along the way, between the bridge from Atlantic beach to the bridges that lead to Beaufort.
Another must see event is the Morehead City Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament held in June. You don’t have to be a participant or fishman to enjoy the excitement of the annual week long event. A brief recap of the previous years tournament gives you an idea of the scale and popularity of the event - “The 67th Annual Big Rock Tournament, presented by Jarrett Bay Boatworks, featured a fleet of 272 boats competing for a staggering total purse of $6.3 million. A RECORD 420 billfish were released during the week, 238 of which were blue marlin. BIG TROUBLE was crowned the winner of the Big Rock Tournament with their 517.1lb blue marlin” (Homepage – The Big Rock Tournament).
Another must see event is the Morehead City Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament held in June. You don’t have to be a participant or fishman to enjoy the excitement of the annual week long event. A brief recap of the previous years tournament gives you an idea of the scale and popularity of the event - “The 67th Annual Big Rock Tournament, presented by Jarrett Bay Boatworks, featured a fleet of 272 boats competing for a staggering total purse of $6.3 million. A RECORD 420 billfish were released during the week, 238 of which were blue marlin. BIG TROUBLE was crowned the winner of the Big Rock Tournament with their 517.1lb blue marlin” (Homepage – The Big Rock Tournament).
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Big Rock | HOME PAGE
There is also an annual Big Rock Kids Tournament to promote fishing education and safety to the younger generations. All week long you can find live bands, local goods stands, and restaurant and hotel specials in the area to celebrate the tournament.
Another absolute most visit event in Morehead City is the North Carolina Seafood Festival which takes part annually on the first full weekend of October. Below is an example of the events that take place during the long weekend celebrating NC and its great seafood (2025 Schedule of Events)!
NC Seafood Lineup | HOME PAGE
From fishing lessons to cooking classes, live bands, dancing and festival rides, the NC Seafood Festival is packed full of fun all weekend long! The goal of the event is to educate and celebrate healthy and safe local and commercial fishing and to honor the riches the ocean brings to the Crystal Coast. This is one of the largest festivals in all of NC with an estimated over 200,000 visitors over the weekend. It is worth a day trip drive from Durham to check it out! If it is your first time visiting a great place to start off is at the Fishermen's Village where you and “dive into the heart of the seafood industry at Fisherman's Village during the NC Seafood Festival at Jack's Waterfront Bar! Explore trawler tours, savor delicious seafood samples, witness cooking demos, indulge in tastings, and discover educational displays. It's a seafood lover's paradise, and the best part? It's FREE for all! Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the world of fishing up close and personal” (Fisherman's Village).
Some popular local restaurants to check out while a Morehead City are:
El’s Drive-In Restaurant Drive-in Restaurant in Morehead City, NC | El's Drive-In
Floyd’s 1920 Floyd's 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering
Jack’s Waterfront Bar Woodfired Kitchen | Jacks On The Waterfront | Morehead City
King Mackerel’s Bar & Bistro King Mackerels Bar
Southern Salt Seafood Company & Waterfront Restaurant Southern Salt Seafood | Morehead City NC Waterfront Restaurant
Sugarloaf Island Deli and Yellowfin Pub Home - Yellowfin Pub & Sugarloaf Island Deli
The great location of the port city gives Morehead City a lot of options while in the area. You can find local coastal flair homes to stay in while visiting as well as larger scale hotels offering their modern conveniences. At the end of the day your needs are covered from the beach to the food and from the food to the housing. You are guaranteed to have a fun time while at Morehead City. As always, shopping local, eating local, and planning a trip around a local event is one of the best ways to enjoy all Morehead City has to offer - and they have a lot to offer!
Want to read more on the Crystal Coast? CLICK HERE to read about another coastal favorite of mine - The Emerald Isle.
Some popular local restaurants to check out while a Morehead City are:
El’s Drive-In Restaurant Drive-in Restaurant in Morehead City, NC | El's Drive-In
Floyd’s 1920 Floyd's 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering
Jack’s Waterfront Bar Woodfired Kitchen | Jacks On The Waterfront | Morehead City
King Mackerel’s Bar & Bistro King Mackerels Bar
Southern Salt Seafood Company & Waterfront Restaurant Southern Salt Seafood | Morehead City NC Waterfront Restaurant
Sugarloaf Island Deli and Yellowfin Pub Home - Yellowfin Pub & Sugarloaf Island Deli
The great location of the port city gives Morehead City a lot of options while in the area. You can find local coastal flair homes to stay in while visiting as well as larger scale hotels offering their modern conveniences. At the end of the day your needs are covered from the beach to the food and from the food to the housing. You are guaranteed to have a fun time while at Morehead City. As always, shopping local, eating local, and planning a trip around a local event is one of the best ways to enjoy all Morehead City has to offer - and they have a lot to offer!
Want to read more on the Crystal Coast? CLICK HERE to read about another coastal favorite of mine - The Emerald Isle.