Attractions for Guests of Emerald Isle Vacation Rentals

Emerald Isle NC vacation rentals make the perfect home base for enjoying this lovely barrier island just southwest of Beaufort. Emerald Isle is part of the "Crystal Coast," a stretch of islands to the south of North Carolina's Outer Banks. In addition to beach activities, guests of Emerald Isle rental homes can enjoy visiting historical sites, museums, and aquariums and golfing on nearby courses.

Don't miss a visit to the fabulous North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (866-294-3477). This recently renovated facility features a 300,000-gallon ocean tank, plus exhibits showcasing the aquatic habitats of each major zone in North Carolina: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters, and Ocean. Other attractions for guests of rental houses on Emerald Isle NC include two nature trails, a marsh overlook, and a Fossil Hunt. The aquarium is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors ages 62 and over, $6 for children ages 6-17, and free for children 5 and under.

Another popular attraction for vacationers staying in an Emerald Isle North Carolina house rental is the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort (252-728-7317). Attractions include artifacts recovered from a shipwreck believed to be Blackbeard the pirate's flagship; mounted fish, shell collections, and dioramas interpreting coastal natural history; and exhibits related to boating, fishing, and lifesaving. The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays; closed during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day holidays.

For some great family entertainment, guests of Emerald Isle North Carolina vacation rentals can enjoy professional variety shows at the Crystal Coast Jamboree in Morehead City (866-580-7469).

Visitors will find several great private and public golf courses in the Emerald Isle NC area, including the Rock Creek Golf & Country Club in Jacksonville (910-324-5151). This par 72, 7,102-yard championship course features long, wide fairways, strategically placed lakes, and perfectly manicured greens.

Another fabulous Emerald Isle area golf course is the 27-hole Star Hill Golf Club in nearby Cape Carteret (252-393-8111). Other area courses include The Country Club of the Crystal Coast (252-726-1034) in Pine Knoll Shore, Brandywine Bay Country Club (252-247-2541) in Morehead City, the Morehead City Country Club (252-726-4917), the North River Club (252-728-6455) in Beaufort, and the Silver Creek Golf Club (252-393-8058) in Swansboro.

Kids will enjoy Emerald Forest Putt-Putt (252-354-2811) and Lighthouse Golf (252-354-5034), both on Emerald Isle, as well as Golfin' Dolphin in Cape Carteret (252-393-8131), which features a driving range, mini-golf, batting cages, go karts, and bumper boats.