Best coastal town? This hidden gem in NC keeps ranking as a top destination
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Beaufort was named one of the nation’s “most underrated” places to visit.
- The town of about 4,500 people keeps ranking as a top coastal destination.
- Yahoo Travel highlighted Beaufort’s waterfront docks, restaurants and historic homes.
A North Carolina town is small, but it keeps receiving wide recognition.
This time, Beaufort was named one of the six “most underrated U.S. coastal destinations to visit this summer.” The town was the only place in North Carolina to make it onto the list from Yahoo Travel.
FULL STORY: NC coastal town ranks among the nation’s best — again. Why it’s ‘underrated’
Here are key takeaways:
- Will McGough shared the hidden gems in a June 1 report for Yahoo Travel. McGough, who has been a travel writer for more than 15 years, said smaller coastal spots tend to be more affordable and less crowded than major vacation hubs.
- Beaufort has a history dating back centuries and is home to about 4,500 people. The town, a roughly 150-mile drive southeast from Raleigh, is near Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle.
- McGough highlighted the historic homes, docks and restaurants in Beaufort’s waterfront area. He also praised the town’s proximity to "some of the Atlantic Coast’s least-developed barrier islands.”
- Beaufort previously ranked among the prettiest towns and the best coastal retirement spots in the South. It also has been named a fan-favorite East Coast destination and one of the nation’s most-loved waterfront towns.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.️
This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Best coastal town? This hidden gem in NC keeps ranking as a top destination."
