There are only a few places in America with beautiful beaches and luscious forests. Newport, NC, is one of those places. It is surrounded by the Croatan National Forest and is right beside the Atlantic Ocean. In the early years of its founding, Newport had a thriving logging, agricultural, and commercial fishing industry. It has a rich history stemming from its involvement in the American Civil War. Many skirmishes were fought on its hills as a strategic location, with the Battle of Newport Barracks being the most famous one. Today, memorials and museums found around Newport serve to remember those days. These places are open to the public and often accessible. It’s a great place for families to spend their vacation time.
This location is unquestionably for visitors who enjoy an active lifestyle. The Croatan National Forest is a popular hunting destination. Bears, ducks, geese, and other game can be hunted. The large forest also has a variety of camping areas where families can get a taste of what it's like to live in the great outdoors. Hiking trails are also plentiful in the area. Finally, when visiting Newport, anglers can enjoy a variety of fishing opportunities. There's a lot to choose from, including fishing in rivers, lakes, and even deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic.
Finally, visitors wanting some rest can head to the Crystal Coast, an 85-mile long resort island with boat docks, beach resorts, and golf clubs.
Visitors can walk around the beach or rent a bike and ride along the beautiful island. As a dock for many yachts and boats, the place also has a lot of fishing charters. These charters have plenty of experienced guides to take you to the area’s best fishing spots.
Neuse River, Bogue Sound, and Newport River are probably the go-to spots when fishing in Newport. Starting with the Newport River, the 12-mile long river is a great place for anglers without boats or kayaks to fish from land. At the end of the river lies Harlowe Creek, another body of water with even more fish to catch. Anglers should expect to find fish like red drum, spanish mackerel, bluefish, summer flounder, pinfish, and stingray.
Once a polluted river, Neuse is now a decent place for anglers to catch fish. It’s 275 miles long and passes through many towns. Many lakes and small rivers are tributaries to the Neuse River, giving it a diverse ecosystem with many fish to catch. These include largemouth bass, striped bass, blue catfish, and bluegill. A good thing about the Neuse River is its location right next to some of the camping sites in Croatan Forest. There, families can try their hand at fishing.
Finally, those looking to fish in the sea can do so in Bogue Sound. While deep-sea fishing has its merits, fishing in the lagoon is much easier. The waves in Bogue Sound are calmer, and there are a lot of platforms for anglers without boats or kayaks to fish on. Anglers can expect to catch fish like black drum, spanish mackerel, atlantic croaker, and blacktip shark.
One of the many events that shaped modern-day America was its Civil War. Get a chance to see what it was like during this time by visiting the Battle of the Barracks Memorial Park. A faithful recreation awaits visitors hoping to learn and understand more about history. The Newport Museum is also a great place to visit as it houses actual relics like clothing and firearms from the era. It’s a great way to spend time with the family while still learning new things
With its forest and the ocean, there are many recreational things in Newport. Thrill-seeking visitors can go to the Crystal Coast for water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, or kitesurfing. Those yearning for a calm day in the water can also try their hand at fishing. There are many places to fish, from Harlowe Creek to Neuse River. Visitors can also appreciate the views from the hills by going to any of Croatan Forest’s hiking trails.