Swansboro

NC_Swansboro_downtown - Historic downtown Swansboro

Swansboro, sometimes called the "Friendly City by the Sea", is a town of 1,426 people (as of 2022) in Onslow County, North Carolina, between the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The town was incorporated in 1783, and named for Samuel Swann, a former Speaker in the North Carolina legislature. It's on the western border of the popular Crystal Coast tourist region, and is often considered to be unofficially part of the region. The town's main attractions are its beautiful waterfront views and its quaint downtown, filled with boutiques, shops and delicious restaurants.

Travel to Swansboro

Swansboro is located on NC-24, about half an hour east of Jacksonville (North Carolina)|Jacksonville and just across the White Oak River from Cape Carteret. If you're coming from Raleigh and the quickest route is to take I-40 to Kenansville (exit 373) and then follow US-258/NC-24 past Jacksonville.

Get Around

Parking in town is free, and many people enjoy walking or biking through the downtown area.

What to See

Bicentennial Park, at the base of the Highway 24 bridge, gives visitors a chance to fish in the White Oak River or relax and watch the water. There's also a statue of Otway Burns, a local privateer who built the first steamboat in North Carolina.

Hammocks Beach State Park - On Bear Island. Secluded beaches for picnicking, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, fishing and shelling. Loggerhead turtle nests can be viewed as well. 14 primitive backpack campsites, 3 primitive group campsites, 4 sites for canoe campers. A passenger ferry runs to the island between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but pets are not allowed onboard.

What to Do

The main downtown area is along Front Street, which features numerous shops, restaurants and historic buildings.
Aquaculture Dude Ranch, 334 Journey's End Lane, +1 910-326-5106. Offers ecology tours into the Croatan National Forest, and has a dock where you can dig for clams, dip for crabs, catch shrimp and oysters, and set fish traps. A shellfish hatchery, along with the attached four-bedroom bed-and-breakfast, was destroyed by fire in 2004.
If you want to bring your own boat for fishing or cruising, Swansboro has three marinas:

Casper's Marine Service, 301 South Water Street, +1 910-326-4462. 150 slips.

Dudley's Marina, Highway 24 East, +1 252-393-2204, . 25 slips. Also has hot showers and a store for fishing equipment.

Swansboro Yacht Basin, Highway 24, +1 252-393-2416. 90 feet of dockage. Also has three restaurants, including the Flying Bridge.

There are two fishing piers in the area, a small city-maintained pier by the bridge and one pay pier.
The 25-mile Bicentennial Bicycle Trail loops through downtown historic Swansboro and into the Croatan National Forest.

Festivals

Swansboro is a town that loves its festivals. Among the highlights:

One Saturday in mid-March and the Rotary Civic Center puts on the Swansboro Rotary Oyster Roast with all-you-can-eat steamed oysters, flounder, clam chowder, sides (hush puppies and coleslaw) and beverages, as well as a traditional North Carolina pig pickin'. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.
At the end of May, Swansboro hosts the King Mackerel Blue Water Tournament with prizes up to $25,000, and a barbecue cookout for participants. Advance entry fee is $300 per boat.
One Saturday in mid-June, downtown Swansboro hosts Arts by the Sea, where local artists display their arts and crafts amid lots of food booths. Admission and parking are free.
On July 4th, be sure to watch the fireworks show over the river at 9PM, with popcorn and funnel cakes to munch, and entertainment before dusk.
The Mullet Festival, held during the second weekend in October, began as a celebratory event when the bridge over the White Oak River was completed in 1954. Since that year, Swansboro has had an annual celebration with parades, a street carnival, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and lots of seafood, with an emphasis on mullet: grilled, fried, smoked and stewed!
The Friendly City Speckled Trout Tournament is held in early November at Casper's Marina; fishermen are encouraged to weigh their trout alive and release them back into the water.
On Thanksgiving weekend, pull your vehicle up to the riverfront early to watch the Christmas flotilla, as a parade of boats decorated in lights pulls into the harbor after dark.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Swansboro

Many people come to Swansboro for the express purpose of meandering through its quiet lanes and browsing the quaint shops. Parking is free, so take your time.

The Book Shelf - 208 Main Street ☎ +1 910-325-1200 - New books, as well as thousands of used books at half-price. Also accepts books for trade.
Cinnamon Landing - 116 Main Street ☎ +1 910-326-3444 - Home decor and eclectic gifts.
Elliott's Parrot Place - 686 West Corbett Avenue ☎ +1 910-326-2473 - Live handfed birds (including cockatoos, cockatiels and caiques), bird supplies and cages, toy birds and vintage parrot-inspired jewellery.
Glory Bee - 202 Main Street ☎ +1 910-325-9099 - Offers Americana by local crafters, including quilts, hand-painted furniture, baskets, potpourri, woodcrafts and more.
The Mercantile - 131 Front Street ☎ +1 910-326-7216 - Open daily year-round. Houses the Silver Fish Book Company and Vilinda's, a casual clothing store.
Russell's of Swansboro - 116 Front Street ☎ +1 910-326-3790 - Open daily. A gift and home-furnishings store located in three renovated buildings, offering country crafts, costume jewellery, pottery and handpainted items.
Swansboro Antique Center - 448 Cedar Point Boulevard ☎ +1 252-393-6003 - Open year-round, daily except Mondays. Across the bridge in Cedar Point, over 25 dealers sell furniture, quilts, books, toys, decoys, stained glass and other items.
Through the Looking Glass - 101 Church Street ☎ +1 910-326-3128 - Open daily; call for winter hours. Home and garden accessories, perfume, jewellery, candles, Christmas gifts and an excellent selection of fruit cocktails.
Vagabond's Boutique - 129 North Front Street ☎ +1 910-326-2404

Halal Restaurants in Swansboro

Captain Charlie's Seafood Paradise - 106 Front Street ☎ +1 910-326-4303 - Locals claim it serves some of the best fried seafood in the state, and you get a complimentary bowl of down east chowder with every meal.
Riverside Steak and Seafood - 1 Main Street ☎ +1 910-326-8847 - Famous for their secret-recipe sweet-potato muffins. Sandwiches, Steaks, seafood and Pasta. $6.95 (sandwiches) - $26.95 (steaks).
White Oak River Bistro - 206 West Corbett Avenue ☎ +1 910-326-1696 - Open daily in season, closed Tuesdays off-season; 11AM Monday - 3PM for lunch, 5PM Monday - 10PM for dinner. Located on the banks of the river with spectacular views, serving European cuisine with an emphasis on Italian. Try the stuffed bread (filled with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil and mozzarella) and the homemade desserts. Entrees start from $6.95 (lunch) and $11.95 (dinner).
Yana's Ye Olde Drug Store - 119 Front Street ☎ +1 910-326-5501 - Open for breakfast and lunch. Reminiscent of 1950s drugstore lunch counters, serving omelettes, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches, salads, homemade onion rings and old-fashioned ice-cream desserts. A 1950s memorabilia shoppe is right next door. $3.75 - $7.95.
Pelican Island Restaurant - Laurie Ann's Kitchen | 114 E Corbett Ave, Hwy 24 Between the Swansboro Bridges on Hwy 24 ☎ +1 910-325-0555 | Opening Hours: Open 11:am-8:00 pm Thurs-Sunday, Breakfast Sat& Sunday 8:00am price= Servin Fresh LOCAL Seafood, 1/2 lb. Burgers, Sandwiches, Large fresh Salads and Seafood Baskets with Seasoned Curly Fries,homemade Potato salad or slaw. Dinner Menu has a wide variety of Fresh Local Seafood items, Fresh Pasta dishes, Chicken, Steak, and Homemade Meatloaf. Breakfast Buffet Saturday & Sunday 8:00-12:00

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Church Street Coffee, Deli, and Irish Pub - 105 Church Street ☎ +1 910-326-7572 - Located in the 1888 James Moore House. Eat indoors or on our outdoor Bistro tables.
Bake Bottle & Brew - 147 Front st ☎ +1 910 325-7550 - Wine and craft organic juice bar, ice cream and gifts, with a beautiful deck overlooking the Intercoastal waterway. Also has a Homebrew and fruit cocktailmaking section.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Swansboro

Swansboro - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Swansboro, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Swansboro. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Swansboro and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Swansboro. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Swansboro. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSwansboro: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Swansboro.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Swansboro: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Swansboro, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Swansboro.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Swansboro, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Swansboro, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Swansboro and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Swansboro, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Swansboro, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Swansboro without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Swansboro is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Swansboro.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Swansboro is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Swansboro, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Swansboro Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Best Western Silver Creek Inn - 801 Cedar Point Boulevard ☎ +1 252-393-9015 - 65 rooms, including suites and whirlpool rooms. Outdoor pool, jacuzzi and fitness center. Adjacent to the Cedar Point Grill and Silver Creek Golf Course (golf packages available). Average price $102.
Hampton Inn & Suites - 215 Old Hammock Road ☎ +1 910-325-9000 - 98 rooms, including suites. Gym/fitness center, free breakfast, free high-speed internet access, two versatile function rooms for up to 100 guests. Located behind Hardees. Average price is $82.
Waterway Inn - ☎ +1 252-393-8027 +1 877-216-4206 Owned & operated by Dave & Kay Owens, 160 Cedar Point Boulevard. 16 new rooms with sea themes, accessible by vehicle or boat; wireless internet access; refrigerator, microwave, and Coffee maker available in every room; cable w/ HBO; A/C and heat; free local calls; family bar-b-que area; boat slips; 90 ft fishing pier; picnic and play area. Adjacent to a public boat ramp.

News & References

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Swansboro

The Crystal Coast area has a variety of other areas to vis

Atlantic Beach
Emerald Isle
Morehead City
Beaufort (North Carolina)|Beaufort
Harkers Island

Further afield and there are some interesting destinations for daytrips:

Havelock (North Carolina)|Havelock, about 40 minutes north on US-70.
New Bern, about 1 hour north on NC-58.
Jacksonville (North Carolina)|Jacksonville, about 30 minutes west on US-24.
Bath (North Carolina)|Bath, about 2 hours north.

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