Atlantic Beach, NC

Wordless Wednesday on the Crystal Coast

The view from the top floor of the Sheraton, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.

It is cold and windy out there, but the view of the pier and the Atlantic Ocean is absolutely gorgeous.

If you are headed to the beach for a visit, the Sheraton, Atlantic Beach is a wonderful place to stay.

A Place at the Beach: Condos in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

A Place at the Beach in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina is the perfect place for family fun. Not only would it make a great vacation property, but with excellent rental histories, A Place at the Beach would make a wonderful Investment Purchase.

A Place at the Beach is direct ocean front with views of Bogue Sound. They offer a large outdoor pool with waterslides, and an indoor pool. Also within A Place at the Beach, you'll find a large playground for the kids, Bar-B-Q and picnic areas, beautifully landscaped courtyards, tennis courts, basketball courts and private beach access with gazebos and boardwalks.

If you are looking for property in Atlantic Beach, A Place at the Beach may be just what you are looking for. List prices currently range from $159,000 - $375,000 depending on size and location. Most units are offered completely furnished and equipped...all you will need to bring is the family!

A Place at the Beach is conveniently located just off of Fort Macon Blvd. Fort Macon State Park is just moments away and offers fun for the whole family. Close by are the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure and the Country Club of the Crystal Coast. Amos Mosquitoes with great food, sound views and live music, Four Corners Diner with the best breakfast in town, and other restaurants are only blocks away. Head over to the Atlantic Beach Causeway a couple miles down the road to find fishing charters, bike/moped rentals, surf shops, shopping and much, much more.

For even more shopping and restaurants, continue over the Atlantic Beach Causeway to find Morehead City and Historic Beaufort. Everything you will ever need is always just around the corner from A Place at the Beach. In fact, A Place at the Beach is a great spot for a wedding too! Bring the family and the swimsuits and plan on a fun, relaxing vacation in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina...You may just decide to stay forever.

The 7th Annual Penguin Plunge in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina will take place on January 1st, 2010 at 1:00 PM, at the Atlantic Beach Circle. Be there or be square! We attend every year, and some of us actually take the plunge, others cheer on the side lines taking photos. Either way, it is loads of fun and if you are planning to be in the area, you definitely want to stop by. Just follow the sound as you cross over the Atlantic Beach Causeway...you can hear the shrieking from miles away as feet hit the water!

Penguin Plunge is a non-profit corporation that seeks to raise funds for local Carteret County charities through the annual Penguin Plunge New Year's Day event. The 2010 Penguin Plunge will raise funds to support Martha’s Kitchen and Hope Mission. They are a very important organization in our community, as they continuously provide much-needed assistance to those in need during our current challenging economic environment.

For more information about the 7th Annual Penguin Plunge in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, please visit the Penguin Plunge Website.

Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

The War of 1812 opened the eyes of our nation and proved how vulnerable our coasts were to enemy attack. Fourty forts were constructed by the U.S. Government between 1817 and 1865. All the way from Maine to the Gulf Coast to California.

Fort Macon, named for Nathaniel Macon, began construction in 1826 and was completed in 1834. In 1861, Fort Macon joined the Confederacy and remained a Confederate Fort for one year. On April 26, 1862, Fort Macon was bombarded and reoccupied by Union Forces.

Following the war, Fort Macon served as a federal prison until 1876 when it returned to caretaker status.

During the Spanish-American war in 1898, Fort Macon was reactivated. By 1903, Fort Macon was completely abandoned and all guns were sent to federal arsenals to be scrapped. In 1924, Fort Macon was purchased by the state of North Carolina for $1.00, along with it's surrounding property and soon become North Carolina's second state park. Yes, you read it right...$1.00.

Fort Macon was restored by the Civilian Conservation corps between 1934 - 1936 and became a very popular tourist attraction until World War II when the park was occupied by Coast Artillery units, a deterrent to German U-Boats. By 1946, Fort Macon became a state park again and today is the most visited state park in the state of North Carolina.

Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach is a great place to visit, again and again and again. The history is fascinating and the atmosphere is almost too real...they have done an amazing job with the props, so visitors really get a feel for what it must of been like for the soldiers who called the fort "Home" so many years ago.

Fort Macon is open daily for touring and offers a museum, bookstore and audio programs. April through October, they offer guided tours, Civil War Reenactments, Musket Firing Demonstrations, Canon Firing and a Living History Program. During the summer months, the fort hosts concerts on Friday nights featuring such bands as "Unknown Tongues" (Cajun/Zydeco), "Mac & Tammy McRoy Band" (Bluegrass) and my personal favorite, "The Carteret Grays" (Civil War Era music). There is usually a large crowd fo the concerts and it is so much fun! Bring the kids, the camp chairs or picnic blanket, and even a picnic...you do not want to miss the concerts at the Fort.

Fort Macon State Park also includes a large beach area where visitors can fish or just relax in the sun. There is a bathhouse and concession area located at the beach park.

For more information about Fort Macon State Park or to get a schedule of Tours and other events, call (252) 726-3775.

Sea Dreams in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina is an exclusive oceanfront community. It is by far, one of the most beautiful and colorful communities on the Crystal Coast! The community offers a beautiful ocean front swimming pool and pavillion, lovely play area for the children and private beach access. Properties available in Sea Dreams, Atlantic Beach range in price from $650,000 up to $1,400,000. You're sure to find your dream home in Sea Dreams.

Sea Dreams in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina is located just moments away from Fort Macon State Park where you will find fun for the entire family. Take a tour of the historic Civil War Fort, sit and watch a reinactment, stroll the beach trails or relax and do some birdwatching. In the summertime, enjoy the Friday night concerts at Fort Macon as local bands and musicians fill the air with soft sounds. Sea Dreams in Atlantic Beach is also close to the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, and Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure in Indian Beach. The Country Club of the Crystal Coast is only a few miles away and offers golf, tennis, waterfront dining and lounge and more.

If you aren't in the mood for cooking, Amos Mosquitos is only a few blocks away and offers soundfront dining in a fun and comfortable atmosphere. Four Corners Diner is close by...but be prepared to wait in line for breakfast, 'cause it's the best around. Also located in Atlantic Beach is McCurdy's on Moonlight Bay (the best sunsets), DJ Shooters and Molly's Beachside Grill (the best burgers and cold beer on the island). If you are looking for a little nightlife...The Beach Tavern offers some of the best hot wings in town, full bar and several pool tables (it's a local favorite, but there is always room for guests).

If shopping is your thing, you will be happy in Sea Dreams in Atlantic Beach. A couple miles down the road, you'll find AB Surfshop with a great selection of fashion attire, not to mention all the surf gear you could ever need. Atlantic Beach is also home to "I Got Your Bag" (for those of you who need a different bag for everything), Kite's Unlimited, Tony's Surf Shop and beach shops galore. Take a short ride over the Atlantic Beach Causeway to Morehead City and enjoy antique shopping on the Waterfront or head down to Peletier Harbor where you can visit Tassel's, Lynette's II, and stop off for lunch at Iaonnie's Grill (I recommend the Alamo Burger). Sea Dreams is within 20 minutes of Historic Beaufort, Emerald Isle and the quaint town of Swansboro.

If you are looking for the perfect beach home or vacation property, Sea Dreams in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina has something for everyone in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. Kick back on your deck or porch and enjoy the sea air, watching the dolphin and the surf roll by, and some of the most awesome sunsets on the East Coast.

For more information about Sea Dreams and other communities in the Atlantic Beach area, Give me a call.