Swansboro, NC Travel Guide

Swansboro became a part of our lives back in 2006 when we first visited the area. We ended up loving the cute little downtown area along Front Street. Riverside Steak & Seafood is still our favorite area restaurant even more than a decade later. Like many other area residents, we still get our seafood including fresh-from-the-boat shrimp and fish from Clyde Phillips Seafood, one of the area’s most respected institutions, at least among seafood lovers.

Before you visit Swansboro, you should be aware that as of October 2019, Front Street is still a two way street in spite of being barely big enough for one lane of traffic if cars are parked on both sides of the street as is usually the case. The general rule is defer to the biggest vehicle especially if it is hauling a boat. Most residents are very careful and try to be helpful in keeping traffic moving on Front Street, but you can run into someone who thinks they own the street.

Many of the shops along Front Street have changed over time and a personal favorite of mine, Tideland Galleries, disappeared a few years go. Despite that we always find enough shops for a walk of an hour or so. I enjoy the eclectic goods in Poor Man’s Hole but my wife seems to enjoy some of the other shops like Salt Marsh Cottage or The Mercantile. Our grandchildren would vote unanimously for Candy Edventure, a relative newcomer to downtown Swansboro.

One of my favorite things to do in Swansboro is to take one of the Lady Swan boat tours. You cannot see the area without seeing it from the water and the Lady Swan is the best way that I know to do that. It is something I recommend in our travel guide especially if you are bringing your own boat to the area.

Beyond boat rides, cute shops, and fresh seafood, there is lots to do in Swansboro. Unlike when we first visited Swansboro, the town now has a very capable website that provides lots of information. Mine is a more personal view and that of someone who has been here long enough to see through any glossy tourist brochures.

Swansboro has a long history of being a place at the intersection of seafood, agriculture, and lumber. Unlike Beaufort which was rescued somewhat by money from Duke and its researchers who helped to revitalize the town, Swansboro has always pulled itself up by its own bootstraps. The town has done a very good job of that in spite of some huge challenges like the visit from Hurricane Florence in September 2018. Front Street was under water during Florence. To a large extent Swansboro has recovered from Florence but there are still scars and businesses that did not recover.

However, what is still missing in Swansboro is minor to compared to what is there now and providing services on a daily basis. Of the restaurants that we patronize only the Ice House is yet to reopen. However, their smaller partner the Boro has opened. We have had good breakfasts in Swansboro at Jordan’s Smokehouse (however, I am not a fan of their biscuits). We enjoy going to Moore’s Chicken and Barbeque and often visit Jersey Mike’s for a sub. We prefer to eat our burgers over at the Emerald Isle Highway 55. Bogue House in nearby Cedar Point also catches our interest occasionally. Beyond that check Yelp and see what recent visitors are saying about the local spots.

Some of the best hidden secrets of Swansboro are the town’s parks. The one behind the Walgreen’s is a favorite of our grandchildren. Swansboro also has an Ace Hardware that sells the most reasonably priced ice cream by the cone in the area. You can also get some of the area’s Methodist blister fried peanuts there. We have taken those as gifts to friends as far away as Canada. Ace also carries Sourwood honey from the NC Mountains. I have been a fan since my first grade years when my uncle Henry used to tend bee hives.

Finally, one of the best things you can do in the Swansboro area (besides riding on the Lady Swan) is to grab the pontoon boat ferry from Hammocks Beach and take a ride to Bear Island. After a short hike of around one half mile, you will find your on one of the nicest and least crowded beaches in the area. During beach season, there is a pavilion with snacks and lifeguards on the beach. There are always covered picnic tables and bathrooms. An important bonus is that the ride over and back is through some of the most beautiful water in the world. There are more details about Swansboro in our Emerald Isle Travel Guide.