After taking a ferry and spending the morning at Shackleford Banks, an island known for having a herd of wild horses, we explored Downtown Beaufort and Fort Macon! Beaufort (pronounced Boh-fort) is an adorable little town just 1 hour north of Jacksonville. We walked around, then had lunch at Finz Grill, as per the recommendation of our tour guide. Afterward we had ice cream at the General Store and I swear the Salty Caramel Truffle was one of the best ice creams I’ve had!! We really enjoyed this picturesque area and will probably head back there again this summer!
Fort Macon State Park is across the water from Downtown Beaufort and just a 20 minute drive away. “Beaufort was one of the first harbors to be designed as a port of entry during colonial times. Along with this distinction came danger. There was ever-present threat of raids from the sea by hostile nations and pirates such as the infamous Blackbeard”, according to NC State Parks. Both Spanish and British invaders captured the town. So in order to defend the coastal region several ports were developed, Fort Macon being one of them. The fort also served as a federal prison in the mid-1800s and held troops during the Spanish-American War. Funny enough Fort Macon was purchased for $1 by North Carolina and made into it’s second state park in 1924.
^^ we had ice cream here before heading out and the Salty Caramel Truffle was SO good I still think about it! ^^
^ this restaurant is in an old gas station building! ^
^^ Had to make a stop at the Beaufort Olive Oil Co.! We got a Garlic Olive Oil & a Cranberry Pear White Balsamic ^^ 
Make sure you check out my other North Carolina posts!