12 Best Things To Do In Swansboro, North Carolina

1. Swansboro Area Heritage Center Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Swansboro Area Heritage Center Museum is a local history museum that aims to promote public knowledge, interest, and appreciation of Swansboro’s rich history and culture. Learn more about this little town in North Carolina as the exhibits showcase the town’s proud history. These exhibits include authentic ship timbers and tools that showcase Swansboro’s boatbuilding heritage.

One way to make the most out of your vacation is to learn about the place you are visiting and this museum does just that. Swansboro Area Heritage Center Museum should be a part of any traveler’s Swansboro, NC, things-to-do list.

Swansboro Area Heritage Center Museum

Address: 502 W Church St, Swansboro, NC 28584, United States

Website: Swansboro Area Heritage Center Museum

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

2. Swansboro Municipal Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Swansboro Municipal Park is an 18-acre (7.2-hectare) community park that offers a plethora of amenities and fun Swansboro things to do. The park has entrances on both Commerce Drive and Main Street and offers a recreation center, multi-use fields, a picnic pavilion, tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, picnic shelters, a 0.66-mile (1-kilometer) fitness and nature trail, and a concession building.

Because of all these amenities, the park regularly hosts several events that include sports, book clubs, art classes, fitness classes, and so much more.

Swansboro Municipal Park

Address: 830 State Rd 1447, Swansboro, NC 28584, United States

Website: Swansboro Municipal Park

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

3. The Boro Restaurant & Bar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located in downtown Swansboro, The Boro Restaurant & Bar is a local bistro that offers tapas-style plates, a full bar of 12 craft beers, and a bar tap all year round. Its eclectic menu is divided between lunch and dinner, depending on the time.

There is also a pet menu for those dining with their pets so no one is left behind. Speaking of food, some of the dishes you’ll find include buffalo chicken, oyster Rockefeller, crab cakes, beet salad, classic Greek salad, and Asian garlic steak skewers.

The Boro Restaurant & Bar

Address: 109 Front St, Swansboro, NC 28584, United States

Website: The Boro Restaurant & Bar

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 9pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 10:30am - 8:30pm

4. Bake, Bottle & Brew

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

From the name itself, Bake, Bottle & Brew showcases the very best of three different tastes and is a charming waterfront building that takes pride in being a gathering spot for wine lovers, beer aficionados, sweets fans, and coffee enthusiasts. It boasts its ability to make delicious wine, great-tasting craft beer, and mouthwatering cups of ice cream for its guests to enjoy.

The building has a porch where guests can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view of the water. There is also a souvenir shop inside where you can buy a memento to remember this place by.

Bake, Bottle & Brew

Address: 147 Front St, Swansboro, NC 28584, United States

Website: Bake, Bottle & Brew

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 9:30am - 8pm; Thu - Sat: 9:30am - 9pm

5. Swansboro’s historic downtown district

Swansboro is not just for the water-lovers, but also for those looking for things to do on land. While those heading for the water for fishing, paddle boarding or even kayaking might catch your eye, don’t worry, you can try a lot of activities on land, too. Swansboro’s downtown is full of stories ready to be discovered since its history began in the 1700s.

Take a walk around the city to spot old buildings, or just go into one of the many quaint shops and look around. The city has options for staying active on land too, so you can choose from hiking, biking, camping or attending different outdoor events.

Swansboro’s historic downtown district

Website: Swansboro’s historic downtown district

6. Hammocks Beach State Park

Home to one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast, Hammocks Beach State Park is a tranquil and relaxing oasis, perfect for recharging your batteries. Since the only way to get here is by ferry or private boat, you’ll find that the beaches are not so crowded here, so it’s the perfect setting to explore the pristine land, diverse wildlife and maritime forests.

However, if you are the active type, there is lots to do here, from swimming or boating to seashell hunting, camping, or having a picnic.

Hammocks Beach State Park

Address: 1572 Hammocks Beach Road, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Hammocks Beach State Park

7. Riverview Park

Riverview Park is one of the best places to witness the sun setting over White Oak River. Take a walk on the hundreds of feet of elevated walkways and stop at one of the two observation shelters, for even better views, with the telescope and binoculars available. The park also offers three picnic shelters, where you can savor a meal in the middle of nature, without any interruption.

Riverview Park

Address: 310 W Corbett Ave, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Riverview Park

8. Swansboro Paddle Boarding

With so many water sports available in Swansboro, it’s hard to choose which one of these things to do near Swansboro, NC, to try first, but paddle boarding and kayaking should definitely be on any list. Swansboro Paddle Boarding has everything you need, in terms of gear, safety and even beginner lessons, all for a fun adventure, whether paddle boarding, kayaking or both.

Adventurers are welcome alone, in groups or even with a dog, so make sure you check this place out.

Swansboro Paddle Boarding

Address: 108 W Corbett Ave, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Swansboro Paddle Boarding

9. Candy Edventure

It’s safe to say that Candy Edventure is any kid’s candy paradise. We might as well say the same thing about adults, too, because Candy Edventure is able to satisfy even the sweetest tooth. Here you will find a range of ice cream, fudge, candy, salt water taffy and gourmet assorted chocolates. The moment you step foot into the store and sense the incredible smell, you’ll want to buy a piece of everything available.

Candy Edventure

Address: 101 W Church St #3, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Candy Edventure

10. Fishing with Sandbar Safari

Fishing with Sandbar Safari Fishing Club is definitely different from anything else. They organize both eco tours and premium charter fishing trips, where you can catch anything from Bonita to Bluefish or Flounder. Captain Rob Koraly has been fishing all his life in the area and has been officially licensed, since 2005, giving you the opportunity to experience fishing with an absolute pro by your side.

All the gear and equipment needed is provided by them, so no need to worry about anything else, besides catching the biggest fish out there.

Sandbar Safari

Address: 106 Cedar Point Blvd, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Sandbar Safari

11. Ward Shore Park

After sightseeing or trying one of the many water sport activities available in Swansboro, go to Ward Shore Park for some relaxation. The park is right on the water, so it has great boat views. Ward Shore also has picnic tables, so you can pack lunch or dinner and enjoy it here, in the middle of nature. People who have visited this place already recommend it as a great, quiet place to relax by the river.

Ward Shore Park

Address: 401-, 413 S Water St, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Ward Shore Park

12. Bicentennial Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Bicentennial Park doesn’t impress with its size, but rather the scenic views it offers, as it is surrounded by the White Oak River and Swansboro Harbor. The views across the water are breathtaking, so you should definitely consider making a stop here, too. You can check it out after wandering through Swansboro’s downtown since this park is towards its edge.

Bicentennial Park offers fishing aficionados a fishing dock and hopeless romantics a picnic area and great sunset views. The unique aspect of the park, however, is the statue of local legend Captain Burns, overlooking Swansboro Harbor.

Bicentennial Park

Address: 104 E Corbett Ave, Swansboro, NC 28584

Website: Bicentennial Park

Friendly city by the sea

Swansboro, in North Carolina, is a place packed with activities, where visitors find fun and interesting things to do, both on and off the water. It is a fisherman’s paradise, but also a place for romantics and adventure junkies, so pack your bags, you’ll definitely find plenty of things to do and see in this “Friendly City by the Sea”.