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GETTING AROUND THE CRYSTAL COAST
North Carolina's Crystal Coast is rapidly becoming one of the top wedding destinations in the Southeast, and for good reason. This unique coastal region combines stunning natural settings, a variety of accommodations, and top-notch wedding vendors to bring you the perfect wedding. Nevertheless, a little knowledge of how to get around the area goes a long way to ensuring a successful wedding.
For the purposes of this web site, the Crystal Coast is more than the miles of beautiful oceanfront real estate. Comprised of the three-county region of Carteret, Craven, and Onslow Counties, the central North Carolina coast is bounded by the Neuse River and the historic town of New Bern on the north, the bustling military town of Jacksonville on the south, and the quaint harbor towns of Beaufort and Morehead City on the east. Many Crystal Coast wedding vendors travel between these areas regularly.
The Crystal Coast region is only a two-hour drive from Raleigh, North Carolina and is served by two major four-lane highways. US Highway 70 connects New Bern, Morehead City, and Beaufort with Raleigh, Interstate 95, and points west. US Highway 17 provides four-lane access from Norfolk, Virginia and Wilmington, North Carolina and connects New Bern and Jacksonville. Check out our Maps page for detailed, downloadable maps of the area.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the closest major commercial airport hub. The Craven County Regional Airport in New Bern serves the region with daily commercial commuter flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, on US Airways Express. Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville also offers commercial commuter service via USAir Express. Several smaller private and charter airports serve the region as well. See our Travel Planning page for more detailed information.
Also, keep in mind that there is virtually no public transportation in the area, so a rental car is a must if you are planning to cover some distance. See our Transportation page for listings of car rental and limousine companies.
Water is everywhere on the Crystal Coast. The east end of Carteret County is connected to the Ocracoke Island on North Carolina Outer banks via a 2-hour ride across Pamlico Sound via a state-run automobile and passenger ferry system. The state also operates a similar ferry across the Neuse River near Havelock. Access to Cape Lookout National Seashore is available from several private ferry operators who contract with the National Park Service. Ferries also provide access to the Hammock's Beach State Park. For ferry information, see our Transportation page.
For further visitor information about the region, contact one of the organizations on our Travel Planning page.
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