Why Beaufort Is One of My Favorite Haunted Places in North Carolina

Once the home of the infamous pirate Blackbeard, Beaufort, North Carolina, is a haunted hidden gem tucked on the Crystal Coast. Founded in 1709 by European settlers, this charming town has plenty of history to back up its claim as one of the most haunted places in the Tar Heel State. Civil War generals, broken-hearted maidens, and a one-eyed sailor are said to haunt the streets.

Walking ghost tours leave from the center of town, spellbinding visitors and locals alike with tales of pirate hordes, ethereal apparitions, and the eerie tales of those that were laid to rest in the Old Burying Grounds. Just stepping foot inside this cemetery, built in 1700, is enough to send chills up your spine. If you don’t have time for a tour, you’ll find a map to the right of the entrance with marked graves and a corresponding app that tells the tales of the poor souls who were buried here. I highly recommend visiting as darkness begins to fall and the Spanish moss swings in the live oak trees. 

Just a few of the graveyard's famous residents include Otway Burns, a North Carolina privateer, along with the 1886 crew of a shipwreck, and, possibly, the most famous resident, a young girl who died at sea and was buried in a rum keg. There are countless others, including a Revolutionary War hero, and some whose stories have been lost to time. Tours also venture through Beaufort’s charming streets, wandering past haunted buildings like the Hammock House, once the home of Blackbeard himself. 

Beaufort is located at the southern tip of the Outer Banks, a dangerous section of coast that is also known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Over 5,000 shipwrecks lie just off its shores. This only adds to the mystery and lore of the area. If you’d rather set sail on these spooky waters, hop aboard the Ghost Float, a haunted pirate boat ride that focuses on the tales of Blackbeard and other legendary pirates.

The Outer Banks in particular are no stranger to ghosts, including the haunted Whalehead Club in Corolla. While there’s no doubt that specters lurk around every corner of Beaufort, and I’ve heard countless tall tales from locals about things that go bump in the night, during the day, it’s a beautiful coastal respite and a gateway to Cape Lookout National Seashore, one of the East Coast’s International Dark Sky Parks. 

Many visitors spend their day exploring the local barrier islands, taking a ferry out to Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout, or Carrot Island. Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island are both home to the Banker ponies, wild horses that are said to potentially be the descendants of shipwrecks. The big draw to Cape Lookout is to lay eyes on the gorgeous Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

If you don’t make it out to Shackleford Banks, there’s also a good chance you’ll spot the wild horses from one of Beaufort's many waterfront restaurants. Rhum Bar and Moonrakers both provide great patios that offer unparalleled views of the Beaufort Harbor and the shoreline of Carrot Island, where horses are often seen grazing in the bushes.

I highly recommend visiting on a weekend in the off-season, as you’ll have the chance to visit the Beaufort Farmer’s Market. Locals sell artisanal handicrafts, boiled peanuts, freshly baked biscuits, and a variety of other goodies that serve as the perfect, one-of-a-kind souvenirs. This is also a wonderful opportunity to ask about ghost stories, as many Beaufort residents live in homes that are well over 150 years old, as seen from the plaques that adorn every facade.

Both the fascinating history, stunning scenery, and one-of-a-kind things to do in Beaufort make it my favorite haunted place in North Carolina. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.