This is the coastal north carolina chapter from lonely planet's georgia the caroli nas guidebook'. '.strtoupper('o')n north carolina's 300 mile coastline you'll find rugged, windswept barrier islands, colonial villages once frequented by pirates, and laid back beach towns full of locally owned ice cream shops and mom and pop motels'. '.strtoupper('e')ven the most touristy beaches have a small town vibe'. '.strtoupper('d')ive the waters of the crystal coast, home to more than 2000 sunken ships, from the olympus dive center maps step back in time inside fort macon, a remarkable five sided fort built in 1834, with 26 vaulted rooms, plus 360 degree views from its roof transport try true southern style farm to table cooking at the fine dining wilmington restaurant of pinpoint restaurants accommodation coverage includes outer banks, manteo, ocracoke island, crystal coast, beaufort, wilmington.