8:00am  An early morning departure is best so that we can enjoy all that Beaufort has to offer.  We will have two departure points.  The first will be from the Steinmart parking lot at 3501 Oleander Dr. in Wilmington at 8am.  The second will be at 8:20am from the Lowes Foods parking lot in Hampstead at 17230 - Hwy 17.     There is a bathroom on the bus, but once we arrive in Beaufort we have a bathroom break before boarding the vintage English Double-Decker bus for our 45 minute narrated tour by one of Beaufort's entertaining and knowledgeable costumed interpreters.  The stories are an enjoyable blend of fact and legend as we tour the historic district once home to patriots, privateers, merchants and skilled craftsmen who built Bahamian and West Indian style homes. 

Following our orientation to Beaufort on the Double-Decker bus, you have the opportunity to choose how you will enjoy the remainder of the day.   There are many restaurants to enjoy on the waterfront.  Shopping is plentiful with a combination of art galleries, antique shops and shops selling southern culture and the boating life.  I loved the Scuttlebutt Nautical Books & Bounty shop.  The Maritime Museum is Free and quite a gem!  I particularly found the exhibit on the abundance of shipwrecks along the North Carolina waters including Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge fascinating!  Part of the Museum includes a Wooden Boat Museum where you can watch local boat builders at work.   The New Deal Federal Arts Program murals in the Post Office depicting local life and history are worth a peek too during your visit.  The murals are rare and were commissioned by Russian painter, Simka Simkhovitch.  

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to occupy your time on land but if you prefer to join the search for wild horses and dolphin by water,  sign up for one of the Water Bug Nature Cruises.

At 2:15 or 3:15 you have the option of joining a 45 minute narrated cruise of Taylor's Creek which is the deep body of water bordering Beaufort's waterfront.  This water is home to dolphin, sailors from around the world and wild horses on the banks of the Rachel Carson Reserve, also located on Taylor's Creek.    Many days there are horse and dolphin sightings (I was able to see both during my visit)  but even if you are not so lucky, the views and Captain's narration of the Nature Reserve, boats anchored from around the world (ranging from modest to multi-million dollar boats) and the elegant homes and historic buildings on this panoramic cruise are worth it.  The cruise is enjoyed on a 16 passenger Shaded Captain's Launch.  

4:30pm - Departure for Wilmington.   Snacks provided for the trip home and BYOB of any variety is welcome.