The Friends of the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort NC assist, promote and enhance the programs and functions of the North Carolina Maritime Museum through contributions of labor, technical skills, services, equipment and funding. Beaufort, North Carolina

The waters off North Carolina's Outer Banks entomb thousands of vessels and countless mariners who lost a desperate struggle against the forces of war, piracy and nature. The Graveyard of the Atlantic, with one of the highest densities of shipwrecks in the world, holds some of America's most important maritime history. More than just a collection of artifacts, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a premier cultural attraction for the Atlantic Seaboard and one of the finest, most innovative maritime facilities in the nation. Hatteras, North Carolina

The Mission of the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is to collect, preserve and interpret material culture pertinent to the maritime history of the Lower Cape Fear region. Voted one of the best attractions in Southport by newcomers and frequent vacationers alike, an afternoon at the museum is a must for any coastal lover who wants to dive into the fascinating history and culture that this region supplies in abundance. The permanent exhibits and educational programming focus on fisheries, shipwrecks, hurricanes, and military conflicts ranging from piracy to World War II. Southport, North Carolina

The three North Carolina Maritime Museums preserve, protect and present North Carolina’s coastal history. They paint a picture of the history and maritime culture that includes fishing, boat building, piracy, decoy carving, life-saving, war, underwater archaeology, shipwrecks, boating, the seafood industry, and marine life, science and ecology. Each of the museums is unique, and offers year-round public programming, and free admission. Hatteras, Beaufort, & Southport, North Carolina

Guests learn when they arrive at the museum and trailhead kiosks that the Roanoke Canal is nearly 200 years old. After the American War of Independence, the young nation's founding fathers sought to open trade and transportation into their western frontier. In 1976, the remnants of the canal were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the trail follows the canal's original tow path for 7.2 miles between Roanoke Lake and Weldon. The Roanoke Canal Museum is the newest addition and located where the trail crosses Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids. The museum holds many exhibits about the history of the Roanoke River Valley, the engineering feats of the canal, and its later use as a source of hydroelectric power. The western trailhead is located at Roanoke Rapids Lake - Day Use Park and the eastern trailhead is at River Falls Park in Weldon. Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Moored in quiet dignity and majesty the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, across the river from downtown Wilmington, beckons visitors to walk her decks. Envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Wilmington, North Carolina