Jacksonville
Around Jacksonville
Photo: Indy beetle · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · North Carolina · 212k people
Jacksonville
“J-Ville”, “J'ville”
Where the Marines call home and the coast is your backyard.
ScarletGoldenrod
Welcome to Jacksonville, where the New River meets the coast and the Marine Corps spirit runs strong. Whether you're here for the seafood, the barbecue, or the beach, you'll find a friendly community ready to share the best of Eastern North Carolina.
Clubs for Jacksonville
No clubs for Jacksonville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Jacksonville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Jacksonville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Onslow County Museum Local history and natural history exhibits.
- Jacksonville Riverwalk Park Scenic walkway along the New River with views and picnic spots.
- Beirut Memorial Honors the 241 servicemembers lost in the 1983 Beirut bombing.
- Hammocks Beach State Park Offers ferry access to Bear Island, a pristine barrier island.
- Bear Island Undeveloped beach and nature preserve within Hammocks Beach State Park.
- The New River Flows through Jacksonville, popular for kayaking, fishing, and boating.
- Outdoors Kayaking on the New River
- Outdoors Fishing off the pier at Hammocks Beach
- With kids Visiting the Beirut Memorial
- With kids Exploring the Onslow County Museum
- Evenings Catching live music at downtown Jacksonville bars
- Evenings Trivia nights at local breweries
- Locals love Seafood shacks
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival May Celebrates the local shrimp harvest with food, music, and crafts.
- Swansboro Mullet Festival October A fall tradition with mullet dishes, live music, and a parade.
- Onslow County Fair September Rides, games, and agricultural exhibits.
- Jacksonville Freedom Fest July 4th Independence Day celebration with fireworks and family activities.
- Beirut Memorial Annual Ceremony Memorial Day (May) Honors the fallen with a solemn service and community gathering.
Hot, humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; mild winters with occasional cold snaps. Spring and fall are the best times to be outside. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outside.
Getaways
- New Bern Historic town with Tryon Palace and riverfront dining.
- Kinston Known for Eastern NC barbecue and the Mother Earth Brewing.
- Morehead City Waterfront with seafood restaurants and deep-sea fishing.
- Wilmington Historic downtown, riverwalk, and nearby beaches like Wrightsville.
Local flavour
Rooting for Carolina Panthers (NFL), NC State Wolfpack (NCAA), UNC Tar Heels (NCAA), East Carolina Pirates (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Eastern NC vinegar-based barbecue Whole-hog, vinegar-and-pepper style, a regional staple.
- Calabash-style fried seafood Lightly breaded and fried, named after the nearby town of Calabash.
- Cheerwine North Carolina's signature cherry soda, widely available.
- Sweet tea Classic Southern beverage, ubiquitous in local diners and BBQ joints.
Where people go
- Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base The heart of the area, a major Marine installation.
- Coastal fishing villages Swansboro, Sneads Ferry, and others with working waterfronts.
- Seafood shacks Casual spots serving fresh catch, often with a view.
- Barbecue joints Family-run pits serving Eastern NC-style whole hog.
- Beach access points Onslow Beach and nearby public beaches with dune crossings.
- Coastal marshes and pine forests Natural landscapes defining the region's lowcountry feel.
Heritage and traditions
Jacksonville is proud of its deep military heritage as home to Camp Lejeune, and its coastal Carolina charm with fishing villages and Southern hospitality.
This time of year in Jacksonville
- Mullet run and oyster season Fall Mullet migrate and oyster harvest begins.
- Sneads Ferry Oyster Festival October Celebrates the local oyster harvest with shucking contests and seafood.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Sneads Ferry Oyster Festival October Celebrates the local oyster harvest with shucking contests and seafood.
- Swansboro Watermelon Festival July A summer tradition with watermelon eating contests and family fun.
Landmarks with a story
- Swansboro Historic District 18th-century waterfront village with preserved homes and shops.
- Onslow County Courthouse Historic courthouse in downtown Jacksonville, a landmark of local government.
Food traditions
- Oyster roasts Winter gatherings where oysters are roasted over open fires, often at community events.
- Boiled peanuts Roadside snack of peanuts boiled in brine, a Southern staple.
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters served with fried seafood, a must at local fish shacks.
- Shrimp and grits A coastal breakfast dish with sautéed shrimp over creamy grits.
- Pig pickin' A whole-hog barbecue event, often at community gatherings and holidays.
Music and arts
- Beach music A rhythm and blues style popular at coastal dance halls and shag clubs.
- Decoy carving Local folk art of carving wooden duck decoys, reflecting the hunting heritage.
A little history
- 1783 Swansboro incorporated as a port town
- 1941 Camp Lejeune established, transforming the region into a military hub
- 1983 Beirut bombing killed 241 Marines; the Beirut Memorial was later built
Rivalries
- NC State vs UNC Fierce college basketball rivalry that splits local fans.
- ECU vs NC State Football rivalry between East Carolina and NC State.
- ECU vs UNC Another college sports rivalry with passionate alumni.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Crabbing for blue crabs
- Outdoors Beachcombing for shells
- With kids Crabbing off the docks
- With kids Fishing from the pier
Locals speak a Southern coastal dialect with a drawl, often using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Military slang from Camp Lejeune also mixes in.
Only here
- The roar of fighter jets and helicopters from Camp Lejeune.
- The Beirut Memorial, a solemn tribute to fallen Marines.
- The name 'Pumpkin Center' for a local community.
- The Swansboro Mullet Festival's mullet toss.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; pack for both.
- Be aware of military traffic around Camp Lejeune, especially during shift changes.
- Try the local seafood - shrimp and oysters are a must.
- Learn a bit about Marine Corps culture; it's a big part of the community.
- Check out the Beirut Memorial for a moving experience.
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Nearby
Every areaDuplin CountyNorth CarolinaWhere the fields meet the skyNew BernNorth CarolinaWhere the Neuse flows into historyKinstonNorth CarolinaWhere the Neuse runs slow and the barbecue is vinegar-sweet.Morehead CityNorth CarolinaSalt air, slow tides, and Southern smiles.WilmingtonNorth CarolinaWhere the river meets the sea, and every day feels like a slow Southern postcard.Greene CountyNorth CarolinaSweet potato country, where the fields meet the sky.GoldsboroNorth CarolinaWhere the fields meet the flight line.WashingtonNorth CarolinaRiverfront charm, southern soul.
Jacksonville, NC. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.