Whispering Pines-Why we recommend this RV stay in NC

 This week we're in Newport, North Carolina, at one of the Thousand Trails campgrounds. It's our second visit within the month, so we believe we've gotten a feel of the area. We've visited markets, restaurants, the beach, and the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. Caitlin has played a few shows in the area, and she enjoyed the crowd and people we've met. 

We love that the beach's close; there isn't much traffic, and several towns are within close driving distance to explore. The park is quiet and gated, with a pretty pond and ducks waddling around. 

If you're not staying at this particular park but want to know what is in the area, here is a list of things we recommend on your visit. At the bottom, we have the pros and cons of the campground for our Thousand Trails members.

Restaurants: 

Circa 81-Moorehead City- if you want a nice dinner one night-This place is a foodie’s dream!

Carolina Home and Garden: great place (kid-friendly). Boutique garden center with lots of outdoor seating, food, specialty items for sale, a kitchen, and sometimes food trucks. There is a full bar and live music on most nights. We attended a fall festival here, and Caitlin played music one night. This is an excellent spot worth checking out!

A commercial fisherman owns Captain's Kitchen Food Truck (5-star reviews on Yelp), so you know the seafood is fresh.

Breweries and Distilleries:

Bogue Sound Distillery closed Mondays Tours, live music, cocktails, and food trucks. 6.8 mi away

Shortway Brewing-Newport 6.1 mi away

34 North, Beer Garden-Cedar Point 8.9 mi. away

The Growler Bar Emerald Isle-8.2 miles away

Things to Do

We went fishing at the Bogue Inlet, watched a concert on the beach in Emerald Isle, and attended the speed boat races in Moorehead City. There's also Fort Benjamin Park and various community activities, and it is excellent for walking.

The Bogue Inlet Pier is a great place to fish, and they can provide poles to rent, bait, tackle, and a fishing license for the day. 

Grocery stores:

IGA is the closest to the ark and a new store we had never been to and now love, Lidl.

Walmart Super Center is 12 mins. away as well as several other stores in Moorehead City. There's also a Harris Teeter about 8 miles away going towards Moorehead City and a Lowes Grocery about 8 miles south in Cape Carteret. Our favorite is a Publix, located near the beach in Emerald Isle.

What we Love

Nice Pool

Gated, and a key card must be used to access the pool and restrooms.

Laundry facilities on-site for $150 a load (take quarters, and they have some in the office)

A gas station and convenience store are next to the park, with an ice machine and propane. (the park also has ice for sale)

Peaceful and serene-great for afternoon strolls.

Lots of things to do around the area and surrounding town.

Playground for children

Fire pits and picnic tables on every site.

What we didn’t like

The pool closes at 4 pm

Grounds in some areas need TLC, and it looks like they moved out a bunch of permanent residents, but debris from the move remains.

Mainly full-time RVs that never move.

It's located off a highway; however, they put the visitors near the back of the park.

Some spots are level, and some are not. 

whispering Pines Thousand Trails:

Newport,NC