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Beaufort has a state maritime museum that is free and covers the fishing industry, shipwrecks, and Blackbeard the pirate who frequented the area and was killed near here.
After the war of 1812, the US realized that its harbors were vulnerable to enemy attack, so the US started building over 30 forts on the east coast and southern coast.  Ft Macon near Beaufort was completed in 1834.  In 1861 the confederates took over the fort at the start of the civil war.  In 1862 the Union attached the fort in  an eleven hour bombardment causing the confederates to surrender.  As a result Beaufort was occupied by the Union for the rest of the war.  The fort was again used during the war of 1898 and during WWII to look out for enemy subs.  Ft Macon State Park is free and guided tours are given throughout the day.  Throughout the fort museum displays guide the visitor through the years of the fort.  A visitor center next to the fort also has a museum and a film to see.