Welcome to Onslow County — Where Tourism Builds Opportunity
Whether you're here for a weekend, a career, or a lifetime, you'll find a coastal community that's open, growing, and ready to do business. Tourism is one of the fastest-growing pillars of Onslow County's diversified economy.
Tourism is people-powered economic growth.
Every visit to Onslow County supports real people and real livelihoods — from hospitality teams and culinary talent to charter captains, outfitters, event crews, and downtown shop owners. As more visitors discover our coast, new career pathways open in management, the arts, marketing, and small-business ownership.
Visitor spending also circulates back into the community through local wages, sales tax, and occupancy tax — funding the public services, infrastructure, and destination marketing that keep Onslow County growing.
Where the visitor economy is growing.
Onslow County is actively recruiting hospitality, retail, food & beverage, and outdoor recreation investment across our beach communities, downtown districts, and waterfront corridors.
Hospitality & Lodging
Flagged hotels, boutique inns, extended-stay, and short-term rental operators serving Camp Lejeune visitors, coastal tourists, and business travelers year-round.
Restaurants & Culinary
Waterfront dining, chef-driven concepts, and locally sourced coastal cuisine — supported by a growing resident base and steady visitor traffic.
Retail & Downtown Investment
Downtown Jacksonville, Swansboro, and beach-town retail districts are prime for boutique, experiential, and destination retail investment.
Outdoor Recreation & Ecotourism
Kayaking, fishing charters, boating, beach outfitters, and nature-based tourism on the New River, Intracoastal Waterway, and Onslow Bay.
A place where visitors become neighbors, and neighbors become business owners.
Tourism complements Onslow County's advanced manufacturing, marine trades, healthcare, and logistics sectors — spreading opportunity across industries and reducing reliance on any single employer.
A thriving visitor economy is something you can feel at every age: more restaurants to gather in, more events to look forward to, more trails to explore, and more reasons for families, young professionals, and retirees to put down roots. Quality of life isn't a perk here; it's a strategy for keeping talent and growing a stronger local economy.
Events that bring us together and make this place feel like home.
Onslow County's events are proof of a vibrant, connected community. From Jacksonville to Swansboro, Richlands to Holly Ridge, and Surf City to North Topsail Beach, these gatherings welcome visitors, bring neighbors together, and give families — new and old — reasons to stay, build, and grow here. They also fuel real economic impact: lodging, retail, restaurants, and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.
- Jacksonville JamboreeJacksonville
- Rock the BlockJacksonville
- Marine Corps Half MarathonJacksonville
- Mullet Festival of NCSwansboro
- Arts by the SeaSwansboro
- Ocean FestSurf City
- Ocean City Jazz FestivalNorth Topsail Beach
- Holly Ridge Bee FestivalHolly Ridge
- Onslow County Renaissance FestivalRichlands
These are just a few of the events that give you a taste of Onslow County. For more, check out each municipality's event page.
Lejeune Memorial Gardens
Onslow County's most visited heritage destination draws veterans, families, and reunion groups from across the country — anchoring a growing heritage-tourism economy in the heart of Jacksonville.
The Eagle, Globe and Anchor reflecting pool will serve as the entryway to the future Carolina Museum of the Marine — a major heritage-tourism investment expected to expand overnight visitation and downtown spending.
Memorials, hours & visitor info at Visit Jacksonville NC
Jacksonville–Onslow Sports Commission
From youth through adult events to weekend races, spectator sports, and outdoor recreation, the Jacksonville–Onslow Sports Commission brings visitors and locals together around competition, fitness, and community spirit.
Whether you're looking for a game to watch, a sport to play, or a new experience to share with family and friends, JOSC is the local resource for what's happening across Onslow County.
Find events, venues & things to do
Sturgeon City
Green time, not screen time.
Sturgeon City is an environmental education center and science laboratory in Jacksonville where families, students, and curious visitors connect with the coastal environment through hands-on STEAM programs, field trips, and community events.
From wetlands walks and water-quality labs to summer camps and educator workshops, Sturgeon City turns the New River watershed into a living classroom — and a destination for parents, educators, and employers who value science-forward, family-friendly experiences.
Visit Sturgeon CityWhy it matters for Onslow
Sturgeon City strengthens our workforce pipeline by sparking early interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — while giving families and visitors another reason to choose Onslow County.
Ready to build something here?
Onslow Coastal Alliance is your front door to hospitality, retail, and recreation opportunities in Onslow County. Let's talk about your project, your goals, and how we can help you grow.