Parson's General Store
808 arendell st, +1-252-726-8188. an old-timey general store in an old victorian home; offers gifts, crafts, home accessories, seasonal decorations and a vast selection of sweets, including ice cream.
There's nothing especially unique to Morehead City; if you want beach souvenirs, you'd be better off trying Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle. However, there are quite a few nice gift shops and galleries around town.
The Book Shop
4915 arendell st, +1-252-240-1163. one of the best selections of new and used books in town, if you need something to read on the beach or by the pool. they also accept your used books for trade-in.
Dee Gee's Gifts and Books
508 evans st, +1-800-333-4337, (http://www.deegees.com). local and regional books, as well as gifts and souvenirs.
Ginny Gordon's Gifts and Gadgets
1011 arendell st, 252-726-6661. the perfect store for the cooking aficionado; a wonderful selection of cookware, cookbooks, utensils and kitchen gadgets ranging from indispensable to wacky.