I love the water and living in Eastern North Carolina, there is an abundance. We recently visited Washington, North Carolina for the day. Washington, an All-American City, is located in Beaufort County and is on the northern tip of the Pamlico River. The city was established in 1776 and it was the first city to be named for the first President of the United States.
Here, you will find one of the largest commercial and residential historic districts in the state of North Carolina. It features Victorian-era homes and commercial buildings. The area has been rebuilt due to fire twice, once during the Civil War, in 1864, and again, from a faulty stove flue, in 1900.
Washington is a top agricultural producer of wheat, corn, and sweet potatoes. Because of its proximity to the ocean and its location on the Pamlico River, it is a treasure trove of seafood.
It is an ideal location for outdoor activities, like fishing, hunting, golfing, and tennis. You can find something for everyone here. The waterfront area is filled with antiques, small shops, artists, and restaurants. We spent the day exploring the shops, sitting on the dock looking at the beautiful boats, and enjoying the wildlife.
Wanda with Mr. Crab 
Randy with Mr.Crab
Things to Do
Goose Creek State Park
Goose Creek State Park offers a wide variety of activities, from camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming. They have 8 miles of hiking trails that showcase the wildlife and birds of the region. The trails take you on a tour of marshes, swampland, and freshwater. There is a boat ramp available for boating and sailing. Bring your kayak or canoe and enjoy paddling along the creek. Make sure to bring your life vest too and to stay alert for poor weather conditions.
Designated swimming areas with sandy beaches are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Bring your water shoes and be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty.
Camping
The park also offers multiple picnic areas and tent, trailer, and RV camping sites. Each site accommodates a maximum of 6 people. All sites have a fire ring with a grill and a picnic table. The RV sites are located near a bathhouse. Available tent sites have water spigots and compostable toilets nearby.
Cabin rentals are also available and can accommodate up to 6 people. You are not allowed to smoke or bring your pets. Cabins require a 2-night stay on weekends and holidays. The campground is open year-round and handicap access sites are available.
Campground Details – Goose Creek State Park, NC – North Carolina State Parks (reserveamerica.com)
Moss Landing Marina
Moss Landing Marina has 92 boat slips ranging in size from 30 to 50 feet and has transient and long-term slip rentals. You can rent pontoon boats, deck boats, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks from Pamlico Boat Rentals at the marina to help you enjoy the beautiful waterfront. Boats can be rented by the hour with a 4-hour minimum or for the whole day. The marina also has a general store and a coffee and ice cream shop.
There are benches to sit on and enjoy the beautiful water and also a playground with swings for children located near the marina. You can also take a leisurely stroll down the dock along the waterfront and look at the marine life. We saw lots of turtles, geese, and birds along our walk. There are some beautiful houses to look at along the walk as well. It’s also really nice to look at all the beautiful boats in the marina.
https://washingtonncmarinas.com/
North Carolina Estuarium
An estuary is a mix of salt and freshwater. That’s what makes the waters around Washington so special. Most of the seafood harvested in Eastern North Carolina comes from these waters. The Albemarle-Pamlico estuary is the 2nd largest estuary in the United States. It is made up of 8 sounds, 6 rivers, and 3,000 miles of open water.
You can learn all about the estuary at the NC Estuarium. They have over 200 exhibits including crabs and other estuarine life, artwork, lots of interactive displays, and featuring the culture and heritage of this diverse region. There are many resources available for teachers and the museum often hosts field trips and events for school children.
Riverboat tours are included with your admission and are available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from April to October. Make sure to call ahead and verify the riverboat schedule when planning your visit.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.
https://www.partnershipforthesounds.net/nc-estuarium
Places to Stay
If you are looking for a place to stay that has character and charm, Washington has some wonderful choices. From apartments to historic houses, you will definitely find something to make your vacation memorable. Here are some that I really like.
Apartments on Main
Apartments on Main is a great place to stay if you are looking for something that is not your typical hotel. They offer luxury and comfort in a great location, only one block from the waterfront. Apartments on Main has 2 options, both 2 bedroom, and 1 bath apartments. The apartments have fully equipped kitchens, come with a washer and dryer, have comfortable living rooms, and have free WiFi and smart TVs. Everything has been taken care of so that you can have a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
The first apartment has 2 queen bedrooms and the second apartment has one king and one queen bedroom. The second apartment also has a beautiful deck, with a seating area and a grill, all overlooking the city.
The 2 apartments combined make a great location for wedding parties and family reunions.
Both options are pet-friendly with a small fee. Private, off-street parking is available. Apartment one is located up one flight of stairs so, keep that in mind when packing. Two smaller suitcases are better than one really heavy one.
The apartments can be booked through the Apartments on Main website or through Airbnb, where the owner is a Superhost. Short-term and long-term rentals are available.
Elmwood 1820 Bed and Breakfast Inn
Elmwood 1820 Bed and Breakfast Inn is a bed and breakfast is a five-minute walk from the waterfront, making it an ideal location for your relaxing getaway. The Inn is a short walk away from restaurants and shops in the historic district. Its beautiful porches, gardens, and lounge areas are perfect for relaxing and enjoying your day.
The guest rooms are uniquely themed and have private bathrooms with showers. The downstairs room has a separate soaking tub and shower. You will also find coffee/tea makers, bathrobes, and luxury toiletries in each room. Some of the guest rooms even have sun porches so that guests can enjoy the outdoors while relaxing and enjoying the beautiful eastern North Carolina weather.
The inn is beautifully decorated with antique furniture and paintings from the local art scene. And don’t forget about breakfast! It’s included with your stay and is fabulous! You can choose from an American or Vegetarian breakfast. Make sure you discuss any dietary restrictions you may have when you make your reservations.
The Inn also hosts groups of up to 100. You can have your next business meeting or holiday party in this beautiful location. It is the perfect setting for wedding receptions or your small wedding.
You can make your reservations on their website or at booking.com.
When Pigs Fly Inn
When Pigs Fly Inn is located in the historic Frank A. Moss house. The house was built in 1902 and is located near Washington’s historic harbor district. There are four guest rooms available, all with private bathrooms. You can choose a king or queen bed and roll-away beds are available. Rooms come with a microwave and a mini-fridge. Breakfast is not served at the inn but coffee, tea, snacks, and water are available whenever you need them.
The inn is full of cozy reading areas, libraries, and antiques. You can relax and enjoy the lovely gardens on the beautiful covered porch. Restaurants, shopping, and entertainment are a short walk away. You can enjoy steaks, ice cream, hot dogs, and seafood from some great local restaurants. You can even walk to the NC Estuarium.
To book your stay, you can go directly to the website or you can find them on Airbnb, where the owner is a Superhost.
Flying Pig Provisions
While staying at When Pigs Fly Inn, make sure to check out the Flying Pig Provisions. Here, you will find local items, souvenirs, gourmet foods, spices, and staples like bread and milk. They also feature Ashe County Cheese, which if you have read my post on butter, you will know that I love Ashe County Cheese butter. The cheese is also delicious, especially the cheese curds. So pick some up to try from the Flying Pig Provisions.
https://www.flyingpigprovisions.com/
More Things From Our Day
Washington is a beautiful town in Eastern North Carolina. We took advantage of the beautiful weather to walk along the waterfront and look at the beautiful boats. Randy loves to connect with nature and this was the place to do it. We saw so many turtles and birds. We had a wonderful time. I wanted to get a boat for a souvenir but, had to be happy with a crab of our own.
For another look at the Eastern North Carolina coast, check out our post on Edenton, North Carolina,
The South’s Prettiest Small Town – The Catt Life
