Washington, NC
Start a new tradition. Head East toward the coast and stop in Washington, NC. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s part of its charm. This port city located on the banks of the Pamlico and Tar Rivers was a well-kept secret for Blackbeard and his pirate friends. And it remains a place for those “in the know” today.
Washington offers a welcome respite from the typical family vacation. Sailboats and yachts line the boardwalk. Locals and visitors browse through shops and lazily dine at chef-owned restaurants. The breeze is cool with the smell of salt and the vibe feels easy and relaxed. It’s a feeling visitors and locals pick up on quickly in all they do. Here’s our take on starting your new coastal tradition.
Low Activity
5 days | 16 stops
Day 1
STOP 1: When Pigs Fly Inn
CHECK IN: Nestled in the beautiful historic district of Washington, your room at the When Pigs Fly Inn (located in the historic Frank A. Moss House) is a four-minute walk to, well, everything -- the waterfront boardwalk, the Civic Center, and the Washington Harbor District with its quaint shops and restaurants.
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STOP 2: Mulberry House
SIT ON THE ROOFTOP WITH A VIEW OF THE RIVER: Sun and breeze on your face. Drink in your hand. Spend cocktail hour with one of the best river views in Washington at Mulberry House’s rooftop lounge. This place has it all: coffee shop, brewery, and restaurant. For dinner, leave the decisions to the chef and opt for the six-course Tasting Menu with optional wine pairing, or tempt your palate with something from their main menu including Japanese charcoal grilled skewers and Yakitori, local crawfish, or ginger braised pork belly. The food and views are unbeatable.
1 HOURS
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Day 2
STOP 3: Pamlico Boat Rentals
RENT A BOAT: Sail the same waterways as the infamous pirate Blackbeard and experience all that the Pamlico River has to offer. Located in Moss Landing Marina, Pamlico Boat offers many options to get out on the water. Rent a deck boat or Pontoon if you want to fish or swim. Grab a kayak or canoe if you feel like exploring the coastline. Or, take your chance on a paddle board if you need a good core workout.
5 HOURS
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STOP 4: The Hackney Restaurant and Gin Distillery
HAVE A MEAL AND AN EXPERIENCE: Home to James Beard nominee Chef Jamie Davis, the Hackney offers visitors a true Sea to Table experience. The menu changes almost daily based upon the freshest produce and the catch of the day. From tuna and grouper to shrimp, oysters and the sweetest blue crabs, each dish is prepared with bold flavors, using different techniques to really let the ingredients shine and speak for themselves. Have one of those meals that you will be thinking about for years to come.
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Day 3
STOP 5: North Carolina Estuarium
LEARN A LITTLE: You can't head to Washington without experiencing the Pamlico River in all its glory, and one of the best places to do that is at the North Carolina Estuarium. The world's first Estuarium, this place is an interactive museum that explores the habitat created where saltwater and freshwater mix. Washington has more estuarine waters than anywhere else on the East Coast, and these waters create unique habitats for many fish species.
3 HOURS
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STOP 6: Aurora Fossil Museum
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME: Watch out for that Megalodon! Prehistoric shark teeth, shells, coral, and other fossils are yours for the finding at the fossil pits outside of the Aurora Fossil Museum. Bring your own sand sifter and walk away with a discovery. Inside the museum learn about the unique natural history of the coastal plains of North Carolina. Explore exhibits featuring Native American artifacts, fossils of all shapes and sizes. You may even walk away with your own precious gem.
3 HOURS
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Day 4
STOP 7: Copper Canyon Wellness
BREATHE DEEP: Sometimes doing nothing is everything. That’s the idea at Copper Canyon Wellness. This upscale modern retreat for both men and women is located in downtown Washington. Lay back and get a facial that will leave your skin glowing at your candle light dinner. Or get a full body Swedish massage to work out those knots paddling that kayak across the river yesterday. The professionals at Copper Canyon Wellness will give you the pampering that you deserve.
2 HOURS
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STOP 8: Flash From the Past
SHOP HISTORY: If you found it in Grandma’s attic, you probably will find it here. Flash from the Past, as the name implies, is about all things antiques and vintage. Browse through small collectibles from decades when you didn’t need glasses to see the price tag. Check decades old furniture and accessories. Shovels crafted into a vase. Boots turned into a planter. Unique finds are everywhere and ready to start a second life back home with you.
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STOP 9: Pamlico Books
GET LOST IN A BOOK: Nothing says vacation like cracking open an old classic or new bestseller. Pamlico Books has both. Browse through mystery novels, true crime, historical fiction. From who-done-its to why-am-i-like-this, cozy up riverside and get lost in the pages.
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STOP 10: Harbor District Market
PICK UP SOME LOCAL TREASURE: Downtown Washington is not the place you'll find another big box store. Around here, you can enjoy browsing through independent shops, boutiques and galleries. Start at Harbor Market District. It's home to 26 full-time vendors offering a little of everything. Pick up a few bars of handmade soap. Invest in a local landscape painting. Grab some produce from local farms. Or indulge in some local chocolates. (We won’t tell anyone) You’re sure to find a little piece of imagination that you can box up and take home with you.
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STOP 11: The Southern Nest
FIND INSPIRATION: There is a fine line between shopaholic and helping the economy. This is a fact you will quickly come to realize at The Southern Nest. Swoon at the home decor and cottage farmhouse furniture. Find inspiration for your home in their selection of tables, lamps, jewelry, and gifts. Need a custom approach to your purchase? Consult with one of their in-house designers who will be happy to help you think through a project or space that needs a glow up.
1 HOURS
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STOP 12: Pitt Street Brewing on the Pamlico
RAISE A GLASS OR THREE: What’s better than a great craft beer? How about drinking that craft beer while sitting down by the River? Welcome to Pitt Street Brewing Company on the Pamlico. Fans of this craft brewery may know it from its Greenville location. The indoor area has been opened up to allow the breeze and views of the water to fill the space. Outdoors, there are picnic tables by the water. Boats can dock so you can go ashore and grab a pint. Even friends of the four-legged variety are welcome. If you only drink on days ending in “y,” this is the place to be.
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Day 5
STOP 13: Goose Creek State Park
THROW OUT A LINE: We’ve all done it – sitting around with your buddies bragging about our previous catches and who’s the biggest. Now it's time to whip out the poles and find out. We’re talking about fishing of course. Experience nature at its best at Goose Creek State Park and the tidal waters of the Pamlico Sound. Go for a hike along the water or toss in a line. Where else can you say you fished in one of the largest freshwater estuaries on the planet?
3 HOURS
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STOP 14: Down on Mainstreet
FILL YOUR BELLY: This is the locals favorite lunch spot for a reason. Friendly, casual, and bustling with people, Down on Main Street runs a tight ship during its lunch service. Shrimp, fried green tomatoes, sandwiches stacked high and crushed ice in your tea make for a satisfying tasty, mid-day break. Don’t worry if there’s a line, it moves pretty quick.
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STOP 15: River Vibes
WORK OFF LUNCH: To bike or not to bike: That is not a question. One of the best ways to experience Washington is on a comfy cruiser bike from River Vibes. Single and tandem, these rentable bikes have wide seats and a rack where you can strap down any purchases. It’s a great way to see the town, shop, and let your body relax as you soak up the sun and cruise by the Pamlico. When you’re done exploring, pop back in River Vibes for a refreshing, 100% crushed fruit smoothie. Try the “Castle Island,” named after the island you can see from the riverfront boardwalk.
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STOP 16: Washington Crab Market
TAKE HOME YOUR CATCH: If you are better with a shopping cart than you are with a fishing rod, Washington Crab Market is the place for you. Every day their market offers fresh fish (whole and filets), blue crabs, crabmeat, shrimp, oysters (shelled and shucked) clams, crab legs, crab cakes, lobsters, and much more. If it lived underwater (minus mermaids and Aquaman) it is probably here and ready for dinner.
1 HOURS
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