STAY IN A 200 YEAR-OLD PIECE OF HISTORY: Sit a spell on a sweeping wrap-around porch made for iced tea and summer breezes. For nearly 200 years Elmwood has been the historic and architectural crown jewel of the "original" Washington. Its lawn and expansive rooms have been home to prominent families over many generations. Today, Elmwood remains an icon of style and sophistication while charming guests as a luxury bed and breakfast.

FIND OUT WHY STRAIGHT BOURBON IS AGED FOR TWO YEARS: After a long day, there's nothing like unwinding with a glass of smooth bourbon and a delicious sandwich. Welcome to 1906 Bistro & Bourbons. Here, you can choose from a wide selection of hearty sandwiches and appetizers crafted with fresh ingredients paired perfectly with a curated collection of bourbons. Good food. Good drinks. Good people. Enough said.

FIND A BOOT THAT’S BEEN TURNED INTO A PLANTER: 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 small collectibles from that time when you didn’t need glasses to see the price tag. Look through decades old furniture and accessories. Find shovels crafted into a vase and, yes, boots turned into planters. Unique finds are everywhere and ready to start a second life back home with you.

DISCOVER HOW ART INSPIRES FASHION: Ladies, if you want to step up your wardrobe while taking in new art, look no further than Secret Garden Gallery & Boutique. Pick up statement necklaces. Try on flowy tunics in dreamy fabrics. Buy a local landscape as a constant reminder that you need to come back for your next visit. Mission accomplished.

FIND AN OYSTER THAT HAS BECOMES A KNIFE: Every item in this gallery and shop is marked by its craftsmanship and an artist’s eye. Unique gifts like handmade bags and hand-forged oyster knives will tempt you to do all of your gift shopping for the year in Lone Leaf. If you’re a sucker for letterpress, this shop has that, too, along with jewelry, artwork, and ceramics. The husband and wife owners are also custom framers who can help you select the perfect frame for your photos and artwork.

LEARN WHY CRABS ARE A GOOD THING TO CATCH HERE: 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. Grilled shrimp, perfectly seasoned blue crabs, 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.

FIND A FORK THAT’S BECOME A BRACELET: A trip down Main Street isn’t complete without a stop at Riverwalk. Browse through pottery topped with small blackbirds. Try on bracelets made from bent spoons and other silverware. Check out a painting of the waterfront, framed and ready to take home as the vacation memory you get to see everyday. If you are feeling creative, sign up for a class. This is your chance to be an artist or support an artist.

LEARN WHY ESTUARIES LIKE WASHINGTON MAKE FOR THE FRESHEST CATCH: At Blu, fresh shrimp and blue crab are prepared by a team of talented chefs who source only the freshest and most sustainable ingredients. Each day they create a menu that is both innovative and inspired. THe menu is always changing based on “what looks good today.” So you can expect something that is both different and fresh with each visit.

FIND OUT WHY 2.25 BILLION CUPS OF COFFEE ARE SERVED DAILY: What is better than a cup of coffee? How about a second cup. That’s the thinking here at the Main Cup at Little Inn. Black. White. Expresso. Latte. You name it, they have it fresh brewed. There are even exotic teas, fresh-squeezed juices and homemade pastries all served with a smile. A heavily caffeinated smile, but a smile nonetheless. So, wake up and head over a cup of happiness. Because, as they say here, “A yawn is a silent scream or coffee.”

VIEW A MEGALADON THAT WEIGHED UP TO 75 TONS: Prehistoric shark teeth, shells, coral, and even Megalodons 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.

TRY A HOT DOG WITH CENTURY-OLD WHITE BEAN CHILI: Opened in 1928 by Bill Jackson. Hot dogs, chips and drinks is all Bill's Hot Dogs has ever served and we promise you won't be complaining about it. The legacy of this eatery is part of Washington's landscape and you can't beat the original. The chili is even the original recipe! Pairing years of hot dog history, everyone's favorite hands-only food, you get a winning combination here at Bill's Hot Dogs.

DISCOVER HOW BLACK EYED PEAS WERE USED AS A WARNING: The Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum is a National Park Service Underground Railroad-Network To Freedom Facility completely dedicated to telling the story of freedom seeking from the Greater Washington NC region. Using research through documents, narratives of the formerly enslaved and other information housed in university libraries across North Carolina and the Country, we are able to share how many of those freedom seeking attempts gained them freedom in Northern states, Canada, Florida, the Caribbean Islands and many other places.

DINE ON AWARD-WINNING SEAFOOD: 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.

FIND OUT WHY CASTLE ISLAND ISN’T REALLY AN ISLAND: Most visitors to Washington are coming here to escape inboxes and schedules and to do lists. Here, doing nothing can be everything. That's why many visitors grab a kayak and head straight to the water. Paddling out on the waves is almost therapeutic. Follow the coastline or kayak over to Castle island, home to a local brothel in the early 1900s. Along the way you may spot great blue herons or occasionally dolphins.

HAVE LUNCH WHERE JIMMY BUFFET DINED: There's perhaps no other place in Washington that is so Washington. Hang out and enjoy the waterfront views. Savor the area's most unforgettable burger. This local favorite has a long line-up of live music, friendly people, and drinks that keep flowing. As a local hangout spot, we promise you won’t leave this place without a new friend.

HEAD OVER TO THE WORLD’S FIRST ESTUARIUM: You can't head to Washington without experiencing the Pamlico River in all its glory. One of the best places to do that is at the North Carolina Estuarium. This Estuarium is an interactive center that explores 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.

FIND OUT WHY WASHINGTON IS A SEAFOOD CAPITAL OF THE EAST COAST: If you love seafood (and by that, we mean you eat everything you see) then you are going to love the Washington Crab and Seafood Shack. Fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, clams, and more cooked to order. Everything is freshly caught, and you can taste it. So what will it be? Low country boil, bacon wrapped sea scallops, fried oyster burger, seared tuna. Maybe a combo plate is in order.