Making your first trip to Little Washington? Let this be your guide to experience what makes Washington so unique and staple as a waterfront community on the Inner banks of North Carolina. Whether you’re here for history, outdoor adventure, local flavors, or a relaxing getaway, use this guide to discover the experiences that make Washington and the surrounding area worth exploring.
Eat & Drink
Get a taste of Little Washington, where local favorites and unique dining experiences await! Grab a bite at iconic Bill’s Hot Dogs, or elevate your dining experience at The Hackney Restaurant and Gin Distillery, home of 2024 James Beard Award finalist Chef Jamie Davis. Craving fresh local seafood? Head to Washington Crab & Seafood Shack for a taste of the coast, or visit Rice & River Sushi Bar to enjoy sushi and Asian-inspired cuisine with a rooftop dining experience. Finish your visit with a scoop of homemade ice cream from El Palacio de los Sabores!
Bill's Hot Dogs
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.
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.
El Palacio de los Sabores truly lives up to its name, “The Palace of Flavors.” There’s always another flavor to try, a delicious snack to enjoy, or something new waiting to make your visit special. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again because you never know what favorite treat you’ll discover next.
Rice & River offers Japanese, Sushi and a Cocktail bar at their Rooftop Restaurant atop the Pamlico River. Fresh-caught fish from the Outer Banks is served with a Chic-Zen vibe. Whether you're enjoying a casual dinner, date night, or special occasion, Rice & River pairs exceptional flavors with stunning waterfront views.
If you love seafood 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.
Discover the stories, history, and natural beauty that make Little Washington unique! Step back in time at the P.S. Jones African-American Education Museum, Underground Railroad Museum, and Washington’s Museum of the Pamlico. Explore the fascinating world of estuaries at the North Carolina Estuarium and learn about the rich ecosystems of the nearby Pamlico River and surrounding waterways. Looking to enjoy the outdoors? Tee off at Cypress Landing Golf Club, home to one of North Carolina’s highest-ranked public golf courses, or spend the day exploring the trails, waterways, and natural beauty of Goose Creek State Park.
Cypress Landing Golf Course
Tee off at Cypress Landing Golf Course in Chocowinity, just minutes from Washington, NC. Ranked among North Carolina’s top public golf courses by GolfPass, including a No. 8 ranking in 2024, this scenic 18-hole, par-72 course offers an exceptional golfing experience in the heart of the Inner Banks. Designed by Bill Love with Ault, Clark & Associates, the course winds through towering pines, wooded landscapes, and tranquil lakes, with its signature 15th hole overlooking Chocowinity Bay.
The eight miles of trails at Goose Creek State Park lead visitors through a broad range of coastal experiences, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, wetlands along the Pamlico Sound and a cypress swamp viewed from an extensive boardwalk. A visitor and environmental education center explains it all with detailed exhibits. Getting into or onto the waters of the sound is easy at a sandy swim beach, a boat ramp or a separate paddling launch. A small tent-oriented campground offers solitude, even though the park is just a short drive from the historic towns of Bath and Washington, N.C.
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.
Step inside the Turnage Theatre and you´re transported back to the 1920s. Art Deco chandeliers illuminate the 432-seat theatre. A grand stage awaits the next magical performance. You can almost hear the cheers, laughter and applause of the audience. Visitors can tour the restored property by appointment. The Arts Council has transformed the space at the font of the theater into an art Gallery featuring the work of local craftsmen. So even when there is not a performance, there is always something creative to experience.
Visit the world´s first Estuarium, one of North Carolina´s most innovative environmental centers. See more than 200 exhibits that describe our vital estuaries and coastal rivers, including: Aquariums with crabs and other estuarine life Fun and fascinating artworks Hands-on, interactive displays Artifacts from life on the Pamlico River Explorations of hurricanes and sea level rise Pamlico River boat tours Special programs on natural and cultural heritage.
Step inside the P. S. Jones Museum of African American Education to explore the powerful story of African American education in Beaufort County and across North Carolina. This state-of-the-art museum traces more than a century of history, from the time segregation was made law after the Civil War through the era of school integration in the 1950s.
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.
The Washington Museum of the Pamlico celebrates the rich history, culture, and heritage of Washington, North Carolina, and the surrounding Pamlico region. Through engaging exhibits, historical artifacts, and educational programs, the museum preserves local stories while inspiring visitors to explore the people, events, and traditions that have shaped the community for generations.
When it’s time to unwind, make yourself at home at Ell Hotel or Elmwood 1820, two distinctive stays featured in publications like Our State and Travel + Leisure. Whether you’re looking for historic charm, a relaxing retreat, or a weekend getaway, settle in, slow down, and enjoy all that Little Washington and the surrounding Inner Banks have to offer.
The Ell Hotel
The Ell Hotel offers an intimate and stylish retreat for a romantic weekend in Washington, NC. With thoughtfully designed rooms, modern comforts, and a prime downtown location, it’s the perfect place to unwind together after a day of exploring—close enough to everything, yet quiet enough to feel like your own private escape.
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.
Washington has always been a “sea to table” kind of town. Its geographical location on the Pamlico Sound, one of the largest estuaries on Earth, has provided…
Discover Washington, NC’s great outdoors, where the natural beauty of the Inner Banks invites you to slow down, explore, and find your next adventure. From paddling…
Making your first trip to Little Washington? Let this be your guide to experience what makes Washington so unique and staple as a waterfront community on the Inner banks of…
Calling all history buffs! Your next adventure starts in the "Original" Washington. Wander through historic buildings, museums and waterfront landmarks, as you…
