If your sweet tooth does your talking for you, head over to Shep’s Grill. You’ll find a menu of all your typical breakfast favorites prepared with a little history and flair. Start your day with an egg plate and a side of homemade jams and jellies. Or go for the French Toast, made from grandma’s recipe. The cozy diner feel and hearty breakfast will set you up for the day ahead. Sugar-rush approved.

If landing a trophy red drum is on your bucket list, look no further than FishIBX. Book a fishing charter into the Pamlico Sound to battle with these monster fish, or invite Captain Mitchell Blake to guide you on a “mixed bag trip” where your party will reel in multiple species--trout, flounder, puppy drum, among others. Anglers will get an earful about all things fish and fishing. Captain Blake has decades of experience and a great love for eastern North Carolina waters.

Lunch by the water? Yes, please. Pack a picnic or pick up take out from one of Washington’s many local restaurants and head to Mac Hodges Festival Park for lunch. Right on the river, it’s a great spot to pop a squat on the lawn or under the shade of the gazebo. Keep your eyes peeled for osprey, bald eagles, and friendly sailors tying lines on the town dock.

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.

ORDER UP A SMOOTHIE: 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.

Experience the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze on your face while enjoying a drink in hand. Join us for cocktail hour at Mulberry House’s rooftop lounge, which offers one of the best river views in Washington. For dinner, trust the chef by choosing the six-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, which comes with an optional wine pairing, or explore the delightful options on the main menu. After dinner, head up to the rooftop lounge to enjoy live music and witness a breathtaking sunset over the Pamlico River!

Start your day with some Southern soul food from King’s Chicken and Drive In. A Washington favorite since 1958, their breakfast biscuits come in buttermilk, sweet potato, cathead cheese, and with just about any sweet or savory thing you may want to stuff it with. Want to make sure you’re stuffed ‘til lunch? Opt for a breakfast plate with eggs, meal, grits, and toast. And, given the restaurant’s name, you know their chicken and waffles can’t be beat.

Time to walk off that breakfast. Located about 10 miles east of Highway 264, Goose Creek State Park offers over eight miles of hiking. As you meander through its trails and boardwalks, you'll experience nature at its best —live oaks draped in Spanish moss and wetlands along the Pamlico Sound. Listen carefully, and you will hear woodpeckers that sound much like a laughing monkey. Head over to Mallard Creek, and you'll find a hidden pier, which is the best place to reel in a few freshwater bass. Stick around for a sunset. Bring a thesaurus, but expect to run out of words.

Looking to explore the park more? Rent kayaks from River Vibes or Inner Banks Outfitters to explore Goose Creek more!

Now that you've worked up an appetite, head over to Backwater Jacks. 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 seafood.

Capture a selfie with one of Washington's most cherished landmarks: the Havens Garden Wheel. This giant steel wheel, a remnant from a local lumberyard, is located at the water's edge just before the bridge on Park Drive. Don't forget to bring a fishing pole to the fishing pier, where you can enjoy fishing while taking in the views of the Pamlico River.

Need something to wash down that unforgettable burger? How about some fresh water mixed with saltwater? Okay, that doesn't sound too appealing. But it is interesting. In fact, we have an entire museum dedicated to the subject. Welcome to the world's first Estuarium, an interactive center that explores estuaries, where saltwater and freshwater mix. Washington has more estuarine waters than anywhere on the East Coast. These waters form unique habitats for a lot of fish species. Come in to explore more than 200 exhibits and drink in some knowledge.

Beer, pizza, and southern bites—what more could you ask for? Head over to Pitt Street Brewing OTP, where you can choose between fresh, handmade pizza from Havens Mill Pizza Co. or delicious Southern delights from The Marsh Food Truck. While you wait for your order, grab a flight of locally brewed beer from Pitt Street Brewing OTP and enjoy breathtaking views from their dock!