About the Area -
Washington North Carolina
Washington
Founded in 1776, the town of Washington, North Carolina, was the first city in America to be named for General George Washington. Because of this, the city is still occasionally referred to as “Original Washington.”
With a beautiful and historic downtown, Washington is known for the stately homes and lovely gardens that make up its residential area, as well as the ornate brickwork featured on the vintage commercial buildings of Main Street.
Located directly on the scenic waterfront, downtown Washington offers unique opportunities to the visitor, from world-class restaurants and intriguing antique stores to art galleries, performing centers, and more.
Washington’s downtown on the waterfront is the perfect place for an overnight stay or a weekend getaway. Discover the charms of the Inner Banks by exploring Washington and its neighbors:
Bath
Founded in 1705, Bath is North Carolina’s first town, recently celebrating its 300th anniversary. The original town limits are the boundaries of a National Register historic district.
The pirate Blackbeard figured prominently during the town's earliest days. The famous rogue lived on Plum Point, which came to also be known as "Teach's Point," after Blackbeard’s real name, Edward Teach. Bath is also well-known as the inspiration for the Broadway show and motion picture "Show Boat."
Aurora
Just south of the Pamlico River is a quiet town called Aurora. The population is just under 600, and the homes and business have a true Southern charm. However, to fossil hunters around the world, the most interesting parts of the Aurora are buried underneath the city.
A large phosphate mine in the area gives both paleontologists and fossil enthusiasts a unique opportunity to collect and study fossils from prehistoric times. The Aurora Fossil Museum, located in town, includes a wide variety of marine fossils from the Pleistocene, Pliocene and Miocene eras, as well as Native American artifacts from the area.
Chocowinity
Located on the south side of the Pamlico River, Chocowinity is a small community with a rich heritage of history, agriculture, and industry. The name "Chocowinity" means “fish from many waters,” and fishermen visiting Chocowinity can look forward to shad, perch, red breast, black fish, pike pickerel, jack, rock, bass, trout, and sturgeon.
Belhaven
Located on the northern shore of the Pungo river and close by the Pamlico Sound, the Outer Banks, and the Atlantic Ocean, Belhaven is a haven for both boatsmen and fishermen. The area is popular with sportsmen on dry land, too, offering deer, bear, rabbits, squirrels, quail, and duck.
Greenville
The largest city in the area, Greenville is the proud home of East Carolina University and the ECU Pirates. Only half an hour away from Washington, Greenville offers amenities of a larger university town. Come walk across the beautiful, sculpture-filled campus of East Carolina, or stroll through the nearby downtown district. Greenville is also home to the Pitt-Greenville Airport, which offers scheduled flights daily to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport via USAirways.
Area Resources
Attractions
Bennett Vineyards
6832 Bennett Vineyards Road
Edwards, NC 27821
Goose Creek State Park
2190 Camp Leach Road
Washington, NC 27889
Beaufort County Arts Council
108 Gladden Street
Washington, NC 27889
Aurora Fossil Museum
400 Main Street
Aurora, NC 27806
Belhaven Memorial Museum
Main Street
Belhaven, NC 27810
Historic Bath
207 Carteret Street
Bath, NC 27808
North Carolina Estuarium
223 East Water Street
Washington, NC 27889
Dinner Cruise
Belle of Washington
PO Box 1752
Washington, NC 27889
252.974.0919
Downtown
Georgetowne Centre
Corner of Second & Market Streets, Downtown
Washington, NC 27889
252-714-3562
Historic References
Historic Albemarle Tour
PO Box 1605
Washington, NC 27889
