10 Best Things To Do In Washington NC

Washington is a beautiful and popular city in Beaufort County, North Carolina.

The city is regarded as Little Washington or original Washington to separate it from Washington, D.C.

It is situated along the northern banks of the Pamlico River and boasts a lot of amazing places to explore and spend fun times with family, friends, and colleagues.

Washington has many top attractions, whether you want a getaway to learn about the people and culture.

It also offers opportunities for biking, hiking tours, and adventurous experiences, making it a destination for everyone who steps foot on its soil.

North Carolina Estuarium

North Carolina EstuariumSource: Flickr.com/ Gnomedude | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

The North Carolina Estuarium is the most advanced historical centre for environmentalists.

With over two hundred exhibits that describe the vital coastal rivers and estuaries, there is a lot to learn about estuarine life at the in-house aquariums housing crabs and other life forms.

You get to see interesting artworks, interactive displays, hands-on experience, artefacts from the Pamlico River, expeditions from hurricanes and rising sea levels.

There are special programs that offer knowledge about the nature and cultural heritage of the region.

Address: 223 E Water St, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Outdoor Camping in Washington NC

Outdoor camping in Washington NCSource: Flickr.com/ -ted | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

Image: Pamlico River in the background

Washington NC offers some of the best outdoor camping experiences in the whole of Eastern North Carolina.

The camping adventure in the city is captivating and the experience is more than your traditional tents with magnificent views and convenient access to water.

One such place you can visit is Goose Creek State Park which has RV campsites, traditional tent campgrounds, and cabins.

The RV campsites have electricity, sewer, and water supply with wheelchair accessibility.

Other campsites include the Tar-Pamlico River Camping Platform and Tranter’s Creek Resort/Campground.

Visit any on your next trip to get the thrills of this city.

Address: Goose Creek State Park Campground Rd, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Washington Waterfront Docks

Washington Waterfront DocksSource: Flickr.com/ -ted | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

If you love to go on a boat with family and friends then Washington Waterfront Docks is the best place to be.

Washington is a boat-friendly city which has a lot of docks along its waterfront allowing for both long- and short-term usage by visitors and residents.

They also offer dockage for a day to enable boaters to spend a quick day’s visit to its downtown area to explore top attractions.

Some amenities at the docks include 24-hour showers, private and secure heads for registered boaters in the lighthouse, laundry services when Dock Attendant is available, a pump-out station, ice, bicycles with shopping baskets and so much more.

Address: 301 W Stewart Pkwy, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Historic Bath

Historic BathSource: Flickr.com/ -ted | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

Historic Bath used to be a European settlement area close to the Pamlico River dating back to the 1690s.

These settlers founded the Bath in 1705 and the place had 50 residents by 1708 with 12 houses.

This was the first port in North Carolina and saw Indian wars, political rivalries, and piracy all through to 1746 when it became the capital of the colony.

Today, Bath is a historic district with lots of stories to show such as the Palmer-Marsh House which is a National Historical Landmark, Land of John Lawson, Joseph Bonner House, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church to name a few.

So, if you are planning a trip to Washington, ensure to visit Historic Bath.

Address: 100 Harding St, Bath, NC 27808, United States

Cycling in Washington, NC

Cycling in Washington, NCSource: Flickr.com/ -ted | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

Washington, NC, is a great location for Cyclists and travellers who love to cycle as a hobby.

It has an ambience with beautiful rivers that gives off that special feeling of the environment.

Every year, the Cycle NC Coastal Ride takes place and is shuffled between Edenton, Oriental, and Washington which comprises the Inner Banks of North Carolina.

You get to enjoy waterfront camps and also cycle through the coastal roads with magnificent views, local music, kayaking, arts, sailing, and so much more. Be sure to book your trip around April when the cycle falls.

Use mapmyride.com to check the Washington cycling routes.

You can also use River Vibes’ cycling rental service to get a bicycle.

Address: River Vibes, 108 S Market St, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Bowers – Tripp House

Bowers–Tripp HouseSource: Wikimedia/Tradewinds | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedPin

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the Bowers-Tripp House was designed and built in 1921 by Benton & Benton, a renowned architectural firm at the time.

The design of the building takes on the Colonial Revival Fashion and its basement was used as kindergarten class for some years before it was sold down to the next owner.

The house has passed through various owners such as Tom Lewis in 1945, and Richard and Leggette Tripp in 1949 who later became mayor of Washington and sold the house to Robert and Nita Byrum in 1993 after 44 years of ownership.

Byrum would later pass on in 2020 and his estate will later sell the house to its current owner Ellen Brabo.

This is indeed a must-see attraction in Washington, NC.

Address: 1040 N. Market St., Washington, North Carolina

Zion Episcopal Church – Washington, NC

Zion Episcopal Church - Washington, NCSource: Wikimedia/Tradewinds | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedPin

The Zion Episcopal Church built in the 18th century (1856) has been around for more than 160 years in Beaufort County, North Carolina.

The building’s design takes up the Greek Revival architectural style, it also has a cemetery, a rectory (1884 to 1885), a well house, a garage and a fence.

Due to its long-standing in eastern North Carolina, in 2000, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So, best be sure to see this amazing architecture when you visit.

Address: 7302 US-264, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum

The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom is a clear picture of the history of slavery in Original Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina.

It was the first long-distance rail route with many stops and safe houses along the way.

The railroad was built in 1820 as a means to transport slaves from Washington to Indiana which later served as an escape route for many slaves at the time.

The museum was co-founded by Leesa Jones who researched her family and found 300 years of untold history with 143 plantations’ records.

It is located in a revamped Railroad Caboose the “Seaboard Coast Line,” with a detailed and incredible history of freedom seekers that traversed the shores, and is worth a visit.

Address: Corner Of Main and, Gladden St, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Sunset over the Pamlico River bridge From the Washington shore

Sunset over the Pamlico River bridgeSource: Flickr.com/ -ted | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

It is very important to explore the inner banks.

As a major destination for tourists and residents, this happens to be the best way to see Washington and also to learn more about the beautiful Beaufort County.

There are a lot of activities around such as swimming, boating, fishing, or watching the sunset over the coastal rivers.

This is a great opportunity for families and friends and visitors to explore the river and experience the cool evening on a walking tour over the Pamlico River Bridge while the sun sets.

This offers an amazing photo op for Instagram and TikTok lovers.

Address: North Carolina 27889, USA

Goose Creek State Park

Goose Creek State ParkSource: Wikipedia/bobistraveling | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

The Goose Creek State Park is a great place to be and it offers so many activities for both residents and visitors.

It is nestled comfortably between Historic Bath and Washington (NC) and 34 miles southeast of Greenville.

The adventures from this coastal park range from swamps of cypress trees to wetlands along the Pamlico River to trackless railroad beds to ruins from old boat piers to remnants of tar furnaces that show the once flourishing lumber industry.

You can explore this estuarine area by paddling the Pamlico River or via hiking trails.

Address: 2190 Camp Leach Rd, Washington, NC 27889, United States

Conclusion

Washington, NC is a great place to be for those who would love to learn about Black history and also explore its top attractions.

If you love the outdoors there are also camping, biking, boating on the coastal rivers and hiking trails.

Being a significant region during the days of slavery, Washington also has so many stories to tell about the freedom seekers and escaped slaves at the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum.

This is a great place to be so make sure to explore and relax in calm as the sun sets over the Pamlico River.

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  • Sarah ThackerPin

    Senior Travel Writer, Travelsc

    Sarah is a writer from Ohio, currently living in West Virginia. As an avid baking enthusiast, she always scopes out the best food in an area and can make gre...

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