The entire eastern border of Beaufort County runs along Pamlico Sound. The county also has extensive wetlands and areas of forest and farmland. The terrain ranges from flat to gently rolling, so water and landscape shape many of the ways to explore the county.
Wetlands and Waterways
Goose Creek State Park has wetlands along the Pamlico River and a cypress swamp. You can view the swamp from a long boardwalk. The park’s estuarine areas can be explored on foot or by paddling on the Pamlico River. This lets you experience the transition between land and water both from the trails and from the river.
Other waterways also offer opportunities for paddling, including the Pamlico River, the Pungo River, Pantego Creek, Blounts Creek, and Tranter’s Creek, as well as other creeks and their tributaries. For those interested in waterscapes, there is more than one river to explore on a trip. The North Carolina Estuarium also offers boat tours on the Pamlico River.
Bath and Historic Architecture
Bath was founded in 1705 as North Carolina’s first town; it also became the state’s first port. Historic Bath offers visits to two historic homes. The Harding’s Landing State Dock provides access to Historic Bath from Bath Creek—a practical link between the town’s history and the waterway.
Individual homes also offer distinct architectural and historical features. The Palmer-Marsh House is a National Historic Landmark. The Bonner House is one of the best-preserved examples of early 19th-century Carolina architecture. The Turnage Theatre was built in 1913 as a vaudeville theater; its building is listed as a contributing property in the Washington Historic District.
Art, Theater, and Local History
The Arts of the Pamlico arts center includes two theaters, indoor and outdoor spaces for art exhibitions, and a historic vaudeville museum. Together, these spaces showcase the stage, visual arts, and vaudeville history as distinct facets of the cultural offerings.
The Belhaven Memorial Museum officially opened on April 1, 1965, on the second floor of the historic Belhaven Town Hall. Its mission includes collecting, exhibiting, and preserving historical and cultural artifacts and objects. The museum also fosters interest in the history, art, science, and culture of Belhaven, Beaufort County, and eastern North Carolina.
The Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum is a National Park Service site in the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. A restored Seaboard Coast Line Railroad caboose also presents history, with an exhibit dedicated to slavery in Washington and Beaufort County.
In Washington, the Historic Port of Washington audio tour visits historic sites along the waterfront and downtown. Self-guided audio tours of Harbor District treasures are also available. Tour availability, route content, and platform details may change; check the latest information in advance.
More Experiences and Practical Information
At The Hackney in Washington, the offerings include tastings and tours of the gin distillery, where 1,000 Piers Gin is made. Advance appointments by phone are required for a tasting or tour. River Vibes rents cruiser bikes in Washington for solo rides and tandem rides. Rental options and operator details may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information.
A state-owned and state-operated ferry runs daily from the north side of the Pamlico River at Gaylord’s Bay near Bayview and from the south side at Huddle’s Gut near Nutrien in Aurora. Operating details may change with service conditions; check the latest information before planning your trip.
Explore more destinations: Chocowinity, Aurora, Mcdowell, Rockingham County, Columbus, Jackson, Stokes County, Randolph County.
For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.
