Things to do in the Area

Need a break from fishing or a day out with the family?

How about a round of golf at Emerald Golf Club in New Bern (18 holes with four sets of tees for different skill levels) or Minnesott Golf and Country Club (18 holes with five sets of tees to accommodate players of every age and skill level)?

A day out with the family? Plan a day trip to one of many of the area’s villages and historic towns:

NEW BERN is the first state capital, home to Tryon Palace and the birthplace of Pepsi Cola. Discover the NC History Center, enjoy drinks and dinner on the waterfront, or shop at one of the unique downtown boutiques. New Bern’s annual MumFest is one of the finest award-winning festivals in the state. Held mid October, MumFest celebrates Downtown New Bern’s restaurants in a weekend-long, dining-in-the-streets event! In addition to dining-in-the-streets, you’ll find a food truck rodeo, several dozen street vendors, and live music!

ORIENTAL: North Carolina’s Sailing Capital, is a popular stop for “snowbirds” cruising south for the winter or heading north for the summer. Take a leisurely stroll through this quaint little village and feel yourself relax or take a trip back in time at Oriental’s History Museum. Croakerfest is an annual event held on the first weekend in July with arts and crafts, food and fun, and parade on Saturday morning. Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the “Running of the Dragon.”

AURORA: The Aurora Fossil Museum houses a wide variety of Miocene and Pliocene marine fossils with most displays showcasing specimens collected from the neighboring Nutrien Phosphate Mine, the world’s largest integrated phosphate mining and chemical plant. The phosphates of the Aurora mine are the result of a recession experienced by the sea coast of Aurora. Phosphates were deposited into the sea about 15 million years ago. The museum offers a small site where kids can dig for shark teeth and other marine life remains.

WASHINGTON, founded in 1776, 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” or “Little Washington” by locals. 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. Be sure to visit the North Carolina Estuarium located on the waterfront. Estuaries are formed where fresh water and salt water mix together and are vital ecosystems for many reasons. Over 90% of the seafood species caught by North Carolina’s fishermen – such as blue crab, flounder, and shrimp – spend at least part of their lives in estuaries. The North Carolina Estuarium celebrates these special ecosystems and what they mean to life here in the “sound-lands.”

BATH: Situated just off the Pamlico River, Bath was founded in 1705 and is North Carolina’s first town and the state’s first port of entry. The pirate Blackbeard figured prominently during the town’s earliest days. Bath is also well-known as the inspiration for the Broadway show and motion picture “Show Boat.” The Historic Bath State Historic Site offers visitors a look back to colonial times, showing how people dressed, ate, worked and enjoyed themselves in those days. The site’s visitor center offers a short film that traces Bath’s history from the days of Blackbeard into the 21st century.

NORTH CAROLINA’S CRYSTAL COAST: Catch the early morning Cherry Branch-Minnesott Ferry or drive through Havelock, home of the Marine Corp Air Station at Cherry Point, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Fleet Readiness Center—East, to explore North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Renowned for its untamed beauty, spend a day exploring undeveloped beaches with wild horses, sea turtles and dolphins, or just soak up the sun at Atlantic Beach. Be sure to visit Fort Macon State Park and the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores with its exhibits from the mountains to the sea. Usually in October, the North Carolina Seafood Festival, held on Morehead City’s waterfront, is the largest three-day festival in North Carolina. Its highlights are an endless variety of seafood prepared in a multitude of ways, street dances, concerts, arts and crafts, and hands-own programs for kids and rides and games.

BEAUFORT: Established in 1713, Beaufort is the fourth oldest town in North Carolina. Located in North Carolina’s “Inner Banks” region, the town is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Duke University Marine Laboratory. Enjoy a stroll through the streets of Beaufort under centuries old live oaks. Lunch in one of the town’s waterfront restaurants or visit any of the unique shops.