PlantationConnect Towns to Visit

Bath

North Carolina's first town, and a haunt of the pirate Blackbeard.

How far. About 74 miles, just under 2 hours by road.

Bath became North Carolina's first incorporated town in 1705, and its first port of entry. It was also the haunt of Edward Teach, the pirate Blackbeard, until the Royal Navy killed him near Ocracoke in 1718. The colonial Assembly met here three times and the town was considered for capital, but it lost out to New Bern, other ports took over the trade, and Bath stayed small.

To see

• Historic Bath State Historic Site. Free to walk in. Start at the Exhibit Center in the old Bath High School, at Carteret and Harding streets, where guided tours of the colonial Palmer-Marsh House and the 1830 Bonner House begin: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and military, $1 for ages 3 to 17, plus tax. Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. (252) 741-6030.
• St. Thomas Episcopal Church. On Craven Street, begun in 1734. The oldest church building in North Carolina.
• Bonner's Point. Benches with views of boats and sunsets on Bath Creek.
• Goose Creek State Park. About 13 minutes away: a cypress-swamp boardwalk and 9.5 miles of trails.

To eat

• Old Town Country Kitchen. Known locally as The Grill. Opens at 7 am: breakfast, then lunch specials, burgers, steaks and seafood.
• The Thirsty Mermaid. A coffee shop on Main Street.

Worth knowing

• Coming by boat? There's a state dock, and Bath Creek and the Pamlico River are calm, protected water.
• The county seat moved from Bath to Washington in 1785.

Historic Bath's website

Hours and menus change, so call first. Sources, read November 1, 2026: Historic Bath, NCpedia, Our State, June 16, 2026.

Washington

The Original Washington: believed to be the first town in the country named for George Washington.

How far. About 77 miles, about 1 hour 50 minutes by road.

James Bonner started a town on his farm in the 1770s, bordering the Pamlico and Tar Rivers, and called it Forks of the Tar. In 1776 it took the name of General George Washington, which is believed to make it the first town in the country named for him. Today it goes by Little Washington, or the Original Washington.

To see

• North Carolina Estuarium. Billed as the world's first estuarium, with more than 200 exhibits on the state's estuaries and coastal rivers, and riverboat tours Wednesday to Saturday.
• The riverwalk and waterfront. Right downtown, with herons and other wildlife along the way.
• Historic Turnage Theatre. A restored 1920s theater with live shows. Tours by appointment.
• P.S. Jones African American Education Museum. One of the town's museums.
• Goose Creek State Park. Cypress-swamp boardwalks and kayaking.

To eat

• Bill's Hot Dogs. The town's most famous eatery since 1928. Takeout only: oil-fried dogs with spicy white chili. Carry the bag to a picnic table on the waterfront.
• The Bank Bistro. In the Old Washington Bank on West Main Street, a half block from the water. Steaks, seafood and pasta.
• Down on Mainstreet. A locals' favorite for lunch, with seafood delivered daily.
• The Hackney. A restaurant and gin distillery. The menu changes almost daily.
• The Stubborn Mule Oyster Bar & Grill. A downtown oyster bar with a full bar.

Worth knowing

• Coming by boat? The waterfront has free docks, with no need to register unless you stay overnight, plus day and transient docking. Dock office: (252) 940-1231.
• Washington fell to Federal troops early in the Civil War, and the war left the town devastated.

Visit Washington NC

Hours and menus change, so call first. Sources, read November 1, 2026: City of Washington, history, and docks, NCpedia, Visit Washington NC, Our State, October 6, 2025.

New Bern

North Carolina's first state capital, home of Tryon Palace, and the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola.

How far. About 114 miles, about 2.5 hours by road.

Swiss and German settlers founded New Bern in 1710, making it North Carolina's second-oldest town, and named it for their leader's home, Bern, Switzerland. It became the first state capital, with Tryon Palace as the state's first permanent capital building. In 1898 a local pharmacist, Caleb Bradham, invented Pepsi-Cola and first served it here.

To see

• Tryon Palace and the North Carolina History Center. 529 South Front Street. The state's first permanent capital building, and home to Royal Governor William Tryon and his family. Plan at least half a day. Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday noon to 6 pm. (800) 767-1560.
• Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. 256 Middle Street. A soda fountain shop where you can taste a Pepsi and learn how it started. (252) 636-5898.
• The Baxter clock. A rare four-faced clock on Pollock Street.
• Christ Episcopal Church. With an interior designed in the style of Christopher Wren.

To eat

• Front Street Fish Co.. A local seafood market and restaurant. Lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.

Also on the town's list of about 30 downtown places: MJ's Raw Bar, Morgan's Tavern & Grill, Bear City BBQ and Persimmons Restaurant. The full list.

Worth knowing

• Bern is the old Germanic word for bear, and New Bern took the bear as its symbol too.
• The state's first printing press was set up at Broad and Middle Streets in 1749.
• North Carolina's first public bank opened here in 1778, and the town has the state's first chartered fire department.

Visit New Bern

Hours and menus change, so call first. Sources, read November 1, 2026: Visit New Bern, Tryon Palace, VisitNC, State marker.