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Driven to Roam

Kick back and relax at these 5 charming towns in North Carolina’s Inner Banks

October 2024
5 min read
Hero Image of Inner Banks North carolina

Everyone’s heard of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, famously home to the country’s first colony, the Wright brothers’ first flight, and some of America’s oldest lighthouses. But you may have overlooked the Inner Banks, which is the inland coastal region behind the barrier islands.

Although not as prominent as the Outer Banks, the Inner Banks offer something of their own — namely, excellent fishing, great food, and a sense of peace and quiet. It’s the perfect option for those who don’t prefer the hustle and bustle of traditional tourist towns.

Here are five of the best towns to visit in the Inner Banks.

 

Edenton

House on stilts in Edenton North carolina
Edenton has plenty of historic sites, like the 1886 Roanoke River lighthouse.

If you’re fond of history, look no further than Edenton. Hugging the Albemarle Sound, this town has its roots in America’s colonial era, boasting about 300 years of history.

Thanks to its background, Edenton has no shortage of historical buildings to tour. One of the most popular attractions is the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, the country’s oldest colonial courthouse still in use. There are also plenty of historic homes to check out, like the Iredell House Homesite and Cupola House. The town even has a vintage trolley that takes you through a narrated tour of the historic downtown and other notable sites!

Nature enthusiasts will also find a lot to love about Edenton. You can scout across rivers, creeks and streams in a canoe, kayak, or paddle board through the Albemarle Regional Paddle Trails. Anglers will also be delighted to note several fishing charters that take you out to catch striped bass and crappie. There’s even an 18-hole golf course, The Links at Mulberry Hill, that’s right on the water!

Click here to learn more about Edenton.


New Bern

Aerial view of New bern North Carolina
Like most of North Carolina’s Inner and Outer Banks, the waterfront is a part of New Bern’s charm!

Ever wondered where Pepsi came from? The answer isn’t a big city like Atlanta, Georgia, which is the birthplace of Coca-Cola. It’s actually New Bern, North Carolina.

Concocted in 1898, the pharmacy where Pepsi — originally named “Brad’s Drink” after its pharmacist creator, Caleb Bradham — was invented is now called the “Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola,” selling the famed soda and memorabilia. And that isn’t the only pop culture reference in New Bern. The town is also home to acclaimed romance author Nicholas Sparks. Three of his novels are set there, inspiring a walking tour of landmarks mentioned in the books.

Like most of the Inner Banks, New Bern is as historical as they come. Among the attractions is the Tryon Palace, a reconstruction of the 1770 building that served as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina. You’ll also find the New Bern Farmers Market, which operates year-round and has its roots in the 1930s. And the New Bern Firemen’s Museum catalogs the state’s oldest fire company and the Great Fire of ‘22.

Click here to learn more about New Bern.

 

Bath

Aerial View of Bath North Carolina
Incorporated in 1705, Bath now has a population of about 200 people. (Photo: Bernstein613, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

At 319 years old, Bath is North Carolina’s first port and first town — and although small, it’s mighty in its fishing and historical sites.

Bath Creek has brackish water where you can find redfish, flounder, speckled trout and more. It leads out to the Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound, where you can rent a boat or take a charter out to fish to your heart’s content. Some trips may even take you to the adjacent Albemarle Sound, providing striped and largemouth bass, crappie, and red drum.

Believe it or not, the notorious pirate Blackbeard once called Bath home. You’ll see references to him around town, like at Blackbeard’s Tavern on Main Street. History buffs will also be interested in Historic Bath, a site where you can visit three historic homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. The nearby St. Thomas Episcopal Church, a 1734 structure known as the state’s oldest church building, is also open for tours.

Click here to learn more about Bath.

 

Beaufort

Dockside in Beaufort North Carolina
Beaufort’s name comes from Henry Somerset, a British politician who was the Duke of Beaufort.

Once dubbed “America’s Favorite Town” by Travel + Leisure magazine, Beaufort is beloved by residents and visitors alike.

Thanks to its proximity to the water, Beaufort was first known as Fishtown. Today, anglers love the town’s beaches, piers, and charters feeding into Gable Creek, Taylor Creek, and Gallants Channel. Keep an eye out for several species of drum, sheepshead, flounder, bluefish, and more!

Beaufort is also a great place for the curious. At the North Carolina Maritime Museum, you can discover new things about coastal life and find artifacts from Blackbeard’s wrecked ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge. The Beaufort Historical Site also lets visitors tour 10 unique buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as two gardens and the Old Burying Ground.

Click here to learn more about Beaufort.

 

Little Washington

Waterfront with a sailboat in Little Washington North Carolina
The Washington Historic District contains more than 600 properties!

Technically, this North Carolina town is called Washington — but it’s usually referred to as “Little Washington” so it won’t be mistaken for Washington, D.C. Some locals even call it “Original Washington,” since it was named in honor of George Washington 15 years before D.C.

Little Washington is fond of trails, although not necessarily the kind with dirt and rocks. The Seafood Trail takes you through a tour of 12 locations, some focused on fishing and others focused on eating those fish. One of the restaurants even has a James Beard Award-nominated chef! Meanwhile, the Arts Trail features 18 Beaufort County locations, ranging from a coffee shop to visual art galleries to a fossil museum.

Little Washington is also home to the North Carolina Estuarium, which also happens to be the world’s very first estuarium. True to its name, it has more than 200 exhibits that showcase estuaries and coastal rivers, including their unique wildlife. The estuarium even offers a free hour-and-a-half pontoon boat ride on the Tar-Pamlico River, although you need to reserve your spot in advance.

Click here to learn more about Little Washington.

 

Take the path less traveled with the Inner Banks

Ready to go on a relaxing vacation to the Inner Banks with your loved ones? Visit your local Toyota dealership to see which Toyota can best help you on your journey!

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