This Northeastern North Carolina county - surrounded by the Pamlico Sound, the Alligator and Pungo Rivers, home to North Carolina's largest natural lake --Lake Mattamuskeet--, and bisected by the Intracoastal Waterway - is known as "the land of many waters". Ocracoke Island, once home to the pirate Blackbeard and now a tourist Mecca, is accessible only by air or water.
With four national wildlife refuges covering over 115,000 acres (including 50, 181 acres of Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge) within its bounds, the county is a haven for nature study, bird-watching, hunting, fishing and pursuing a quieter way of life.
Hyde County is one of North Carolina's largest by acreage but has under 5500 residents. Mainland residents make their living farming or commercial fishing while Ocracokians depend heavily on the tourist industry. The county seat of Swan Quarter, and other communities such as Engelhard, Fairfield, Ponzer, Sladesville and Scranton and the quaint village of Ocracoke lay claim to the fact that there is not one stoplight in the entire county! Take "the road less traveled" and visit this unspoiled country.
The Barker House, the notable residence of one of Edenton's most famous citizens of all time, Penelope Barker, is a stunning attraction in more ways than one. The stately white home with a unique brick base and three stories of elite living space is...
One of Columbia's "newest" attractions happens to reside in one of its most prestigious old downtown buildings. The Columbia Theater Cultural Resources Center is a widely successful project of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources...
The town of Plymouth became the first incorporated town in Washington County in 1787 when Arthur Rhodes divided 100 acres of his Brick House Plantation along the Roanoke River into lots. In its heyday, it was the fifth-largest port in North Carolina...
Although small, the diverse and distinctive Elizabeth City has a world of opportunities that span all interests, many of which can be studied in detail at the acclaimed Elizabeth City State University. This institution, and home of the ECSU Vikings...