Located near the mouth of the Roanoke River Plymouth was the 3rd largest port in North Carolina at one time. There is a rich fisheries heritage here. From seining herring and shad in the Albemarle Sound to fishing pound nets and drift nets in the river,commercial fishing has been an important industry that today is a mere shadow of its former self. Crabbing is the predominant form of commercial fishing nowadays.

The lighthouse and grounds are open daily from 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p.m. Easter through Thanksgiving and Thursday evenings in the summer until 8:00 p.m. A fee is charged for all climbers ages 8 and older. We are able to accept cash and checks only. Lighthouse construction predates modern building codes and safety regulations, so visitors are required to sign a liability waiver prior to climbing. Liability waivers are located in the tower at the sign-in desk.

Discover the Albemarle region’s rich history, culture and traditions at the Museum of the Albemarle. Located along the waterfront in Elizabeth City, the museum offers compelling exhibits and educational programs. Scenic views of the Pasquotank River provide an enticing backdrop to the lobby’s centerpiece, a restored 1904 Albemarle Sound shad boat (North Carolina’s state boat).

The Aquariums were established in 1976 to promote an awareness, understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the diverse natural and cultural resources associated with North Carolina’s ocean, estuaries, rivers, streams, and other aquatic environments. Visit All Three!

Spend a Weekend or a Lifetime in North Carolina’s Backyard. Discover the world’s largest collection of waterfowl at Sylvan Heights. Walk the footpaths to freedom in Historic Halifax. Visit the world’s “longest” museum, the Roanoke Canal. Spend time in nature and renew your spirit at Medoc Mountain State Park. Feed your creative side through theatre, music and visual art.

Founded in 1793, Elizabeth City has a long and colorful story. It was once an important seaport with four-masted ships carrying goods to and from the new world. Wander through six National Register Historic Districts, take a guided tour and enjoy an authentic English tea, take a carriage ride through the downtown.

Discover The Elizabethan Gardens, The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama, NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Explore shops, restaurants, waterfront boardwalks, quiet inns and motels, special events, bike trails, boat rides and canoeing and plenty of island charm.

Before Jamestown and Plymouth, a group of men, women and children settled on Roanoke Island in 1587—and then vanished mysteriously… Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green captured their haunting story in his play, The Lost Colony, now performed on the very site they settled over 400 years ago. Experience the splendor and intrigue that have made The Lost Colony a family favorite since 1937.

The most diverse and exciting destination in the East! Rich in Civil War history, maritime heritage, lighthouse, Colonial history, the largest black bears on the planet, the ONLY wild population of red wolves in the world, hundreds of miles of unspoiled waterways, wildlife refuges- all within one hour of the Outer Banks! Download the brochure which is conveniently divided into five self-guided tours. Be sure to visit our fantastic new website: www.gowildnc.org.

Water is elemental and essential to all life. Reconnecting with the water does something for the spirit. The wetlands of North Carolina’s Northeast region and the communities within it came into existence because of the rivers, sounds, creeks, swamps, and estuaries located here. These waters have fed, transported, entertained, soothed and employed people in this area since records of human beings existed.

Majestic trees greet visitors at this 16th century pleasure garden created by The Garden Club of North Carolina as a living memorial to the lost colonists. Highlights include the thatched gazebo, Shakespearean herb garden, flower bordered walkways, antique garden statuary and formal sunken gardens.

North Carolina’s Northeast is a sixteen county-region featuring some of our state’s brightest jewels of land and sea. We have a variety of historic, cultural and recreational opportunities. From the historic plantations and the legend of Blackbeard to golfing and the world famous beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, our region is full of places and events that celebrate our heritage and our future.