Eastern North Carolina is home to many great places to visit, and if you love cute places, the small towns in Eastern North Carolina are perfect.
From architecture to interesting history to great museums, the towns have something to offer for everyone. Also, you can do many fun things when you’re visiting these places. For example, you can play miniature golf or go to one of the lovely restaurants in the towns. These towns can be amazing if you want to go on a day trip, but they are also great if you want to go on a relaxing weekend getaway with some great sights.
I’m sure you’ll love these small towns in Eastern North Carolina!
Best Small Towns in Eastern North Carolina
Southport
Southport is an amazing town to visit.
You can find this town on the coast where the Cape Fear River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
If you want to go to a place with a great Southern atmosphere that is very charming, you should definitely consider going to Southport. It is truly a hidden gem in the state!
When you are in Southport, there are many sights to check out.
For example, you can go to the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. Here, you can learn about the maritime history of the Lower Cape Fear region.
Another interesting place to check out is the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum. Here, you can learn about the history of the town from its beginnings till the present day.
Tarboro
Tarboro is a very nice town to check out in Eastern North Carolina as well.
You can find the town as part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area.
One of the reasons to visit this town is the many churches that you can find here. There are many historical ones and some date back to the 18th century, which makes them very unique to see.
Furthermore, there are other historic sights in the city to check out. For example, you can find the Blount-Briders House & Arboretum in Tarboro, which is a house that was created in the year 1808.
Another interesting place to check out is the Edgecombe County Veterans’ Military Museum.
If you want to visit a historic town in the state of North Carolina, this can be a great town to consider going to!
Plymouth
Plymouth is a town in Eastern North Carolina that you can find in Washington County.
It is a small place that you can find on the Roanoke River. The town has a small population of a bit more than 3,000.
Plymouth was founded in the year 1787 and was an important place for trade in the past. You can still see a replica of an important lighthouse in the town.
Also, the town has beautiful nature and landscapes that can be great to check out! The town is perfect for ecotourism. So if you are looking for a place with great nature activities, this town is perfect for that!
Beaufort
Beaufort is a lovely small town that you can find in Carteret County in North Carolina.
The town was founded at the beginning of the 18th century and with this, the town is one of the oldest small towns in the state.
The city has a lovely atmosphere and there are many great historic places to check out when you travel to the town.
For example, you can check out the Beaufort Historic District, which is an area in the town with several historic buildings.
Furthermore, you could go to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Here, you can learn about maritime heritage. You can find several objects related to that at the museum, including ships and ship equipment.
Furthermore, the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market can be great to check out. This is a market where you can find a lot of local vendors that sell many types of products. For example, you can go here to shop for crafts, jewelry, and much more.
Surf City
Surf City is a small town with a population that is close to 2,000. The town is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Surf City is a great town to visit if you want to have fun.
That’s because you can find great beaches in Surf City that are perfect for relaxation.
Furthermore, there are parks that are great if you like to relax in nature.
Furthermore, there are several tour companies that offer tours of the town.
Another place to have fun in the town is Shipwreck Point Golf. This is a lovely miniature golf course where you can play a fun game.
What’s great too is that there are several art galleries in the town where you can check out great art.
Hampstead
Hampstead in North Carolina is a lovely town that you can find close to Wilmington and Jacksonville.
There are great attractions in Hampstead that you can check out.
For example, you can explore the town’s beaches.
Furthermore, there are great golf courses in Hampstead, NC. So if you like golf, you’ll certainly enjoy going here.
Also, what’s great is that there are local farmer’s markets here.
Another interesting sight to check out is the Missiles and More Museum. This is a small museum where you can learn about the Assembly Building that was used by the government to assemble missiles. At this museum, you can learn about a variety of different topics, including pirates, natural history, and military history.
Selma
Selma is another one of the small towns in Eastern North Carolina that you’ll love.
The town has a lovely charming atmosphere with a nice downtown area. Here, you can find many historic buildings and great shops where I’m sure you’ll have a nice time.
You can find the town in Johnston County, which is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area.
One of the best things to do in Selma, NC is to visit the Historic Union Train Station. This is a train station that was constructed in the year 1924. At this place, you can find a lot of interesting exhibits and historic objects that relate to railway history and the town.
Also, the Max G. Greech Selma Historical Museum can be great to check out if you want to learn about local history!
Winterville
The Town of Winterville is another great small town to check out when you are in Eastern North Carolina.
This town is located very close to the city of Greenville and the town is a perfect day trip from that city.
There are some great historic houses to check out when you are in Winterville.
For example, the Cox-Ange House is a historic home that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a building that was built at the beginning of the 20th century.
Bath
Bath is a town that you can find in Beaufort County in NC. The town is one of the oldest towns in the state of North Carolina and it was founded in the year 1705.
The town was the first capital of North Carolina until another place was designated as the capital. However, there were no official institutions of the government located in Bath.
In the past, the town was influenced by several events, such as political rivalries and wars. Also, the infamous pirate Blackbeard settled in the town for a short period.
The city’s historical charm makes it worth visiting. You can go for a stroll in the Bath Historic District. Here, you can find a lot of historic houses that are great to check out. For example, you can find the Bonner House and the Palmer-Mash House here.
Grantsboro
Grantsboro is a town that you can find in Pamlico County in North Carolina.
It is a very small town that is beautiful and it became a town in the year 1997.
When you are in the town, you can check out the Pamlico County Museum & Heritage Museum to learn about the town’s history and culture.
Furthermore, there are some lovely shops in the town that you can check out.
If you are looking for a day trip from New Bern, this is one of the best small towns in Eastern North Carolina for you.
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Eastern North Carolina Small Towns Tips
To have the best possible time when visiting these Eastern North Carolina small towns, I recommend planning in advance what you want to see in the towns. For example, there might be a museum that you want to check out. When you make an itinerary, you can be sure that you’ll be able to see and do everything you want when visiting.
Furthermore, I recommend checking out the local restaurants in these small towns. Some have very good food, and by doing this you might discover a great hidden gem with delicious local food!
Small Towns in Eastern North Carolina Map
There are many amazing small towns in Eastern North Carolina to visit. Have fun exploring them!