About Washington...

For the first one-and-a-half centuries of its existence, Washington was a vital sea-going trading port, particularly during the Revolutionary War, when most other harbors on the east coast were blockaded and the swift ships that plied the rivers and sounds of Eastern North Carolina were able to slip through. As commercial traffic shifted to highways in the 20th century, the river assumed a new importance as a recreational mecca and a sportsman’s paradise, and Washington’s reputation as a tourism destination began to grow.

Local Attractions

The Turnage Theater – The Turnage Theater, built by C. A. Turnage around 1930, was, in his words, “....One of the most modern theatres in eastern North Carolina. ... The Turnage opened on February 28, 1930, and the first picture shown was ‘Lord Byrum of Broadway.’” Turnage kept the existing vaudeville theater, located within the same building, and created a classic “palace”-style theater for the showing of motion pictures.

Although the theater closed in the 1970s, a nonprofit foundation acquired the property and has completed a $3.1 million fundraising campaign to restore the facility. Many of the original construction details that distinguished the theater remain and restoration to its former glory is complete. The Turnage reopened in November 2007 and offers local and touring theater, music, dance and film performances to the delight of residents and visitors.

North Carolina Estuarium – The Estuarium, so named because it depicts wildlife found both on land and in the water in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System, is operated by the nonprofit Partnership for the Sounds and is funded in part by legislative appropriations. This unique facility provides a wide array of fascinating exhibits, in addition to a theater showing a custom film describing the many features of the estuary. Of the more than 15,000 visitors in 2003, more than half were school tours and other groups from across the state. About one fourth of visitors were from out-of-state.

Waterfront – Our waterfront welcomes boaters to Washington. With the addition of town docks along the boardwalk, Washington gives visiting boaters a wonderful new approach to the city. Facilities include water and electrical hookups as well as a free pump-out station. Several spaces are set aside on a first-come, first-served basis that allow visitors free use of the facilities for up to three days. Other slips are reserved for longer rentals. Come visit the town, walk the waterfront, and enjoy the restaurants along Main Street!