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River Road Soccer Complex in Elizabeth City, NC.

Elizabeth City, NC Recreation: Soccer, Racing, Hiking, Biking and Golf

There's plenty of outdoor fun to be enjoyed in Elizabeth City. With soccer, golf, biking, hiking and more available, residents and visitors have plenty of options when it comes to recreation. Elizabeth City Golf The Pines at Elizabeth City is a popular venue for those hoping to hone their swings. The renovated grounds now include sand bunkers, target greens, saltwater pool, fairways, chipping areas and a putting green. The par-72 course has four sets of tees, playing from 4,675 yards to 6,... Read More »
Museum of the Albemarle

Elizabeth City, NC, Arts: Museums, Theater, Festivals

Elizabeth City's revitalized waterfront has become a cultural destination where visitors and residents can experience arts, historical attractions, festivals and more. Arts in Elizabeth City In 2009, the old Lowry-Chesson Building — once an opera house and then a flagship department store — was once again brought to life. It is now known as the Arts of the Albemarle Center, commonly called the Center. Home to the Jaquelin Jenkins Gallery and the Maguire Theatre, the Center has... Read More »

Elizabeth City, NC, Restaurants and Farmers Markets

Elizabeth City's restaurants and farmers markets hit the mark, providing fine dining, casual lunches, local produce and fresh baked goods. Elizabeth City Farmers Markets The Downtown Waterfront Market offers fresh produce, baked goods, gourmet coffee, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations and live music amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Pasquotank River. Since its founding in 2008, the market has grown in popularity and the number of regular vendors continues to rise.... Read More »
Sidney’s Café & Bistro in Elizabeth City, NC

Variety’s the Thing on the Elizabeth City Restaurant Scene

Not sure what sounds good for dinner? Elizabeth City’s restaurateurs certainly don’t make it easy for you. From classic American cuisine to Asian flair, this place has plenty to choose from when it comes to dining out.Toyama Japanese RestaurantKnown up and down the East Coast for its amazing sushi bar, you can find everything from sashimi and shogayaki to tempura and teriyaki at Toyama Japanese Restaurant. The kid-friendly environment makes dining here a great experience for the... Read More »
South Park Sports Complex in Elizabeth City, NC

New Sports Complex Opens in Elizabeth City, NC

South Park. No, it's not the cartoon show. South Park Sports Complex opened in Elizabeth City in August 2011.The $2.7 million multi-use facility is a joint venture by Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County to develop a proposed industrial site that never came to fruition. Instead, the community now has a beautiful recreation facility located virtually in the middle of the county.“It's an easy place to access. South Park is close to the Coast Guard base, close to the middle school, and... Read More »
The Cupcakery in Downtown Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City’s Bakers, Pastry Chefs Serve Sweet Treats

Waist Watchers alert: This city contains some serious temptation.Elizabeth City is rightfully known for its amazing restaurant scene, but rising above all that culinary excellence are serious desserts.Cupcakery Serves Tiny TreatsSince 2010, the national cupcake craze has an Elizabeth City twist, thanks to Heather Fletcher and her mother, Sharon Hundley, who own and operate the Cupcakery. In addition to literally dozens of cupcakes to choose from, the bakery also specializes in cookies,... Read More »

Walking Tour Book Shows Off Elizabeth City's Historic District

History buffs will find lots of historic treasures to explore in Elizabeth City -- so many, in fact, that they might need a guidebook. That's where the “Elizabeth City Historic Walking Tour” guide comes in. Published by the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association, the booklet focuses on sites along the historic Main Street commercial district, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. “The Main Street district has so many... Read More »
Maguire Theatre in Downtown Elizabeth City, NC.

Encore Theatre Company Offers Live Theater in the Heart of Elizabeth City

Encore Theatre Company was used to staging productions in cramped quarters. But those days are over with the troupe’s move to the second and third floors of the three-story Arts of the Albemarle Center – commonly known as The Center – in the heart of Elizabeth City. In 2009, the 19-year-old troupe moved to the recently renovated 1897 red brick building on Main Street. The new location provides an ideal and perhaps fitting setting for the Encore Theatre, since the landmark structure once served... Read More »
Dismal Swamp State Park

Dismal Swamp State Park Is the Place for Outdoor Enthusiasts

After visiting Dismal Swamp in the early 1800s, Edgar Allen Poe penned his famed poem, The Raven. Today, the swamp still inspires. Dismal Swamp State Park covers more than 14,000 acres of protected land on the North Carolina-Virginia state line, and the park is open year-round for recreation. That recreation includes a canal that is used regularly by boaters who travel the Intracoastal Waterway, and the park also includes 16.7 miles of logging trails through swamp forests that are open to... Read More »
Mariner’s Wharf Film Festival

Fun Things To Do in Elizabeth City

Discover all that Elizabeth City has to offer, from scenic natural getaways to cultural art exhibits. Create your own memorable experiences with these exciting attractions. 1. Purchase fresh, locally grown produce with budget-friendly prices at Downtown Waterfront Market. 2. Mark your calendar for the Mariner's Wharf Film Festival, held every Tuesday in June through July, where you can catch your favorite movie on the waterfront for free. 3. Relax with a picnic at Waterfront Park. 4. Head to... Read More »

Where to Walk Your Dog in Elizabeth City

Dogs and owners will enjoy a long walk along the waterfront, just past the Museum of the Albemarle. See the graceful shapes of moth boats gliding in the sound while Fido sniffs around the boardwalk. Leashes and cleanup are mandatory.For a wilder adventure than city confines will allow, take Fido to Dismal Swamp State Park, a much more enjoyable place than the name would imply. One unique location to take dogs is the waterfront area of Mid-Atlantic Christian University, where doggy fun is... Read More »
The Pines in Elizabeth City, NC

The Pines at Elizabeth City Offers Golf at its Finest

There is only one 18-hole golf course in Elizabeth City. But what a course it is.The Pines at Elizabeth City is a championship-level course that has been around since the 1940s, and underwent an extensive makeover in 2005. It has re-emerged as one of the premier courses in the mid-Atlantic, a golfing gem that Golf Digest magazine compared to the legendary Pinehurst No. 2.The Pines originally opened in 1947 and was the work of golf course architect Fred Findlay, a Scotland native who designed... Read More »
Elizabeth City, NC Harbor

Rose Buddies of Elizabeth City Inspire Hospitality in the Harbor

Learn a lesson in hospitality from the legendary Rose Buddies.   Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer, the original Rose Buddies, put together their first impromptu meeting in 1983. It was a wine and cheese party for 17 visiting boaters, and it started an ongoing tradition that's become something of legend around the Harbor of Hospitality.   What's in a name, you ask? The Rose Buddies got their title from Joe Kramer, an avid rose gardner, who clipped a rose from his garden for each of the... Read More »

Downtown Elizabeth City has Farmers Market and Festivals

Discover and delight in Elizabeth City's downtown district.   Surrounded by water and lined with eclectic shops, fun and delicious restaurants and the picturesque waterfront, Elizabeth City's downtown is hard to beat. The city's mix of business districts, entertainment options and cultural opportunities make the city a desirable spot to live, work, or visit.   Once a major seaport, the Harbor of Hospitality now offers 48-hours free dockage to travelers, and lives up to its nickname... Read More »
Maguire Theatre in Downtown Elizabeth City, NC

Arts of the Albermarle Revive Elizabeth City's Culture Scene

Elizabeth City has seen a recent revival of its art scene, thanks to the work of the Arts of the Albemarle organization. Formerly called the Pasquotank Arts Council and founded in 1969, the organization got a facelift in 2009 with the opening of its new headquarters at the converted Lowry-Chesson Building, an opera house turned art house. Commonly called the Center, it's home to the Jaquelin Jenkins Gallery and the Maguire Theatre. The Center allows the city to offer multiple art venues, and in... Read More »
Museum of the Albemarle

Museum of the Albemarle Offers Insight Into American, Local History

Elizabeth City's Museum of the Albemarle provides a glimpse into not only northeast North Carolina's local history and culture but also that of America. Located on the city's waterfront, this regional museum traces the history of Native Americans, English colonists and the farmers and fishermen through the mid-20th century who made the Albemarle Region what it is today.   The Museum of the Albemarle focuses on the history and ecology of the 13-county Albemarle Region but has implications... Read More »
Logan Raye's Key West Grille

Downtown Dining in Elizabeth City Offers Tasty Choices

Located on the banks of the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner or a glass of wine in a gorgeous setting. Fortunately for visitors and residents, some of the best restaurants are located in the downtown area, where diners can enjoy a stroll with picturesque views of the harbor before settling in for a meal. The next time you’re looking for a bite downtown, consider checking out one of these places — all within steps of one another.... Read More »
The Jenkins Gallery

Arts of the Albemarle Center Showcases Art and Theater

The old Lowry-Chesson Building in downtown Elizabeth City had stood shuttered and vacant since 2001. But in 2009, the three-story structure that once served as an opera house and then a flagship department store was once again brought to life – this time as the Arts of the Albemarle Center, commonly known as The Center. A $3.2 million renovation of the historic 1897 structure culminated when The Center opened the 10,000-square-foot Jaquelin Jenkins art gallery on the first floor and the 230-... Read More »
Edenton Steamers

The Edenton Steamers Take to the Field in the Summer

It’s easy to like a baseball team whose mascot is Sam the Clam. The Edenton Steamers play ball in the Coastal Plain League, a wood-bat collegiate summer league that features college players from throughout the nation. The players travel to this part of the country to join a total of 14 CPL teams based in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The Steamers play a 56-game schedule with 28 home dates, and the season takes place from late May through early August. A group called Edenton-... Read More »
S&D Coffee Beans from Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City Coffee Shops Include Nine Bars Espresso, Muddy Waters Coffeehouse

Grocery store coffee just doesn’t cut it anymore in Elizabeth City.With Nine Bars Espresso and Muddy Waters Coffeehouse providing freshly roasted brews, locals are catching the buzz.Even better, Nine Bars, which provides coffee to both cafes, is committed to roasting beans with sustainability in mind.What does that mean? For starters, they buy their coffee beans from a green importer who specializes in buying the best coffee beans from fair-trade farms all over the world.And Nine Bars... Read More »
Currituck BBQ Company Near Elizabeth City, NC

Barbecue Restaurants Thrive in Elizabeth City, NC

Barbecue in North Carolina really means one thing – pork. Elizabeth City and the surrounding area have their share of fine barbecue establishments, with popular restaurants such as Barbecue Barn, Bob-B-Q and Famous Franks Hot Dogs & Grille. There is also Captain Bob’s, a well-known eatery that has catered to customers in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia for 25 years. North Carolina barbecue is generally chopped, although there are many people who prefer it... Read More »
North Carolina Potato Festival in Elizabeth City, NC

North Carolina Potato Festival Brings Out All the Stops for the Spud

Each spring, the family-friendly fun-filled North Carolina Potato Festival takes root in downtown Elizabeth City. The event has been on Elizabeth City’s calendar since 2001, but the statewide potato celebration dates back to 1963. That is when Fanny Leary of Camden peeled 8 pounds, 4 ounces of potatoes in 10 minutes at the National Potato Peeling Contest. The potato-peeling contest still occurs annually in Elizabeth City as part of the statewide celebration. The Saturday festival... Read More »
Mariners Wharf Park

Mariners' Wharf Park Bolsters Elizabeth City's Reputation

Elizabeth City is not called “The Harbor of Hospitality” for nothing. The nickname is derived from the renowned Mariners' Wharf Park, a legendary 14-slip dock on the Pasquotank River and part of the 3,000-mile Intracoastal Waterway. Mariners' Wharf not only offers free 48-hour dockage, but each boat is greeted by the “Elizabeth City Rose Buddies” with a warm welcome and, of course, a rose. To promote Elizabeth City's Downtown Waterfront, Music on the Green, a free eight-... Read More »
Firefly Home Boutique and Gifts in Elizabeth City, NC

Shopping in Elizabeth City, NC

Home to an assortment of retailers, including a shopping mall, a bustling downtown and three shopping centers, Elizabeth City, N.C., is an excellent destination for savvy shoppers. Southgate Mall The only enclosed mall in the northeastern area of North Carolina, Elizabeth City's Southgate Mall is home to a variety of national and regional stores. The mall is anchored by Belk and JCPenney, and features more than 30 specialty shops, such as Rue21 and Hibbett Sports. Downtown Elizabeth City's... Read More »