Plymouth (North Carolina)

Plymouth is the seat of Washington County on the North Carolina Coastal Plain.

Understand

Plymouth, North Carolina 02

Plymouth is found along the banks of the Roanoke River, roughly seven miles upstream from the Albemarle Sound. Dating back to the late 1700s, Plymouth was named a 'port of delivery' by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1790 and then a 'port of entry' in 1808.

Plymouth is most known for its Civil War history. The town saw both Confederate and Union soldiers here at times and several decisive battles for the area were fought on and near the waterfront. The CSS Albemarle was built just upstream from Plymouth in waters that were too shallow for the Union to travel, and fought in the river very near the downtown area. Several homes still survive from the battles and the scars are still visible to passers by.

Today, people come to Plymouth not just to learn of its history but also to fish. The Roanoke River, and other nearby rivers, streams, and the Albemarle Sound, serve as great place to relax and take in the sights or try your hand at regularly-occurring fishing tournaments.

Get in

Plymouth is easily accessible by vehicles via US-64 or NC-32. The town also provides dockage for those wishing to visit by boat. The Roanoke River is accessible from the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) via the Albemarle Sound.

Get around

The downtown and historical portions of Plymouth is small enough that one could easily park and walk. Parking is available along all downtown streets and the parking lot at the Port o' Plymouth Museum.

See

• The Port o’ Plymouth Museum, 302 E Water St, ☏ +1 252 793-1377. Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 9AM-3PM. Gives account of the Civil War events that took place in the region, including the sinking of the CSS Albemarle. (updated Oct 2021)
• Roanoke River Maritime Museum, 206 W Water St, ☏ +1 252 217-2204. F-Sa 11AM-3PM, Su 2PM-4PM. Includes a cute lighthouse and some miscellaneous boats. (updated Oct 2021)
• Bear-ology, 111 W Water St, ☏ +1 252 793-6627. Bear museum to go along with the town's North Carolina Black Bear Festival. (updated Oct 2021)
• 1 Latham House, 311 East Main Street. House was built around 1850 and its basement served as a shelter to local citizens during the Civil War. (updated Apr 2022)
• 2 Ausbon House (Sniper's Nest), East Third Street and Washington Street. The Ausbon House still shows the bullets holes around an upstairs window where a Confederate sniper refused to surrender to U.S. forces on the night of December 10, 1862. This house is one of only four antebellum houses still surviving in Plymouth. (updated Apr 2022)

Do

• Attend the 3 day North Carolina Black Bear Festival in June, the festival that brought about National Black Bear Day, consisting of live music, bear farm tours, helicopter rides, and other entertainment.

Sleep

• Road Trip Motel, 241 US Highway 64 West, ☏ +1 252 741-9486. (updated Oct 2021)
• Holiday Inn Express, 840 U.S. Highway 64 West, ☏ +1 252 793 4700. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Apr 2022)