This small town in the north-east of North Carolina prides itself with a slogan that states that Edenton is ‘the south’s prettiest small town’, and visitors will certainly find it a quaint place to kick back and unwind with the slow pace of life in town and the many outdoor activities to be enjoyed in the surrounding nature.
Upon first glance at some of the town’s architecture, it’s easy to see why people come here to get a taste of history and what life looked like during the colonial period. Old houses stand from the 19th century give the town a quiet charm. Edenton did actually serve as the capital of North Carolina for a short time from 1722, and is known along with Boston for having a ‘tea party’ of its own in 1774. Since then the teapot has become a symbol of the town.
More than 25 homes have been restored in Edenton and are part of the North Carolina State Historic Site, where tours of the properties and plantations draw a fairly accurate picture of colonial life in a time where Edenton was a thriving port for everything from food, raw materials and slaves. After the history lesson is over, there are a number of outdoor activities to engage in, like swimming, kayaking, fishing and hiking.
Highlights
The North Carolina State Historic Site: visit original structures from the time Edenton thrived with plantations and was a port for trade bound for Europe.
Edenton Bay Plantation: is one of the plantations that came to prominence in the colonial period that still maintains a quiet dignity in the 21st century.