We had so much fun on our day trip to Edenton. We didn’t know much about the little town on the Albermarle Sound when we went there, but we left with a great appreciation for the place that was the capital of North Carolina before it became a state. This town is over 300 years old and is crazy beautiful. They have done a fantastic job of preserving the history and charm of this peaceful waterfront town. If you are headed to Edenton here are five things to make sure to do.

Visit the Roanoke Lighthouse

Did you know that there are river lighthouses in North Carolina? We didn’t either until this trip. As a matter of fact, this is what brought us to Edenton in the first place. We were touring all of the lighthouses on the coast of NC when we found out that if we wanted to go to all of them we had to go inland as well. Roanoke Lighthouse was originally located about 6 miles away in Plymouth but was moved to Edenton after it was decommissioned. The town has done a great job restoring and sharing this treasure with the public.

This is an incredibly unique place to visit and you can take a tour for a small price ($2.50 for adults and $1.50 for children 3-12). It is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. On the tour you can see the living conditions of the keeper of the light and their family. There is a member of the historical society with you to answer any questions you might have. We had a blast on the tour and Silas especially enjoyed going to the lantern room where the light once stood. You can get an incredible view of the sound from there.

If you want to check out the other lighthouses on the Albermarle Sound take a look at the Albermarle Riverlight Trail – the 1st Riverlight Trail in the country. This is a great weekend trip that is really unique. It will take you on a relaxing tour of some of the most beautiful little towns in North Carolina.

The lighthouse area also has a really nice waterfront. You can check out some boats, find a bench in the shade to relax on, or play on the town playground. A great place to spend some time.

Feel Welcomed at the Penelope Barker House

The Penelope Barker house serves as the town welcome center and is home to the Edenton Historical Commission. It is situated right on the water and has great views and a beautiful garden. This is a good place to start your time in Edenton because you will find so much friendly help on where to go and what to do. We spent 30 minutes talking with the wonderful people volunteering there. By the time we left them we had an invitation to stay at their home for a long weekend – and we think they were serious.

It is free to go into the house and look around. When you go in it is like walking back in time to a different era. If you like 200 year old furniture, this place is for you. They also have a gift and book shop and plenty of information on and maps of Edenton.

Take a Ride on the Trolley

The best way to take in all of Edenton is by taking a tour of the town on the the trolley. The trolley runs Tuesday – Saturday with tours departing at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30. During the summer months the trolley operates on Sundays at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30. The trolley cost $12.50 for adults, $2.50 for kids 6-12, and is free for kids 5 and under. You can purchase tickets at the Penelope Barker House. The price is a little expensive but we found it had a good value. We learned a lot about things we otherwise would have missed and did it in a fun, comfortable way.

The trolley tour lasts about an hour and takes you through the Cotton Mill and Mill Village as well as the major locations in the Historic District. A couple of our favorite items on the tour were learning the story of Harriet Jacobs, – who was one of the heroes of the Underground Railroad, visiting St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – the second oldest church in the state, and the Lane House – believed to be the oldest house in North Carolina, dating back to 1718.

Grab A Bite In Downtown Edenton

There are so many great places to eat downtown and there are plenty of options based on your budget. For lunch check out the Downtown Cafe and Soda Shop. This is your classic North Carolina small town diner. The food is great, the staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. Megan loved it because they had orangeade, and any restaurant with orangeade is good in her book.

We also stopped by the Edenton Coffee Shop in downtown and had some really great coffee. Throw in some of their fresh pastries and you have a great spot to rest and recharge mid-morning or afternoon. There are plenty of smoothie options for kids as well.

Go For A Walk In Historic Edenton

Sometimes it is good to go your own way wherever your feet lead you. There is so much history in Edenton that you can’t walk too far without finding something else to look at. There are plenty of historical markers to help guide you, but it is still a good idea to pick up a map at the Penelope Barker House. We had such a fun time strolling through the parks at the waterfront, walking in and out of the shops downtown, and walking through some of the older neighbors in the surrounding areas. A great way to get some exercise and see the sights at the same time.

We had a great day in Edenton and are hopeful to go back soon. For more information and to plan your trip check out the Visit Edenton website. What are some things that we missed? What would you add for us to do next time?

Looking for me fun day trip ideas? Check out our day trip guide to Greensboro and Baltimore!