Welcome to Washington, NC ~ Heart of the Inner Banks

Our city of approximately 10,000 residents is located in northeastern North Carolina on the beautiful Pamlico River. We are proud to have been the first city in America to be named for General George Washington, the future first president of the United States.

In its infancy, Washington was a regional shipping center because of its strategic location at the junction of inland and coastal rivers. Our shipping heritage is evident in waterfront commercial buildings remaining from that era. The architecture in the large residential and commercial Historic District captures later phases of Washington’s history and development. In Washington’s Historic Downtown, the Main Street is flanked by 19th & early 20th century commercial buildings with their ornate brickwork.

Recent renovations to the waterfront provide a stronger connection between Washington’s unique features— its scenic water venue and its quaint Historic District — as the city and the community chart the course for our prosperous and vital future.

Whether you are planning a multi-day meeting or a one-day retreat, the staff of the Washington Tourism Development Authority and the Washington Civic Center are here to make every step smooth.