Edenton Travel Guide: Top 12 Best Things to Do (2026 Update)

The Town of Edenton is home to North Carolina’s first colonial capital and has been around since 1718. It was named one of America’s prettiest towns by Forbes.com, and it is a well-deserved honor. Edenton is full of national historic landmarks, incredible architecture, recreational activities, and an array of local shops, art, and restaurants. And not only is this a gorgeous and charming town with delightful architecture, but the people are also some of the kindest and most welcoming around! Edenton is home to the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse, the James Iredell House, the Penelope Barker House, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Today, I am excited to share a complete Edenton travel guide to the top 12 best things to do in Edenton, NC, plus where to eat and where to stay when you visit.

This article was originally written and published in July 2021. It has since been updated and recirculated for June 2026.

1767 Chowan County Courthouse — the North Carolina Supreme Court still meets here on occasion, as it’s one of only three locations in North Carolina where the state constitution allows the Supreme Court to hear cases.

Edenton Travel Guide: Top 12 Best Things to Do (2026 Update)

What to Do in Edenton, NC

Tour the Penelope Barker House

The Penelope Barker House is the Welcome Center for Edenton and Chowan County, and admission is free to tour the home. It was built in 1782 and moved to its current location in 1952. Penelope Barker started the first political action by women in the colonies by organizing and signing a petition resolving not to buy or use any British goods on which they paid taxes. 51 women signed this petition, which was quite a feat for the time that 51 women could read and write when only 1/3 of colonists were literate.

The Penelope Barker House houses exhibits both downstairs and upstairs, plus a gift shop featuring goods made by local artisans and books that are relevant to the town’s history. It is here that you can also purchase tickets for the trolley tour of Edenton and the Cupola House tour. Be sure to take some time to enjoy the sound view from the rocking chairs and walk through the gardens on the property.

The Penelope Barker House is at 505 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Explore Broad Street and Downtown

Strolling the historic downtown area is a great way to explore the town and see the various shops, restaurants, and entertainment. One of our favorite spots is Surf, Wind, and Fire, which is a surf-inspired outdoor gear store that also serves craft beer, cider, bubbles on tap, and craft sodas. P.S. You can get a drink to sip & stroll in their social district! 

Be sure to visit Edenton Tea Company, which offers beautiful handpainted teapots to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Edenton Tea Party. There are great spices and tea offerings to bring home with you as well! Right next door is King Street Marketplace, featuring beautiful originals and reproductions of artwork, gently used books, and home decor.

Other shops that are perfect for browsing or stimulating the local economy are A Still Life, which has gorgeous women’s fashion and accessories, home and gift items, and Byrum Tru Value Hardware which has something for everyone (it is not your typical hardware store), and North No. 4 for takeaway meals from Ladyfingers, gorgeous jewelry, candles, baby gifts, and more. Plus, check out a movie at the historic Taylor Theatre, where they serve beer, wine, a popcorn station, and White Castle burgers, plus a traditional candy counter.

Visit the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse

This is the last remaining screw-pile lighthouse in America, moved to its current location overlooking Edenton Bay. The good news for 2026: the interior, which was closed during our original visit because of Covid precautions, is now fully open to the public. The lighthouse is decorated with period-appropriate furnishings thanks to the Edenton Historical Commission, and it is managed today by NC Historic Sites, with guided docent tours running Tuesday through Saturday, roughly 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Sundays, Mondays, and state/national holidays — it is worth calling ahead to confirm before you go).

I did get to visit the inside during the 2025 Edenton Candlelight Tour. Get your tickets here for this charming holiday tradition!

The Roanoke River Lighthouse is at 7 Dock St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Walk the Gardens at the Cupola House

The Cupola House was built in 1758 and was almost torn down in 1918. The Edenton community joined together to save the house and the antiques and woodwork within the house. If you take the Trolley tour, they will give you even more details of how the community joined forces to save this beautiful home! Take some time to explore the gardens on the grounds.

There is also a guided tour if you’re interested in exploring the interior of the home. The Cupola House Association works with Historic Williamsburg in their preservation efforts. We learned quite a lot and the space is gorgeous! Every other spring in the even years, the Cupola House hosts Easels in the Garden. There is also a Candlelight Tour of the home each holiday season.

The Cupola House is at 408 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Cheer on the Edenton Steamers

The Edenton Steamers play summer collegiate baseball at Historic Hicks Field, built as a WPA project in 1939. The main structure remains the last wooden grandstand of its kind in North Carolina. Grab kettle corn and a local brew from the concessions, and get there early — it is a packed house on game nights. Weekly promotions like discount beer nights and kids-run-the-bases after games are a fun bonus if you are visiting with family.

Historic Hicks Field is at 111 E Freemason St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Take the Trolley Tour to Learn Local Edenton History

The Edenton trolley tour remains one of the best ways to see the historic landmarks and learn about local history — including notable sites throughout the historic district, the Edenton Cotton Mill Village, and important chapters of Black history and women’s history in North Carolina. The tour takes a little under an hour. Purchase tickets at the Penelope Barker House, and check current days of operation before you go, since schedules can shift seasonally.

The Penelope Barker House is at 505 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Experience a Walk-Back-in-Time on the Historic Edenton Museum Trail

One of the best parts about Edenton is walking by the historical landmarks — the town really is a living history museum. The Museum Trail has markers throughout town providing background information and additional details for those who want to dig deeper.

For more in-depth walking history tours, head to the Historic Edenton State Historic Site, where you can learn more about Harriet Jacobs, who self-published Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, widely considered one of the most comprehensive narratives written by an enslaved woman. A guided Harriet Jacobs walking tour can be arranged through the Historic Edenton site.

Josephine Napoleon Leary, who was enslaved in Williamston, NC, became an acclaimed barber and real estate mogul after gaining her freedom. One of her businesses is a marker on the trail as well, and the Edenton Historical Commission now hosts an annual Josephine Napoleon Leary Day honoring her legacy.

Hop Aboard the Liber-Tea for the Best Edenton Bay Cruises

The Liber-Tea is a beautifully appointed, comfortable six-passenger tour boat powered by an eco-friendly electric motor. Captain Mark takes visitors on the water with history lessons and stories about Edenton and the Bay. There is a table for snacks and a canopy for shade, plus a few different tour times, including a popular sunset option.

Edenton Bay Cruises leave from Bottom of, S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Support Local Artists at the Chowan County Arts Council

Photo via Chowan County Arts Council

The Chowan County Arts Council remains a great way to support local artists and explore the talent in the Chowan County community. New artwork is hung almost weekly, and the council hosts a variety of local events throughout the year — check their calendar before your visit.

The Chowan County Arts Council is at 112 W Water St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Enjoy Vinyl Night on Saturdays at Edenton Bay Trading Co.

Edenton Bay Trading Co. is the crown jewel on Broad Street, serving craft beer and wine with indoor seating, a secret courtyard patio, and sidewalk seating, alongside gift ideas, records, fresh-cut flowers, and antiques. If sangria is on the menu, order it. And if you are visiting on a Saturday, check to see if they are having vinyl night, 7:00–10:30 p.m. — things get even more fun after 9:00.

Edenton Bay Trading Co. is at 407 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Shop Local at the Edenton Farmers’ Market

The Edenton Farmers Market continues its mission of providing accessible, healthful, regionally grown and produced food for residents and visitors alike, giving farmers and producers a direct line to consumers. The indoor shop features locally and North Carolina-made goods, fresh catches, cheeses, and more, while outdoor vendors sell bouquets, homemade desserts, artwork, and other locally made goods. Grab a coffee from Edenton Coffee House on your way to the market.

Stop by the Historic Edenton Visitor Center at 108 N. Broad Street for guided tours and information on the town.

Edenton Farmers Market is at 200 N Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Where to Eat in Edenton, NC

Downtown Roots

Downtown Roots is a quintessential breakfast lunch spot, known for its rotating lunch specials (I had a grilled chicken wrap when I was in town that was so good) and a pimento cheese with pita chips worth ordering every time.

Downtown Roots is at 415 S Broad St Ste A, Edenton, NC 27932.

The Herringbone on the Waterfront

Edenton’s only true waterfront restaurant, set in a converted 19th-century herring processing icehouse, remains a top dining destination in 2026. The original town trolley has been repurposed into a bar with a small patio out front, and the space still leans into its historic roots. Recent menus lean into modern American dishes and wood-fired pizza alongside fresh interpretations of Southern classics — the market fish and seafood dishes continue to get high marks from regulars. Lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch are all served; check current hours before visiting, since they can shift seasonally.

The Herringbone is at 119 W Water St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Late Night Option: Governor’s Pub

Edenton’s go-to for a casual, family-friendly late-night bite — think pizza, wings, burgers, and traditional pub fare, plus a full bar and an extensive beer and wine list. It also remains one of the few spots reliably open on Sundays. Governor’s Pub still runs a food and drink window at Steamers games, too, so you can grab a bite without missing the action.

Governor’s Pub is at 321-C, 321 S Broad St D, Edenton, NC 27932.

The Table at Inner Banks Inn

The patio at the Table makes for stunning seating, and the menu is outstanding. On one of trips to Edenton, we stayed Inner Banks Inn, so we had both dinner and breakfast here — dinner comes with bread service, and David ordered the gumbo (some of the best he has tasted) while I went with the crab cakes. It was a delicious way to kick off our evening in Edenton.

The Table has only gotten better, recognized among TripAdvisor’s “Best 25 North Carolina Coast Restaurants” for several years running. The shrimp and grits are a standout, and the casually refined, farm-to-table menu still leans on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. You do not have to be a hotel guest to dine here, and reservations are required.

If you are staying at the inn Sunday through Thursday, do not miss the Slow Table — a hearth-ready, thoughtfully prepared supper available for take-out or in-room dining, perfect for a quieter night in after a day of exploring.

The Table at Inner Banks Inn is at 300 N Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Where to Stay in Edenton, NC

Granville Queen Inn by Carolina Experience

This historic inn, operated by the Carolina Experience, remains a beautiful, walkable option in the heart of downtown — close enough that once you park, you may not need your car again until you leave. The common spaces, soaring ceilings, wraparound porch, and cozy sunroom breakfast area are still the highlights, along with rooms that offer window seats and porch access.

The Granville Queen Inn is at 108 S Granville St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Inner Banks Inn

Located about five blocks from the Edenton Bay waterfront and two blocks from Historic Hicks Field, Inner Banks Inn offers four distinct lodging experiences: rooms in the Victorian house, a converted tobacco barn, the pet-friendly Tillie Bond Cottage with a fenced-in yard, and the Satterfield House, which includes a spa, corporate meeting space, and private dining rooms.

Coffee and tea are available all day in the Victorian house, with plenty of seating inside and on the front porch. A three-course breakfast is still guaranteed with your booking, and guests can enjoy country club privileges at Mulberry Hill, including tennis courts, a sound-side pool, and a driving range. Every room comes with cozy robes.

The Inner Banks Inn is at 103 E Albemarle St, Edenton, NC 27932.

Final Thoughts

From its colonial history and waterfront charm to its incredible local restaurants and shops, Edenton continues to be one of my favorite small towns to visit in North Carolina — and every time I go back, I find something new to love. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway, a stop on a bigger Inner Banks road trip, or a chance to finally cross the lighthouse’s newly reopened interior off your list, Edenton is well worth the drive.

A note on planning your trip: hours, tour schedules, and business days can shift from season to season in a small town like Edenton, so it is always worth a quick call or website check before you go — especially for the lighthouse, trolley tour, and any restaurant you are planning to build a meal around. Here is an interactive Google calendar to use when planning your next trip.

Thank you to Visit Edenton for hosting our stay and organizing our itineraries! As always, all opinions are my own.

Which of these things to do in Edenton looks the most fun to you? Let me know in the comments below.