Up the Pamlico River to Washington, NC (Statute Mile 146)
On 5/9/13 as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 146 ‘“ who has abandoned the AICW, and cruised upstream on Pamlico River to Washington, NC? Did you stop at Broad Creek, and visit with McCotters Marina? If so, please give us a description of this facility. Or, did you continue upstream to the excellent Washington City Docks? Again, if so, please describe this municipal marina. Did you find any good dining choices in downtown Washington? Is this a side trip you would recommend to fellow cruisers?
Responses follow:
If time permits a visit to little Washington would be a treat. Dockmasters, water & electricity, decent showers and very few transients competing for your time. Several convenience stores close as well as West Marine. Within easy walk restaurants recommended:
Grub Bros
Down on Main
On the Waterfront
Don’t miss a visit to the Estuarium for an education on the second largest estuary in the U.S.
Gray & Betty Riddick
Washington has very nice docks with or without electric. One needs only to radio Washington City dockmaster on channel 16 to gain accommodation. There is also a mooring field directly across from the city docks and the city has a dingy dock. Sanitary facilities are located in a trailer at the west end of the docks pending a new building in the next year or so.
There are numerous restaurants on the Main St., about a block away, which cater to most any taste and budget. All locals have their favorites so it would be best to inquire of the dockmaster relative to the various venues and their offerings.
Groceries, Wal-Mart, and the ABC store are more than a mile plus away so transportation is necessary for supplies. West Marine is in town and is within walking distance. Directly next to West Marine is Washington Crab & Oyster Co. which claims to have the largest selection of seafood in Eastern NC.
Unfortunately, no fuel is available in Washington but there is a pump out facility at the docks.
Washington has numerous small boutiques, stores and galleries on Main St. but aside from Main St. there isn’t a lot to see or do. It’s basically pretty quiet.
When venturing to Washington be sure to follow the channel which is well marked being aware of Grandpap Island which is just east of the railroad trestle and is semi-submerged with but a few dead trees showing. Be careful going through the railroad trestle which is quite narrow and can be difficult depending on wind and wave. West of the trestle is a no wake zone all the way to the docks and/or mooring field. There is plenty of depth west of the trestle. Not so to the east.
Bruce Billings
`Coaster’
Chocowinity, NC
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