Living the Good Life in Eastern North Carolina

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North Carolina Beaches

Choose to relax in the sand and surf at a beach closer to Greenville, like Atlantic Beach, or take a trip to the beautiful Outer Banks. Beach regions include:

• The Crystal Coast
• The Outer Banks
• Wilmington Beaches

Attractions & Historic Sites

• Sylvan Heights Bird Park
  Designed to give visitors an unforgettable up-close experience with over 2,000 waterfowl, parrots, toucans, flamingos, and other exotic birds from around the world.
• North Carolina Aquariums
  There are three North Carolina aquarium locations: Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Fisher.
• Historic New Bern
  New Bern is a charming riverfront town that is home to the Tryon Palace, North Carolina’s first permanent state capitol, and the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola.
• The Washington Waterfront
  The Washington, NC waterfront is home to the NC Estuarium, restaurants, and a boardwalk, as well as annual festivities such as Fourth of July fireworks.
• River Park North
  A 324-acre nature park offering a variety of activities including boating, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and a nature center.

North Carolina Festivals

North Carolina Festivals
A listing of festivals and events throughout the state, including the North Carolina State Fair.

Farms & Markets

• Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market
  At this weekly open-air market (Wednesday evenings, May through August) you’ll find fresh produce, meats, seafood, handmade arts, jewelry, antiques, homemade ice cream, baked goods, local craft brew, live music and more!
• The Leroy James Farmers’ Market
  A great place to buy fresh produce, baked goods, flowers & seafood. Open every Saturday morning.
• Hill Ridge Farms
  Features activities such as a splash park, hayrides, a giant slide, feeding farm animals and train rides.
• Mike’s Farm
  Offers hayrides, Christmas trees, pumpkin picking and a variety of different events throughout the year.
• Simply Natural Creamery
  The creamery offers ice cream and other dairy products on site in Ayden, as well as in local groceries. Hayrides, creamery tours and a playground are also available during creamery visits.
• Strawberries on 903
  A local farm where visitors can pick strawberries or purchase other seasonal produce. Other activities include farm tours, farm animal petting and hay rides.

Festivals & Events

• Freeboot Friday
  This free, alive-at-five event offers live music and fun for the whole family with adult beverages available for those 21+. Head to Five Points Plaza in Downtown Greenville (formerly branded “Uptown”) for Freeboot Friday on ECU Home Football Fridays.
• First Friday ArtWalk
  A self-guided walking tour on the first Friday of every month (September through June) when Downtown Greenville’s galleries, museums, and shops throw open their doors, often with free opening receptions and a free trolley loop.
• Sunday in the Park
  This summer concert series is held at the Greenville Town Common and offers free family fun and entertainment. Bring your blankets and chairs!
• PirateFest
  Swashbucklers of all ages will converge on the banks of the Tar River, a pirate’s paradise located in Uptown Greenville in April. The festival includes free concerts, tons of costumed pirates, and street food vendors, as well as fine arts for sale, a beer and wine garden and much more!
• Greenville Parks & Recreation
  Offers athletic activities for children and adults alike, as well as classes such as pottery and painting.
  • Wildwood Park  –  Local resident favorite for outdoor recreation.
  • Goose Creek State Park  –  Great for fishing — a kayak is recommended.
  • Greenville Off Leash Dog Area  –  218 North Ash Street, located between First Street and the Tar River.
• Greenville Greenways
  A great place to walk, jog, bike and enjoy nature!
• Paddle Trails of Eastern North Carolina
  If you truly find yourself on the water, check out the paddle trails here in the East.
• Run the East
  Whether you run to get away from it all or run for a cause, this site details many local races.
• Greenville Organization of Runners (GoRun)
  GoRun is a non-profit running and walking club offering training opportunities for road races, triathlons, cycling, trail running, relays, and adventure races. Most runs start at Elm Street Park.
• ECU Intramural Sports
  The Intramural Sports program offers a fun and unique recreational opportunity for East Carolina University students, faculty and staff.

Follow Along on Instagram

• Instagram- Visit Greenville, NC
  The official destination marketing account for Greenville-Pitt County — events calendars, restaurant features, and seasonal things-to-do roundups.
• City of Greenville, NC
  The City of Greenville’s official account — municipal news, parks and rec updates, and community events.
• Downtown Greenville Partnership
  Formerly “Uptown Greenville” — the account to follow for Freeboot Friday, First Friday ArtWalk, PirateFest, and other Downtown district events.
• ECU Athletics
  The official Instagram of the ECU Pirates — game day info, schedules, and highlights across all ECU sports.

Restaurants & Eateries

A resident-curated list of local favorites, organized by cuisine.

American / Southern / Farm-to-Table

• On the Square  –  Located in Historic Downtown Tarboro, one of the oldest towns in North Carolina; low-key charms with a weekly-changing menu.
• Chef & The Farmer  –  Located in Kinston, NC — Vivian Howard’s progressive eatery; a four-time James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southeast semifinalist and winner of the James Beard Foundation award for Best Television Personality.
• The Hackney  –  Upscale fine dining in Washington, NC (~30 min away); James Beard-nominated chef; seasonal local seafood; great for taking your parents.
• Starlight Cafe & Farm  –  Farm-to-table staple; ingredients from their own farm; known for shrimp and grits.
• Native Fine Diner  –  Modern twist on diner classics in a beautiful 1903 space.
• Homage  –  Southern coastal fine dining; mahi-mahi, specialty cocktails.
• Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint  –  100% Wagyu beef burgers; voted Best Burger 2024; huge craft beer selection.
• Sup Dogs  –  Specialty hot dogs and smash burgers; famous Sup Crush cocktail.
• Angus Grill  –  Smash burgers, cheesesteaks, fried mac & cheese.
• Nash Chicken  –  Nashville-style hot chicken with live entertainment.
• First Watch  –  Breakfast and brunch; farm-fresh ingredients.
• Pirate Deli  –  Deli sandwiches, wraps, Philly cheesesteaks; fully halal.
• Ernie’s Subs  –  Local sub shop.
• Yoder’s Dutch Pantry  –  Amish-style diner in Grifton (~20 min away); legendary breakfast.

Mediterranean & Middle Eastern

• Habibi Mediterranean Grill  –  Gyros, shawarma, kabobs, falafel, hummus.
• Bateeni Mediterranean Grill & Cafe  –  Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare.
• My Gyro  –  Food truck serving NYC-style halal gyros, shawarma, and combo plates.
• Mediterranean Combo  –  Shawarma and Mediterranean staples.

Italian & Pizza

• Nino’s Cucina Italiana  –  Upscale Italian; handmade pasta, pizza, veal, seafood.
• Cucinella’s  –  Authentic New York-style pizza, grinders, gelato, and Italian ice.

Mexican, Tex-Mex & Latin

• Amante Tacos and Spirits  –  Open-air patio; hand-pressed tortillas, tacos, margaritas.
• Side Bar (Drinkery + Kitchen)  –  Tex-Mex fusion; creative tacos, nachos, cocktails.
• Plaza Azteca  –  Mexican; fajitas, enchiladas, full bar.
• Luna’s  –  Casual Mexican/Latin spot next to Pitt Street Brewing.

Japanese, Sushi & Ramen

• Shogun Japanese Restaurant  –  Sushi, hibachi, bento boxes, tempura, udon.
• Masa Sushi Sake & Grill  –  All-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi.
• Noodle Mania  –  Ramen, sushi, rice bowls, tempura, boba tea.
• Wasabi 88  –  Sushi bar.

Asian Fusion & Pan-Asian

• Sakura Asian Express  –  Pan-Asian; Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese.
• China 10  –  Chinese.
• Azami Express  –  Asian fusion.
• I Love Pho  –  Vietnamese pho.
• EC Pho Vietnamese Noodle House  –  Vietnamese pho.

Indian, Himalayan & Nepalese

• NC Spices  –  Authentic Nepalese and Indian; curry, naan, halal, lunch buffet.
• Momo Magic  –  Indian restaurant.
• Cinnamon  –  Indian restaurant.

Coffee Shops & Cafes

• Backstage Coffee  –  Cozy downtown coffee shop, open 7 days.
• Giddy-Up Coffee  –  Local, affordable, dog-friendly.
• Awaken Coffee  –  Nonprofit cafe employing adults with developmental disabilities.
• Cafe Eclectic  –  Late-night alcohol-free cafe; coffee, mocktails, local art events.

Bars & Breweries

• Pitt Street Brewing Company  –  Local craft brewery in a 1926 Coca-Cola building; food trucks on site, dog-friendly.
• Agave Greenville  –  Tulum-inspired cocktail lounge; handcrafted cocktails, 21+.

Board Game Cafes

• Fellowship Cafe  –  Coffee and alcoholic beverages alongside a board game library.
• Blue Ox Games  –  Local board game cafe and shop.