The Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor Marina, located at the very edge of Whittaker Creek and the borders of the Neuse River, may be just one of many marinas found in the small but intrinsically coastal town of Oriental, but it's also one of the most accommodating and conveniently located in the region.

Life in Little Washington revolves around the water, and this extends to all forms of recreation, including the local parks. The Havens Garden Park is a peaceful retreat located just off of Park Drive and Washington's thriving downtown, and offers visitors a peaceful locale to relax, take in a sunset, do a little fishing, entertain their young ones, or all of the above. Free and open to the public year-round, the Havens Garden Park is a pretty, natural retreat in the heart of an otherwise bustling downtown Washington.

Glenburnie Park is a scenic public park that’s located just northeast of the heart of Downtown New Bern. Tucked along the Neuse River in a primarily residential section of town, the park is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike who want to enjoy a wild and natural day by the water.

The Lou Mac Park, although easily one of Oriental's smallest parks, is also one of its prettiest and most inviting for water lovers of all varieties, locals and visitors alike. Located on the corner of Freemason St. and South Avenue, this park has undergone several renovations over the past couple of years, thanks to damage from 2011's Hurricane Irene. Luckily, the waterfront structures and amenities that make this destination one of Oriental's favorites is back up and running, and is open to anyone who want a front row seat to one of Eastern North Carolina's most scenic waterfronts.

The Down East Canvas and Gallery, located at the foot of the bridge in Oriental, is one of the Pamlico region's most interesting art spaces, with quite an unusual history to boot. With an avid collection that spans from the practical, (namely canvas boat supplies), to the naturally inspiring, the destination is part utilitarian marine store, and part eclectic gallery showroom, and the end result is a remarkable one-of-a-kind gallery that somehow feels quintessentially Oriental.

The Jarvis Mansion is a small and hard-to-find bed and breakfast located along a quiet portion of New Bern's main Pollock Street, just a block or so away from the scenic waterfront. The historic two-story white home, built around the turn of the 20th century, is part of a series of historic residences that line this street, many of which are converted B&Bs and other lodgings for visitors with a love of historic, romantic, and all-together relaxing accommodations.