A Guide to Spring in the “South’s Prettiest Town”
If you have been putting off a weekend away, spring is the season that makes you stop making excuses. And if you are looking for places to visit in North Carolina that offer something more than a crowded beach town or a busy resort strip, we think Edenton might be exactly what you are looking for.
We are a little biased, of course, but every spring, we watch guests arrive at our North Carolina bed and breakfast and spend the first hour or two on the porch, just taking it all in. The dogwoods are blooming along the streets, the Albemarle Sound catches the light in a way it only does this time of year, and the town feels like it belongs to whoever is walking through it.
Here are 5 reasons spring is one of the best times to come see it for yourself.
1. The Gardens Come to Life
Spring brings out the best of Edenton’s green spaces, and there is a lot to see without ever leaving the historic district. Downtown streets are lined with dogwood trees, and when they bloom in late March and early April, the walk from Inner Banks Inn toward the water feels different than any other time of year.
The Cupola House Gardens are worth planning your entire trip around. Maintained on the grounds of one of the oldest homes in North Carolina, the gardens have been carefully restored to reflect their colonial origins, with heirloom plantings, fragrant boxwood hedges, and brick pathways that wind through beds of flowering bulbs and perennials. In spring, the whole space comes alive in a way that feels almost theatrical. Tulips and daffodils give way to irises and roses as the weeks move along, and the garden’s formal structure makes even a slow, aimless wander feel intentional. They are free to walk and open to the public, and if you only have an hour to spend outside, this is a good place to spend it.
Just a short walk from the inn, the small Celebration Garden next to the Penelope Barker House Welcome Center overlooks Edenton Bay. There is a bench there that might be one of our favorite spots in all of Edenton this time of year. Grab a coffee, sit down, and just listen. The birds are active, the hydrangeas are coming into bloom, and the water seems like it goes on forever.
Just outside town, Historic Hayes Farm offers even more stunning gardens and is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. The gardens there date back to the early 1930s and have been lovingly restored by a team of volunteer gardeners working to bring them back to their best. In late spring, you will find azaleas, peonies, irises, and old China Blush roses, along with boxwood beds, a new arbor planted with helleborus and fern, and a perennial garden that faces the water.
If you are up for more of a day trip, the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island are just over an hour away and absolutely worth the drive this time of year. Designed as a living memorial to the first English colonists in the New World, the formal gardens are home to over 500 plant species and 85 varieties of camellias, which are still in bloom in early spring.
2. Spring Events Give You a Reason to Plan Around
One of the things we love most about Edenton is the many community events that kick off the spring season.
Easels in the Gardens, held each year in mid-April, is one of our favorites and is the perfect excuse to plan a springtime visit. Local and regional artists set up throughout town in various gardens and paint on location, and you can watch them work as you walk. This is a rare chance to see not only the public gardens at Cupola House, but also the stunning private gardens in the area. Just make sure to purchase your tickets in advance. Around the same time, often on the same weekend, the Chowan Arts Council hosts Art in Bloom, showcasing their pieces alongside a unique flower arrangement inside the gallery. Boogie on Broad, our summer live music concert series, also starts back up, bringing family-friendly fun complete with food trucks, a magician, a beer/wine garden, and of course, dancing.
In May, Rockfish Fest celebrates the community and the sought-after fish with food, music, and a genuinely good time. We also can’t leave out the Edenton Farmers Market. The market itself is held year-round, but towards the end of April, they hold a Spring Festival featuring local vendors, fresh plants, and seasonal goods every Saturday morning. It’s easy, it’s free to browse, and it’s a wonderful way to start a day before you wander the rest of town.
Check out our events calendar to see what else is happening during your stay.
3. The Weather Makes Everything Better
Ask anyone who has visited Edenton in spring, and they will tell you the weather is one of the main reasons to come. Temperatures sit in the mid-60s to low 70s through April and May, with cool mornings and comfortable afternoons. On Saturday mornings, The Table keeps a stocked fridge at the Edenton Farmers Market with premade salads and meals ready to go. Pick something up at the market, walk a few blocks to Queen Anne Park along the Albemarle Sound, and settle in with the water in front of you. That combination, a good meal, an easy walk, and a view of the Sound, is one of the simplest and most satisfying things Edenton has to offer.
Spring is also one of the better times to get out on the water by kayak or canoe. The Albemarle Sound is calmer in spring, and the sun isn’t quite as strong as it is in the summer when you’re out on the open water. The inland waterways near town are full of life this time of year, wildlife is active, and the cypress trees along the shore are coming back into leaf. You do not need experience or your own gear. Rentals are available locally, and the waterways here are approachable and beautiful. It is one of the most enjoyable things to do in North Carolina for guests who want a little adventure without a lot of planning.
4. The Town Is Easier to Enjoy
Edenton is a wonderful town to visit any time of year, but spring brings a balance that is hard to match. Summer draws more visitors to the coast, and while that energy has its own appeal, spring keeps things quieter. You can walk into most restaurants without a wait, the historic sites along the waterfront are not as crowded, and the streets feel welcoming rather than busy.
The Barker House, the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, the Cupola House, and the other landmarks that make Edenton one of the most historically significant places to visit in North Carolina are best experienced when you can slow down and actually take them in. Spring gives you that room. The town is still very much alive and active, but it has not yet shifted into the higher gear of summer.
5. The Inn Is at Its Best in Spring
We may be a little partial, but we genuinely believe Inner Banks Inn is at its most welcoming in spring. The property spans nearly 3 acres in the heart of Edenton’s historic district, and this time of year, the grounds are full of color, and the air carries that particular quality that only comes with a Carolina spring. The courtyard fire pit is still a lovely spot in the evenings. The complimentary bicycles are a natural way to spend an afternoon exploring the neighborhood. And because everything you would want to do is within walking or biking distance of the inn, you never feel like you are missing something by simply being here.
Every stay includes a full, chef-prepared breakfast served each morning at The Table, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. And when the weather is right, which in spring it usually is, you can enjoy your breakfast outside on the patio. There is something about starting the day with a good meal in the open air, surrounded by the inn’s gardens and historic buildings, that sets the tone for everything that follows.
Come See Edenton in Spring
Whether you are searching for weekend getaways in NC for a restful retreat or looking for things to do in North Carolina that go a little deeper than the usual tourist trail, Edenton is ready to welcome you.
Book your stay and start planning your spring trip today.
*Images courtesy of © Visit Edenton
