At first glance, you may assume this article is about belly buttons. But you would be wrong! Rather than being about anatomy, this is about geography.

Do you know the difference between the Outer Banks versus the Inner Banks? You sure you do? Even after an informal poll taken in the home offices of Three Dog Ink, we determined even we weren’t quite sure.

We all know, I’m assuming, precisely what the Outer Banks is. It’s the coastal area of northeastern North Carolina from Corolla down to Ocracoke. It encompasses Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Wanchese, Manteo, South Nags Head, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village.

Developers and tourism promoters coined the term The Inner Banks of North Carolina. The inland portions of coastal North Carolina are what constitute the Inner Banks.

According to the website gotheadventureway.com: “The Inner Banks towns are often overlooked, but they are the perfect place for a weekend getaway. These towns are quieter than their beachfront counterparts, so they are the ideal place to relax.”

Sounds, rivers, waterways, and swamps surround the Inner Banks. These areas sit on the water and are great places for boating, kayaking, fishing, and any other water activity. All of these towns are full of history and have great waterfront areas.

Some of the Inner Banks towns include Edenton, New Bern, Oriental, Washington (often referred to as Little Washington), Beaufort, Bath, Elizabeth City, and Swansboro. Each of these towns has something a little different to offer.

Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City, is the county seat and the largest city in Pasquotank County. “The Harbor of Hospitality”  is one way it’s known. There you will find the Museum of the Albemarle, the northeastern regional branch of the North Carolina Museum of History. Downtown Elizabeth City is also home to Arts of the Albemarle, a regional arts council. The city also has many wineries and breweries (including the oldest in the state). You can’t go wrong there!

Edenton, NC

Edenton is the county seat of Chowan County. It is about 30 miles southeast of Elizabeth City on Highway 17. Edenton is a 300-year-old town on the Albermarle Sound. And is known for its authentic 18th, 19th, and early 20th-century architecture, including the Lane House, which dates from 1719. It may even be the oldest house in North Carolina. In addition to the history, there are also plenty of places to eat on Broad Street in the historic district.

Washington, NC

Little Washington (so named as to not confuse it with the much larger nation’s capital of the same name) is a city in Beaufort County located on the northern bank of the Pamlico River. The town has many historical buildings and landmarks, with some dating back to colonial times. Moreover other buildings are from the Victorian and Arts and Crafts design. The downtown area has a good many places to eat and shop amongst the historic buildings. If you’re a nature lover, check out Washington’s Estuarium. For nature lovers, you can check out the North Carolina Estuarium, the country’s first. It includes more than 200 scientific and historical exhibits relating to the ecology of North Carolina’s estuaries.

New Bern, NC

New Bern is located at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers, near the coast in Craven County. While Bath is the oldest town in North Carolina, New Bern follows closely behind. It has served as the capital from 1770 to 1792. The city has 51 sites on its National Register of Historic Places; Nicholas Sparks set three of his novels, The Notebook, A Bend in the Road, and The Return here. New Bern has the first movie theater, post office, bookstore, bank, Roman Catholic Church, and printing press in the state. Indeed New Bern is also the birthplace of Pepsi. Check out the shop on Middle Street to buy all things Pepsi. And while in town, be sure to also look for the bear statues scattered throughout.

Oriental, NC

Oriental is located in Pamlico County on the banks of the Neuse River and is known as the sailing capital of North Carolina. The Sailing Steamer Oriental gave the town its name. The Oriental was built in 1861 in Philadelphia and was used as a Federal transport ship in the Civil War. Right near Bodie Island, 33 miles north of Cape Hatteras, The Oriental wrecked. It was only one year after its initial launch. A porthole from the ship is in the Oriental History Museum. The Museum and the Oriental Tourism Board have also developed a 1.2-mile historical walking tour covering thirty-seven different sites.

Beaufort, NC

Beaufort (pronounced BOH-fert) is the county seat of Carteret County. It is located near Morehead City and the Crystal Coast. The town is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, the Duke University Marine Lab, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Recently, Beaufort has been named “America’s Favorite Town” by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Each Saturday, you’ll find the Olde Farmer’s Market on the courthouse lawn. You can also take a ferry to one of the many islands around Beaufort. In addition, the sound side of town is a great place to find all sorts of shells.

Bath, NC

Bath is a town in Beaufort County. Incorporated in 1705, it was North Carolina’s first port of entry. At 316 years old in 2021, Bath is North Carolina’s oldest town. It may also be one of its smallest. Located in the coastal plain region, near Pamlico Sound, it is a destination for sport fishing and commercial harvest of fish, shrimp, and crab. Blackbeard, the pirate, settled briefly in Bath in 1718. In addition to Blackbeard history in the town, you’ll find the Bath Historic District and St. Thomas Church, the Bath School, Bonner House, and Palmer-Marsh House. They are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Swansboro, NC

Swansboro is a town in Onslow County and sits across the Intracoastal Waterway from Hammocks Beach State Park. The park is unique because the majority of it is accessible by boat only. From there, you can take a ferry to nearby Bear Island. Swansboro sits on the southern end of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. It is sometimes called “The Friendly City by the Sea.” Swansboro takes its name from Samuel Swann. Whereas Swann was Speaker in the North Carolina House of Commons and a resident of Onslow County. Additionally Nicholas Sparks’ novel The Guardian features the town for its setting.

Author: Greg Smrdel

Greg Smrdel, while his physical body lives in Ohio (for now), his soul will always remain on the Outer Banks.