In River Road, life revolves around the water
The appeal of River Road, a waterfront community near Washington, North Carolina, is all in the name. “It’s the river that makes you come here, and it’s the people that make you stay. We see a lot of people come in, plan to stay a week, and then I end up selling them a house,” says Abbott Tunstall, a River Road resident and a Realtor with Landmark Sotheby’s International who grew up in nearby Washington. “Everything’s calmer here. Nobody wears a watch, and everyone shows up late. It’s got a very coastal vibe.” The community follows the shore of the Pamlico River, which leads into the Pamlico Sound of the Outer Banks, and many of the homes here have direct river access, with private docks and scenic views. Nearby, the city of Washington, which is commonly called Little Washington, provides access to restaurants, nightlife and shopping.
Boating, fishing and hiking are popular along the Pamlico River
The Pamlico River is the main source of entertainment in River Road. Anyone who doesn’t have a dock near home might store their boat at McCotters Marina & Boatyard. “Fishing, boating, water skiing — all the water sports are a big drive for people,” Tunstall says. The Washington Yacht & Country Club has a marina for members, as well as a private 18-hole golf course, pickleball courts and social events. Nearby, Goose Creek State Park has over 8 miles of hiking trails and a beach where people can swim. In Washington, the Little Washington Sailing School teaches kids and beginners how to sail. The city is also home to a growing arts scene, which includes public art around downtown, regular concerts on the waterfront and galleries that offer art classes.
Quiet neighborhoods and some waterfront homes
While River Road is also the name of the wide thoroughfare that sees some traffic, the residential streets that spur off it are peaceful, narrow roads that end in cul-de-sacs or at waterfront properties. Yards typically range from a quarter-acre to 2 acres, providing space between neighbors. Some of the ranch-style, colonial and manufactured homes here sit on private wooded lots, and those along the water have private docks with boat storage. Most houses cost between $160,000 and $500,000, and riverfront homes can cost between $560,000 and $790,000. “We’re probably the least expensive waterfront in North Carolina,” Tunstall says.
Washington has a walkable downtown with locally owned businesses
While there are some gas stations and a Dollar General along River Road, most locals head into Washington for their shopping and dining. “I’ve watched Washington grow in the past 15 years — it’s just been amazing,” says Jennifer Brinson, a broker with The Brokerage Real Estate Advisors who’s sold homes here for eight years. “We've had a lot of breweries open up, and we’ve got really nice high-end restaurants. We don’t allow any businesses like Arby's to be downtown — it has to be run by a local person.” The Hackney is an upscale restaurant located in an old bank building; it was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2024 for the Best Chef: Southeast category. Bill’s Hot Dogs near Main Street is a more casual option that has been serving Carolina-style red hot dogs since 1928. “The whole downtown’s a pretty small little area, and it’s got a wonderful vibe with music playing in the streets all the time,” Tunstall says. “When they redid our downtown, they put speakers up and they play beachy music.” Art galleries, boutiques and antique stores can also be found here, and national retailers like Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement are in the city’s north end. Grocery stores here include Food Lion and Carlie C’s IGA.
Washington's public schools earn As and Bs
Kids can attend pre-kindergarten through first grade at Eastern Elementary, which earns an A-minus from Niche. They can then go to second and third grade at John C. Tayloe Elementary and fourth and fifth grade at John Small Elementary; both earn a B-minus. P.S. Jones Middle and Washington High also earn a B-minus. High schoolers can participate in extracurriculars like the Pam Pack Writers Group, which meets for creative writing workshops and publishes an online literary arts magazine.
Getting around by car or boat
Boaters can navigate the Pamlico River to downtown Washington, where they can moor their crafts at public docks. River Road leads around 5 miles to Washington. Houses of worship here include River City Christian Center and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ECU Health Beaufort Hospital is in Washington, and Pitt-Greenville Airport, the closest airport with commercial flights, is around 27 miles away in Greenville.
Popular festivals on Washington’s waterfront
The Washington Summer Festival has brought crowds to the riverfront for over 42 years. The two-day event in June features carnival rides, a crab feast and fireworks. In October, the Smoke on the Water BBQ and Chili Festival kicks off with a pig and costume parade. It’s followed by a barbecue contest and a full weekend of smoked pork, live music and vendors. “They cook 40 or 50 pigs. It’s a pretty big contest,” Brinson says. “Last year, there was no barbecue left by 1 o'clock.”
At risk of hurricane-related flooding
Many of the properties between the river and River Road are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a FEMA-designated zone of high flood risk. Some homes are raised to help protect from flooding, and residents might have to buy flood insurance. According to Tunstall, flooding occurs primarily during hurricanes and is not a regular occurrence. “I always say we have 364 days a year of perfect, and every three to four years you get a bad day,” he says. “My house has been here since 1956 at an 8-foot flood elevation, and it’s never flooded.”
Written By
Annie Franklin
