Goose Creek State Park is one of the major attractions in Bath, North Carolina's oldest city. British explorer John Lawson founded this place in 1705, which at the time only had some 200 inhabitants. Discover not only this beautiful state park, but also other wonderful attractions that you should visit while staying in your Bath inn.
Goose Creek State Park
2190 Camp Leach Road
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 923-2191
www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/gocr/main.php
Goose Creek State Park is located in Beaufort County and covers approximately 1,300 acres of land. The park is made beautiful by old oaks, Spanish moss, creeks, salt marshes and a wide array of wildlife species. A visit to this park means a day of complete relaxation and outdoor fun as it is lined with picnic pavilions, nature trails and a beach for swimming. Visitors engage in activities like boating, picnicking, paddling, swimming, fishing and hiking. The park offers these activities the whole year. You can also explore the eight miles of hiking trails around the park. Some of these trails include Flatty Creek Trail, Goose Creek Trail, Ivey Gut Trail, Live Oak Trail and the Palmetto Boardwalk Trail. Educational events such as exhibitions and ranger-led programs are also held regularly. Its convenient location between historic Bath and original Washington is another great reason why people love going to this place. It's one of the first places that you should visit when you step out of your Bath Bed and Breakfast.
Aurora Fossil Museum
400 Main Street
Aurora, NC 27806-0352
(252) 322-4238
www.aurorafossilmuseum.com
One fascinating attraction that you can visit after Goose Creek State Park is the Aurora Fossil Museum. Established in 1976, this non-profit educational center was built on the core mission to promote knowledge on geology and paleontology of North Carolina's coastal areas. Through its ever changing and interesting activities such as exhibits, field studies and outreach programs, the museum is able to achieve these goals. Its own pile of fossils, which is called the "Pit of the Pungo," is a collection of Miocene age fossils given by the local phosphate mine. Remnants of ancient species like sharks, fish, whales and shells can be found in this soil. Take time to visit the mine room where you will see awe-inspiring geological formations in Aurora.
Historic Bath State Historic Site
207 Carteret Street
Bath, NC 27808
(252) 923-3971
www.nchistoricsites.org
To complete your mind-enriching vacation experience, head to the Historic Bath state, which illustrates North Carolina's 300 years of history that began with the first settlers like John Lawson, the colony surveyor general and Christopher Gale, the first chief justice of the town. This site is home to three historic houses and a visitor center. Guided tours that will take you around to learn the rich history of Bath are also available.