Plymouth

Historic Plymouth is located on the southern shore of the mighty Roanoke River, just a few miles from Albemarle Sound, on US Highway 64.  The beautiful downtown waterfront area is quaint and picturesque, and boasts four exquisite museums: the Port O' Plymouth Museum, God"s Creation Wildlife Museum, and the Roanoke River Maritime Museum, and the Roanoke River Light House. 

The full scale replica of the 1867 Light House stands watch at the west end of Water Street and a 3/8 scale, floating and motorized replica of the CSS Ram Albemarle moored in the river at the east end of Water Street.  The Ram Albemarle was the most successful ironclad ramming ship of the Civil War and was sunk along the Plymouth waterfront in the final days of the Civil War. 

The Roanoke River Basin is home to many beautiful species of birds, including the bald eagle.  Eagles are routinely seen flying along the shoreline looking for fish to catch.  The Rail Switch Nature Trail has recently been added as a birding site on the North Carolina Birding Trail.  This nature trail is an old railroad bed that starts at the Port O Plymouth Museum and runs along the edge of the Roanoke River.  It has several wooden observation platforms that overlook the river and a wetlands pond, where wildlife abounds.

Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are always relaxing and enjoyable activities in Plymouth.  Plymouth hosts numerous organized fishing tournaments each year, some with over two-hundred participants.  N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission researchers often refer to the Roanoke River as the "Crown Jewel of North Carolina rivers because of its clean water, abundant wildlife and great fishing.

For those who like a little more excitement, Plymouth is home of the annual ODBA U.S. Grand National Drag Boat Races.  Racers reach speeds in excess of 145 miles per hour, in just a quarter of a mile.  It is some of the most impressive and thrilling racing of its kind anywhere in the United States.  Typically, 50 to 75 racing teams will converge on Plymouth, from across the country, to compete for the ODBA U.S. Grand National title.