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Fact Sheet

Location

Centrally located on the East Coast, Elizabeth City is situated in Northeastern North Carolina halfway between Norfolk, VA, and North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The approximately distance from the following cities is:

  • Norfolk, VA: 49
  • Outer Banks, NC: 50
  • Raleigh, NC: 170
  • Washington, DC: 245

How to Get There - Map It!

Automobile access to Elizabeth City is available via:

  • U.S. Highway 17 North, from the South (Edenton, NC)
  • Interstate 664/64 to U.S. Highway 17 South, from the North (Norfolk, VA)
  • Interstate 64 East to U.S. Highway 17 North, from West (Raleigh, NC)
  • Interstate 95 South/U.S. Highway 158 East/U.S. Highway 17 South, from West (Roanoke Rapids, NC)
  • U.S. Highway 158 West, from North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Air Transportation

The closest international airports are Norfolk Airport (45 minutes away) and Newport News Williamsburg Airport (65 minutes away), both located about 45 minutes from Elizabeth City. The Elizabeth City Regional Airport, with a 7,219-foot runway, can accommodate helicopters, Lear Jets and 747s.

Waterways - www.waterwayguide.com

Bounded by the Great Dismal Swamp to the north and the Pasquotank River to the southeast, Elizabeth City is known as the “Harbor of Hospitality®.” The city’s location on the Intracoastal Waterway makes it a popular stop for recreational boaters from around the world. On arrival, boaters may take advantage of 48-hour free dockage at Mariners’ Wharf and a host of nearby restaurants, shops, visitors center and attractions, all within walking distance.

Weather - www.ecncweather.com

Elizabeth City's climate is mild and comfortable throughout the year, with a low temperature of 32° F in January and a high of 89° F in July. To check daily weather forecasts, go to www.DiscoverElizabethCity.com

Elizabeth City -- Nestled in History, Steeped in Charm

Located on the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City has all of the charm and hospitality you’d expect in an authentic southern town. The Museum of the Albemarle, the northeastern regional branch of the North Carolina Museum of History, anchors one end of the downtown waterfront. One-of-a-kind shops, antique stores, art galleries, restaurants and other attractions line the picturesque Main Street area. Elizabeth City has six National Register Historic Districts and is home to The Center at Arts of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City State University Planetarium and Port Discover Hands-On Science Center. Nature-based travelers are drawn to the area’s proximity to the Dismal Swamp and the abundance of outdoor recreational offerings. Accommodations range from a variety of cozy B&Bs and small inns to recognized hotel chains and locally-owned and operated motels. Entertainment options abound, thanks to a variety of live theatre venues and a year-round roster of festivals and special events.

Meetings and Conferences

As the largest city in Northeast North Carolina, Elizabeth City is an ideal meeting site, offering a beautiful waterfront and a convenient, central location. The city offers 550 hotel rooms and more than 30 venues throughout the community to accommodate groups, business conferences and events for 10 to 450 people that include society, military, education, religious and fraternal organizational meetings.

Awards and Recognitions

The Elizabeth City area is ...

  • Featured in the book The 100 Best Small Towns in America by Norman Crampton.
  • Ranked by Money Magazine as one of “Best Places to Live on the Coast” and cited as one of the top three best retirement towns by Retirement Lifestyles in the Carolinas magazine.
  • Known as the “Harbor of Hospitality®” for the tradition of handing roses to visiting boaters.
  • Recognized by the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina in 2008 with a Gold Destination Marketing Achievement Award for a holiday greeting card, and two Innovation Awards for creating online social networking visibility for Elizabeth City attractions, event organizers and businesses.
  • Recognized by the National Park Service for three sites in its National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program: the Pasquotank River (the first river in the United States to receive this distinction), the Elizabeth City State University Great Dismal Swamp Boardwalk Project and the Dismal Swamp State Park.

Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitor Bureau

For travel information and suggested itineraries, call the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-ECity-4U (1-866-324-8948) or (252) 335-5330 or go to www.DiscoverElizabethCity.com

Photo Credit: Main image in header, photo appears courtesy of ECSU/University Relations & Marketing.