| ROANOKE RIVER
See Roanoke River Partners for information about the camping platforms and other happenings on the creeks and rivers. For reservations call Ann at 252-924-0352 or Lucia at 252-792-0070.
Roberson’s Marina on Gardner’s Creek rents canoes and kayaks for $25 a day. Call ahead and talk to Earl 252-217-2979 or 252-792-2979 or email him at earll@clis.com
www.RoanokeRiver.com and RoanokeRiver.fws.gov will keep you abreast of what is happening on the river. (Top kayaking photo courtesy www.roanokeriver.com)
Roanoke River Wildlife Refuge
Inner Banks Outfitters on the Pamlico River – canoe and kayak rentals 252-975-3006
Frog Hollow Outdoors Paddling excursions on the Roanoke River.
 If you are a fisherman and want to fish in the waters of the Inner Banks of eastern North Carolina, then Captain Mitch knows every fishing hole.
252-495-1803
Natural Adventures with canoe guide Don Gray swamppaddler@yahoo.com 910-624-0347
Check out the Charles Kuralt Trail
Each year when the herring are running (from early January until late April) the Cypress Grill in Jamesville is open for guests to try the fried herring and rock stew.
BIRDING
Birds love Big Mill. We have plenty of water and food; they especially like our pecans, sunflowers and blueberries. We have identified over 25 different birds that reside at Big Mill; and many more spend the night during the migration periods. We offer special rates for birds in our “Bird and Breakfast” package.
We are near several of the coastal North Carolina Birding Trail sites: Morningstar Nature Refuge, Roanoke River Paddle Trail, Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge (the Charles Kuralt Trail), Roanoke River Paddle Trail (Cashie River), Cashie Wetlands Walk, Historic Hope Plantation and the Roanoke River Paddle Trail. Goose Creek State Park in Beaufort County sponsors a Migratory Bird Day each year in May.
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MORE BIRDING
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck where dedicated aviculturalists are working to save many endangered species of water fowl — a must see for bird lovers.
EVENTS
Williamston Homecoming — Four African-American churches host the annual homecoming that brings thousands "back home" for a weekend of fellowship and reunion.
Message of Easter Outdoor Drama — Annual outdoor Easter pageant.
Carolina Country Stampede — Combines the state finals of the Colgate Country Showdown national talent contest, other entertainment and a street festival with arts and crafts, food and children's events.
 Fort Branch
Civil War
Re-enactment — Fort Branch springs to life the first weekend of each November and has since 1987. Civil War battle re-enactors demonstrate life in the camps, night firing of cannons, period music and other activities — all of which are free and open to the public.
DAY TRIPS
Historic Tryon Palace and New Bern — 55 miles. Visit North Carolina’s first capitol. New Bern is a beautiful sea town on the Neuse and Trent Rivers.
Historic Bath — 34 miles. Purported to be the home of the pirate Blackbeard, Bath is on Bath Creek just off the Pamlico River. Home to sailors, Bath is very historic.
 Outer Banks — Visit Kitty Hawk, Nags Head and NC’s Outer Banks area. Big Mill is just an hour from the ferry to Ocracoke and an easy 98 mile drive from the Outer Banks, via US 64.
Somerset Place — a good day trip to Creswell, NC.
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ECU
Visiting East Carolina University?
The ECU campus in neighboring Greenville is just a short 25-mile drive from Big Mill Bed and Breakfast.
Recuperating from surgery at University Medical Center or Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville? Big Mill is just the place to stay while you mend.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
 Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agriculture Center — The center hosts numerous horse and riding shows during the year and draws many people to the area. The Bob Martin Agricultural Center is just three miles from Big Mill Bed and Breakfast.
Fort Branch in Hamilton is a dirt-mound Civil War fort and each year in November re-enactors from all over the U.S. come to play out the battle that was fought on this soil. Check the website for other events. The fort is open to visitors year'round.
Martin Supply an old-time seed store where you can actually buy ten cents of cucumber seeds, shot gun shells and hoop cheese.
Deadwood — A family owned and run theme park offers train rides, miniature golf, live entertainment and food.
East Carolina Motor Speedway — near Robersonville.
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck where dedicated aviculturalists are working to save many endangered species of water fowl – a must see for bird lovers.
Hope Plantation — Beautifully restored home of David Stone, former Governor of North Carolina, this house offers excellent insight into rural life in North Carolina during the late 18th Century.
 Roanoke River Partners — Paddle the Roanoke and Cashie Rivers in eastern North Carolina for a unique adventure in these beautiful swamps, creeks and winding rivers.
The Original Washington is just down the road and you can walk the waterfront, visit the shops or the new Estuarium. You can also visit Goose Creek Park in Beaufort County while you are there.
Port O' Plymouth Museum
Historic Edenton |
Martin County