This article was written by our sponsor, Washington Tourism Development Authority.

Do you ever feel like you just need to get away, even if just for a day? Are you looking for a quick spring or summer escape from the same-old, same-old? Then hop into your car for a short drive to Washington, N.C.

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Whether you are looking for adventure, family fun, a history fix, or a romantic day or weekend, this quaint, riverfront town will fit the bill.

An awesome day trip to Washington might include breakfast at Shep's Grill. Owner Jason Sheppard said they strive for a small town diner feel.

"We serve breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Breakfast is served on weekends until 2 p.m," Sheppard said.

Or maybe a latte and fresh made pastry from locals' favorite Rachel K's Bakery will satisfy your hunger.

Not to be missed, the N.C. Estuarium is an interactive, environmental showcase that spotlights the Pamlico-Albemarle estuarine system. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., they also offer free river roving boat rides Wednesday through Saturday. But call ahead, because seats on the boat fill up quickly!

After a refreshing riverboat ride and a stroll along the boardwalk, head over to Bill's for their world famous hot dogs. They've been making their spicy white chili since 1928.

Bill's is all takeout, so take your dogs and drinks down to one of the many waterfront picnic tables.

While downtown, visit the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum. Learn about the history of slavery and the enslaved people seeking freedom in Washington and Beaufort County.

Next up, either peruse the eclectic shops in town, or rent a bicycle for some casual cycling fun.

For dinner, get your grub on at one of the tasty restaurants in town. You can delight in southern classics like fried green tomatoes or the classic shrimp and grits, or try a seasonal, coastal specialty like fried soft shell crabs.

Your belly will be happy as you head home from a day of fun, food, and enjoyment.

For a more romantic day trip, a chartered cruise aboard the Noble Eagle with Captain Scott may be just what you're looking for. Captain Scott welcomes your customized tour requests.

After a trolling tour on the Pamlico River, meander through the many art galleries in the harbor district. Make sure to check out the Historic Turnage Theatre on Main Street (please call ahead as hours vary). A working, restored vaudeville theater, the Turnage is home to Arts of the Pamlico, one of the oldest arts councils in the state.

For a sumptuous farm-to-fork dinner experience, make your reservations for the Hackney. This fine dining establishment combines locally sourced seasonal ingredients with an eclectic culinary outlook. (They even have their own gin distillery on site.)

If you're looking for day trip activities with the kiddos, a day of hiking, paddling, and swimming at Goose Creek State Park will make everyone happy. The park has kayak and boat launches, a swim beach, picnic areas, and over seven miles of hiking trails.

Visitors Laura and Mackenzie Flesshser like to pack a picnic or grab takeout in Washington and dine in nature at Goose Creek. "It's so nice to get back to nature and enjoy the trails and the water views."

The park teems with different species of birds, and aquatic and amphibious wildlife. It also boasts of being the first state park in North Carolina to have an environmental education center, so the trip can be a learning experience as well as recreational fun.

There are many spots for fishing throughout the park, so bring your pole, bait, and fishing license.

Venturing about 15 miles east of Washington, you can visit Bath, North Carolina's oldest town. Once the stomping ground of the infamous Blackbeard the Pirate, there is a historic site visitor center. Bath is also home to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, the oldest church building in the state, built in 1734.

From Bath, you can take a free ride on the Bayview Ferry to Aurora and tour the Aurora Fossil Museum. The Smithsonian actually does research on fossils found here. Learn about the fossil and mineral displays, search for sharks' teeth, or pick up a souvenir from the gift shop.

Whether you're interested in history, adventure, romance, or just a good, old fashioned family outing, Washington has a plethora of activities. Enjoy the ideas listed here, or make up your own combination of day trip ideas. This friendly town perched on the Pamlico River offers something for everyone.

We hope to see you soon!

This article was written by our sponsor, Washington Tourism Development Authority.