Lemonade, Lighthouses & Legacy: Rediscovering Edenton

Ingrid Lemme
May 9
4 min read

Updated: May 10

coastalEscape from Paradise with Ingrid Lemme-Chalut

Lemonade, Lighthouses & Legacy: Rediscovering Edenton, NC

Edited by John Lomitola - To be published in the upcoming Memorial Day issue of The Montauk Sun. Available in print from Montauk and The Hamptons to Manhattan, and online at MontaukSun.com

Our Edenton spring-break escape began in the most delightful way—second breakfast, anyone? Marcus and I kicked things off at the Edenton Coffee House. With fresh-brewed coffee, hot tea, and sausage-egg sandwiches, it felt more like breakfast with friends than a meal on the road.

A Christmas tree twinkled in the corner—yes, it’s up all year—because “it makes people happy.” That sentiment alone captures the spirit of Edenton. This cozy café is where locals gather to talk life, politics, grandkids, and everything in between. It was the perfect welcome to North Carolina’s prettiest historic coastal town.

facebook.com/EdentonCoffeeHouse

History with Heart

Founded in 1722, Edenton is North Carolina’s oldest town and its first permanent European settlement. Once the capital of the Province of North Carolina, it thrived as a bustling port and political hub. But what struck me most was the legacy of strong women—especially the 51 who led the 1774 Edenton Tea Party, one of the first political actions by women in the colonies. Their courage still echoes through this beautifully preserved town.

All Aboard the Trolley

We boarded the Edenton Trolley Tour and rolled through a charming blend of colonial homes, historic churches, and sweeping waterfront views.

Our guide brought the past to life with tales of governors, patriots, and trailblazing women like Penelope Barker. History truly sticks to you when it’s told well and shown with pride. ehcnc.org/836-2/trolley

Roots and Flavors

Lunch at Downtown Roots was a delight. Our chicken salad sandwich was creamy perfection. Sitting outside under blue skies with mild spring temps made everything taste better. We’re already planning a return visit—especially when visiting family across the river in beautiful Tyrrell County. (on 415 S Broad Street)

Charmed at the Inn

Our home base for the trip was the Inner Banks Inn. I adored the four-poster bed while Marcus appreciated the vintage charm. What made the stay so memorable was the genuine hospitality of the innkeeper, who welcomed us like old friends. innerbanksinn.com

Sweets, Smiles & the Best Lemonade Ever

Later that day, we stopped at The Kraken Coffeehouse for iced coffee and brownies.

But the true magic happened at Blount’s Mutual Drugs, where we met Bailey Elisabeth Banks behind the old-fashioned soda fountain. She handed Marcus a fresh-squeezed lemonade—sweetened just right. “This is the BEST handmade lemonade ever,” he declared. We went back the next day for more. Real lemons. Real smiles. ( both located on Broad Street)

Creative Touches at the Chowan Arts Council Gallery

Nestled by the waterfront, the Chowan Arts Council Gallery was a gem. With coastal watercolors, hand-thrown pottery, and local jewelry, we lingered and admired—and yes, brought home a little treasure. Executive Director Meredith Timberlake greeted us with warmth that matched the art on display. chowanarts.com

Dinner with a Story

Waterman’s Grill served up both great food and local history. Once a fish market, the building now houses a cozy, casually elegant restaurant. I had fish tacos while Marcus enjoyed a perfectly done hamburger steak with onions and mushrooms. Great service, great stories. watermansgrill.com

Sunshine, Stories & Southern Breakfast

After a good night’s sleep and steamy showers, breakfast back at the Inner Banks Inn was a real treat. A heartfelt thanks to Mr. Terric for his hospitality and a true Southern breakfast—tea, coffee, sausage patties, home fries, and eggs. With sunlight streaming through the windows, it was the kind of morning you wish you could bottle. innerbanksinn.com

Peaceful Moments

Our final morning included a stroll through the Cupola House Gardens, where boxwoods and blooms framed Edenton’s colonial beauty. Built in 1758 by Francis Corbin, the Cupola House is a prime example of Jacobean architecture and one of North Carolina’s most important early structures. cupolahouse.org

The Edenton Lighthouse

The 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse (a.k.a. The Edenton Lighthouse) was completed in 1887 after fire and ice damaged its predecessor.

The lighthouse in Edenton, NC, also originally stood at the entrance of the Roanoke River in the Albemarle Sound, across from its current location.

It was commissioned from 1887 to 1941, when it was then deactivated and abandoned by the Coast Guard.

Taco Tuesday Finale

Before heading home, we joined the locals at La Mesa for Taco Tuesday for $1.49 tacos, and a sizzling fajita. Color, music, and community made it feel like a sendoff party. We even ran into Police Chief David LaFon and his crew finishing up their lunch. (701 C N. Broad st, Edenton, NC)

A Bear-y Good Ending

We made one last stop in Plymouth, NC, at the Bear-Ology Museum—a fun, hands-on experience focused on North Carolina’s black bears. It highlights how the coastal plain hosts both the largest black bears and the highest bear densities in the world. A great learning stop for curious kids and grownups alike. (P.S. The National Black Bear Festival happens the first Saturday in June!) bear-ology.com

Edenton, Etched in Our Hearts

We left Edenton with more than just snapshots—we left with stories, laughter, and sweet lemonade memories. There’s something powerful about a town that connects past and present so gracefully and invites you to be part of its living history. Edenton has a way of staying with you.