ABOUT ORIENTAL
Oriental was settled by Lewis B. Midyette in the 1870’s. Legend says that "Uncle Lew" anchored his sailboat in the protected waters of Oriental to escape a gale. He was sailing from New Bern back to his home in Dare County where he was a farmer and a fisherman. Storytellers claim that the next morning Lew went ashore and climbed a tree. He was captured by the beautiful landscape and all of the waterfront created by the many creeks. He returned home to persuade others to join his family in moving to the area.
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Check out the links below for more about our rich, cultural history, places to stay, places to see, and plays to eat.
Oriental, North Carolina
Oriental, a 19th Century fishing village on the Neuse River near the Pamlico Sound, has been known for decades as “North Carolina’s Sailing Capital”. At ICW marker 181, Oriental is a popular stop for cruising sailors on their trek north or south.
Home port for 900 people – and some 2,700 boats – Oriental is also coming to be known as “North Carolina’s In-shore Fishing Capital”, as anglers can find a wide variety of sport and game species present year-round.
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The Neuse River, 5 miles wide at its mouth, provides unparalleled year-round sailing while the village offers a fine selection of shops, restaurants, inns, B&Bs, marinas, boatyards and brokerages. We think you will agree that Oriental is the perfect little town for a boat show.
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LODGING
Arlington Place
(quiet spacious homes & cottages 8 miles from the show)
Burton Farm Road, Arapahoe
252-249-9833
Website
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The Boonedocks
(secluded private cabin with a pier, 7 miles from the show)
1108 Fork Point Road, Oriental
252-249-3625
Website
Email
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Beth Frazer & Associates
(cottages, condos & homes for short-term rental)
502 Hodges Street, Suite 1, Oriental
252-249-1001
Website
Email
** some properties have 10% off rental rates for boat show exhibitors **
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Broad Reach Suites
(luxurious rooms in a peaceful location 7 blocks from the show)
1101 Broad Street Ext., Oriental
336-708-6129
Website
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The Cartwright House
(quiet residential setting a block from Lou Mac Park & 3 blocks from the show)
301 Freemason Street, Oriental
252-249-1337
Website
Email
** offering boat show exhibitors 10% off room rates **
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The Inn at Oriental
(restful B&B three blocks from the show)
508 Church Street, Oriental
904-206-1708
Website
Email
** offering 10% off room rates for boat show exhibitors **
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Lazy River Cottages
(private cabins right across the bridge from the show)
513 Oriental Road, Oriental
252-249-2261
** offering 10% off room rates for boat show exhibitors **
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Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast
(tastefully restored historic home 3 blocks from the show)
500 Broad Street, Oriental
252-249-6123
Website
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Mariner Realty
(rental villas near the Minnesott ferry, 7 miles from the show)
704 Hodges Street, Oriental
252-249-1014
Website
Email
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The Old Oriental Hotel
(beautifully renovated historic hotel, 1 block from the show)
502 Hodges Street, Oriental
252-514-7552
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Oriental Marina & Inn
(the boat show’s host with The Toucan Grill plus a Tiki Bar)
103 Wall Street, Oriental
252-249-1818
Website
Email
** offering 10% off room rates for boat show exhibitors **
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Point Marina
(on Broad Creek, a spacious clubhouse & ramp 10 miles from the show)
319 Old Lupton Road, Merritt
252-249-2232
tysslisa@gmail.com
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River Dunes Accommodations
(gracious cottages, suites, “bunkies” 6 miles from the show)
252-249-0253
Website
Email
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River Neuse Suites
(sweet suites on the river near Lou Mac Park)
201 Mildred Street, Oriental
252-249-1404
Website
Email
** offering 10% off room rates for boat show exhibitors **
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Sail Loft Rentals
(cottages, houses & condos near the show)
1000 Broad Street, Oriental
252-249-RENT
Website
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Southern Sky Lodge
(boutique hotel catering to outdoor enthusiasts 6 blocks from the show)
901 Broad Street, Oriental
252-249-6318
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Squidders Lodge
(spacious pet- and fisherman-friendly space 20 minutes from the show)
1370 Pennsylvania Avenue, Vandemere
252-670-2450
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Tidewater Real Estate
(all types of short-term lodging, many near the show)
22826 NC Hwy 55, Oriental
252-249-9800
Website
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TRANSIENT SLIP RENTALS
Blackwell Point Marina
(under the bridge from the show with slips to 50’ – limited to masts under 45’)
354 Blackwell Point Loop Road, Oriental
252-725-7865
Email
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The Boonedocks
(secluded private cabin with a pier, 7 miles from the show)
1108 Fork Point Road, Oriental
252-249-3625
Website
Email
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Clancy’s Marina
(under the bridge from the show – limited to masts under 45’)
309 Midgette Street, Oriental
252-249-2925 or cell 252-675-1410
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Oriental Marina & Inn
(transient slips at the Marina & at Oriental Harbor)
103 Wall Street, Oriental
252-249-1818
Website
Email
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River Dunes
(slips to 65’ with lodging available, about 6 miles from the boat show)
465 East Harborside Road, Oriental
800-348-7610 or 252-249-4908×2
Website
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Whittaker Pointe Marina
(1/2 mile from the show by water or 3 miles by courtesy car)
5001 Maritime Drive, Oriental
252-249-1750
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CAMPING/RV PARKING
Bay River Campground/Marina
(quiet natural setting with a boat ramp and fishing/crabbing pier, about 10 miles from the show)
672 Weaver Camp Road, Merritt
252-745-4879
Email
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Oriental RV Park
(cozy convenient setting 10 blocks from the show)
1201 Broad Street, Oriental
252-675-5063
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River’s Edge Family Campground
(on Bay River, with boat ramp, pier and camp store, 15 miles from the show)
149 Tempe Gut Road, Bayboro
252-559-3603
Website
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Stonewall Campground
(under mature trees with boat ramp & pier 9 miles from the show)
16301 NC Highway 55, Stonewall
252-670-7161
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SAILING INSTRUCTION & BOAT CHARTERS
Bow to Stern Sailing
(lessons & charters on everything from kayaks to 45-footers)
290 Blackwell Point Loop Road, Oriental
252-249-2424 or 252-474-6000
Website
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FISHING GUIDES
In addition to being North Carolina’s sailing paradise, Oriental and Pamlico County are becoming known as “North Carolina’s In-shore Fishing Capitol” too. One or more species can be caught here every month of the year.
Bald Headed Bobby Guide Service
(expert in local waters + Appalachian trout streams too)
919-349-6112
Website
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Down East Guide Service
(a team of great captains who find you fish from the Neuse River to Costa Rica)
1907 Paulette Drive, Morehead City
252-671-3474
Website
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Endurance Charters
(a professional waterman with local knowledge of sport fishing and duck hunting)
501 Oriental Road, Oriental
252-515-4331
Email
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Pamlico Pirate Fishing Charters
(Dave’s spent a lifetime on the water & has the knowledge to prove it)
481 Plantation Parkway, Oriental
919-345-2884
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Paradise Shores Adventures
(an experienced guide for fishing trips, scenic tours, duck hunts & more)
457 Shortline Drive, Oriental
252-249-6127
Website
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Spec Fever Guide Service
(Gary is known for his light tackle & flyfishing charters)
9506 Connie Cove Road, Oriental
252-249-1520
Website
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LOCAL AIRPORTS
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (“EWN”, served by American, with a general aviation facility, 35 miles from the show)
200 Terminal Road, New Bern, NC 28562
252-638-8591
Website
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Albert J. Ellis Airport (“OAJ”, served by American, with a general aviation facility, 79 miles from the show)
264 Albert J. Ellis Airport Rd, Richlands, NC 28574
910-324-1100
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LOCAL INFORMATION
Pamlico County Chamber of Commerce
Pamlico County’s Chamber of Commerce and a good resource for background on the county.
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TownDock.net
Oriental's unofficial news and weather site, with current events and info on local happenings.
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Town of Oriental
Government website with info about the town.