Local Attractions

Lake Mattamuskeet and the Pocosin Lakes of eastern North Carolina come alive every winter as thousands of tundra swans and snow geese make the journey from the Alaska tundra to our Inner Banks. Both refuges are an easy day trip from Big Mill Bed and Breakfast. Photo of Tundra Swans by Guy Livesay of Livesay… Click to read more about the Birds of Lake Mattumuskeet and Pocosin Lakes in eastern NC

War wages every year on the first weekend in November as the Confederates attempt to defend Fort Branch against the Union Army.  Fort Branch is located in Hamilton, North Carolina — just about 12 miles from Big Mill Bed and Breakfast. Yankee reenactor Mike Kerriker (below) gets his weapon ready for battle in the annual Civil War Battle… Click here to read more about the Battle of Ft. Branch

Sunnyside is an eastern North Carolina tradition and folks from all over the country come to taste these special, just-shucked oysters……………..OPENS OCTOBER, 12, 2023 at 5:30!! They do it the same way they have been doing it since 1935, when Charles Roberson, Sr. first opened his restaurant and called it Sunnyside. As soon as you enter the… Click to read more about Sunnyside Oyster Bar

SAD NOTE: We lost this wonderful eastern North Carolina treasure in 2018 to a devastating fire. The Cypress Grill is a place you just don’t want to miss; even if you don’t like fish. Sitting precariously on the banks of the Roanoke River in eastern North Carolina, it has welcomed diners for over fifty years… Click to read all about this fun Mom and Pop eatery

Everyone in eastern North Carolina knows about fishing.  And we have all caught a cat fish. When I wanted a good recipe for Cat Fish Stew, I called up Carolyn Roberson who ran Roberson’s Marina. This is her recipe. Gardner’s Creek is a slow moving, winding black-water creek in Eastern North Carolina that eventually makes… Read more