5 Unforgettable Things to Do Near Blue Juniper Inn This Memorial Day
Tucked along the banks of the Scuppernong River, Columbia, NC, is one of North Carolina's best-kept secrets. Here's how to make the most of the long weekend from your home base at the Blue Juniper Inn.
Explore Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Just steps from the inn, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in eastern North Carolina — and it's completely free. Late May is prime season here: crops are sprouting in the fields, and black bears emerge regularly to forage. Turtles sun themselves along the boardwalk, and herons glide over the dark, tannic water of the wetlands.
Pick up a map at the visitor center on South Ludington Drive and set out on the long boardwalk trail that winds through pocosins and cypress swamp. Bring binoculars — the birding is spectacular over Memorial Day weekend. Check the website for the most up-to-date information about hours and programming.
Our Tip:Go early morning or at dusk for the best bear and wildlife sightings. Cell service is limited inside the refuge, so download an offline map before you head in.
Paddle the Scuppernong River
The Scuppernong River practically wraps itself around Columbia, making it one of the most accessible paddling destinations in the Albemarle region. Launch from Scuppernong River Park (just off NC-94, right in town) and glide past stands of bald cypress draped in Spanish moss — it feels like you've paddled into a different century.
The blackwater river is calm and wide enough for beginners, yet wild enough to feel like a true adventure. Keep an eye out for river otters, painted turtles, and great blue herons. The town's riverwalk is a lovely spot to stretch your legs before or after your paddle.
Our Tip: The Columbia municipal docks offer a small picnic area perfect for a post-paddle lunch with views of the river.
Discover Pettigrew State Park & Lake Phelps
"Lake Phelps" by Allen Phelps
This is a 9-shot panorama of Lake Phelps, also known as Phelps Lake. And, no, it wasn't named after my relatives, or at least I don't think so. It's a 16,600-acre, shallow, and almost circular lake located primarily in Washington County, NC, with a small portion extending into Tyrell County. Lake Phelps holds the distinction of being the second-largest natural lake in NC.
About 30 minutes west of Columbia lies one of North Carolina's most underrated state parks — and one of its most historically fascinating. Lake Phelps is a natural Carolina bay lake, nearly 16,000 acres in size, renowned for its exceptional clarity and for the ancient dugout canoes (some over 4,000 years old) discovered along its shores.
The park pairs beautifully with a visit to the nearby Somerset Place State Historic Site, which tells a haunting and important story of the Antebellum South. Back at the park, hike the boardwalk through old-growth cypress, fish from the boat ramp, or simply absorb the stillness of this hidden gem.
Wander Palmetto-Peartree Preserve
The Palmetto-Peartree Preserve was created in 1999 by The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization. Photo: The Conservation Fund
Read more at Coastal Review, coastalreview.org.
Just a few miles east of Columbia along the south shore of Albemarle Sound sits the Palmetto-Peartree Preserve — a 10,000-acre Nature Conservancy property that's almost unknown even to locals. A loop road passes through dense pine forest and opens onto sweeping views of the sound, with gated side roads that are perfect for peaceful walking.
The preserve is free to enter and offers a genuine sense of solitude. Birders will love it: warblers, osprey, and shorebirds are abundant in late May. Bring snacks, good walking shoes, and your camera — the light on the sound at sunset is extraordinary.
Our Tip: No facilities on site — use the restroom before you head out, and bring plenty of water. Signs are well-posted from the main road.
Stroll Columbia's Historic Main Street & Waterfront
Don't overlook what's right outside the Blue Juniper's front door. Columbia's Main Street has a quiet, unhurried charm that's increasingly rare along the Inner Banks. Take a morning walk down to the waterfront dock at Water Street, watch the boats come and go, and pick up coffee before the rest of the world wakes up.
The riverwalk boardwalk is a lovely evening stroll — wooden planks winding past the swamp, with benches positioned perfectly for watching the herons. After dinner, the neighborhood is safe, peaceful, and beautiful under the streetlights — exactly the kind of place that makes you wonder why you don't live here.
Our Tip: The inn's own Main Street location means nearly everything is within walking distance. Pack light, walk slow, and stay an extra night.
Ready to Plan Your Weekend?
The Blue Juniper Inn on Main Street is the perfect base for all of it — beloved for its warm hospitality and beautifully restored rooms. Book your stay with us here in the heart of the Inner Banks.
