South Tar River Greenway

Roughly an hour east of Raleigh, N.C., sits the college town of Greenville. Downtown Greenville is on the Tar River, which flows into the Pamlico Sound. To my knowledge, one of the oldest European records of the Pamlico Sound was in 1524, when Italian Explorer Giovanni de Verrazzano mistook the sound for the Pacific Ocean. The river and the sound would prove to be important during different times in history and the sound is now a popular recreational waterway on the Outer Banks.

The South Tar River Greenway is a nice and short walk in downtown Greenville. At ~3.5 miles in length (one-way) and paved, it is a pleasant ADA accessible option for those who like to get out for a walk during warm weather. There is no elevation, as this part of Eastern N.C. is quite flat. The trail is connected to Town Center Commons Park and next to the Greenville Toyota Amphitheater, where outdoor concerts are held throughout the year. Be sure to check out the sundial in the park, and don't forget to take a moment to take in the gorgeous views. There are also points further upstream to get on the water, and the river is a popular place for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. You can paddle on history or walk next to it.

Overall, the South Tar River Greenway Trail is a great and accessible place to have a picnic or a stretch break during a concert, or clear your head and breathe in the fresh Carolina air.