We stayed there last October on the way to Swan Quarter to take the ferry to Ocracoke. We weren't there very long but it seemed like a nice little town. They were having a festival at the riverfront but we didn't go. (We had been at a Duke football game where it poured the entire game.)
We stayed in the Holiday Inn Express, which was fine. We had dinner at a small Italian restaurant nearby. It didn't look like much but the hotel recommended it. It was called Marabella and the food was excellent. I would go back. I think you would feel safe in the town.