I-95 is the unofficial border between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, where North Carolina’s rolling hills give way to sandy flatlands. Travelers use I-95 to get to their destinations quickly. But scattered between Roanoke Rapids and Lumberton are shopping meccas, art galleries, baseball games, and those famously red Bright Leaf hot dogs — plenty of reason to take a break from the interstate.
Main Street Magic in Roanoke Rapids
On “The Avenue,” the beating heart of Roanoke Rapids, a shop called Rivertown keeps reinventing itself, delivering just what its customers are looking for — including, simply, a comforting spot to spend an afternoon.
Down by the Riverside in Weldon
A former cotton mill just off the interstate in Halifax County has taken on a new life. Today, the enormous 122-year-old building is an antiquarian’s playground packed with rare treasures and stories around every corner.
The Science of Smoke at The Redneck BBQ Lab
The mad scientists of Johnston County have won hearts and awards with their smoked pork, chicken, and beef brisket. And the experiments continue: At The Redneck BBQ Lab in Benson, they’re always cooking up something new.
The Art of Play in Rocky Mount
What was once a tobacco factory humming with machinery has been transformed into a showcase for the arts and sciences, a stage for performance, and a hands-on space for kids that unlocks and unleashes their creativity.
The Story of Bright Leaf Hot Dogs
Red hot dogs? It’s a North Carolina thing. Our favorite franks are those fire-engine red Bright Leaf dogs made from a secret recipe at a sprawling factory in Smithfield.
Baseball is Back!
A minor league ball team returns to its new home stadium this year after the pandemic disrupted its 2020 season. Now, Fayetteville Woodpeckers fans can continue making joyful summertime memories — of hot peanuts, booming fireworks, and the sweet crack of bat against ball.
A Beacon of Hope in Lumberton
Six years ago, a U.S. Marine established a safe space in Lumberton for the imagination to flourish. Now, after a challenging 2020, his visual and performing arts center expands to a historic building in the heart of downtown.
18 Can’t-Miss Stops
Travelers use I-95 to get to their destinations quickly. But scattered between Roanoke Rapids and Lumberton are plenty of reasons to take a break from the interstate.
An Our State Playlist: Destination I-95
Our curated Spotify playlist is a tribute to travel and to North Carolina — the perfect soundtrack for a summer drive from Roanoke Rapids to Lumberton.
