Don’t miss these pit stops off I-95: Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, Benson, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Fayetteville, Lumberton, and a few extra!
It’s not just the Jesse Jones hot dogs topped with homemade chili and slaw that repeatedly draw customers back to Browning’s Grill. It’s also the family-friendly atmosphere that hasn’t changed a bit since the restaurant opened in the early 1950s. Currently owned and operated by Fran and Chris Conner, Browning’s is famous for its curbside delivery that transports customers to a bygone era of food service. “We’re not like fast food,” Fran says. “The atmosphere is different. The taste is different. It’s just a whole different experience.”
2066 West 10th Street
(252) 537-1106
Operating in its current location since 1952, Ralph’s Barbecue is a fourth-generation family-owned restaurant serving up original Southern recipes — passed down for 70 years — for Brunswick stew, coleslaw, and, of course, slow-cooked chopped barbecue with Ralph’s famous eastern North Carolina vinegar sauce.
1400 Julian R. Allsbrook
Highway, (252) 536-2102
ralphsbbq.com
Weldon Mills Distillery is the perfect place for a sunset cocktail. photograph by Alex Boerner
Tour the distillery and learn the history of both bourbon and the 1892 corn mill that houses the distillery’s bar. On Friday nights, relax on the patio overlooking the Roanoke River, and enjoy cocktails made with fun spirits like Royal Rhubarb Gin (it’s pink!) and Bombardier Cinnamon-Flavored Vodka (it’s green!).
100 & 200 Rockfish Drive
(252) 220-4235
weldonmills.com
With family recipes passed down from before Prohibition, Broadslab uses a handcrafted, solid copper still to produce authentic, all-natural corn whiskey that’s smooth enough for sipping straight.
4834 NC Highway 50 South
(919) 207-1366
broadslabdistillery.com
This family-owned café and coffee shop serves full-bodied roasts, artisan breads, and Belgian waffles (all day!) in a relaxed atmosphere featuring hardwood booths and exposed brick walls.
101 West Main Street
(919) 701-1600
cornerstonecafe.coffee
Pick your own berries at Smith’s Nursery and Produce Farm. photograph by Tim Robison
Visitors to Smith’s can purchase fresh produce or landscaping plants, pick their own berries, or feed the farm animals and learn about sustainable farming practices like irrigation and beekeeping on a self-guided tour.
443 Sanders Road
(919) 934-1719
smithsnurseryinc.com
Housed in the former Rose and Woodall furniture store — and including exhibits on agriculture, home life, merchants, military history, and local artists — this museum preserves and shares the heritage of the Benson area.
102 West Main Street
(919) 894-1266
townofbenson.com/museum
Battle Park — the site of the town’s namesake rocky mounds — features boating and canoe access to the Tar River, a winding greenway trail, and a history of human habitation dating to 9000 B.C.
1300 Falls Road
(252) 972-1151
visitnc.com/battle-park
Explore the breweries, restaurants, and shops at Rocky Mount Mills. photograph by Charles Harris
Overlooking the Tar River Falls, the second-oldest cotton mill in the state has been restored and converted into a multi-use campus that features breweries, restaurants, and even a tiny-house hotel.
1151 Falls Road
(252) 969-0909
rockymountmills.com
Populated with a variety of waterfowl, and shady hardwoods, and surrounded by a half-mile waterfront jogging path, City Lake offers visitors a choice between recreation and relaxation.
Sunset Avenue at U.S. Highway 64 Business
(252) 972-1151
Have a cold one at Double Barley Brewing. photograph by Tim Robison
Sit down for handcrafted ales and food in a space made for the community to enjoy meaningful time together. Featuring an inviting taproom and beer garden, this family-operated brewery specializes in bold-flavored beers with a whole lot of grain. Double Barley lets patrons go behind the scenes of their craft beer-making process in weekly tours.
3174 U.S. Highway 70 West
(919) 934-3433
doublebarleybrewing.com
This Mediterranean grill and market uses secret family recipes to make its authentic, traditional delicacies. The restaurant brings the Middle East to North Carolina with made-from-scratch dishes like chicken shawarma — marinated chicken wrapped in warm pita bread.
2425 Hope Mills Road
(910) 323-2425
One hundred hands, cast in bronze, line a wall in this park, representing veterans from each North Carolina county. The first park in the state dedicated to members of all branches of the military features an interactive story garden and symbolic sculptures.
300 Bragg Boulevard
(910) 433-1457
fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/north-carolina-veterans-park
This local vineyard features award-winning wines, including reds, whites, and sweet wines made from blackberries, watermelon, and three types of muscadines. Stephens Vineyard also offers a steady rollout of delicious new blends.
284 Smith Mill Road
(910) 734-1829
stephenswinery.com
Stock up on the good stuff at Sweet Candy Café. photograph by Tim Robison
Located in historic downtown about a block from Inner Peace Center for the Arts, Sweet Candy Café carries 92 types of old-school and new-school candy (Pop Rocks to gummy bunnies), along with popcorn, warm mixed nuts, and mouthwatering fudge.
212 North Chestnut Street
(910) 674-4831
sweetcandycafe.com
At nearby Lumber River State Park, visitors can explore eastern North Carolina’s natural beauty by doing a little fishing, kayaking, and tent-camping near picnic areas and short hiking trails.
2819 Princess Ann Road
Orrum, NC 28369
(910) 628-4564
ncparks.gov/lumber-river-state-park
When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, the residents of this Chatham County town start early.
Our editor in chief shares a few treasured memories from her childhood home, a Christmas Eve night being one of the very first.
We took some, ahem, creative liberties when we combed through Our State’s archives to find a few favorite stories that carry the tune of a Christmas classic.
From decades-old family recipes to a centuries-old Carolina cookie, we’re filling our holiday tables with dishes that have stood the test of time.
