Driving into Pinehurst and Southern Pines is like entering a well-manicured time capsule. Scrub pines and roadside gas stations give way to horse farms, pristine golf courses, century-old houses, and quaint villages perfect for meandering on a Saturday afternoon. Of course, Pinehurst’s crown jewel is its 10-course golf resort, with the famed No. 2 at its center. But whether it’s the golf that draws you to the area or simply the desire for a weekend’s change of pace, these two neighboring towns have plenty of charm, good food, and history to offer both on and off the course.
The Home of American Golf beckons all visitors. From world-class golf, local shopping, and dining, our welcoming Southern hospitality is why people have been coming home to the Pinehurst Area for more than 125 years. Plan your Sandhills escape today.
Channel U.S. Open verve as you play a round on the famed No. 2 course. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Many visitors make the trip to “the cradle of American golf” to hit the links at one of the Pinehurst Resort’s 10 world-class golf courses. Opened in 1907, No. 2 is the most celebrated of the bunch, having hosted multiple U.S. Opens, the PGA Tour Championship, and the Ryder Cup. No. 2 is notable not only for the legends who have played it, but also for its restoration to original landscaping, which features natural bunker edges, indigenous North Carolina grasses and greens complexes that again beguiled the game’s greats this June. Pinehurst has also done a lot to pioneer and support women’s golf, and unlike some of the country’s other top courses, all Pinehurst Resort golf courses are open to the public. The clubhouse doubles as a museum, showcasing golf highlights from the resort’s founding to present day. The Deuce, which overlooks the 18th hole of No. 2, is a perfect spot to sip a Pinehurst Brewery craft beer with a slice of history in plain sight.
Park your car, mosey around Pinehurst Village on foot, and pop into the shops that catch your eye. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Wander through the winding streets of Pinehurst Village to browse its many boutiques and galleries. Visit Cool Sweats for printed muumuus and modern dresses, and then head to the Roast Office for a pick-me-up, a beautiful coffee shop in an old post office that doubles as a used bookstore. In Southern Pines, browse staff favorites at The Country Bookshop, or pop into Denker Dry Goods, a clothing boutique with an original 1920s soda fountain.
Cool off after a round of golf with a refreshing dip in Lake Pinehurst. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Guests of the Pinehurst Resort can visit the picturesque Lake Pinehurst, where activities like sunbathing on the beach or renting kayaks and paddleboards offer a refreshing alternative to resort activities. If you’re not staying at the resort but still want to connect with nature, take a serene stroll through the Village Arboretum.
After a day on the golf course, at the spa, or in town, nothing’s better than relaxing on a veranda and letting the sweet scents of honeysuckle and magnolia wash over you. Settle into one of the Carolina Hotel’s ubiquitous white rocking chairs and while away the afternoon. Opt for a seat outside the hotel’s west wing for views of the pool and expansive lawn, rather than the parking lot out front.
With brick-lined streets and retro lampposts, exploring Pinehurst feels akin to entering a Scottish enclave. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
In 1895, soda fountain mogul James Walker Tufts purchased the 6,000 acres of sandy, barren land that would become Pinehurst and its surroundings. He hired prominent landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead (who also designed New York City’s Central Park) to create a resort village reminiscent of a New England town. Pick up a walking tour map at the Given Memorial Library and stroll through the charming village and lush, peaceful side streets lined with original cottages. If you’re not staying at the Carolina Hotel, make sure not to miss its wonderfully preserved grandeur.
Tucked away in Southern Pines stands the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, an elegant mansion that counted literary heavyweights Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Sherwood Anderson among its many guests. Considered to be the site that launched the Southern literary renaissance, the Weymouth Center now houses the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. The grounds are open daily, and tours of the Boyd House are available on weekdays.
Among the many shops in Pinehurst Village stands the Old Golf Shop, which is as much of a golf museum as it is a store of memorabilia. Whether or not you’re a golf buff, it’s worth ducking into this one-of-a-kind store and chatting with owner Bob Hansen, who has been collecting golf memorabilia from around the world for 50 years and is one of the world’s foremost collectors. From 100-year-old feather golf balls, to antique clubs and tees, to the oldest golf scorecard in existence (circa 1820), there’s plenty to see here. You’re guaranteed to leave with a fascinating tidbit of knowledge, if not a collectible item.
Try a parfait crepe at Betsy’s, complete with yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and granola. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Inside the intimate Holly Inn, Pinehurst’s oldest hotel, you’ll find two excellent restaurants. Head below the stairs to the four-star 1895 Grille, which flaunts its history with a gorgeous vaulted beam ceiling. Find upscale, locally sourced takes on Southern classics, like the jumbo shrimp with artichokes and crème-fraîche-and-chive grits. For more casual fare, head to The Tavern, which boasts an antique Scottish bar and top-notch fried chicken.
At Betsy’s Crepes, owner Betsy Markey aims to please all taste buds, with crepes ranging from the Sweet & Simple (cinnamon or lemon, with butter and powdered sugar) to the Last Tango (ham, pineapple, mozzarella, and pineapple salsa). There are also sandwiches, like the Le Popeye in a croissant, filled with bacon, caramelized onions, and mushrooms.
Drum & Quill hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
The Drum & Quill is a Pinehurst institution, serving beer and food for nearly as long as the town’s been around. A classic, wooden interior strung with Christmas lights provides a cozy pub atmosphere, and live music on Friday and Saturday nights lends itself to impromptu two-stepping. The bar has local beer on tap and is also a popular lunch spot. Try the Duck Hook Cream Ale from Southern Pines Brewing and the Grand Pimento sandwich.
On a warm spring evening, enjoy a delicious meal al fresco at Elliotts on Linden. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Chef Mark Elliott bases his cooking philosophy on his “farm, chef, table” mantra. At Elliotts on Linden, ingredients come from local, North Carolina farms, creameries, vineyards, and dairies. The quality of the ingredients shows in the quality of the food, like the butternut squash tart or the rabbit and pistachio sausage.
Pair perfectly-cooked steaks with hand-selected wines at Southern Prime. At the bar, locals gather for expertly made cocktails, like an Old Fashioned with house-made spiced bitters or the chocolate espresso martini. Ask for a table in the Wine Room, surrounded on all sides by a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar.
As the centerpiece of the Pinehurst Resort, the luxurious 230-room and newly renovated Carolina Hotel evokes the era in which it was built, more than a century ago. Shuttles take guests to golf courses and the Village, and the resort’s spa is right next door. Sip cocktails at the new Carolina Vista Lounge and indulge in the overflowing breakfast buffet.
What began as a boarding house in 1901 is now a local landmark. Get comfy in one of the hotel’s luxurious 14 rooms with plush linens, settle into a rocking chairs on the front porch, and pop by the tavern to check out the live music.
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