Who doesn’t love exploring cute historic downtowns, much less three!? Luckily, the Sandhills area is home to three charming North Carolina downtowns (Pinehurst Village, downtown Southern Pines NC, and downtown Aberdeen NC) all within 15 minutes of each other! My mom currently lives in Southern Pines so this was a great opportunity for me to explore with a local guide!
Listed below are all of the major attractions and things to do in Pinehurst NC, Aberdeen, and downtown Southern Pines, NC!
What to Know Before Exploring these North Carolina Downtowns
Parking
Luckily parking in all three towns is free, but each town comes with its own parking experiences.
- Southern Pines Parking
- There is ample parking around downtown Southern Pines. If you are visiting during an event or on weekends, be prepared to search around a little bit longer.
- Pinehurst Parking
- Pinehurst Village parking may be more sparse during peak times as it is a popular tourist destination.
- Aberdeen Parking
- With Aberdeen being the smallest of the three towns, parking is the easiest to manage. Unless there is a large event, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Getting Around
Cars are the most convenient option for getting around Aberdeen, Southern Pines, and Pinehurst. Another great option, if your accommodation is within close vicinity of downtown is a golf cart! Especially in the summer, this is a great way to cruise around.
Once in downtown Aberdeen, Pinehurst, or Southern Pines, you can easily walk around to the shops, bars, and restaurants.
Southern Pines
Downtown Southern Pines, NC is picturesque and has been preserved very well. Even though Southern Pines was initially established in the 1700s by the Scottish, it wasn’t until 1884 that the town took off due to lumber and railroad production. Another perk of Southern Pines in the early 1900s was the climate. Southern Pines was promoted as a destination to help cure tuberculosis because of the fresh pine air and moderate climate.
While visiting today, you can see the area’s rich history in the historic downtown and the surrounding area. I definitely suggest adding Southern Pines to your must-see North Carolina downtowns!
Downtown Southern Pines, NC To Do
Shopping
You can easily spend the day wandering the downtown area and stopping in the independent shops. The uniqueness and individuality of these small shops blew me away. Here are a few I recommend stopping in:
Dining
There are so many great restaurants around downtown Southern Pines, NC. Listed below are a few suggestions:
- Bell Tree Tavern
- Great atmosphere with great food. Bell Tree mainly offers handhelds and a great selection of appetizers.
- Chapmans
- A great place with elevated bar food.
- Ashtens
- Located across the street from Chapmans. Ashtens centers their food around local produce.
- Betseys Crepes
- Betsey’s is a delicious breakfast spot that specializes in crepes.
Drinks
You are in no short supply of places to drink while in Southern Pines. Listed below are some great options while wandering around downtown Southern Pines, NC:
- Hatchet Brewery
- Southern Pines Brewing Company
- Cork
- An upscale experience with craft cocktails and a curated wine list.
- Standing Room Only (SRO)
- This place truly lives up to its name. This wine shop is worth stopping in to check out the smallest wine shop in the country!
Pinehurst Village
You may have heard of Pinehurst as it is home to one of the best golf courses in the United States and has hosted the US Open several times. Another notable landmark in Pinehurst is the Pinehurst Resort and Spa.
Along with being a world-class golfing destination, there are plenty of things to do in Pinehurst, NC including a charming shopping area, adorable houses, and a tranquil spa. Definitely make sure Pinehurst is on your list while visiting these North Carolina Downtowns!
Things To Do in Pinehurst, NC
Shopping
Within the village, there are several different shops for you to explore. You can easily spend a few hours simply perusing all of the storefronts.
Food and Drink
Pinehurst Spa
If golfing isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the resort, by visiting the spa. The spa offers massages, facials, nail care, and other body treatments. Day passes are also available for $50.
Golfing
This is the most obvious thing to do in Pinehurst, NC. There are actually 40 different courses in the Sandhills area and 12 courses within the resort. For more golfing information, I suggest visiting Home of Golf to explore the different packages that cater to your needs.
Admire the cute houses
While walking along the village, I suggest going off the beaten path! There are some beautiful homes surrounding Pinehurst Village with so much character. There is no better way to explore the town than by wandering around.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is the smallest of the three towns, but it has a lot of potential. You can tell they are putting a lot of effort into revitalizing the downtown, so it will only grow more. You really only need an hour to explore the downtown, but I believe it is still a cute place to check out.
Aberdeen To Do
Shopping
As I mentioned previously, Aberdeen is much smaller than downtown Southern Pines and Pinehurst. Here are the must-sees while walking around:
Food and Drink
- High Octane
- The Workshop Tavern
- This is a great place to stop by to have a drink or enjoy some food. They have mac and cheese bowls that are delicious.
Shopping
Downtown Aberdeen, NC is a great place to support local! Listed below are some cute boutiques and stores to peruse.
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Thank You
Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and/or Aberdeen and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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