While visiting Southern Pines, NC, I was in awe of how the downtown has been preserved since its roots in the 19th century. You can easily spend the day exploring the unique shops, eating delicious food, and admiring the architecture of this charming North Carolina downtown.
There is so much to do in Southern Pines, that you could easily spend a whole weekend visiting all the sites. If you are short on time, then I suggest focusing on downtown Southern Pines, but be prepared to want to come back to this cool little town!
If you plan a full weekend in the area, I suggest checking out my post about the charming downtowns in the Sandhills region. If you are limited on time, also check out my guide on things to do in Pinehurst, NC.
Below are all of the amazing attractions in the area that make Southern Pines unique. I noticed the residents truly take pride in their town and are very friendly and eager to help out visitors.
The Basic Information: What is in Southern Pines?
History
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.
Culture
Southern Pines has a very interesting mix of residents as different occupations bring people to the area. These occupations include retirees for the several golf courses, military personnel because of the military bases in the area, and equestrian hobbyists. Even though these are all very different demographics, they seem to mesh well together and are what makes the town so unique.
Where is Southern Pines NC
Southern Pines is located in the “Sandhills” area of North Carolina named after its sandy soil and terrain. The Sandhills is a central region of North Carolina that spans 8 counties.
Places to Stay
- The Jefferson Inn
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Airbnb
Southern Pines, NC Attractions
What to do in southern pines nc
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:
- Nomad Jax
- It is a unique and eclectic store that has an outdoor edge.
- River Jack
- A typical outfitter store with a great brand selection.
- Lavender Home Market
- A super cute home store with curated goods and a room dedicated to French antiques and other inspired decor.
- DAHR Furniture
- High-end home decor store with interior design services available. DAHR also sells apparel and accessories.
- Willabee Market
- A unique store that highlights sustainability.
Weymouth Center and Nature Preserve
The Weymouth Center was first established as an estate, built by the Boyd family in 1920. The Boyd family emphasized arts, literature, and conservation. The family legacy lives on as the Weymouth Center and Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve.
I would check out their website for upcoming events. Even if there isn’t an event going on, you can explore the 26 acres of gardens, a historic house, and a nature preserve.
Along with the Weymouth Center, there is also Weymouth Woods, where you can relax in nature or get exercise. The trails and distances are listed here.
Sunrise Theater
This historic theater is situated in downtown Southern Pines and is utilized for live performances and featured movies. Check out their site to see upcoming movies and events!
Golfing
With Pinehurst being 15 minutes from Southern Pines, there are over 40 different golf courses you can choose from. I recommend checking out Home of Golf for a full list!
Where to Eat & Drink Southern Pines NC
Places to Eat
There are so many great restaurants in Southern Pines NC, you will never be left with an empty stomach!
Below are my 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
- This is a delicious breakfast stop
- Red’s Corner
- I had a hard time trying to categorize Red’s Corner because it is so much more than somewhere to eat. With food trucks, a beer garden, a playground, and live music there is truly something for everyone!
- Southern Prime
- An upscale steakhouse in Southern Pines.
Where to Drink
- 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!
- B Hawk
- B Hawk Distillery is unique as it is owned by Brad Halling. The Sgt. during the battle of Mogadishu, which influenced the movie “Black Hawk Down”.
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Thank You
Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about Southern Pines, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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