Awesome things to do in Rocky Mount NC. We have put together the ultimate list of activities for you to do whether you are going to Rocky Mount for a day, or simply passing by with family, alone, as couple or with friends.
There are all sorts of activities included in this list, even FREE things to do in Rocky Mount NC.
Rocky Mount is a lovely city to visit, famous for its stunning Rocky Mount Mills, you will be delighed to get to know this part of North Carolina.
What is Rocky Mount NC Known For?
The city of Rocky Mount lies between two counties, Edgecombe and Nash, in North Carolina. Rocky Mount metropolitan area or “Twin Counties” is known for its deep historical roots. Known for its rail transport, farming, and textiles, the small town next to Tar River officially became a city in 1867.
Now, the area is well known for its diverse economy, from biomedical pharmaceuticals to manufacturing and logistics. The city was named the 6th “Best Small Places For Business And Careers” in 2018 by Forbes Magazine, and before that, it bagged the All-America City Award from the National Civic League twice; First in 1969 and then again in 1999.
In more recent times, Rocky Mount NC has become known as the perfect pitstop city for those road tripping on the I-95. I recently realized that the many things to do in Rocky Mount, NC, warrant visiting the city for much longer.
Things To Do In Rocky Mount, NC, This Weekend
Instead of stopping at the nearest gas station and then continuing on your way, make the city part of your vacation. There are many things to do in Rocky Mount, NC, over the weekend, including multiple farmers’ markets and coffee shops.
Nash County Farmers Market
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The Nash County Farmers Market in the Rocky Mount Mills Historic District is a regional farmers market where farmers from around the area sell their products every Saturday from April to November. The market also runs on Tuesday afternoons in the summer.
The market is the perfect place to socialize with local farmers and purchase local produce. It has become known as a fun shopping experience.
Tar River Flea Market
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While you’re in the mood to shop in Rocky Mount, the next stop should be the Tar River Flea Market. This is the perfect market to get a souvenir for home.
The over 15-acre flea market can be found between Sharpsburg and Rocky Mount. It boasts indoor and outdoor shopping and over 200 stalls selling everything from antiques to technology and toys.
Larema Coffee House
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Rocky Mount, NC, is the perfect weekend getaway spot for coffee lovers. For those who enjoy sipping specialty coffee while surrounded by creativity and fun, the first stop should be Larema Coffee House.
Located in a 110-year-old building in downtown Rocky Mount, NC, the store’s name, Larema, means “my friend” in the Ugandan Language called Acholi. Larema aims to make every customer feel like a friend.
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Trax Coffee Bar
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Another great stop is the modern coffee shop with a twist called Trax Coffee Bar. They offer everything from custom roasted and brewed coffee to handcrafted lattes and mochas.
Not to mention, non-coffee drinkers also have options like fruit smoothies, hot teas, and even milkshakes. However, it is important to remember that the last orders must be placed before 3:45 pm from Monday to Friday and before 1:45 pm on Saturdays.
Books & Beans
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The last coffee shop that caught my attention was Books & Beans. The artsy coffee house in mill village is the perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon lost in a good book.
According to their Instagram, Books & Beans offers “espresso drinks, diverse books, local pastries & signature sandwiches.” The homey coffee shop is a great place to spend a quiet afternoon relaxing.
The Stonewall Manor
Stonewall Manor, which is named after its heavy granite wall around the front lawn, should be high on the list of must-visit places in the area. The manor showcases nineteenth-century Antebellum farm life.
The Stonewall Manor is well known for its beautiful architecture, and it is also named on the National Register of Historic Places. The manor offers reasonably priced guided tours.
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Family Things to do in Rocky Mount NC
Aside from great coffee shops and shopping, there are many child-friendly things to do in Rocky Mount, NC. From exploring interactive museums to tasty food, these are my recommendations for family things to do in Rocky Mount, NC.
The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences
Start at the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences in downtown Rocky Mount, NC. The center is known as one of the best cultural facilities on the Eastern Seaboard. The complex was created after the old Braswell Memorial Library and the Imperial Tobacco Company were repurposed.
Within the Imperial Centre is the Children’s Museum & Science Center that offers interactive activities for children to experience exhibits, including the Cummins Planetarium, a live animal gallery, as well as games and puzzles.
Covering an impressive 135,000 square feet, the Imperial Center of the Arts & Science boasts well-preserved parts of the building and exhibitions about the different sectors and industries in the area. It is open from 10 am–5 pm every day except Monday when it is closed.
D Chill Spot Jamaican Food
After a long day exploring The Imperial Center, everyone will be hungry, and from my research, there is one place worth visiting with the entire family. D Chill Spot is Rocky Mount’s very own Jamaican restaurant that boasts both a sit-down restaurant and a food truck.
The store offers everything from jerk chicken to oxtail. To be honest, just scrolling through their Instagram page made me hungry thus, I recommend checking it out if you are in the area.
Rocky Mount Mills
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If you’re looking for more fun things to do in the area, check out Rocky Mount Mills next to the Tar River. The historical building and area have been upgraded into a residential area complete with a culture center.
A must-see in Rocky Mount, NC, the Mills area was once a Cotton Mill that spanned an impressive 82-acres. The site now boasts restaurants, breweries, kayaking, and river houses to rent for the weekend.
Bowling Center
If you’re looking for a fun activity when the weather is not great, visit the Bowling Center at 3250 N Church Street. It is the perfect place for a day out with a big group of friends or family.
The center boasts twenty-four lanes and an automatic scoring system. It also has a game room, a snack bar, and a pro shop.
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Mini Putt Family Entertainment Center
The Mini Putt Family Entertainment Center is another excellent place to visit with children. Boasting eighteen holes and arcade games, skeeball, air hockey, a pinball machine, and pool tables.
The site offers special rates for birthdays and groups and is open from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm on Monday to Saturday and 1:00 pm- 7:00 pm on Sundays. Please adhere to the strict rules listed on the website when visiting.
Star City Skate & Play
Another favorite family thing to do in Rocky Mount is to visit Star City Skate & Play. Located at 1131 N Wesleyan Boulevard, the local roller skate rink is amazing fun and offers many amenities.
Aside from skating, the rink also has a pro shop and laser tag. They are usually open from 1 pm to 5 pm, and admission is about $6 and skate rental about $3.
Rocky Mount Disc Golf
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Disc golf is a fun game, if you haven’t tried it yet, you must have a go! It’s similar to golf but you throw a frisbee instead of a ball.
Great game to play with friends and family, it definitely gets you into the competitive mood. It’s for sure one of many family things to do in Rocky Mount NC.
The City of Rocky Mount currently has four disc golf courses. There are also many disc golf events held in the city throughout the year.
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Free Things To Do In Rocky Mount, NC
For those on a tight budget, do not panic. There are also many free things to do in Rocky Mount, NC, that are still tons of fun!
Rocky Mount City Lake and Park
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Pull out your picnic blanket and pack some lunch and spend the day at Rocky Mount City Lake and Park. The park lies next to the Tar River and Sunset Avenue. The park was created in 1937 as a project for the Works Progress Administration during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.
It currently boasts a concrete path around the lake that makes walking and exploring more accessible, and the large pine and hardwood trees make great shady and picturesque picnic spots. The Rocky Mount City Lake and Park also boasts small islands that you can explore using the old bridges, piers, and gazebo.
Battle Park
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Open from dawn to dusk, Battle Park is another must-visit place in Rocky Mount. The park is home to the city’s first post office and theater and boasts many recreational things to do.
Aside from its playground equipment, boat landing, two islands, and gazebo, the park is also well known for its walking trails. Winding through the old 93-acre forest, the trails are cover several miles with varying difficulties.
The park is pet-friendly as long as you clean up after them. Visitors are required to stay on designated paths and be careful of poison ivy, stinging insects, and snakes. Please note that alcohol is not allowed within the park.
Lake Wilson
Curving boardwalk over Lake Wilson in North Carolina
Just over twenty minutes from Rocky Mount is Lake Wilson. The lake has become a favorite among fishermen as one can catch bream, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and bluegill.
Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the lake is completely free to use and has no ramp fees for boats either. There are also a number of amenities, including hotels and restaurants nearby.
Romantic Things to do in Rocky Mount NC
While the city might seem like the last place for a couple hunting romance, there are more than a few things to do with the person you love.
Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre
One of six drive-in theaters left in North Carolina, Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is the perfect place for a cute movie night with just the right amount of privacy.
The theater was bought by Mark and Jennifer Frank in December 2011. They aim to ensure that the theater offers great entertainment at an affordable price. Aside from a good movie, the theater also boasts a weekly open-air Flea Market.
Wine & Design
Lastly, a date idea that really appeals to my artsy side requires driving out of the city to nearby Raleigh. The Wine & Design studio offers instructional painting classes.
So grab your favorite beverages (no liquor) and snacks, and take a slow romantic drive to the studio. Then under the instruction of experts, create a memorable masterpiece together. Please keep in mind they are only open from Tuesday to Friday from 12 pm to 6 pm.
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Goodnights Comedy Club
Since we’ve driven to Raleigh already, why not visit the Goodnights Comedy Club at the same time. The contemporary entertainment venue is the perfect place to enjoy a lighthearted yet intimate night out.
The ticket prices for the live standup comedy and other performances are usually quite affordable. Shows tend to be about an hour and forty minutes, and you can enjoy a variety of food and drinks during the show.
Breweries in Rocky Mount, NC
Keeping with the more adult theme now, it’s time to explore the many breweries in Rocky Mount, NC. The city has something for everyone.
Koi Pond Brewing Company
The place to start on a tour of the breweries in Rocky Mount, NC, is the Koi Pond Brewing Company. Known for its excellent craft beer in Rocky Mount, the Brewing company boasts high-quality craft beer and international varieties like Belgian Ales, American Ales, Belgian Witbiers, etc.
The taproom at Rocky Mount Mill is fondly referred to as ‘The Pond’ by locals. It is so popular because it is both dog and family-friendly and offers a variety of delicious food to pair with beers and wines.
Rocky Mount Brewing
Next on the list is the Rocky Mount Brewing which is also situated in Rocky Mount Mills. The company is a collaboration between Celeste Beatty and Briana Brake.
In fact, Beatty is known for being the first Black woman to own a brewery in the United States and runs Harlem Brewing Company in New York. Brake owns Spaceway Brewing and also works for HBC as Rocky Mount Brewing.
Together the two brilliant women aim to create signature craft beer recipes that celebrate and honor Rocky Mount’s culture and history.
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Hopfly Brewing Company
An up-and-coming local company that started with a tiny 750 sq foot space, the Hopfly Brewing Company, has grown immensely over the years. The man behind the business is Brewmaster Cameron Schulz.
Now, they have doubled their brewing capacity and increased their space to a luscious 1700 square foot taproom. Aside from the impressive taproom, Hopfly also has a tasting room that is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Things to do in Rocky Mount NC at Night
Lastly, as the sunsets and partygoers come out of hiding, it’s time to dive headfirst into things to do in Rocky Mount, NC, at night.
Bin and Barrell
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Though not open till late, Bin & Barrel is the perfect bar to start a crawl. Rocky Mount’s newest wine tasting bar and shop owned by Ryan and Sarah Hicks is a classy and elegant spot.
They offer a carefully curated range of exclusive wines. Their wine tasting experience is highly recommended as there is always a new variety of wines on offer. They also host multiple events and classes throughout the year.
Bin & Barrel also boasts a customizable Wine Club where members receive carefully selected wines every quarter. Please note that the bar is closed on Monday and Sunday. However, it is open the rest of the week from 11 am to 7 pm.
Goat Island Bottle Shop
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Next, visit the spacious Goat Island Bottle Shop. The bar offers stunning outdoor seating that is pet and child-friendly—making it the perfect place to enjoy a night out with both friends and family.
They offer a delicious selection of craft beer and specialty wine in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The wine bar has varying operating hours so check their website before visiting.
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Sharks n Shooters
Sharks n Shooters is a local hotspot perfect for a night out. It is actually two bars in one: Shark n Shooters and The 19th Hole. Sharks n Shooters offers a spacious pool room that boasts eight pool tables and a bar with a variety of beer & liquor.
It is open on Sundays and Mondays from 2:00 pm – 12:00 am and the rest of the week (except Tuesday when it is closed) from 2:00 pm to 2:00 am.
Right next to it is The 19th Hole which is open daily from 8:30 pm to 2 am. This is a more classic full-service bar perfect for catching up with friends.
Both bars’ prices start around $3.50 for regular beers and increase as you explore their variety of domestic and imported beers. They also offer different daily specials, including ladies play pool for free all day on Wednesdays and Sundays. They also host regular texas hold ’em poker tournaments.
Conclusion
From family fun to romantic affairs, it’s clear that there are many cool things to do in Rocky Mount, NC. So whether you’re a beer fan or in a family road trip passing the city, it’s worth considering spending a few days exploring what’s on offer.
