25 Best Things to Do in Southern Pines, NC

With so many fun things to do in Southern Pines, NC, this really is the perfect getaway in the central part of the state.

It’s been known for a long time for golf and horses but there are so many locally owned shops, amazing restaurants, and beautiful trails to enjoy nearby.

Moore County is also home to many smaller towns like Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Robbins, Carthage, and Vass. Each small town has something unique to offer!

I hope you’ll have fun exploring Southern Pines and discovering all the cool things to do!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going! I was hosted by the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen Area CVB for my time here. All opinions are my own.

Best Things to Do in Southern Pines, NC

Southern Pines has a long history in the equestrian world but there is plenty to do outside of that too. Whether you’re here to shop, explore the local trails, or indulge in their culinary scene, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.

Don’t miss these things to do in Southern Pines!

1. Hike at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Weymouth Woods, also known as the Sandhills Nature Preserve, is part of the North Carolina State Parks system and offers plenty of hiking near Southern Pines.

There is a network of trails and one of the most popular routes in the park is the Pine Barrens Trail to Lighter Stump to Pine Island.

My Mom and I did this while visiting and you really get to see a variety of environments from towering Longleaf Pines to a wetland area and hardwood forest.

The trail is relatively easy with few uphill sections and only some tree roots in the trail that make a tripping hazard.

An easier, shorter trail is the Bower’s Bog Trail or you can take the Pine Barrens Trail or Lighter Stump Trail out to the Holly Road Trail to make a long loop hike.

Their Visitor Center is very nice with clean restrooms and some information about the local area.

2. Make a Stop on the Sandhills Pour Tour

If you are a beer aficionado, then you’ll want to pick up a passport for the Sandhills Pour Tour.

The passport includes places for stamps at six different area breweries and one cidery for a total of seven locations. Once you collect the stamps, you can turn it in at the Convention & Visitors Bureau for some fun prizes.

The breweries included on the passport are Hatchet Brewing Co, Pinehurst Brewing Co, Railhouse Brewery, Southern Pines Brewing Co, Southern Pines Brewing Co on Pennsylvania, and Southern Pines Growler Co.

James Creek Cider House is the cidery on the passport and well worth the drive to Cameron. If you want to visit multiple spots in a day then Ubers or Lyfts are available though they aren’t plentiful.

There are also taxi and car services which you can find through a QR code on the passport.

3. Walk or Kayak at Reservoir Park

Reservoir Park is one of the most popular places to take a walk in the area. The centerpiece of the park is a beautiful 95-acre lake.

If you have your own kayak this is also a great place to paddle and they have 12 miles of hiking and biking here.

It’s very dog-friendly but dogs must be kept on a leash. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and there were many people walking with their kids.

There is also a disc golf course here, boat ramps, and benches where you can sit and enjoy views of the lake.

4. Visit Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities

For literature scholars, you’ll definitely want to make a stop at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities.

This was James Boyd’s home who was the author of Drums. The house is open to the public from 10 am – 4 pm during the week. There are floor plans that you can pick up with some information about the house and the family who built it.

You’ll find the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame here on the second level. The grounds and gardens are beautiful to tour as well and they are open to the public daily.

The Boyd Tract of Weymouth Woods can also be accessed through the property. The Boyd Tract has a 1-mile hiking trail rated easy and an equestrian trail.

5. Go Shopping on Broad Street

There are tons of locally owned shops that line Broad Street in downtown Southern Pines. It’s actually pretty neat because the train runs through the middle of town and splits Broad Street in half.

Don’t miss Against the Grain for gifts and locally-made North Carolina products. Mockingbird on Broad is also a cute spot for gift items and fun home goods.

R. Riveter was started by two military wives with a sewing machine and now they sell handbags and accessories. The Country Bookshop is a neat little independent bookstore.

Be sure to stop in at Southern Whey where you can make your own charcuterie board and purchase snack items. River Jack Outfitters is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.

You can venture off of Broad Street down to Nani’s Soap Boutique where you’ll find natural and sustainable bath products, laundry detergent, candles, and more.

We enjoyed just walking around downtown and popping into whatever stores interested us. If you need a pick me up while here then stop in at Swank Coffee.

6. Drive the Scenic Byway

There are multiple NC Scenic Byways in Moore County and one of them starts right in downtown Southern Pines.

It runs from the intersection of E Connecticut Ave and N Ridge St to Fort Bragg and only takes about five minutes to drive.

Another option is just north of Southern Pines in Carthage. From Carthage to almost Albemarle you can take Highway 24/27 through small towns and lots of farmland.

On this route, you’ll go through Biscoe, Troy, and Uwharrie National Forest. The NC Byways program promotes “exploring the roads less traveled.”

If you plan on visiting Seagrove during your time in Moore County then drive the Pottery Highway which goes from Eagles Springs to Seagrove along Highway 705.

7. Play at the Rec Room

The Rec Room is a brand new addition to downtown Southern Pines that has old-school arcade games as well as newer video games.

They also have a bar where you can grab drinks if you’d like. The Rec Room is family-friendly and even dog-friendly but it’s 21+ after 10 pm.

You’ll also find a few colorful murals here and a cute outdoor patio.

8. Eat at Southern Pines Restaurants

For a town of this size, it’s incredible how many amazing restaurants are here – especially fine dining restaurants!

If you’re on the lookout for an upscale meal then be sure to try Ashten’s Restaurant, Chef Warren’s, or Southern Prime Steakhouse.

Betsy’s Crepes is a must-visit breakfast spot for waffles or crepes. I love a good old-school diner for breakfast so Sizzlin Steak or Eggs was right up my alley. The omelet and hashbrowns were delicious.

Rooted Cafe & Market is a plant-based restaurant and I can’t recommend the quesadilla enough. They also have a beautiful rooftop seating area that you can enjoy in warm weather.

I’ve heard great things about SoPies but we didn’t have time to try it on this trip.

If your group has varying tastes, then stop by Red’s Corner which is a permanent food truck park. Each person can order from whichever truck they like!

9. Catch a Show at Sunrise Theater

The Sunrise Theater is a historic building in downtown Southern Pines and a nonprofit organization. You can see movies, music, and live productions here.

They also host the First Friday Outdoor Concerts starting in May and ending in November. These are free to attend and held right beside the theater. Note that in 2023 they will be skipping July!

If you enjoy murals then there is also a mural painted at the top of the building facing Broad Street.

10. Step Back in Time at the Shaw House

Just outside of downtown Southern Pines at the intersection across from The Sly Fox Pub and Red’s Corner, you’ll find the historic Shaw House.

The house was built around the 1820s and sits on the original foundations. When the house is open, you can see what pottery from the area would have looked like back then and furniture made from pine.

The Garner House is also located on the property and it was built in the late 1700s or early 1800s and is unaltered. This home was originally located near Robbins.

The Sanders Cabin had to be restored after it fell into disrepair but it was also built in the late 1700s and is now located on the same property as the Shaw House.

You’ll also find a tobacco barn and corn crib on the property. If you love history or have kids and want something educational then this is one of the best things to do in Southern Pines, NC!

Plan ahead though! The homes are only open Thursday – Saturday from 1 pm – 4 pm. You can still walk around the property and see the exterior if you can’t make it during visiting hours.

11. Make a Stop on the Sandhills Wine Trail

Not only does Moore County have a Pour Tour, but they also have a wine trail. This works in the same way as the Pour Tour Passport and as you visit the locations on the passport you will collect a stamp at each one.

The Wine Cellar and Triangle Wine Company are both located in Southern Pines. The Village Wine Shop is a wine bar in Pinehurst.

Sandhills Winery is a wine bar located in West End and James Creek Cider House is a cidery located in Cameron.

Cypress Bend Vineyards is located in Wagram which is a 35 minute drive from downtown Southern Pines. It is well worth the drive though as the grounds and tasting room are gorgeous.

They grow muscadine grapes here but produce wines across the spectrum from dry to sweet.

I live in the Yadkin Valley wine region so I always love exploring other wineries when I travel.

12. Listen to Live Music at Red’s Corner

When the weather is nice, Red’s Corner hosts a number of live music acts and this is such a unique spot that you really shouldn’t miss it.

It’s an outdoor food truck park that is family and dog friendly. You can order from whatever food truck you like – they even have a cookie truck – and they have a bar as well.

You’ll find twelve beers on tap plus a non-alcoholic root beer. They also serve wine, canned beers, seltzers, mimosa, kombucha, and slushies.

In the winter, they have fire pits and heaters so this is the perfect hang out spot year-round.

13. Relax at a Spa

I passed by a number of spas while in Southern Pines and found myself wishing I had time to get a treatment myself. If you’re in need of some rest & relaxation then head to Southern Pines soon.

The Spa at Pinehurst is likely the most famous in the area and Pinehurst is a short drive away – only about 10 minutes depending on where you are and where you’re going.

One of the best options in Southern Pines is the Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar where you can get a variety of massage and skin care treatments as well as salon and nail services.

Revive Spa & Lash Lounge also offers massages, facials, and lash & brow services.

If life is busy and you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s not much better than taking some time to relax at the spa.

14. Practice Disc Golf at the Reservoir

Are you into disc golf? There are a couple of different courses in Moore County where you can get out and play.

At Reservoir Park, the course follows the edge of the lake and you can most easily get there from the steps toward the middle of the parking lot.

The course starts near the parking lot, makes its way down the lake then wraps around to come back up so you finish near where you started. It’s mostly in the woods so you have a good number of obstacles.

If you don’t have your own discs then the Recreation Office at 300 Reservoir Park Rd has a free three-day loaner program.

It’s actually a great course for beginners because the fairways are short and the greenway separates the course from the lake so you won’t lose a disc in the water.

There is also a course at Bear Creek but there are a few places here where you could lose a disc in the creek so if you’re a beginner you may want to be careful of that. It’s also less trafficked if that’s of any concern.

15. Take a Yoga Class at a Local Studio

There are a couple of local yoga studios in Southern Pines that offer single session pricing so you can get your yoga fix in while in town.

Hot Asana is located downtown in the same building as Rooted Cafe and they have a large selection of classes throughout the week. Classes are currently $20 each or you can buy a package that lowers the rate per class.

You’ll also find a fitness boutique here and they have massage and Reiki sessions.

Bikram Yoga is located just outside of downtown Southern Pines near Red’s Corner. Most of their daily classes occur at 8:30 am or 5:30 pm but they do have some options at other times.

Their price for a single class is also $20 but you can purchase packages here as well.

16. Ride with the Sandhills Trolley Company

This is one thing that I’m so sad we didn’t get to do while we were in town! The trolley only runs on the weekends and they have varying themes.

The themes range from Mardi Gras to karaoke to Pirate Island to Murder Mysteries. They also have traditional type tours like a brewery trolley tour, coffee tasting, and Pinehurst history tour.

This would be a fun thing to do for a date or on a girl’s weekend to Southern Pines.

Other Things to Do Near Southern Pines, NC

While there are lots of things to do in Southern Pines proper, you’ll find so much more in the surrounding Moore County area. Here are a few recommendations!

17. Tour a Local Farm

My mom and I got to tour Misty Morning Ranch, a local ostrich farm, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of the weekend! They had adult and juvenile ostriches, horses, cows, goats, a pig, and peacocks.

It was neat to see the ostriches up close and I even got to feed one of them. You do need to call and make an appointment but this really is something unique to see!

Slow Farm also offers tours of their regenerative KuneKune pig farm for a fee. If you are interested in regenerative agriculture, this would be a great opportunity.

Other ways that you can support local farms are by visiting their produce stands or purchasing at local Farmers Markets.

Download the Visit NC Farms app to find events, markets, and more that can help support NC farmers.

18. Enjoy the Village at Pinehurst

You can’t visit Southern Pines without going to the Village of Pinehurst at least once. Pinehurst was founded by James Tufts who wanted to create a health retreat for the working class.

These days, it’s well-known as a premier golfing destination in the US. The Village is very walkable and you can meander from the stores, through the Village Arboretum, and over to the Carolina Hotel.

There are some great stores like Pinehurst Olive Oil Company, Purple Thistle Kitchen & Co, and Given Tufts Bookshop. Stop in Agora Bakery or The Roast Office for a cup of coffee and a treat.

Pinehurst Brewing is on the Pour Tour and they serve great beer and food.

19. Admire the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens

The Sandhills Horticulture Gardens is technically located in Pinehurst, though it’s right beside Reservoir Park which has a Southern Pines address.

These gardens are stunning any time of year and even though we visited in early February, my mom and I both enjoyed walking through.

There are eleven different gardens plus a native wetland trail. Stop by the Visitor Center if you want to pick up a map – it was very helpful for us.

On their website, you can find what should be blooming during each month of the year. We visited just as the camellias were past peak.

20. Photograph Local Murals

There are a number of murals in the Southern Pines area if you love public art. You’ll find a number of them at The Rec Room in town.

The newest one is at Scott’s Table and highlights the importance of horses to this area. Carthage and Aberdeen both have a number of murals as well.

The digital mural trail that will begin in spring of 2023 is in Carthage and you’ll find the Landmarks and Legacies mural, When Tobacco Was King, Flying for France, Tyson & Jones Buggy, and the Carthage Water Tanks all close to each other.

Aberdeen has the Aberdeen Heritage mural, Coca-Cola Bottling Co mural, Be Fearless, and a few others in town.

Check out the full Moore County Mural Trail.

21. Play Golf!

The Pinehurst area is the Home of American Golf so if you are a golfer, you’ll be in heaven! There are almost 40 golf courses within a 15-mile radius.

The area is famous for the courses designed by golf course architect Donald Ross and the most famous is Pinehurst No. 2 which will be home to the 2024 U.S. Open.

While many of the courses require you to stay on property if you want to play at the course, there is one way you can play at the legendary Pinehurst Resort without staying there.

The Cradle is a nine-hole short course that only costs $50 and it’s right by the Resort Clubhouse. You do have to call for a tee time but if Pinehurst is on your bucket list, this is an easy way to check that off.

22. Stop by Middleton Street Bakery & the Bear Creek Trails

If you want to fill your day with a scenic drive, sweet treats, and a hike then this is for you. From Southern Pines, if you head up to Carthage, you can take Hwy 27 out toward Robbins which is an NC Scenic Byway.

It’s called the Pineland Trail and the entire Byway runs from Carthage to Biscoe. If you like scenic drives then you’ll want to take Hwy 27 until you turn right on NC-705 which will take you straight into Robbins.

In downtown Robbins, you’ll find Middleton Street Bakery where they have AMAZING cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and macarons. Truly, everything that I tried was incredible.

To work off some of those sweets, head to the Bear Creek Trailhead at Waterplant Road where you can take a walk by Bear Creek. The Reservoir Loop is one of the most popular.

These trails are best done with friends as they are a little remote and you likely won’t come across many other people.

23. Get Ice Cream at Dunrovin Country Store

Dunrovin Country Store is on Hwy 1 between Southern Pines and Vass and is more of an experience than a store.

Think old-fashioned country store with homemade fudge, ice cream, and Amish foods. They have old-fashioned candies, homemade soaps, and so much more. You really never know what you’ll find!

There is also an Exotic Animal Sanctuary and Gem Mining on the property.

24. Day Trip to Seagrove

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Seagrove where you’ll find the largest concentration of working potters in the US, then Southern Pines is a great home base to do that.

I was able to visit Ben Owen Pottery for a quick stop and we were lucky enough to catch him working in his studio! If you’re making a special trip for one of the potters then be sure to call ahead to verify they are open.

It’s incredible to see the process and the beautiful works of art that these potters create.

25. Stop in at ARTworks Vass

If you want to see work from a variety of local artists in one place then stop by ARTworks Vass. They have art, jewelry, pottery, gifts, and so many other neat things.

They also host a variety of art classes and events that are very popular throughout the year.

FAQs on Southern Pines Attractions

Here are the frequently asked questions for things to do in Southern Pines, NC.

Where is Southern Pines, NC?

Southern Pines is located centrally in the state between Charlotte and Fayetteville and south of Greensboro, Durham, and Raleigh. It is in the Sandhills region and is located in Moore County.

What is Southern Pines known for?

Southern Pines is most well known as horse country. There are a number of equestrian facilities in the area and horse trails where many people can get out and ride if they own their own horses and can trailer them.

How far is Southern Pines from the beach?

Southern Pines is about two hours and fifteen minutes from the beach. The closest beaches are North Myrtle Beach, SC or Ocean Isle, NC. Wrightsville Beach is only two hours and thirty minutes from Southern Pines.

Wrap Up: Things to Do in Southern Pines, NC

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Southern Pines and the surrounding Moore County! The towns of Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and Aberdeen are all very close together so they share many surrounding attractions.

There really are some great local shopping opportunities in Southern Pines and Pinehurst plus some fantastic restaurants. Don’t miss the trails at Weymouth Woods either.

Reservoir Park, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, and Village Arboretum all offer great trail systems as well.

Whether you’re visiting for a girl’s getaway or a couple’s retreat, Southern Pines has plenty for you to do!