What to Do in Rocky Mount NC
Wondering if there are any fun things to do in Rocky Mount NC?
Well…let me help you out! There are a ton of fun things to do in Rocky Mount NC!! And I bet that once you discover all the fun, you might even want to stop and stay awhile!
At first glance, there may not seem to be a whole lot to do in the quiet little town of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. But, with a little guidance, you can find all sorts of adventures in this charming North Carolina town.
Where is Rocky Mount, North Carolina?
Rocky Mountain, NC? No…no, it’s Rocky Mount, NC! Rocky Mount is often confused with Rocky Mountains…it’s a very common mistake!
Rocky Mount, NC is situated at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Highway 64 in North Carolina in both Nash and Edgecombe Counties. Rocky Mount is an easy day trip from Raleigh, NC, the perfect addition to any North Carolina road trip, weekend getaway from Richmond, Virginia, or stop during your travels up and down the east coast of the USA!
We love visiting and exploring small towns all over the USA. You can find so many unique and fun things to do. They often are quite affordable and offer a more laid back vibe than big cities.
Rocky Mount NC Guide: A Local’s Perspective
Just a heads up what you will find in this guide to Rocky Mount NC:
- the best things to do in Rocky Mount
- where to eat in Rocky Mount
- where to stay in Rocky Mount
- things to do near Rocky Mount
To me, Rocky Mount is home.
When I first moved here, I had no idea what to do in Rocky Mount, NC. Over the years, I have learned to love my small town in Eastern North Carolina and have found plenty of things to do to occupy my days. It has grown and changed so much over the last 20 years. Whether you’re visiting, passing through, or just a bored local, there are some very exciting (and fun) things happening in Rocky Mount!
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Best Things to Do in Rocky Mount NC
Breweries in Rocky Mount NC
We have several different breweries in Rocky Mount! If you love craft beer, then a stop in Rocky Mount is a must!
Located at the Rocky Mount Mills, you will find:
- Koi Pond Brewing
- Hopfly Brewing
- Rocky Mount Brewing
- Bright Penny Brewing
- Crystal Coast Brewing
- Mythic Brewing
- The Glass Jug Beer Lab
Local Insider Tip: We personally love Koi Pond because it is both a kid and dog friendly brewery. Locally owned and operated, Koi Pond Brewery often hosts live music and events. Spending a Sunday afternoon at Koi Pond is one of our favorite things to do in Rocky Mount!
You can also pop into Goat Island Bottle Shop at the Mills and grab some craft beer to go!
The Rocky Mount Mills
The Rocky Mount Mills is the place to be!! With four restaurants, several different breweries, brand new apartments, meeting and event spaces, a whiffle ball field, and arcade there is literally something for everyone. We even have the world’s largest tiny house hotel called River and Twine and a brand new coffee shop!
What I love about the Mill is that it is the perfect spot to get together with family and friends. Whether you’re there for one of their outdoor concerts, to taste some local brew, or to just let the kids run free and get some energy out, the Mill is a huge asset to Rocky Mount.
Local Insider Tip: Grab a latte and peanut butter pie from Books and Beans! You won’t be disappointed!
Want more details? Read my complete family friendly guide to the Rocky Mount Mills and River and Twine!
Visit Downtown Rocky Mount
Downtown is alive and well! We have so many new additions to the Rocky Mount scene. Station Square has an adorable new wine bar called Bin & Barrel, a lovely little coffee shop called Trax, and even a vinyl record store.
You can check out local art and a brand new yoga studio at the recently renovated Bel Air Artisan’s Center. We are also super excited to see several new wall murals popping up all over downtown Rocky Mount! Our local library is also a fantastic resource and wonderful place to go with kids in Rocky Mount!
Imperial Centre for Arts & Sciences
Technically called the Rocky Mount Imperial Centre for Arts and Sciences, this destination provides something to do in Rocky Mount NC on a daily basis! The Imperial Centre houses a children’s museum with rotating exhibits, a planetarium, an arts center, and a theatre! They hold monthly classes and year round events. This was a staple when my children were younger and one of the best indoor things to do in Rocky Mount on a rainy day!
Sunset Park
Sunset Park is such a wonderful outdoor destination in Rocky Mount. During the summer, you can enjoy the splash park, train, carousel and kids bug ride. Year round you can enjoy playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and even a skate park! Perfect for birthday parties or picnics, this has always been a family favorite for us! If you’re looking for outdoor things to do in Rocky Mount with kids, this is the place!
INSIDER BONUS TIP: Looking for something to do with your older kids? Check out Rocky Mount’s Ultimate Backyard Warrior!
City Lake in Rocky Mount
City Lake is practically a landmark in Rocky Mount! It’s a great place for a picnic or to walk it’s half mile loop a few times for some exercise. There is a recent art installation around the lake and you will often see brides getting their wedding portraits done here!
Local Insider Tip: When you’re done checking out City Lake, walk over to grab a bite at Chico’s Mexican restaurant!
Get Your Caffeine Fix: The Best Coffee in Rocky Mount
For a small town, Rocky Mount has a great coffee scene!
And if you’re like me, I love checking out local coffee shops. My personal favorites are Larema Coffee downtown and Books and Beans at the Rocky Mount Mills. Both locally owned, each coffee shop is unique in their own way and serve up a delicious cup of coffee! You cannot go wrong with either of these two coffee shops in Rocky Mount!
Explore the Trails at Battle Park
Battle Park is a wonderful place to get outdoors in Rocky Mount. This is a popular area for fishing, hiking, running, and bicycling in Rocky Mount and home to one of the largest natural wooden suspension bridges in the USA. If you’re into history, you will also love that Battle Park was the home to Rocky Mount’s first post office and theatre. This is also where Rocky Mount got it’s name after the “rocky mounds”.
Local Insider Tip: Our favorite thing to do in Battle Park is to explore the paved trails on foot. We especially love listening to the water rushing after a big rain and of course making our way down to the waterfall. When my children were younger we would pack up their scooters and a bring a picnic lunch.
The Rocky Mount Event Center
The Event Center is new on the Rocky Mount scene but it is a seriously impressive venue! Their calendar is full of concerts and sporting events, but the Rocky Mount Event Center also has a huge kids play area. Climbing walls, a ropes course, arcade, and kids area will entertain kids of all ages for hours. My kids at 10 and 13 had a blast! And to top it all off, I think it’s a pretty affordable option! This has also become a very popular birthday party location.
Get Your Grub On! Where to Eat in Rocky Mount!
Just because Rocky Mount is a small town doesn’t mean you can’t eat well!!
Our personal favorite restaurants in Rocky Mount are Lou Reda’s, TBC West, and Tipsy Tomato. Be sure to get all the details from the best donuts to date night restaurants in my ultimate guide on where to eat in Rocky Mount!
Stone Wall Manor
Stonewall Manor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained by a local non profit. It was once the center of a large antebellum plantation and is a prime example of planter’s life in Eastern North Carolina. You can see it from Highway 64, but is also available to rent for private funtions or guided tours by appointment.
The Rocky Mount Farmer’s Market
Our farmers market may be small but she is mighty. They seriously have fantastic options and is definitely worth the visit. They are open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April through November. I don’t know about you, but I love being able to actually talk to the person growing my food! Not to mention, what’s healthier and tastier than food that is fresh and in season?
Disc Golf in Rocky Mount NC
The City of Rocky Mount maintains four (4!!!) different disc golf courses. That is pretty impressive for our small town if I don’t say so myself. What a unique asset to our town. There is also a local disc golf club putting on events throughout the year. We also happen to have three pretty fantastic traditional golf courses in the area.
Local Insider Tip: Want to play regular golf? Head out to Belmont Lake Golf Club- one of the best golf courses in Rocky Mount!
The Tar River Trail
The Tar River Trail is a 3.9 mile trail for walking, running, or biking from Sunset Park to Battle Park in Rocky Mount. Along the trail you can stop to see several historic landmarks and is one of the best outdoor things to do in Rocky Mount.
In addition, the Tar River Paddle Trail allows access to 20 miles of the Tar River and Stony Creek for kayaking or canoeing. Book at kayaking tour from the Rocky Mount Mills with Tar River Life! Guaranteed fun for the whole family!
Local Insider Tip: Want more time on the water? The Rocky Mount Reservoir is a fantastic place for locals to indulge in boating, water sports, or fishing. My son learned to ski here!
Best Friend’s Dog Park
Y’all. Seriously, we have the best dog park! We’re huge fans. With so much room to run, this is the perfect place to let your furry friends get some exercise. There are three different sections: big dogs, little dogs, and an agility section. We’ve visited dog parks all over the state and Best Friends Dog Park in Rocky Mount, NC is one of the most spacious and well maintained. One important note- they do turn off the water in the winter, so bring some water along for your four legged bestie.
Where to Stay in Rocky Mount NC
There are several choices when it comes to where to stay in Rocky Mount NC. We recommend:
River & Twine– if you’re looking for a unique experience, this is it! Read all about our experience staying in a tiny house here!
Fairfield Inn & Suites – we are always going to choose a Marriott property if there is one available. They never disappoint.
Country Inn & Suites – a good hotel in Rocky Mount close to restaurants and right off of Interstate 95 and Highway 64.
Holiday Inn– another option in a great location right off the the highways. Bonus: this hotel in Rocky Mount has an indoor pool!
Things to Do Near Rocky Mount NC
There are a ton of fun things to do near Rocky Mount NC if you have time to explore! Be sure to check these fun places out:
- Head just 10 minutes away to the adorable town of Nashville.
- Head south on I-95 just 30 minutes and check out Whirligig Park in Wilson, an unique roadside attraction.
- Get into nature and get active at Medoc Mountain State Park.
- Spend the day in Triangle! Only an hour away, there are tons of fun things to do in Raleigh and the surrounding area!
- Check out historic Tarboro, NC!
- Road trip just two hours north on I-95 and check out all the fun things to do in Richmond Virginia.
Rocky Mount NC Attractions
As you can see there are plenty of attractions in Rocky Mount NC to keep you busy! And you all also already know, I’m a huge advocate for getting out of the house and exploring as much as possible.
Need a mini vacay? Check out these ten affordable weekend getaway destinations from Rocky Mount!
Rocky Mount, NC is a great place to get outside and enjoy time with friends and family. Have you visited Rocky Mount before? Whether you’re on a road trip down I-95, brand new to the area, or just visiting, I hope this list of things to do in Rocky Mount gives you some ideas on how to spend your days!
If you’re in town, reach out and say “Hey!” or you can always follow our local and out of town adventures over on Instagram!
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