You Might Mistake This Charming North Carolina Village For New England

Pinehurst, North Carolina has less than 20,000 residents, but it is known worldwide for being one of the country’s best golf destinations. Designed to resemble a New England-style village, the tony town is home to many award-winning golf courses, most notably Pinehurst No. 2, which is ranked the number one course in the state and is the site of the most championships in the United States, including the 2024 U.S. Open tournament.

Pinehurst is on many golfers’ bucket lists, but you’d be mistaken to think that the sport is the only thing going on in this town. It’s also home to fantastic places to explore nature, have a great meal, shop, and more. Here are some of our top picks for a weekend getaway.

Play A Round

Walk A Legendary Fairway

You’ve already read about the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course, which is located at Pinehurst Resort, a grand property dating back to 1895 with three hotels, plus villas and condos. There are ten 18-hole courses in total here, with varying scenery and degrees of difficulty. Resort packages give guests access to all of them, so you can truly experience why Pinehurst is called “The Cradle of American Golf.”

pinehurst.com, 80 Carolina Vista, Pinehurst, NC 28374

Venture Beyond Pinehurst

Pinehurst Resort has the most famous courses, but there are other serious (and less expensive) places to play golf in the area, like Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club, Tot Hill Farm Club, and Legacy Golf Links.

Visit The Tufts Archives

Golf fans and history buffs will enjoy browsing the Tufts Archives, located in the Given Memorial Library. The archives were created by Richard S. Tufts, the grandson of James Walker Tufts, who purchased the land in 1895 to build a resort area that eventually became Pinehurst Village. You’ll find local artifacts about the development of the town, plus golf-related memorabilia and photographs of the famous faces who have played here over the years.

vopnc.org, 150 Cherokee Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28370

Enjoy The Outdoors

Hike Through A Forest

The Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve has 7 miles of hiking trails through old-growth longleaf pine forests teeming with birds, wildlife, and native plants.

1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387

See What’s Growing At The Botanic Garden

Located on the campus of Sandhills Community College, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, 32 acres dedicated to plants of the region. Specialized gardens include roses, conifers, fruits and vegetables, holly, and wetlands. The garden is open daily and is free to the public.

sandhills.edu, 3245 Airport Rd. Pinehurst, NC 28374

Explore The Grounds Of A Historic Estate

Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities occupies the former estate of railroad magnate James Boyd. Eventually, the property was passed down to his grandson, also named James Boyd, and his wife Katharine. Boyd was a poet and writer, and the couple often hosted literary greats such as F. Scott Fitzgerald. Decades later, the Boyd home became a writers’ residency, and the picturesque grounds surrounding it are a preserve and park open to the public.

weymouthcenter.org, 555 East Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28388

Have Memorable Meals

Fuel Up For The Day

Housed in a former bank building (complete with the original vault) with a dramatic columned entrance, it’s safe to say that you’ve never seen a bake shop like Agora Bakery & Cafe. Start your morning here with a latte and homemade biscuit or breakfast sandwich. 

agorabakery.com, 15 Chinquapin Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

Enjoy A Pint And A Pub Lunch

Angus burgers are the thing to order at Drum and Quill, a quaint pub housed in a 130-year-old magistrate judge's chamber. You can order them with topping combinations including mushrooms and Swiss cheese to Cheddar, bacon, and a fried egg. Lunch and dinner are served on weekdays, and brunch is served on weekends. Like any proper tavern, this one is well-stocked with spirits (more than 150 kinds) and a wide selection of North Carolina beers.

drumandquill.com, 40 Chinquapin Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374

Sit Down To A Seasonal Supper

Open for dinner, Elliott’s On Linden takes pride in working with a long list of local farmers and artisans. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect Southern-inspired dishes like North Carolina shrimp over ale and Cheddar grits; and grilled elk with lemon-sage marmalade and country-style mashed potatoes.

elliottsonlinden.com, 905 Linden Rd, Suite A, Pinehurst NC 28374

Shop Locally

Spend An Afternoon In Pinehurst Village

This walkable retail district has nearly 20 stores. Pick up something special for your home at Sparrow House Interiors, which sells a wide range of artwork, tableware, antique porcelain and glass, lighting, and more. Cooper & Baileys is a mother-daughter-owned boutique with jewelry, clothing, and fun Pinehurst merch, like “Locals Only” cups. Cooks and food lovers will want to head to Purple Thistle, a well-stocked kitchen store filled with cool tools, pantry finds, and tabletop items.

Take Home Handmade Pottery

Thanks an abundance of natural clay deposits, this area has fostered a thriving community of talented potters. In nearby towns Seagrove and Southern Pines, you'll find galleries and shops stocking handmade vases, sculptures, tableware, and more. If you're interested in learning more about the art form and its local history, check out the North Carolina Pottery Center.