Best Things To Do In Eden, North Carolina

Trip101 Editorial
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
things to do in eden north carolina

Eden is a small, little-known city in Rockingham County, in the state of North Carolina, USA. Eden is home to just 15,500 people and proudly boasts that its inhabitants enjoy the cleanest water in the state.

Although Eden is an off the beaten track destination for many travelers, the city is within a short driving distance from major cities like Greensboro.

Eden, as the name would suggest, is a nature lover’s paradise with many walking and hiking trails, bird watching sites and canoeing. In addition to these pursuits, drive-in movie theaters are a popular, classic American pastime in Eden.

The Eden Historical Museum is a great place to stop-by if you want to get to grips with Eden’s deep history and that of North Carolina as a whole.

There is a range of great family-run places to eat at in Eden, like the Red River Grill and the Railroad Cafe, which proudly serve all those classic American dishes we all know and love!

So without further ado, here are the best things to do in Eden, North Carolina.

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1. Eden Historical Museum

Eden Lighthouse and Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sheba_Also 43,000... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Eden Historical Museum accurately documents the history, heritage and culture of the city of Eden and is very informative about the history of North Carolina as a whole. The Eden Historical Museum features exhibits from the Prehistoric Era and includes documents about the consolidation of towns in 1967 to form one city; these towns were Spray, Draper and Leaksville.

If you have a family history in Eden then you may be interested in looking through the France Photography Collection. The Eden Historical Museum still needs help to identify many of the people in the photos, you could be the missing link!

Admission to the Eden Historical Museum costs just 1 USD and the museum is open from 10.00am until 4.00pm on Saturdays throughout the year. The Eden Historical Museum be found in the centre of the city and bares both the American flag and the state flag for North Carolina above the entrance doors.

Eden Historical Museum

Address: 656 Washington St, Eden, NC 27288

Website: Eden Historical Museum

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2. Three Rivers Outfitters

White Water Rafting
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bureau of Land Ma... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Three Rivers Outfitters are the city of Eden’s leading supplier of canoe and kayak hire. They also provide some excellent day trips on the water. At any one time, Three Rivers Outfitters have twenty-three different trips available for you and your family or friends to join. As you may have already guessed, The Three Rivers Outfitters work across three local rivers: the Dan River, the Mayo River, and the Smith River.

Three Rivers Outfitters also offer exciting river camping trips and employ expert local guides who will accompany you through your North Carolina adventure. Three Rivers Outfitters is an hour and a quarter drive from Raleigh and just a forty-five-minute drive from Greensboro.

Three Rivers Outfitters

Address: 413 Church St., PO Box 3207, Eden, NC 27289

Website: Three Rivers Outfitters

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3. Oak Hills Golf Club

Golf club
Source: Pixabay

If you’re the sporting type or just fancy a leisurely game of golf, then you’ll find yourself quite at home at Eden’s Oak Hills Golf Club. Oak Hills Golf Club - which was originally named Meadow Greens - officially opened in 1958, and was designed by Ellis Maples. The ground offers wonderful visual landscapes featuring pine trees and American oak trees.

The Oak Hills Golf Club has a driving range which is great fun and very good practice. The club prides itself on having friendly and open staff who are always on hand to help. As you’re just visiting, there is no need to sign up for a yearly membership - Oak Hills Golf Club offers day rates as well.

Oak Hills Golf Club

Address: 436 E Stadium Dr, Eden, NC 27288

Website: Oak Hills Golf Club

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4. Eden Drive-In Theater

Drive In Cinema
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user FabSubeject used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Eden Drive-in Theater is a favorite spot for locals and a classic American pastime. Drive-in movie theaters were made world famous by films like Grease, and as such it’s a bucket list item for many travelers! The Eden Drive-in Theater screens new and old releases and is open on the weekends.

Tickets for adults cost 7 USD, while children pay just 5 USD for entry. Of course, food and beverages are available too. At the snack bar, ​you can buy all the typical cinema snacks like popcorn, hot dogs, soft-drinks, and chocolate.

Eden Drive-in Theater

Address: 106 Fireman Club Rd, Eden, NC 27288

Website: Eden Drive-in Theater

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5. Red River Grill

Grilled chicken and chips
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user TrainSimFan used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Red River Grill is.a popular hangout for the youth of Eden and loved by visitors and locals alike. With three major rivers all passing through the city of Eden, it’s safe to assume that the fish will be darn good. Red River Grill certainly proves it!

Come as you are and dress as you like, for the Red River Grill is laid back and cozy. Offering classic American dishes and grilled meats, the Red River Grill is great value for money. What’s more, the Red River Grill has a fully licensed bar so you can have a beer or glass of wine with your meal. A final added bonus of Red River Grill is the free wifi, meaning that while you wait for your meal, you can catch up with your friends and post your travel photos on Instagram!

Red River Grill

Address: Red River Grill, Eden, NC 27288

Website: Red River Grill

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6. Railroad Cafe

great coffee
Source: Photo by Flickr user katrina.alana used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Proud to serve only the best homemade food in Eden, the Railroad Cafe is a must visit while you’re in town. Serving great coffee and home-style mains, the staff at Railroad Cafe will make you feel more than comfortable. The Railroad Cafe has some amazing burger combinations on the menu - maybe head back there a few times and try them all!

Railroad Cafe

Address: 239 Main St, Eden, NC 27288

Facebook page: Railroad Cafe

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The City of Eden

Former Leaksville downtown, Eden North Carolina
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Indy beetle used under CC0

Although Eden is not the first destination that springs to mind when one thinks about North Carolina, it is certainly worth a visit. Remember​ to try the Railroad Cafe burgers, too!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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