The city of Kinston in North Carolina is one of the most adventurous and beautiful places to visit in the United States. The town offers an endless list of some of the best things you must not fail to do on a planned getaway. Whether you have a penchant for fun-seeking or you like to see the beautiful works of nature in a serene environment, Kinston should be your next destination. So sit back and have a glass of a chilled drink while we run you through some of the things to do in Kinston, North Carolina, to have an experience you will not forget in a hurry.
1. Explore the exhibits at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center
Just a visit to this monumental center will make you reflect on the American Civil war like it just happened. The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center houses some of the state’s most significant artifacts. Good to note, after years of rigorous planning, the museum was commissioned on March 7, 2015. You might be wondering what The CSS Neuse is; it is ironclad artillery that was used in Kinston, during the civil war in the 18th century. This center is a good place for art lovers and for those who love American history.
CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center
Address: 100 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: from 5 USD
2. Go camping at Neuseway Nature Park
Have you ever wondered whether there was a place in Kinston that is so serene and heavily laced with the beautiful hands of nature? Neuseway Nature Park is the best place to visit if you ever want to have a rethink about the beauties of nature. There are so many beautiful rivers for sightseeing, making it an ideal romantic stroll spot. Reasonably, the campground is open for 24 hours in a day, and there are also numerous sporting activities that you can enjoy at this remarkable destination, like canoeing, hiking, fishing and much more.
Neuseway Nature Park
Address: 401 W Caswell St, Kinston, NC 28504, USA
Website: Neuseway Nature Park
Opening hours: Sat: 9:30am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm; Tue - Fri: 9:30am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
3. Watch a sports match at Grainger Stadium
The baseball game is one of the most loved sports in America. A visit to Kinston can bring you closer to your favorite baseball player. It takes you directly to the scene of the glamorous event you have been seeing on the screen of your television for years. Grainger Stadium is one of the most prominent historical centers in this city and it has headlined some of the most popular football and baseball games in the United States.
Grainger Stadium
Address:400 E Grainger Ave, Kinston, NC 28502, USA
Website: Grainger Stadium
4. Spend a day filled with fun at Lion's Water Adventure
We're LOVING all this warm weather! Stop by and cool off with our Lazy River this week!
Posted by Lions Water Adventure on Monday, 24 June 2019
You don’t need to rob a bank before you can give your family a fantastic treat during your vacation. Lion’s Water Adventure is an ideal location for a family gathering. The venue features a variety of items designed to give your unforgettable family moments. Some of the things you will enjoy at Lion’s Water Adventure are 3 FUN water slides, a lazy river with a zero entry, a competition pool, a splash pad, a large picnic area and many other amazing encounters.
Lion's Water Adventure
Address: 2602 W Vernon Ave, Kinston, NC 28504, USA
Website: Lion’s Water Adventure
Opening hours:Sat: 11:30am - 5:30pm; Sun: 12:30pm - 5:30pm; Mon - Wed: 11:30am - 5:30pm; Thu - Fri: 11:30am - 8pm
Price: from 8 USD
5. Visit the renovated CSS Neuse II ship from the Civil War era
Your visit to this town won’t be complete without a visit to the renovated CSS Neuse II ship, a remain of the civil war era in the United States. The center is just two blocks away from the CSS Neuse Interpretive Center. Keepers of this historical center hold it sacred so the venue is only open one day in a week, only on Saturdays. You have to make sure you get the actual day right before visiting. Upon entry, you will realize how worthwhile the efforts were.
CSS Neuse II
Address: 118 N Herritage St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: CSS Neuse II
Opening hours: Sat: 10 - 4pm (closed Sun - Fri)
6. Sip great crafted beer at Mother Earth Brewing
This venue is not for the faint-hearted individual or a hater of beer. If you enjoy sipping some good handmade beer while having some interesting conversation with people of different caliber but with the like mind as yours, then you shouldn’t miss the Mother Earth Brewing. The company coined out of the initiative of two Americans with a common goal. The objective is to motivate people to have a conversation stimulate sensory conversation and a desire for the next sip.
Mother Earth Brewing
Address: 311 N Herritage St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Mother Earth Brewing
Opening hours: Sat: 1pm - 10pm; Sun:1pm - 7pm; Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10pm; Fri: 1pm - 10pm
7. Browse through artifacts from the Revolutionary War at Gov. Caswell Memorial
This monument was established to immortalize Gov. Caswell, the first governor of North Carolina state. There are many artifacts that were recovered during the Revolutionary war time. Many of the objects were reproduced to tell about the life and time of Governor Cassell. This spot is a perfect place for tourists who have a penchant for artistic works. However, it isn’t a bad idea to learn from the history of other communities, which makes it a plus.
Gov. Caswell Memorial
Address: 2612 W Vernon Ave, Kinston, NC 28504-3386
8. Be fascinated at the Ellis Planetarium, Health & Science Museum
Posted by Montessori Children's School on Thursday, 30 May 2019
How will you explain to your friends that you went on a tour of Kinston without paying a courtesy visit to this outstanding Museum? It may sound weird, especially those that once caught a glimpse of its glory. There are so many giant structures that are fascinating and exciting to view in this museum. Kids can get to play with a miniature replicate of UNC Lenoir Hospital or catch the fantastic sights of the underground tunnel that possesses the shape of the human blood vessel, and so many other health and scientific wonders.
Ellis Planetarium, Health & Science Museum
Address: 403 W Caswell St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Ellis Planetarium, Health & Science Museum
Opening hours: Sat: 9:30am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm; Tue - Fri: 9:30am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
9. Visit Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum
You can’t gainsay the fact that the city of Kinston is filled with artistic works. One such place where you can have an eye full of artwork is the Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum. It is worth noting that the museum wasn’t just built to entertain the sight of tourists alone, but also to help alleviate the reoccurrence of an ugly fire accident that occurred in the city back in 1895. Ever since then, the museum has served as one of the community centers to save humanity and also a great tourist attraction.
Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum
Address: 118 S Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum
10. Experiment with disc golf at Barnet Park
How much would you like to check and shape your disc golf skills? Barnet Park creates a perfect opportunity for you to boost your disc golf skills and nature observation skills with its 18-hole course. Complex but enjoyable, you will encounter long open fairways, tight wooden corridors, turns, downhills and uphills throughout the course. Take your time to observe the different animal and plant life from shot to shot. Also, improve your skills with the professional disc golfer, Nate Saxton, and get acquainted with the natural attributes of the fantastic course.
Barnet Park
Address: 3613 Sand Clay Rd, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Barnet Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: from 15 USD
11. Explore the Cultural Heritage Museum
Experiencing this informative museum will change your perception of education as being expensive. You can get the best and most qualitative education for your kids while exploring the best of America’s cultural heritage. They have devised a perfect means of taking important history out of books and making it available to actual life via presentations. Over the years, many scholars have recognized the museum for the help extended towards shaping the historical perceptions among kids and adults alike.
Cultural Heritage Museum
Address: 242 S Queen St Kinston, North Carolina 28501
Website: Cultural Heritage Museum
12. Shop your heart out at Vernon Park Mall
Kingston boasts of lots of shopping center, but the Vernon Park Mall, a massive 57968.43 square-meter (623967 square-foot) mall features unique attributes and items you won’t find anywhere in the city. Strategically located at an intersection between Vernon Avenue and Hardee Road, the shopping hub comprises of office space and shops, creating an exceptional business atmosphere. Join other visitors and locals alike to check out your favorite items in top stores like Goody’s, Belk and Sears. Other outstanding local vendors you will discover in this venue including Foot Locker, Catos, Shoe Show, Rainbow Apparel and many more.
Vernon Park Mall
Address: 834 Hardee Rd, Kinston, NC 28504, USA
Website: Vernon Park Mall
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 1am - 6am; Mon - Fri: 10am - 9pm
Editors Note: Establishment is Permanently CLOSED as of this update
13. Enjoy the performances at Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center
Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Budget is famous for headlining lots of memorial events, like stage drama performances, musical performances and poem renditions headlined by some notable artists in the country and many more. There are so many juicy events that are being spearheaded by renowned artists in this palatial performance center. If you are a fan of watching fascinating shows live on stage, Grainger-Hill has got you covered.
Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center
Address: 300 Park Ave, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center
14. Visit the historic Harmony House
This is one of the historical buildings in the city. It was built in the 17th century, and it has served as a home to several heroic people. Harmony House was initially built by Jesse Cobb and his wife, Elizabeth Heritage Cobb. There are so many things that you must see in this historical house. It used to be the meeting place for the “board of war” during the Revolutionary period. However, the house became a tourist attraction after it was modified and changed into a music store. Many tourists from different parts of the world storm the Harmony House yearly to explore its fantastic monument, including the Civil War Hospital, Church Annex, Public Library and the Women’s Club building.
Harmony House
Address: 109 E King St Kinston, North Carolina
Website: Harmony House
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon - Tue & Fri - Sun)
15. Shop at the Lenoir County Farmer's Market
One famous hideout in Kinston is the Lenoir County Farmer’s Market. The name farmer’s market was given because of the nature of the market. The Lenoir County Farmer’s market is famous for selling fresh natural and organic products directly from the farm. However, the market region posses such beauty that tourist buff in over the years to admire its incredible landscape. Shop fresh ingredients and enjoy a healthy holiday to be better prepared for the hustle and bustle of life.
Lenoir County Farmer's Market
Address: 100 N Herritage St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Lenoir County Farmer’s Market
Opening hours: Sat: 8am - 2pm (closed the rest of the week)
16. Go golfing at the Kinston Country Club
Kinston is known for its myriad beautiful golf courses. One such golf course in the city, that has turned into a benchmark for weighing other golf courses, is Kinston country club. Perhaps it was named the country club because it is widely regarded as the best in the city. Since its establishment in 1924, the quality of the golf club has never gone down, as attested to by all who have visited it. So, why not try out your golfing skills in one of the best courses the town has to offer?
Kinston Country Club
Address: 1501 Country Club Dr, Kinston, NC 28504, USA
Website: Kinston Country Club
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 5:30pm; Sun: 11:30am - 2pm; Mon: 10am - 8pm; Tue: 11:30am - 2pm; Wed: 11:30am - 2pm, 6pm - 8:30pm; Thu - Fri: 11:30am - 2pm, 6pm - 9pm
17. Indulge your taste buds at Chef & the Farmer
Posted by Chef & the Farmer on Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Tourists don’t just exalt Kinston city for its number of museums, art or monumental structures. The city is also famous for housing some of the best kitchens on earth. After visiting most of the museums and event centers in the city, do not forget to spoil your palate with the best meal it has ever tasted in a while. Chef & and the Farmer is a perfect spot for such an encounter. The kitchen has earned lots of positive remarks from recent visitors, and a single visit will cause you to do the same. You should look out for their sizzling Blueberry barbecue and Flash Fry. Chef & the Farmer offers one of the best authentic dishes and the most affordable services you’ll find in the whole region.
Chef & the Farmer
Address: 120 W Gordon St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Website: Chef & the Farmer
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 9:30pm (closed on sun & Mon)
Price: 31 - 60 USD
18. Grab a drink at the Red Room
New #craftcocktails available @ The Red Room: Prickly Pear Punch - Mother Earth Spirits Rum, Lime and Prickly Pear...
Posted by The Red Room on Saturday, 6 April 2019
Going to Kinston for a romantic getaway? How intimately do you wish to talk with your partner on a night out? There is a special place for you in Kinston that is perfect. Strategically located in the heart of the city, the Red Room is a lounge and bar that supports local culture, Mother Earth Brewing beers, and local music. Step in with your partner and let the atmosphere and the cutting-edge songs from the local bar make the magic happen for you.
Red Room
Address: 220 N Herritage St, Kinston, North Carolina
Website: Red Room
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 8pm - 2am (closed on Sun - Wed)
Lots to do in Kinston, North Carolina
With so many recreational and romantic spots in the city of Kinston, it is no longer a surprise that the city has rapidly become one of the most popular destinations for tourists within and outside the country. Your vacation can’t be more fulfilling without adding these unusual activities to your itinerary. Why delay such an experience of a lifetime any further?
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