From the South Carolina state line near Rowland to the Virginia state line near Pleasant Hill, U.S. Route 301 runs north to south for 194 miles through gorgeous North Carolina scenery. This three-hour drive takes you to some of the state’s most interesting towns that are often bypassed by Interstate 95. Take a look at what you might be missing if you skip this beautiful drive through North Carolina.
As you can see, Route 301 is a straight line across North Carolina, connecting interesting stops along the way in charming towns.
Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image’s Commons talk page or my English Wikipedia talk page; I’ll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
- Weldon
Weldon Mills Distillery/Facebook This first stop is a river town known as the Rockfish Capital of the World, due to the annual Rock the Roanoke Rockfish Tournament bringing hundreds of people to the Roanoke River. Rockfish Drive, Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC 27890, USA
Another attraction is the Riverside Mill, especially for its annual Holiday Open House.
Riverside Mill/Facebook This a shopper’s paradise from new clothing and shoes to furniture, art, and antiques. You won’t leave empty-handed. Riverside Mill, 200 Mill St, Weldon, NC 27890, USA
Right around the corner is Weldon Mills Distillery, which won Spirit of the Year, Distillery of the Year, and Best Bourbon Whiskey at the 2022 San Diego Wine & Spirits Challenge.
Weldon Mills Distillery/Facebook It is also very appreciated by the local historians that the owners have rehabilitated the historic Weldon Mills building. Weldon Mills Distillery, 100 Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC 27890, USA
- Halifax
Historic Halifax/Facebook About 10 miles down the road you’ll find Halifax, North Carolina, the nation’s birthplace of independence. The historic document the Halifax Resolves was signed there on April 12, 1776. Locals and tourists alike descend upon the charming town for the annual Halifax Resolves Day Celebration.
Also, Halifax is a joining of the old and new as several historic buildings have been renovated to create new businesses.
The Hen & The Hog/Facebook The Hen & The Hog is a local restaurant, whose chef crafts delicious locally-sourced cuisine.
And of course, keeping it local means the house vodka comes from Weldon Mills Distillery as does the House gin and Rockfish Whiskey.
The Hen & The Hog/Facebook
- Enfield
Marina’s Family Italian Restaurant/Facebook Moving on another 15 miles will take you to the small town of Enfield, North Carolina, and a visit to Marina’s Family Italian Restaurant, where Marina whips up her family’s secret sauce.
This pizza for one is a meat lover’s dream piled high with pepperoni, sausage, and ham.
Marina’s Family Italian Restaurant/Facebook She also serves traditional dishes, such as eggplant parmesan, spaghetti, and lasagna.
- Kenly
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Inc./Facebook After lunch, take the 45-minute drive to Kenly, North Carolina, and experience the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, to explore the state’s agricultural roots. Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church St, Kenly, NC 27542, USA
The 6,000-square-foot gallery features rotating and permanent exhibits, such as domestic skills, southern medicine, rural social life, early transportation, and textiles.
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Inc./Facebook
- Selma
Trackside Antiques, Selma NC/Facebook We would be remiss if we withheld information about the sweetest fudge in the world at Trackside Antiques. And they give free samples until you hit the one you love, which is a very difficult choice. Trackside Antiques, 107 E Railroad St, Selma, NC 27576, USA
- Smithfield
Ava Gardner/Facebook Another short drive gives you a big reward at the Ava Gardner Museum, in Smithfield, North Carolina.
Holding an extensive collection of artifacts from the actor’s career and private life, the museum attracts about 7,000 visitors a year.
Ava Gardner/Facebook Ava Gardner Museum, 325 E Market St, Smithfield, NC 27577, USA
- Fayetteville
Cape Fear Botanical Garden Fayetteville, North Carolina, about 45 minutes down the road, offers several attractions to visit, such as the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA
This lovely 80 acres holds the most beautiful specialty gardens and blooming ornamental plants. Some highlights of this magical place include the Butterfly Stroll and Children’s Garden, and the Heritage Garden showcasing 1886 agricultural structures and a homestead.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Another half-hour ride takes you to the sweetest place, Sugar Savage, where you can pick up this yummy cake.
Sugar Savage/Facebook Ernest B. Strickland, who has been featured on season eight of Food Network’s Halloween Wars, and season two of Holiday Gingerbread Showdown, owns the business.
And finally, get that cake out of the car and find a picnic table at the 142-acre Luther Britt Park.
Management/Facebook When you finish, take a walk on a bike trail, take a paddleboat ride, or go for a refreshing swim. Luther Britt Park, 671 Branch St, Lumberton, NC 28358, USA
Don’t you see how much fun you’ll experience by taking this beautiful drive through North Carolina on Route 301? And every year in June, be sure to look out for the 301 Endless Yard Sale. If you stop in at any of these interesting places along Route 301, please share your experience in the comments below.
Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image’s Commons talk page or my English Wikipedia talk page; I’ll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Weldon Mills Distillery/Facebook
This first stop is a river town known as the Rockfish Capital of the World, due to the annual Rock the Roanoke Rockfish Tournament bringing hundreds of people to the Roanoke River.
Rockfish Drive, Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC 27890, USA
Riverside Mill/Facebook
This a shopper’s paradise from new clothing and shoes to furniture, art, and antiques. You won’t leave empty-handed.
Riverside Mill, 200 Mill St, Weldon, NC 27890, USA
It is also very appreciated by the local historians that the owners have rehabilitated the historic Weldon Mills building.
Weldon Mills Distillery, 100 Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC 27890, USA
Historic Halifax/Facebook
About 10 miles down the road you’ll find Halifax, North Carolina, the nation’s birthplace of independence. The historic document the Halifax Resolves was signed there on April 12, 1776. Locals and tourists alike descend upon the charming town for the annual Halifax Resolves Day Celebration.
The Hen & The Hog/Facebook
The Hen & The Hog is a local restaurant, whose chef crafts delicious locally-sourced cuisine.
Marina’s Family Italian Restaurant/Facebook
Moving on another 15 miles will take you to the small town of Enfield, North Carolina, and a visit to Marina’s Family Italian Restaurant, where Marina whips up her family’s secret sauce.
She also serves traditional dishes, such as eggplant parmesan, spaghetti, and lasagna.
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Inc./Facebook
After lunch, take the 45-minute drive to Kenly, North Carolina, and experience the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, to explore the state’s agricultural roots.
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church St, Kenly, NC 27542, USA
Trackside Antiques, Selma NC/Facebook
We would be remiss if we withheld information about the sweetest fudge in the world at Trackside Antiques. And they give free samples until you hit the one you love, which is a very difficult choice.
Trackside Antiques, 107 E Railroad St, Selma, NC 27576, USA
Ava Gardner/Facebook
Another short drive gives you a big reward at the Ava Gardner Museum, in Smithfield, North Carolina.
Ava Gardner Museum, 325 E Market St, Smithfield, NC 27577, USA
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Fayetteville, North Carolina, about 45 minutes down the road, offers several attractions to visit, such as the Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA
Sugar Savage/Facebook
Ernest B. Strickland, who has been featured on season eight of Food Network’s Halloween Wars, and season two of Holiday Gingerbread Showdown, owns the business.
Management/Facebook
When you finish, take a walk on a bike trail, take a paddleboat ride, or go for a refreshing swim.
Luther Britt Park, 671 Branch St, Lumberton, NC 28358, USA
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