It may come as a shock to your kids, but there is life beyond social media. This tour is your chance to put aside screen time and increase your family time. Hop a ride on a century-old carousel. Grab a milkshake that is one part unicorn, one part sweet tooth overdose. Then call it a night in a tiny house hotel that will have you dreaming big about tomorrow. It’s all designed to get you some real life likes.
Day 1
STOP 1: Game Day
Happy. Tired. Kids. That’s the dream for any parent. Well, that dream is alive and well at Game Day Adventure and Arcade at the Rocky Mount Event Center. Race up one of the indoor climbing walls and leave your fear of heights grounded. Tell those butterflies in your belly what for as you dig deep, jump and grab a punching bag suspended two stories in the air. The entire family is, of course, wrapped, harnessed and tethered together for safety. But, for those feeling competitive and a little more in love with gravity, we suggest aiming for the high-score at the arcade located on the ground level.
STOP 2: Barley and Burger
Nosh on gourmet burgers with a movie themed twist at Barley and Burger. Start with the fried pickles and one of the local beers on draft before debating the merits of the burgers like the Goonies-inspired “Truffle Shuffle” (caramelized onions, fried mushrooms, swiss cheese and truffle aioli) or the “Marty McFly” (american cheese, chili, slaw and mustard). One bite in one of these 100% black angus beef burgers and your taste buds will be as electrified as 1.21 gigawatts.
STOP 3: Sunset Park
Take a ride on an antique miniature train. Bob up and down on a century-old county fair carousel. Cool off at the spray ground. Welcome to Sunset Park. This 25-acre oasis in the middle of Rocky Mount is the spot for summer fun. The $5-entry fee to the Amusement Center--open between Memorial Day and Labor Day--is well-spent. Year-round hit the rest of the park for tennis, volleyball, basketball, and a shaded 18-hole disc golf course. FORE!
STOP 4: City Lake Park
City Lake is located off Sunset Avenue at the Tar River. Joggers and walkers can make a trek around a half-mile concrete path surrounding the lake, while others can relax under the tall hardwoods and pines. If you're feeling adventurous you can even venture across the arched wooden bridge to the park island for a chance to visit the park's other inhabitants -- hundreds of ducks:)
STOP 5: Tipsy Tomato
The Tipsy Tomato is the perfect example of the food you want, precisely where you want it. This little artisan, wood-fired pizza restaurant is located just minutes off the Tar River Trail and right beside the largest Craft Beer campus in this part of North Carolina. Located in a cute, little white house, this place makes you feel both at home and hungry at the same time. Order a large wood fired pizza for the family or build your own personal pie or turnover. Then enjoy your order from a table on their large wooden deck with a view of the Rocky Mount Mills campus. So get your steps in and pop over for a couple slices and a cold one.
STOP 6: River and Twine – Tiny House Hotel
River and Twine is the world’s largest tiny home hotel and it’s located right here in Rocky Mount. You can choose from one of 21 different tiny homes located in a cozy, wooded setting right beside the Rocky Mount Mills campus. Your accommodations come compete with board games, wood and Adirondacks around a fire pit. All you have to bring is a sense of adventure and conversation.
Day 2
STOP 7: Books and Beans
If you like a good book with your morning coffee, this is your place. Perk up your morning at Books and Bean. Breakfast sandwiches, smooth coffee drinks, and inspiration await. Owner and New York Times’ best-selling author Etaf Rum curated this calm space to awaken customers’ senses with locally brewed coffees and teas, as well as a rotating wall of books for sale. She encourages you to borrow a book from the community shelf or donate one you’re ready to pass along. Not a bad way to start the day.
STOP 8: Tar River Life Kayaking
Pick up a paddle with Tar River Life. Their knowledgeable staff shuttles you from Rocky Mount Mills to the launch point upriver for a two- to three-hour adventure down the Tar River. Single or tandem kayaks, stand up paddle boards, tubes, life jackets, and paddles are provided. Bring your own cooler packed with beverages and snacks if you want to bank up for a bite and a swim at any point along the trip. The flat waters of the Tar River are perfect for beginners. Staff will meet you at the end of the paddle and shuttle you back to Rocky Mount Mills. This is how we row in Rocky Mount.
STOP 9: Imperial Centre
The Imperial Center is one-part Science Center and one-part Art Gallery. This 135,000 sq. ft. converted tobacco mill offers guests a chance to touch a moon rock, take a selfie with a Giraffe and then do yoga in a gallery filled with priceless art. This is a good half-day of hands-on learning that will ignite everyone’s imagination.
