Grab your friends and head to Nash County for a boys weekend. Golf, guns, and great food are just a few of the things you’ll find on this two-day tour. Leave your responsibilities behind and just focus on having a good time.
Day 1
STOP 1: Golf Belmont Lake
Get into the swing of things. Hit the driving range or reserve an online tee time at Belmont Lake Golf Club. Situated on the gorgeous 80-acre Belmont Lake, this championship golf course will have you relaxed and surrounded by green on every side. Visit the pro shop for golfing gear and tips on your swing.
STOP 2: Tavern 19
The onsite restaurant Tavern 19 can set you up with some snacks pre or post round. Enjoy some locally farm-raised meat in your grass-fed burger with bacon jam, or make it Southern with a fried green tomato appetizer. They’ve got twists on your favorite sandwiches and post-green dishes. Sit back and relax, you’ve earned those fries.
STOP 3: Hopfly
This start-up brewery has one of the best taprooms in Rocky Mount Mills. The expansive marble bar, refinished original wood floors, communal style tables make for a warm, friendly place to unwind and try some new flavors. Try a tasting flight so you can get a sample of all their inventive flavors from the Bootlegged Fireworks Fruited Sour to the Snake Charmer Irish Stout, with a plethora of IPAs in between. The graphic hop logo merchandise might tempt you to walk out with a t-shirt or pint glass memento as well.
STOP 4: Koi Pond
Koi Pond features an ever-changing variety of unfiltered ales made with local ingredients. This includes pale ales and IPAs, stouts and Belgian beers, Saisons and more. Try an Angry Squirrel. Toss back a Bozo Brown. Then challenge a friend to a game of giant Connect Four. Not into strategy? Grab a flight and settle in for some trivia and local music. Snacks are for sale. But locals and visitors alike simply bring in food from the fabulous local restaurants next door at Rocky Mount Mills.
STOP 5: Prime Smokehouse
Bring your appetite for melt-in-your-mouth brisket, savory Southern sides, and clever crafted cocktails at The Prime Smokehouse. There’s something for everyone on their extensive menu, though it’s especially pleasing for barbecue lovers. Here, owner Ed Wiley, Jr. uses a dry rub and vinegar sauce on his brisket and cooks it low and slow over indirect heat. The result is a plate of barbecue that will make you believe in a higher power. Locals return regularly for the jolly vibe, especially on nights they host local and touring jazz musicians—an homage to jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, who was born and reared in Rocky Mount.
Day 2
STOP 6: Larema Coffee House
Ease into the morning with fresh-brewed, single origin coffee prepared by hand right here in Rocky Mount. The Larema menu includes all your favorites from easy-going drip coffees to rocket-charged espressos to calm-me-down herbal teas. You can even order up some homemade toast topped with local jams, butter, chick peas or avocado.
STOP 7: Fishing on Tar River
The Tar River Trail is part of an outdoor system that covers over 300 acres and offers over seven miles of trails. The trail runs, in part, next to the Tar River and links five different city parks. There are many public access points where you can put in for fishing. We suggest starting at the trail at the Sunset Park boat ramp. Either bring your own boat or kayak, or walk down the trail until you find a good spot to drop a line.
STOP 8: Moe & D's
Moe & D's are a downtown Rocky Mount local favorite offering a variety of flavored wings, cheesesteak sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and other southern comfort foods. The atmosphere is laid back with an upbeat vibe! They also have a fully stocked bar for the five o'clock somewhere crowd.
STOP 9: Indoor Gun Range
Rifles and crossbows and axes. . .oh my! The Eastern North Carolina Shooting and Sports Center is your place to take your best shot at its indoor shooting range. Try your hand at hurling an axe, the latest craze in group activities with an edge. Or summon your inner Robin Hood at one of the 16 archery lanes. This is also the spot to practice your rifle and pistol shooting. Ready, aim, fun.
STOP 10: Bowling
Let the good times roll! The Bowling Center is the place to be when you can spare a minute to bowl a few frames. The classic set-up is right up your alley if you want to grab a bite at the snack bar or play a few arcade games. Bring your friends and knock a few down.
STOP 11: Westridge Grill
Wind down your day and rev up your night with great food at a great bar. Other than that, all you need to know is they have a pooch-friendly outdoor patio, enormous menu with all your favorites from wings to quesadillas to burgers, and live music on Thursday nights. Locals love it and return on the regular for the everybody-knows-your-name staff and reasonable prices. Have an onion ring for me.
