Girls' Weekend in Moore County
Guide to a 48-Hour Girls' Weekend in Moore County
48 Hours in Pinehurst: When Golf Isn’t on the Itinerary
By Vanessa Infanzon
When I moved to North Carolina from New York, I didn't realize that Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen sat at the heart of the state's golf country. When I’ve visited the area over the past few years, golf didn’t figure into the itinerary. My girlfriends and I traveled to Moore County to shop, hike, eat, and catch up, enjoying the rare luxury of uninterrupted time together.
Use this guide to plan a girls' weekend with friends or family. The itinerary highlights gems within Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen to fit a variety of interests.
Locally owned inns provide an intimate experience: Meet the innkeepers, enjoy a homemade breakfast with other guests, and get personal recommendations for dining and shopping. The Magnolia Inn, a historic property built in 1896, is in downtown Pinehurst. The inn features ensuite rooms with options to book spa treatments and dine at the onsite Villaggio Ristorante.
Since 1913, Pine Crest Inn in Pinehurst has offered hospitality to travelers. Stay in one of 32 rooms and enjoy breakfast each morning, including the Sunday breakfast buffet. After dinner at the inn’s Mr. B's Pub, watch golfers knock balls into a fireplace chipping board, a long-honored tradition.
The Jefferson Inn in downtown Southern Pines offers a boutique hotel experience with 15 rooms. Visit the 1901 Lounge for pre-dinner cocktails or a nightcap and listen to live music on the weekends on the patio.
Head to downtown Aberdeen, almost an hour away from Robbins, for shopping, dinner, and drinks. Create, Imperative Shop, The Neon Rooster, Lily Rose, and the Purple Thistle Kitchen & Co. offer clothing, gifts, décor, and vintage items.
Poplar Place’s speakeasy vibe is perfect for pre-dinner cocktails and conversation. Dine at Workshop Tavern for the cornbread muffins starter, prime rib dinner, and homemade mac and cheese.
Stop at The Bakehouse for baked treats, and Sweet Carolina Ice Cream for cones, ice cream pies and sandwiches, and root beer floats. High Octane serves coffee and iced drinks; visit when they host live music and a food truck on the fourth Fridays in April, May, June, September and October.
- Wander through Given Tufts Bookshop in Pinehurst for old and new books, and records. Order a glass of wine and a charcuterie board from the Village Wine Shop.
- Gather at 3 p.m. at Lazy Fox Lavender Farm in Cameron for High Tea. Lavender lemonade and traditional tea are served with sweets, seasonal scones, lemon curd, homemade jam, and Chantilly cream. Book tickets ahead of time online.
- Plan a spa day, from nails and massage to facials and waxing, at Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar in Southern Pines, The Spa at Pinehurst, or Soothing Moments Spa in Pinehurst.
Reservations for dinner, if available, are highly recommended. Chapman's Food and Spirits in Southern Pines features salads, steak, Italian dishes, and outdoor seating for larger groups. Pinehurst Brewery honors its location in an old power plant by incorporating the history in the décor. A full bar and food menu are served in a vibrant atmosphere. Try the fried meatballs and Brussel sprouts at Lisi Italian in Pinehurst. The gnocchi and cavatelli are homemade and the pizzas are square and crispy. Finish with gelato.
This itinerary is just a taste of what Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen has to offer. While you explore this weekend, you’ll discover more to do and see. Add it to the next visit to the area.
Written by Vanessa Infanzon
Vanessa Infanzon is a North Carolina-based writer specializing in art, business, parenting and travel. Her writing has been featured in Business North Carolina, Cardinal & Pine, Next Avenue, Our State, and The Washington Post. Learn more about Vanessa here.