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.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Where you sleep is an important first decision: What style of accommodation works best for the group? Do you want to be within walking distance from a town in Moore County? Do you want cozy and personal or spacious with loads of amenities? Does cost factor into the group’s decision?

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen includes many options for overnight accommodations. Condos, cottages and homes are available through Airbnb and VRBO. Hotel rooms at one of the national hotel brands such as Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Residence Inn offer accessible rooms and amenities such as a pool, fitness center, and breakfast.

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.

FRIDAY

Start your weekend with lunch at Cagle’s Diner, a casual cafe in Seagrove. The menu includes burgers, chicken, fish, salads, sandwiches, and a daily special. Desserts such as peach cobbler and red velvet cake are homemade.

From the Ground Up, Michael Mahan’s studio and gallery, is two minutes away in Robbins. The shop showcases Mahan’s functional and decorative pottery, fired in an electric kiln and a wood kiln. Visit most Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and check the seasonal schedule for additional hours. Mahan also offers demonstrations at annual events throughout the year.

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.

SATURDAY

Consider Betsy’s Crepes or Pine Scone Cafe in Southern Pines, Brim Café in Pinehurst, or The Bakehouse in Aberdeen for breakfast.

Once fueled, choose from these excursions:

  • Walk along the trails at Sandhills Botanical Garden in Pinehurst for views of sculpture and seasonal blooms.
  • Schedule a Walking Tour of Pinehurst Village, led by historian Dr. Julia Hans, author of “Hidden History of Pinehurst.” Tours are one hour and start at 11 a.m.
  • 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.

SUNDAY

Take the morning off and sleep in. If you must venture out, hit up Swank Coffee Shoppe & Handmade Market in Southern Pines for coffee, lattes, smoothies, hot chocolate, and grab and go items such as scones, banana bread, and breakfast sandwiches.

Before you return home, walk the loop around Aberdeen Lake Park and look for birds, turtles, and fish. For a more exhilarating hike, head to the Bear Creek Trail system: 14 miles of biking and hiking paths.

Caption: Aberdeen Lake Park

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.

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