Weekend Getaway to Pinehurst

By Anna Cook

Weekend Getaway to Pinehurst from Charlotte & Raleigh

You don’t need a long drive or an extra day off work to make a weekend in Pinehurst feel like a relaxing getaway. About an hour and a half from Raleigh and roughly two hours from Charlotte, Pinehurst is close enough to arrive Friday evening and still have two full days to explore.

Golf may be what first put Pinehurst on the map, but you don’t have to plan your entire weekend around a tee time. Spend Saturday morning wandering through the Village, have lunch overlooking Pinehurst No. 2, walk beneath the longleaf pines in the afternoon, and finish the day over dinner and drinks.

On Sunday, there’s still time for breakfast at a local favorite, a walk through the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, and shopping in downtown Southern Pines before heading home. This two-day Pinehurst itinerary mixes some of the area’s best-known golf experiences with local restaurants, outdoor spaces, and walkable downtowns for an easy weekend trip from Raleigh or Charlotte.

Saturday

Breakfast at Agora Bakery & Cafe

Agora Bakery & Cafe is the perfect place to start your weekend in the Village of Pinehurst. Set inside a former bank building, the cafe has a bright, airy atmosphere and a menu with hearty options or you can just grab coffee and a pastry.

Crepes and avocado toast are two popular choices, while the bakery case is usually stocked with treats like macarons, cinnamon rolls, and other goodies.

Grab a bite to eat or start your day with your favorite drink.

Caption: Agora Bakery & Cafe

Optional Round of Golf

You’re visiting the Home of American Golf, so if you play, it’s worth making time for a round. There are nearly 40 golf courses within a 15-mile radius of Pinehurst, including Pinehurst Resort’s courses as well as favorites like Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Southern Pines Golf Club, Talamore, and Longleaf Golf & Family Club.

If 18 holes would take up more of your weekend than you’d like, consider playing The Cradle instead. Pinehurst Resort’s nine-hole short course is designed to be a more relaxed golf experience and lets you get a taste of Pinehurst golf without committing several hours to a full round.

Golf is especially popular in spring and fall, so reserve your tee time as early as possible if playing is a priority for your weekend.

Visit the World Golf Hall of Fame & USGA Experience

Golf House Pinehurst sits between the Carolina Hotel and the Main Clubhouse at Pinehurst Resort. The campus is home to the United States Golf Association (USGA) Experience on the first floor and the World Golf Hall of Fame on the second, so you can explore both with one admission ticket.

Even if you aren’t an avid golfer, there’s plenty here that you’ll find interesting. The USGA Experience covers everything from how major championships come together to the science behind how a golf ball flies, with interactive exhibits that explore course design, turf management, equipment, and other behind-the-scenes parts of the game.

Credit: USGA

Upstairs, the World Golf Hall of Fame tells the stories of the people and moments that shaped golf. You can browse artifacts displayed throughout lockers honoring Hall of Fame members, see championship trophies, and explore videos and interactive exhibits before continuing your walk through Pinehurst.

Browse the Shops in the Village

The Village of Pinehurst is compact and easy to explore on foot, so this is a good time to slow down and wander between shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.

Stop by Cameron & Co. for gifts and home accessories, Pinehurst Olive Oil Co. for specialty oils, balsamic vinegars, and North Carolina-made products, and Marie Birdie Sport for women’s golf and lifestyle apparel. Golf fans should also make time for Old Sport & Gallery, which carries golf art, memorabilia, and other collectibles.

For coffee and books, head to BRIM Pinehurst and the Given Tufts Bookshop, which share the same historic building.

Caption: Brim Pinehurst

This is only a sample of the shops around the Village, so leave a little extra time to pop into anything else that catches your eye. If you’re visiting on a Saturday during market season, you can also walk over to Tufts Memorial Park for the Sandhills Farmers Market.

Visit a Local Farmers Market

Speaking of the Sandhills Farmers Market, it's an easy stop while you're exploring Pinehurst since it's located in the Village. Spend part of Saturday morning browsing produce, baked goods, flowers, and other locally made products at Tufts Memorial Park. The market is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during its spring-through-early-fall season.

Another option is the Moore County Farmers Market at Downtown Park in Southern Pines. This producer-only market features vendors from within 50 miles and runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon from March into November, with live music scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon through the end of October when weather permits.

Check each market’s current schedule before your trip, especially if you’re visiting near the beginning or end of the season.

Lunch at The Deuce

For one of the most recognizable views in Pinehurst, head to The Deuce at Pinehurst Resort. The restaurant overlooks the 18th hole of Pinehurst No. 2, so you can watch golfers finish their rounds while you eat, even if you never set foot on the course yourself.

The menu is casual, with sandwiches, salads, and soups, plus craft beer and seasonal cocktails. Grab a table on the veranda if you can, since the view is a big part of the experience here.

Caption: The Deuce

Take a Walk in a Local Park

For an easy walk without going far, head to the Village Arboretum, about half a mile from the Village shops and Pinehurst Resort. Paved and natural-surface paths wind through landscaped gardens, open green space, and wooded areas, making it a convenient place to stretch your legs after lunch.

If you’d rather spend more time on the trail, drive to Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve in Southern Pines. The trails here take you through stands of longleaf pine and other Sandhills habitats, with several options depending on how long you want to enjoy the outdoors.

Dinner at Pinehurst Brewing Co. or Lisi Italian


End your Saturday with dinner back in Pinehurst. For something casual, head to Pinehurst Brewing Co., housed in the Village’s former steam plant. The menu centers on barbecue, sandwiches, and other comfort food, paired with beer brewed on-site, and the brewery often hosts live music on weekends.

For a quieter, romantic option, choose Lisi Italian in the historic Theatre Building. The intimate restaurant serves regional Italian dishes, including house-made pastas, along with an extensive wine list. Perfect if you’re on a couple’s getaway and looking for something a little special.

Caption: Pinehurst Brewing Co.

Sunday

Breakfast at the Pinehurst Track Restaurant

Start Sunday at the Pinehurst Track Restaurant, an unassuming local favorite right beside the historic Pinehurst Harness Track. This track is a winter training ground for Standardbred horses, so you may be able to catch horses training while you eat.

The menu sticks to classic breakfast favorites like omelets, biscuits, home fries, and breakfast sandwiches, but the oversized blueberry pancakes are especially popular. One important thing to note: the restaurant is cash only.

Caption: Pinehurst Harness Track

Spend the rest of Sunday morning at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens on the campus of Sandhills Community College. The 32-acre gardens include 16 distinct garden areas, with everything from formal landscapes and seasonal plantings to a Japanese garden, conifer garden, succulent garden, and areas that highlight the native Sandhills environment.

You can easily spend an hour wandering the paths and stopping at the sculptures and garden features along the way. Or use the benches throughout the gardens to bring a book, watercolors, or another activity and spend a slow morning in nature. Admission is free, and the variety of garden styles means there’s usually something blooming no matter what time of year you visit. You can check the season of bloom for what you may see during your visit.

Caption: Sandhills Horticultural Gardens

Lunch at Drum & Quill

Head back to the Village for lunch at Drum & Quill, a casual tavern named in honor of golf writer Bob Drum. The walls and decor nod to Pinehurst’s golf history, and the atmosphere is very relaxed.

The menu includes burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads, fish and chips, and Southern-inspired starters like pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes. If the weather is nice, grab a table outside for great people-watching in the Village.

Shopping in Southern Pines in the Afternoon

Spend a few hours exploring downtown Southern Pines, where locally owned shops line Broad Street and you can pop into any that catch your eye.

Stop at Against the Grain Shoppe for North Carolina-made gifts, pottery, artwork, home goods, and specialty foods. More than 90% of the shop’s inventory comes from North Carolina makers, so it’s an especially good place to pick up something local to remember your weekend.

Nearby, Lewandowski's General Store has the nostalgic feel of an old-fashioned general store, with a mix of classic goods, gifts, and other finds to browse.

Caption: Southern Whey

At Southern Whey, cheese lovers can shop for artisan cheeses, charcuterie, specialty pantry items, and everything you need to recreate a cheese board at home.

Finally, The Country Bookshop is an independent bookstore that has been part of downtown Southern Pines since 1953. Browse new releases, classics, children’s books, and gifts.

These are only a few of the shops downtown, so leave yourself time to wander before making the drive back to Raleigh or Charlotte.

Where to Stay

Casual & Local Favorites

If you’re looking for unique accommodations, consider Tanglewood Farm in Southern Pines. Set on a 10-acre horse farm just a few minutes from downtown, Tanglewood Farm offers private one-bedroom vacation rentals with their own entrances, kitchens, and patios. Plus you can order gourmet food that will be delivered fresh for your stay.

For an iconic Pinehurst stay, book a room at The Carolina Hotel or choose one of the smaller historic properties in the Village. Pine Crest Inn has welcomed guests since 1913 and is known for its restaurant, Mr. B’s Pub, and ties to golf history, while The Manor pairs its 1920s character with updated rooms, an on-site bar, and a convenient location.

Caption: Pine Crest Inn

You’ll also find plenty of familiar hotel options nearby if you’d rather keep your stay simple and spend more of your budget on dining and activities. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Southern Pines-Pinehurst Area, Hilton Garden Inn Southern Pines Pinehurst, and other national brands put you within a short drive of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen.

Take a look at the Pinehurst Area Hotels & Lodging directory for even more resorts, inns, hotels, vacation rentals, and other places to stay.

Weekend in Pinehurst FAQs

How far is Pinehurst from Charlotte? From Raleigh?

Pinehurst is about a two-hour drive from Charlotte and an hour and a half from Raleigh, depending on where you start and traffic. That makes it close enough to drive in Friday evening and still have a full weekend to explore before heading home Sunday.

Is Pinehurst worth visiting if you don't play golf?

Absolutely. There are plenty of other things to do in the area like shopping, outdoor activities, trying local restaurants, walking & food tours, and so much more. The USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame are even fun for non-golfers.

How many days should you spend in Pinehurst?

Two full days is a great sampler for a weekend getaway, especially from Raleigh or Charlotte. Add a third day if you want to play a full round of golf without rushing the rest of the itinerary.

Best time of year for a weekend trip?

Spring and fall are especially good for comfortable weather, outdoor dining, golf, and walking around town. Pinehurst is still a year-round destination, though, with something to do in every season.

About the Author

Anna Cook is an electrical engineering project manager turned full-time travel blogger & photographer at Stuck on the Go. Follow along if you love road trips, hiking, kayaking, amazing food, good beer and wine, or anything outdoors-related.

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