Why Pinehurst?

By Anna Cook

Pinehurst vs Other North Carolina Weekend Trips

When you start comparing weekend trips in North Carolina, the same destinations tend to come up again and again: Asheville for food and breweries, Boone for mountain views and trails, and Wilmington for the coast. But if you want a slower-paced getaway with walkable downtowns, good restaurants, outdoor activities, and plenty to do whether or not you play golf, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen deserve a spot on that list.

The three towns sit close enough together that you can experience all of them in one weekend without spending much of your trip in the car. You can shop and eat your way through downtown Southern Pines, walk the Village of Pinehurst, explore trails and gardens, play a round of golf, or skip the course entirely and still have plenty to fill two or three days.

So how does a weekend in the Sandhills compare with some of North Carolina’s more familiar getaway destinations? Here’s what we think.

Food & Drink

The Sandhills offers a relaxed and varied dining scene that complements everything there is to do in the region. Rather than one large restaurant district, the area’s three walkable downtowns each bring their own personality to the table. In Southern Pines, grab crepes at Betsy’s Crepes, try something new from a food truck at Red’s Corner, enjoy international flavors at Jaya’s or Busaba, and try local favorites like Chapman’s Food & Spirits. BHAWK is also worth a stop for cocktails and spirits, but don’t overlook the food while you’re there.

The Village of Pinehurst offers breakfast and coffee at BRIM Pinehurst, Italian dishes at Villaggio Ristorante, cocktails and pub fare at Drum & Quill, craft beer and barbecue at Pinehurst Brewing Co., and so much more. For drinks, you can also check out Augie’s Room, The Village Wine Shop, or Engine Room 87.

Caption: Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko.

Downtown Aberdeen rounds out the scene with breakfast at The Bakehouse, coffee at High Octane, mac & cheese bowls at The Workshop Tavern, and great spots to grab drinks like Railhouse Brewery.

Compared with some of North Carolina’s more popular weekend destinations, dining in the Sandhills tends to feel more intimate and easygoing. You’ll still find fine dining, international cuisine, craft beer, cocktails, seafood, bakeries, and casual local favorites, but you may have an easier time getting a table and moving between restaurants without navigating the crowds of a larger tourism hub.

Many restaurants, shops, and attractions are within walking distance of one another, and when you do need to drive, most stops are only a few minutes apart rather than requiring a longer trip across a city or along winding mountain roads.

Choose the Sandhills if you want a wide variety of restaurants without making reservations, traffic, and crowds a major part of your trip.

Caption: The Village Wine Shop

Outdoors

The Sandhills is a strong choice if you want time in nature without committing to a steep mountain hike or an all-day outdoor adventure. Many of the area’s parks, gardens, and trails are either within walking distance of the downtowns or a short drive away, so it’s easy to add an hour outside between breakfast, shopping, and dinner.

In Southern Pines, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve offers miles of trails beneath longleaf pines, while Reservoir Park combines an easy loop around the water with additional trails, disc golf, and kayaking opportunities. The Sandhills Horticultural Gardens is another low-key option, with landscaped gardens and walking paths that work especially well for families or anyone who wants to be outside without going on a traditional hike.

Caption: Reservoir Park

In Aberdeen, the roughly one-mile loop at Aberdeen Lake Park makes an easy walk before or after exploring downtown. Pinehurst also has the Village Arboretum and Rassie Wicker Park trails, giving you another accessible option within walking distance of the Village.

If you want something that feels more remote, drive north to Robbins for the Bear Creek Trail System. Its 14 miles of trails include varying difficulty levels and water features, so you can turn the outing into more of an adventure while still staying within the greater Sandhills area.

Compared with North Carolina’s mountain destinations, where outdoor recreation often means elevation gain, longer hikes, and more time driving to trailheads, the Sandhills makes nature much easier to work into a relaxed weekend. Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen are perfect for families, multigenerational trips, and couples who enjoy being outdoors but don’t necessarily want hiking to be the main event.

Golf & Other Things to Do

Golf is where the Sandhills really stands out from other North Carolina weekend destinations. Pinehurst is the Home of American Golf, and even if you aren’t building the entire trip around tee times, the game is part of the experience here in a way you won’t find in other North Carolina destinations.

Serious golfers can choose from dozens of courses in and around Pinehurst, while more casual players can try a shorter round or spend time at Double Eagle Indoor Golf & Lounge in Southern Pines. Pinehurst also gives you ways to experience golf without playing at all, including the World Golf Hall of Fame and USGA Experience, historic golf memorabilia at Old Sport & Gallery, and restaurants and bars where you can watch the action around the courses.

Caption: Golf Hall of Fame

That makes the Sandhills especially easy for groups with different interests. One person can spend the morning on the course while the rest of the group shops, visits a garden, explores a museum, or settles in at a coffee shop, then everyone can meet back up for lunch or dinner.

The shopping is another thing that sets this area apart, especially for girls’ getaways. Instead of a few local shops spread out all across town, you have three small downtowns close together, each with many independent boutiques and specialty shops within walking distance. Southern Pines has places like Against the Grain, The Country Bookshop, Lewandowski’s General Store, and Southern Whey, while Pinehurst adds Pinehurst Olive Oil Co., Cameron & Co., and Old Sport & Gallery.

Aberdeen adds another cluster of boutiques and galleries, including Purple Thistle Kitchen & Co., Lily Rose Boutique, Imperative Shop, and the Artists League of the Sandhills, where you can watch artists in their workshops.

For travelers comparing North Carolina weekend trips, the Sandhills stands out for its combination of world-class golf and small-town shopping. Add in hiking, history, art, gardens, and locally owned restaurants, and it’s hard to find another getaway that offers this much variety within such a compact area.

Getting Here

One of the biggest advantages of a Pinehurst weekend is how easy the area is to reach from several major North Carolina cities. Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen sit near the center of the state, about two hours from Charlotte and roughly an hour and a half from both Raleigh and Greensboro.

That central location makes the Sandhills an easy drive for a two- or three-day getaway without spending half the weekend on the road. Once you arrive, the three towns are close together, so it’s simple to move between activities and attractions throughout the trip.

Weekend Trip FAQs

What's a quieter alternative to Asheville in North Carolina?

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen are a strong alternative if you want great food, walkable downtowns, outdoor activities, and local shopping without the busier feel of Asheville. The Sandhills moves at a slower pace while still giving you plenty to do over a weekend getaway.

What's the best centrally located NC weekend trip?

Pinehurst is one of the easiest weekend destinations to reach from across North Carolina. The Sandhills are within easy driving distance of major North Carolina cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, or Greensboro.

Is Pinehurst worth it if you don’t play golf?

Yes! Golf is a major part of the area’s identity, but you can easily fill a weekend with other activities like shopping, outdoors, restaurants, breweries, and historic sites without ever stepping foot on a course.

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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