This area of south-central North Carolina has deep Scottish roots dating to the 1700s, when droves of Scottish emigrants fled the Highlands to the shores of North Carolina and moved up the Cape Fear River and its tributaries inland to the pine forests of Moore County. They found land for the taking and plentiful game for hunting.
There are more than a few legends who once walked the grounds of Pinehurst, North Carolina. As a town established in 1895, numerous storied guests and residents have roamed the streets. From world-famous golfers to sharpshooters, these famous men and women impacted history both in the area and well beyond it.
Today the Sandhills and its golf courses are evolving more and more as an exquisite canvas for shutterbugs of all makes and models, and the ability to immediately display the visuals on social media and assorted blogs and digital venues multiplies their visibility a million-fold over the old days of weekly and monthly magazines.
In 2022, Moore County witnessed an unprecedented $750 million in economic impact from visitor spending, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Moore County remains the tenth highest tourism economy in the state, its highest ranking in history. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and compiled by Tourism Economics in collaboration with U.S. Travel Association.
Pinehurst Business Partners, in collaboration with the Village of Pinehurst and the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, is thrilled to announce Rock the Village, an extraordinary art installation project designed to captivate visitors during the highly anticipated 2024 U.S. Open.
Rock the Village will showcase the exceptional talents of local artists as they transform rocking chairs into magnificent works of art. These one-of-a-kind chairs, painted with creativity and passion, will be prominently displayed throughout the Village center, offering a delightful and immersive experience for residents and visitors alike.
A U.S. Open at Pinehurst seems old hat now. In about a year, the esteemed No. 2 course will be the venue for its fourth rendition of America’s national championship, following 1999 (won by Payne Stewart), 2005 (Michael Campbell) and 2014 (Martin Kaymer). And after the 2024 competition, there are four more on the docket through 2047 as the USGA has tabbed Pinehurst No. 2 as an “anchor site” for the Open.
The Village of Pinehurst, the broader Sandhills community and the revered No. 2 course are officially in countdown mode as the calendar swings to one year out from the 2024 U.S. Open. Where did 10 years go so quickly since June 2014, the last time the USGA brought its marquee event to the sandy loam and turtleback greens of Pinehurst No. 2? “It’s exciting and energizing when you think that it’s actually here,” John Jeffreys, course superintendent of Pinehurst No. 2, says of the transition from Los Angeles Country Club on Father’s Day 2023 to the 2024 competition to Pinehurst.
The Pinehurst area is home to some surprising destinations that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. From quirky attractions to one-of-a-kind historical collections, make sure you see all of the places that make Moore County in the North Carolina Sandhills so unique.
Not every great trail winds through the woods. Some of the most fascinating walks can be found in urban settings and enjoyed by all.These easy walking trails can be found throughout the Pinehurst and Southern Pines area across Moore County. Whether you are searching for art, appreciating architecture, or enjoying landscaped gardens, these walking tours are the perfect way to enjoy time outdoors while also seeing some of the most popular destinations in the North Carolina Sandhills area.
As a relatively small area tucked in North Carolina’s Sandhills region, it would be easy to assume that Pinehurst and Southern Pines don’t have much to offer in terms of shopping. Any local could tell you that this is simply not true! The shopping scene here boasts an eclectic array of locally-owned boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops.While the best way to discover the local hotspots is by exploring the historic downtown areas of Pinehurst and Southern Pines for yourself, here are some local favorites to get you started. Happy shopping!
