[Brock Peyer]

I am going to Pinehurst this weekend for an Annviersary/Father's day trip.  I am playing 2, 7 & 8.  My Dad is meeting me on Saturday to play #2 as my Father's Day gift to him, neither of us have ever played it.  I am playing #8 on Friday with my college roommate and #7 on Sunday with my Brother in law.  It is going to be a very nice trip, we are really looking forward to it.  I know Pinehurst pretty well (I haven't played 2 or 8 before but I have played the other 6 courses) but I would like some advice on other things to do while there.  While I want to soak up and ooze Pinehurst from the golf perspective, I want to have an even better time with my Bride and kids.  What else to do?  Any secret things in the area?   Where the best BBQ?  Sorry for a non-architecture post but it's Pinehurst related and that should mean something.

[Mike_Cirba]

You're a good son.   

[Bill_McBride]

Get by the Pinecrest Inn at night, either for their great dinners or fun bar with piano bar.  It's the best nightlife in Pinehurst.

[John Moore II]

You know, for as long as I lived there, I can't say that I remember a BBQ place that was anything special, matter of fact, the only one that comes to mind is Smithfields, and thats a chain restaurant. As far as other food related places, Mt. Fuji Japanese steakhouse is top notch in my book, if you like that kind of food (its one of those places where they cook on the big hot pad in front of you and the like). The Lobsteer Inn is an ok place to eat, but the self-serve salad/bread bar I was not very big on, especially at a place that charges about $30 per person. Theo's in the Village is a cozy place to eat. Personally, I'd skip out on eating at the Pinecrest Inn, though I know a dozen people will say to go there and eat, I thought it was overpriced and just simply not that great a meal.

But other than that, there is not a terrible amount of stuff to do in the Pinehurst area. Sanford has some old pottery museums and the like. There is a Civil War historical site just outside of Southern Pines going towards Ft. Bragg, and another old house/historic site on Morganton Rd. right before you go into Downtown Southern Pines. A few cool shops in downtown Southern Pines, but nothing spectacular. There is the Army Airborne Museum on Ft Bragg, open to the public, if that interests you. If you like car racing, there might be some kind of race this weekend at Rockingham Speedway (or whatever they are calling it these days) which is only about 45 minutes out of town to the south. I want to say they have an arboretum at Sandhills Community College, not sure what exactly is there though, never went. A decent nature park to the east of Southern Pines. And if you are staying at the resort, the facilities over at Lake Pinehurst may be available for you to use.

Get by the Pinecrest Inn at night, either for their great dinners or fun bar with piano bar.  It's the best nightlife in Pinehurst.

And the first praise of the Pinecrest comes as I am typing. Like I said, I thought the food was somewhat overrated and overpriced.

Other than that, you really have to go to Raleigh, Fayetteville or Greensboro to do anything. There is not a lot outside of golf in the Sandhills.

[jim_lewis]

Brock:

Here are a few suggestions:
1. If you are not staying at the Carolina Hotel, you should visit it anyway. It is one of the grand old hotels of the South and a walk down the corridors is a walk through Pinehurst history.
2. Visit the Tufts Archives whiich is located in the Given Memorial Library.
3. The best night life and shopping is in Southern Pines, but you must pend some time at the Pinecrest. There will be a live band at the Players Cafe, which is in the Theatre Building.
4. Take the kids to Poppy's downtown Pinehurst for ice cream and candy.
5. Your wife will enjoy the Spa at the Carolina.
6. The best barbeque is at the Pick-n-Pig, which is located on the runway at the Carthage Airport. Yes, Carthage has an airport. Johns' Barbeque in Aberdeen is also good, but not as good or as much fun.
7. Some of the finest pottery in the world is made in Seagrove by remarkable artists. Ladies often enjoy trips up there.
8. Forget looking for Civil War sites. Find those in Virginia!
9. Take the family for a walk through the Arboretum. Ask the hotel concierge.
10. Family lunch at the Villager Deli in Pinehurst or the Donald Ross Grill at the Golf Club

[cary lichtenstein]

Skip #8 and play Tobacco Road, hit the search function and read all about it

[Anthony Gray]

  Walk and take caddies.

  Anthony

[PCCraig]

You have to go to the racetrack for breakfast. I would rather go there than the Pinehurst resort's big brunch.

I second the villager deli for lunch as it it pretty good.

Also, I agree that you should skip #8 and play Tobacco Road, or Pine Needles for that matter....or play #2 twice as it's tough to really get a feeling for the course after one play.

[Mark Pritchett]

I would second Anthony's post and recommend caddies for No. 2.

I agree with Pat, play Pine Needles if you can.

The Barn is a pretty good place for dinner and drinks, if a bit big. 

[John Moore II]

Jim-I listed the Civil War sites because I really could not think of very much else to list. There just isn't a lot for a family to do in Pinehurst. There is one movie theater, two shopping centers of any size, and thats about it. There just really is nothing to do in the area; thats why, when I lived there, I drove to Raleigh and stayed with friends at least 2 nights/days a week.

Actually, there is a minor league baseball team in Fayetteville, kind of below rookie league minor though; its all college players in summer league.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Mid Pines and more Mid Pines with a splash of Tobacco Road. I find golf to be what one does best in Pinehurst. One could go to Rans Club for a wonderful and very cool round as well.

[Brock Peyer]

Guys, thanks for all of the suggestions.  I have played Tobacco Road but haven't played #8 yet, so I think I will stick with the plan.  I have been to Pinehurst dozens of times but it was always day trips as I went to college and was in the golf business nearby.  I must admit that staying in Pinehurst for 4 days with my bride and two little kids seems to be a challenge.  Thanks again, especially for the restaurant suggestions.  I will tryp to post some pix upon my return.

[Bruce Wellmon]

For the kids.......Poppy's for ice cream.  Essential.
I vote for a round at Pine Needles. Loved it.
Definitely caddies on #2. Definitely.
Send your wife to to the spa or Charlotte(South Park Mall) or Raleigh to shop and you play 36. Pinehurst is pretty much golf only, IMO.
I do like LobSteer Inn for dinner but it's not as good as it used to be. I had a not so good meal in January at Bonefish. I vote no.

[jim_lewis]

Brock:

You mentioned that your kids are small, so I definitly recommend you take them to the playgound at Camelot Park. My grandchildren love it.

Since you are a guest of the Resort, you will have access to the "beach" at Lake Pinehurst. Not exactly the Atlantic, but the kids will enjoy. You can rent a paddle boat, I think.

Take the whole crowd on a buggy ride tour of the Village. You can make arrangements at the Carolina Hotel. Tell Frank, the buggy driver, to point out the Annie Oakley house. You can tell him that you know (sorta) the guy who lives there.

If your Dad (or you) is an old army guy, he will enjoy visiting the Airborne Museum in Fayetteville.

The Durham Bulls are the triple A affiliate of the Florida Rays, and the ball park is one of the best in the minor leagues.

I'm pretty sure there are some activities going on at the Carolina this weekend.

Don't forget to visit Southern Pines. There is not much in Raleigh or Greensboro that you can't find in most cities anywhere. Stick with Pinehurst and Southern Pines.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Brock,

Weymouth Woods in SP is a nice place to visit:     http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/wewo/main.php

Also for the kiddies:  http://www.sandhillskids.com/
Click on "Activities" in the header for stuff to do, like painting your own pottery creations.

If you like Mexican food there is a very good/family owned/realistically priced establishment called La Poblanita on W. South St. just down the road in Aberdeen.

[John Moore II]

Weymouth Woods was the place I was thinking of just outside of town, but I could not remember the name.

El Vaquero is also a good mexican restaurant, its located on Highway 5 near The Pit. It is actually a mexican buffet, and really good food. And there is also a bowling alley out on Highway 5 as well not far from The Resort.

Oh, and just as a warning, stay away from the Lonestar Steakhouse on Highway 15 going into Aberdeen. I'll spar you the facts of my dinner, but lets just say it was somewhat nasty.

And maybe you could see if Putterheads is still open/reopened/under new ownership or whatever. They closed and reopened 2 or 3 times while I lived there. Its an indoor golf simulator place; can't comment more than that though, I never went there.

[jim_lewis]

John:

Weymouth Woods is a good call. It is located in Southern Pines.

I think Putterheads is now located adjacent to Lowes on Hwy 15-501. I have not been there since they moved from Olmsted Village.

JIm

[John Moore II]

John:

Weymouth Woods is a good call. It is located in Southern Pines.

I think Putterheads is now located adjacent to Lowes on Hwy 15-501. I have not been there since they moved from Olmsted Village.

JIm

I do not really know where Putterheads is anymore. I don't remember it being in Olmstead Village (though that is certainly a poor location for a place like that). I remember it being on Hwy 1 behind the Squires Pub; on a cross street that runs back to the Lowes.

Oh, and just as an odd little tidbit, I mentioned Mt Fuji on US 1 in Aberdeen; if you like to watch professional wrestling, that might be a cool place to eat, may get to hang out with Matt and Jeff Hardy as they eat there somewhat regularly.

[Rick Sides]

Bring a lot of money- especially if your playing number 2

[Brock Peyer]

Guys, I am blown away by the great suggestions.  I haven't told you how this trip was arranged:

I have an employee who has been asking me to take him to play for 18 months now.  We snuck out a little early a couple weeks back and played Bears Best, North of Atlanta.  Bears Best is one of the best run semi private courses that I have played.  I play there more than anywhere else.  Anyway, we are about to go to the first tee and the caddy says:  "We have this contest, it's $5 a guys...", so I gave him $10 and really didn't let him finish, he went in and got a receipt and we started to the first tee.  I didn't play too well but had a good time with my employee and the caddy was great.  We get to the 16th hole and the caddy, Kyler, says, "this is your last chance to make a hole in one."  I thought, duh, it's the last par 3.  I proceed to knock it in the jar for an ace, I went crazy, the caddy went crazy, my employee went crazy....then he reminded me of the contest, if you made a hole in one that day, you won a trip!!!  So, I won 4 days, 3 nights, 3 rounds for me and 3 rounds for a guest at one of 8 resorts,...I chose Pinehurst.

I have had 3 aces, and that is easily the best story (I have told 100 people).

Anyway, thanks again for all of the great advice.  My lovely Bride, who normally chides me for being on GCA was very impressed.

[Jaeger Kovich]

Brock - That is freakin sweet! I hope your trip is as good as that story!

[John Moore II]

Brock thats a great story. Interesting they still include Pinehurst since its not owned by ClubCorp anymore. That being said, who cares. Just have a good time down there, but let your wife and kids know in advance if they don't like golf and stuff related to golf, it might be a little boring. I can tell you that I watched a lot of TV while I lived there; there simply isn't much to do.

[jim_lewis]

Don't tell me there is nothing to do in Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen. Check out this item is today's local paper!

Jungle Safari Rolls Into Town

BY HANNAH SHARPE: The Pilot Intern

Lions and tigers at Big Lots, oh, my!

Many residents of Aberdeen were turning their heads as they drove down U.S. 1 this morning as Jungle Safari, a traveling exhibition of exotic animals, set up tents and opened for a five-day display in the Big Lots parking lot at Town and Country Shopping Center.

The exhibition, comprised of tigers, monkeys, a kangaroo and even a camel, among other animals, will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the exhibition is free, but there is a charge for portraits and rides with the animals.

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