More Highlights of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen

You’ll find some of the best golf in the country in Pinehurst, North Carolina, particularly at Pinehurst Resort, an anchor site of the U.S. Open and the main attraction in this charming little town. With nine glorious golf courses at the resort, there are lots of fun challenges to be had. Made up of numerous places of lodging, including the elegant Carolina Hotel, condos, villas, restaurants, a spa and a fine lot of other recreational facilities, the resort makes up a good part of the town of Pinehurst. Take some time to visit the premises even if you’re not golfing or staying here, since it’s beautiful and many of the buildings and gardens are of great historical significance. A good part of the resort and village, in fact, make up part of Pinehurst’s National Historic Landmark District. Much of this recognition is due to Pinehurst’s prominence as one of the country’s original golf destinations (founded in 1895) as well as its landscape design, a superior outdoor composition created by Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned landscape architect who also designed Central Park in New York City.

There’s more golf to be enjoyed in Pinehurst and within all of Moore County. Find out about it at the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. You can pop into their location in the heart of Pinehurst or visit their website. You can also find out more about other outdoor activities, events, shopping, dining, entertainment and other attractions at Moore Choices, the site for Moore County. Both of these resources will show you how much there is to see and do in the area and help you to line up every aspect of your stay. From wineries to breweries to theaters and more, there’s something for everyone.

Do you like to shop? Do you like arts and crafts? Do you like pottery? Boy, is there a place for you here in this part of North Carolina. Hop on the Pottery Trail to discover the largest concentration of working potters in the United States. Seagrove, the tiny town in the upper lefthand corner of your Discovery Map, is considered to be the handmade pottery capital of the country. Along with a few neighboring towns, including Seven Lakes, here you’ll find about one hundred pottery studios and shops, most of which are open to the public. Most pieces from this region are destined to be collectibles whether they’re purely functional or more artistically-oriented in form. Scottish and Irish immigrants first began making pottery here during the 1700s and over time these pottery-making traditions became world renowned. Clay is at the origin of it all, the rich, red clay of The Sandhills region. Expect to see lots of works with the ruddy hue known as “Seagrove Red.”

Arts aficionados and neophytes alike will enjoy going to the Arts Council of Moore County at Campbell House to view exhibitions and/or to participate in an exciting blend of visual and performing arts programs for adults and children. From music and theater to workshops and shows and much more, the Arts Council of Moore County ranks as one of the most vibrant centers for the arts in North Carolina.

A visit to the quaint little town of Aberdeen is a must for lovers of history and charm. Founded in 1877 by Scottish immigrants (perhaps some from their native Aberdeen?), it soon became a stop on the railroad vital to the lumber industry in the region. From old railroad cars to churches, many remnants of this time remain throughout the town. Some, such as Union Station, the railroad station built in 1900 in the Victorian Style, are classified on the National Register of Historic Places.

Garden lovers will enjoy a visit to The Sandhills Horticultural Gardens in Pinehurst. Here you can visit a variety of gardens–from the Fruit & Vegetable Garden to the Conifer Garden and more–from dawn to sunset every day of the year. Be sure to bring the kids, since there’s a Children’s Garden that offers fun opportunities for learning how to grow your own garden. Here, you’ll find some cute spots for photo opps, too.