23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Wilson (NC)

In search of the best and fun things to do in Wilson, NC?

The beautiful city of Wilson, is located west of the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh. Wilson offers a wide variety of fun things to do and cool places to visit for a fun time.

The historic town boasts magnificent exhibits such as the famous Whirligig Park as well as other fun places for biking sports around the area.

The magnificent town focuses on southern cultural arts, which can be seen in many unique festivals, craft shops, event centers, and many more.

Wilson, North Carolina, is one of the most incredible places for anyone interested in gardens and green life making it one of the top attraction areas in North Carolina.

Would you like a fun time in Wilson? Here are the top places to visit in Wilson, NC.

Things to do in Wilson, NC

1. Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park
Credits: Gerry Dincher / Flickr
Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park

One of the fun things to do in Wilson, North Carolina, is visiting the beautiful Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, which houses numerous historical structures.

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is a beautiful place to spend some time out while touring the shores of Wilson, North Carolina.

The magnificent center has hosted many events shows with many commendations and awards from international artists.

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park were included in the world-famous public art of the Olympic games in 1996, making it one of the top attraction of Wilson, North Carolina.

Additionally, the Park has an inspiring story of making sculptures which eventually became the whirligigs of the recent time, attracting more visitors daily as more statues were built.

Address: 301 Goldsboro St S, Wilson, NC 27893

2. Country Doctor Museum

Country Doctor Museum
Credits: The Country Doctor Museum / Facebook
Country Doctor Museum

The Country Doctor Museum is one of the oldest in the United States that focuses on the rural health care history of the city, making it one of the best Wilson NC attractions.

A team of generous women created the famous public center in late 1967 to preserve the area’s history for future generations.

The magnificent museum boasts historical texts, 5,000 medical artifacts and archives information on pharmaceuticals, home remedies, and nursing.

It offers fun trips and guided tours for interested individuals with a docent at the top of each hour and takes a maximum of about 45-60 minutes.

Additionally, the beautiful Country Doctor Museum is open to interested individuals worldwide to explore rare artifacts of the health department.

Address: 7089 Peele Rd, Bailey, NC 27807, United States

3. Wilson Botanical Gardens

Wilson Botanical Gardens
Credits: Anton Nikitinskiy / Shutterstock

The beautiful Wilson Botanical Gardens was designed for showcasing different types of plants that can be used within the home or office landscape.

The garden produces medicinal plants, turfgrass, ornamental grasses, daylilies, hosta, herbal, and a handful of beautiful flowers.

It contains a sweet garden section for small children, experiencing and engaging in something interesting all day long, ranging from sightseeing to fun games.

The magnificent center is one of its kind, making it one of the top attractions in the city, with a large number of fun things to see and do.

Additionally, the Wilson Botanical Gardens is open to interested individuals and the general public from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Address: 1806 Goldsboro St S, Wilson, NC 27893, United States.

4. The Beefmastor Inn

The Beefmastor Inn
Credits: Gerry Dincher / Flickr
The Beefmastor Inn

Beefmastor Inn stands as one of the fun places to visit in Wilson, North Carolina; with a delicious dish to explore and quality service rendered, it is a must-visit restaurant.

Due to its high preference and subscribers, visitors queue up for at least 30 minutes before entering to experience the fun inside the establishment.

The center offers no menu, no reservations, and provides only ten tables for interested individuals to enjoy the unique taste of grilled beef.

The historic Beefmastor Inn is one of the oldest centers for this kind of stuff; people come far and wide to eat grilled beef at this iconic steakhouse.

Additionally, the Beefmastor Inn is open to everyone; each visitor is greeted with a giant slab of raw rib eye to taste from and make selections.

Address: 2656 U.S. Hwy 301 N south, Wilson, NC 27893, United States

5. Barton College

Barton College
Credits: Barton College / Facebook
Barton College

One of the best things to do in Wilson, North Carolina, is visiting the famous Barton College, which was home to around one thousand students.

The Barton College offers national programs in nursing courses, education, and even social work, making it one of the top attractions in Wilson, North Carolina.

The historic college boasts unique features such as an athletics pitch, soccer field, and theatre covering about 65-acres of land I the campus.

The magnificent Barton College hosts award-winning and world-class performances throughout the year, including musicals, international performer’s concerts, and many more.

Additionally, Barton College is open to everyone, and the theatre can be assessed by interested individuals, both student and non-college students.

Address: 400 Atlantic Christian Col Dr. NE, Wilson, NC 27893, United States.

6. Parker’s Barbecue (and Fried Chicken)

Parker's Barbecue (and Fried Chicken)
Credits: Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Parker’s Barbecue (and Fried Chicken)

The famous Parker’s Barbecue smokes about 150 whole hogs a week and has produced delicious pork since 1946, makes one of the top things to do in Wilson, NC.

The Parker’s Barbecue has been consistent in producing delicious food, and with its famous chopped sauced, the center is a must-visit for everyone.

The magnificent Parker’s Barbecue employs professionals to keep up the historical fact of serving good meals, the wait staff dress in the 1950s paper style hats.

In the city of Wilson, North Carolina, Parker’s fried chicken is one of the most incredible meals as pork is to Eastern North Carolina.

Additionally, Parker’s Barbecue and fried rice are worth getting a whole plate or a combination plate if you have a dinner partner to enjoy the day with.

Address: 2514 US-301, Wilson, NC 27893, United States

7. Imagination Station

Imagination Station
Credits: Government & Heritage Library, State Library of NC / Flickr
Imagination Station

One of the top Wilson attractions is the Imagination Station, which stores ideas of science and other related concepts.

The center houses a museum that contains exciting and fun materials, books, journals for both kids and their parents.

The Imagination Station features numerous interactive exhibits, such as the science museum, which focuses on the inventions of machines and their objectives in the daily life of the people.

The magnificent science-oriented centers offer many daily live science programs and demonstrations for college students, researchers, and interested individuals.

Additionally, the Imagination Station is open from Monday to Saturday for interested individuals to come and view the revolving sphere exhibit.

Address: 224 Nash St SE, Wilson, NC 27893, United States.

8. 217 Brew Works

217 Brew Works
Credits: Viiviien / Shutterstock

A visit to 217 Brew Works will be any beer lover’s best fun thing to do in Wilson, North Carolina, with lots of chilled drinks to make your vacation or tour pleasurable.

The famous 217 Brew works have been in the business since 2016, using locally produced ingredients to craft out tasty beers for visitors and interested individuals.

It is located across the Whirligig Park and contains a 19 barrel microbrewery stored inside a former livery stable where production and other packaging activities are carried out.

217 Brew works boast magnificent features such as the wide selection of reds, darks, and the favorite and the one with the most subscribers IPAs.

Additionally, 217 Brew Works also produces sodas, including smooth root beer, lemon-lime soda, and ginger soda.

Address: 217 South St S, Wilson, NC 27893, United States

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9. Wilson Rose Garden

Wilson Rose Garden
Credits: prambuwesas / Shutterstock

The historic Wilson Rose Garden is formed from the beautiful rose flowers; the center is one of the cool attractions in Wilson, North Carolina.

The mystical Wilson Rose Garden boasts more than one thousand individual plants, with about 180 different species, throughout the grounds of the garden.

The Wilson Rose Garden does research and allows visitors to discover different roses that have not been visible to the public, such as climbing roses, hybrid roses, and miniature roses.

The center provides one of the best scenarios for beautiful photos, a conducive environment for a stroll, and many points for relaxation after a stressful workday.

Additionally, the rose flowers bloom seasonally; visitors will find the best scenes and beautiful environment from May through October.

Address: 1800 Herring Ave E, Wilson, North Carolina, United States.

10. Contentnea Creek

Contentnea Creek
Credits: Rock and Wasp / Shutterstock

Take advantage of the fresh, cold breeze of the Contentnea Creek.

The famous Contentnea Creek is characterized by a 91-mile long body that serves as the primary channel to the Neuse River.

The Contentnea Creek serves as the predominant water source for the famous Wiggins Mill reservoir, and it runs towards the edge of the Grifton area.

The magnificent Contentnea Creek can be explored by interested individuals through a trip with the Wilson outfitters and experience an adventurous tour.

Additionally, the center allows for fun sporting activities such as canoeing tours, kayaking, and more for visitors to enjoy a fun-filled vacation.

For a fun adventure time, add to your checklist of best things to do in Wilson, North Carolina.

Address: Grifton, North Carolina

11. Boone’s Antiques

Boone's Antiques
Credits: Zaharia Bogdan Rares / Shutterstock

A trip to the Boone’s Antiques is one of the best fun things to do in Wilson, North Carolina, with lots of fun things to see and do all around the center.

The historic Boone’s Antiques was first established in 1952; since then, it has offered one of the largest retail and wholesale collections of accessories, jewelry, and other valuables.

The famous Boone’s antique stores furniture from the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries in the North America region, making the city of Wilson, North Carolina, one of the top attractions.

It boasts of exceptional stocks such as the Queen Anne furnishings, Chinese and European porcelain, grandfather clocks, rugs, and many more, scattered about the four acres of countless Antiques and the room of Boone’s Antiques.

Additionally, the beautiful Boone’s Antiques houses a must-see place for interested individuals and lovers of Antiques in Wilson, North Carolina, and worldwide.

Address: 2014 US-301, Wilson, NC 27893, United States

12. Kennedy Theatre

Kennedy Theatre
Credits: antpkr / Shutterstock

Amongst the best things to do in Wilson, North Carolina, is spending some time out in the prestigious Kennedy Theatre and enjoying a favorite show.

The gorgeous Kennedy Theatre is located inside the historic Barton College, an excellent venue for live performances, events, and public shows around the city.

The facility stands as one of the finest performance hub plazas around the Wilson arena, making it one of the top attractions in the city for performance-related events.

It boasts magnificent features such as the modern lighting for theatres, ample seating, and acoustics that makes for a fun-filled theatre experience.

Additionally, the Kennedy Theatre allows for various activities such as love music, opera performance, dance recitals, orchestra, and other dramatic performances.

Address: Woodard St NE, Wilson, NC 27893, United States

13. Marty’s BBQ

Marty's BBQ
Credits: Marty’s BBQ / Facebook
Marty’s BBQ

Try some delicious fried chicken and eastern North Carolina barbeque in the famous Marty’s BBQ, making it a perfect addition to your list of fun things to do in Wilson, North Carolina.

The delicious barbecue dishes are served with various typical tasty southern sides such as the slaw, collards, and hushpuppies, giving visitors a unique experience.

The historic center is locally operated and owned with about 30 years of experience; it has become one of the best barbeque servers in North Carolina.

The magnificent Marty’s BBQ boasts unique features such as the tasty grilled chicken, stored meat, well-arranged barbeque.

Additionally, the gorgeous Marty’s BBQ is a family-friendly environment for barbeque lovers and interested individuals around the State.

Address: 2643 Ward Blvd, Wilson, NC 27893, United States.

14. Lake Wilson

Lake Wilson
Credits: Madelyn Hart / Shutterstock
Lake Wilson

One of the top activities in Wilson, North Carolina, is visiting the beautiful mini-lake Wilson.

Lake Wilson is one of the top attractions in Wilson, NC. The lake is a reservoir made after the Toisnot swamp, which is one of the minor rivers around.

Experience beautiful scenarios for nature lovers and interested individuals; the lake is located in one of the undisturbed areas in the city with thick forest covered in the upriver by a few trails.

Visitors are invited to explore the trail routes and spot some interesting wildlife features such as rare insects, river otters, and beautiful birds.

Additionally, the beautiful Lake Wilson is open for everyone; you can also try sporting activities like canoeing, kayaking, boating, and many more.

Address:4621 Lake Wilson Road N Elm City, NC 27822

15. Something Different

As the name implies, the beautiful Something Different Cafe offers visitors something different, making it one of the best things to do in Wilson, NC, for a fun time.

The family-owned establishment has been on the ground for about twenty-five years serving delicious lunch to the city of Wilson, North Carolina.

The Something Different Cafe boast of one the best catering services for all events ranging from birthday parties to weddings and social gathering.

The beautiful Something Different Cafe offers quality service and tasty traditional food, which has exposed them to the world since 1988.

 Additionally, the magnificent center is open to everyone interested in special delicious lunch, opens from Monday to Friday from 11 am until 2 pm.

Address: 3342 Airport Blvd NW, Wilson, NC 27896, United States.

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16. Toisnot Park

Toisnot Park
Credits: TeodorLazarev / Shutterstock

The magnificent Toisnot Park boasts one of the most fantastic community parks in the city.

The Toisnot Park is located in the lakeside area of the city at the heart of the town, making it one of the top attractions in Wilson, North Carolina.

The historicToisnot Park is closed to the well-known Toisnot Reservoir, which harbors a fresh picturesque body of water that is open for kayaking and fishing activities.

The Park is equipped with the best amenities that make it an actual pleasure center for both family and friends time out, even for public events and social gatherings.

Additionally, visitors can sit over the lakefront for rare views of moving geese ducks which are always happy to see visitors with grains and other bird snacks.

Address: 1500 Northeast, Corbett Ave, Elm City, NC 27822, United States

17. Wilson Arts

Wilson Arts
Credits: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock

The historic Wilson Art center hosts beautiful edifice and gorgeous artwork, answers what to do in Wilson, North Carolina, for art lovers.

The Wilson Art center is one of the beacons for art in the community, thanks to its support of many educational programs and artistic communities.

Over the years, the famous Wilson Art showcases over six professional exhibitions or galleries, with numerous drama performances by young adults.

The center features exhibit such as educational programs that inspires and cultivate budding artists around the community.

Additionally, the Wilson Art opens from Tuesday to Saturday for interested individuals to watch shows and view beautiful galleries of artworks.

Address: 204 Nash Street S, Wilson, Noth Carolina 27893, United States.

18. Wilson Country Club

Wilson Country Club
Credits: Bohbeh / Shutterstock

Golfing at the famous 18-hole Wilson Country Club is one of the top things to do in Wilson, NC, whenever you find yourself there for vacation or a tour.

The field is open for everyone; whether you’re an amateur or a professional, there is room to put your skill to the test in great gameplay at the Wilson country club.

The public facility hosts many international and national golf tournaments; visitors can watch live qualifying rounds from the stands.

The Wilson Country Club features magnificent rolling terrain, leafy trees in every corner, two large ponds fed by the creeks making it a standout center in the city.

Additionally, the center also houses a large swimming pool facility for nongolfers that’s is excellent for cooling off after a hot summer day.

Address: 4509 Country Club Dr. N, Wilson, NC 27896, United States

19. Eyes on Main Street

Eyes on Main Street
Credits: Ted Partrick / Flickr
Eyes on Main Street

One of the top places to visit in Wilson, NC, is  the Eyes on Main Street, you get to view the most fantastic photo gallery in town.

The Eyes on Main Street is home to experienced photographers who has acclaimed rights about their works and has gained public recognition.

The beautiful exhibits are displayed on Main Street with a famous photo gallery that shows new artwork regularly changed from the roster of artists in residence.

The magnificent gallery serves as host to the most prominent photography festival around Wilson, North Carolina, which is consistently named on the eyes of main Street.

Additionally, the beautiful gallery is always open from Wednesdays to Saturdays and showcases artwork from famous city media and photography.

For art lovers, do not fail to add to your bucket list of things to do in Wilson, NC.

Address: 126-128 Goldsboro Street, Wilson, North Carolina 27893, United States.

20. Deans Farm Market

Deans Farm Market
Credits: dotshock / Shutterstock

One of the cool things to do in Wilson, North Carolina, is visiting the famous Deans Farm Market for fresh vegetables and healthy foods.

The magnificent Deans Farm Market has been around Wilson, North Carolina, since 1965, making it one of the top attractions.

The small family-owned market boasts extraordinary produce ranging from excellent canned goods to delicious prepared foods, fresh vegetables, cabbage, and foodstuff.

The historical market is well known to carry fashionable apparel and some southern home decorations for interested individuals.

Additionally, the market offers visitors of all ages to learn about agriculture, farming, and all the humble activities of farmers.

Address: 4231 NC 24 W, Wilson, North Carolina 27893, United States.

21. Freeman Round House Museum

 Freeman Round House Museum
Credits: Freeman Round House Museum / Facebook
Freeman Round House Museum

Explore the beautiful scenes of the famous Freeman Round House Museum.

The Freeman Round House Museum archives the history of the cultural traditions and the African American community’s significant contributions in Wilson, North Carolina.

The center stands as the best place to learn about the black community in North Carolina and learn about many exciting things.

The Freeman Round House Museum was established in 2001 to preserve history, shed educational light on culture, promote African and American artworks.

Additionally, the Freeman Round House Museum is open for everyone to explore the grounds and get creative and educative ideas on historical issues.

Address: 1202 Nash Street East, Wilson, North Carolina 27893, United States.

22. Wedgewood Public Golf Course

Wedgewood Public Golf Course
Credits: Yellowj / Shutterstock

Experience some exciting things on the prestigious Wedgewood Public Golf Course, do add to your bucket list of best places to visit in Wilson, North Carolina.

 The historic Wedgewood Public Golf Course is located in the city’s heart near the old Stantonsburg Road, which joins the Wilson County and the Wilson City.

The magnificent Wedgewood Public Golf Course features a challenging 18-hole course layout, a picnic area, a concession stand, and a playground for visiting golfers.

 The center houses a large green field for other sporting activities or recreational activities around the Wedgewood Public Golf Course for nongolfers.

 Additionally, the Wedgewood Public Golf Course also offers golf lessons for beginners and professionals, with club fitting services rendered.

Address: 3201 Old Stantonsburg Road, Wilson, North Carolina 27893, United States.

23. Westview Lanes

Westview Lanes
Credits: Mindscape studio / Shutterstock

Visiting the Westview Lanes is one of the best fun things to do in Wilson, North Carolina, and experience the famous bowling alley, a spot full of completive fist-pumping and ball rolling fun.

The historic center hosts bowling league tournaments, special fundraisers, and bowling events such as glow bowl, which starts every Friday and Saturday night.

 The Westview lane focuses mainly on bowling activities, making it one of the top attractions for the people of Wilson, North Carolina, and its environs.

 The bowling alley offers full service in magnificent grill favorites such as pizzas, burgers, salads, and about six kinds of tap beers.

 Additionally, the center is open for everyone, every day of the and at any time of the day, with lots of fun activities to engage in and experience a great time out.

Address: 1700 Ward Boulevard, Wilson, North Carolina 27893, United States.

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 Start planning your trip to Wilson

Wilson, North Carolina, is a lovely city with many exciting activities to enjoy with your friends or family with lots of things to do and see around the area.

Wilson, North Carolina has many exciting things to do with your family and loved ones, such as biking, hiking, shopping, and sightseeing at museums and historical buildings.

Enjoy sporting activities with friends such as golf, check out artworks, visit beautiful lakes, or smell fragrant flowers; there’s always something for everyone in this charming city.

Visit prominent centers like the Deans Farm Market, Wilson Arts, Eyes on Main Street, and many more to experience a fantastic vacation in Wilson, North Carolina.