Smithfield is the county seat of Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. This charming town comprises an area of nearly 30 square kilometers in Johnston County’s central part.
The town’s name was derived from its pioneer farmer-landowner John Smith Jr., who also ran a ferry on the Neuse River.
Smithfield has a rich history, and countless intriguing facts make it an exceptional destination. For example, the town is the birthplace of Ava Gardner, one of the most prominent actresses of the 20th century.
This endearing town offers a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. You can explore Smithfield’s past by visiting the Johnston County Heritage Center, which contains exhibits on the county’s history and culture.
Another reason to visit the town is its lively art scene. You can go to the Smithfield Art Center to see the masterpieces of local artists or attend one of the countless festivals and events that take place throughout the year.
Smithfield is also a terrific destination for nature lovers, with its many trails and parks to explore.
Here are the best things to do in Smithfield, NC.
Things to Do in Smithfield, NC
1. Stop by the Johnston County Heritage Center
Johnston County Heritage Center
The Center is housed in the circa 1913 building of the First Citizen Bank. It is dedicated to preserving Johnston County’s history and culture via publications, programs, and exhibits.
The Johnston County Heritage Center contains an exhibit hall that houses many World War II artifacts.
It also provides a reading room on its third floor for those interested in researching the history and culture of the county and its citizens.
The Johnson County Heritage Center also has a gift shop that displays the 1940s-50s memorabilia and quilts, as well as T-shirts, postcards, and books
Address: 241 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
2. Taste Smithfield’s Bright Leaf Hot Dogs
The family-owned Carolina Packers has produced Bright Leaf Hot Dogs in Smithfield for 82 years.
The brand name of this hot dog stems from where the Caroline Packers factory is located, Brightleaf Boulevard.
The fame of the Bright Leaf Hot Dogs is partly from their unique combination of herbs and spices, which gives them a unique, moderately spicy flavor.
These hot dogs do not contain gluten and are made of pork and beef with just 8 grams of fat.
You can get a hold of Bright Leaf Hot Dogs at one of the restaurants in the city. Caroline Packers also offers Red Hots, chili, BBQ, bologna, and sausages.
Address: 2999 S Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
3. Eat at White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken
If you want a bite of the award-winning authentic Eastern North Carolina Pork barbecue, visit the White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken.
The flagship barbecue of this restaurant, cooked using a secret family recipe over 90 years, is a winner in the 2017 Metro Cooking Contest in Washington, DC.
In White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken, pork is cooked slowly in a covered cooker, which helps it retain its smoked flavor.
When the meat is ready, it is then minced and served alone or in a hamburger bun sandwich with coleslaw.
The restaurant has two locations: one is at Brightleaf Boulevard, and the second is on Wilson Mills Road.
Address:3198 S Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
4. Catch a movie at the Howell Theatre
If you want to see the place where film classics like Gone with the Wind were first shown, head to Howell Theatre and buy a ticket.
The Howell Theatre opened in 1935 and showed famous hits like the legendary Charlie Chaplain silent films and King Kong’s first movie production.
This movie theatre is one of the few in the United States that have continuously run for over 75 years. It features the renovated original hardwood floors in each auditorium.
You will find the four auditoriums in this theatre’s building. Seeing a blockbuster movie in any of these auditoriums would be a memorable experience, given the background of the Howell Theater.
Address:141 S 3rd Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
5. Go golfing at the Country Club of Johnston County
Among the fun things to do in Smithfield, NC, is to golf at the Country Club of Johnston County.
Enjoy the terrific views of Holt’s Lake while playing tennis, golfing, or swimming at this 18-hole, 7,000-yard course designed by Ellis Maples.
The Country Club of Johnston County is a semi-private club and course founded in 1936. Its golf course provides scenic views of the nearby Holt Lake.
They offer golf packages for daily fee play, and their clubhouse is open for event rentals and special events.
Their course has played host to many professional and novice events. It offers something for everybody- challenging for the most experienced golfers and providing entertainment for golf amateurs.
Aside from golf, the Country Club of Johnston County also includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a clubhouse open for rentals.
So, come play at one of the most secluded gems of North Carolina and create unforgettable memories.
Address: 694 Country Club Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
6. Enjoy a Live show at Neuse Little Theatre
The Neuse Little Theatre is one of the most lively stages for the performing arts in Johnston County.
This Theatre orchestrated its first show 49 years ago. Since then, it has brought audiences joy in theatrical productions like Spoon River Anthology and Always a Bridesmaid.
It is currently housed in the old American Legion Hut, a log cabin facing the picturesque Neuse River, giving an added appeal to the Neuse Little Theater.
You can catch stage plays, such as comedies and dramas, in this community art center.
The Neuse Little Theatre also organizes acting camps for children to strengthen its lineup of local talents in the performing arts further.
Address: 104 S Front Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
7. Go on a walk at the Buffalo Creek Greenway
The Buffalo Creek Greenway, also called the Neuse Riverwalk, winds along a wooded waterway through the center of Smithfield.
Buffalo Creek Greenway has many access points located all over Historic Downtown Smithfield.But the trailhead at the back of Smithfield Community Park is the most popular entrance.
The Buffalo Creek Greenway spans three miles. This path, part of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail through Johnston County, is open to runners, hikers, and bikers.
It extends for 1,175 miles from the Great Smokey Mountains to the Outer Banks, cutting across many of the most stunning places in the state.
Address: Smithfield, NC 27577, USA
8. Play sports in the Smithfield Community Park
The Smithfield Community Park stretches over 47 acres. It is a hub for outdoor recreational activities, including sports. It is one of the best places to visit in Smithfield, NC.
The Park’s facilities include four tennis courts, four baseball fields, two outdoor basketball courts, four tennis courts, a double batting cage, two soccer fields, and one youth football/ multi-purpose field.
The Smithfield Community Park also has a nine-hole disc golf course, two horseshoes, and bocce ball and shuffleboard facilities.
Locals and tourists also visit this Park for its two playground areas and three picnic shelters.
You can also walk on the paved, flat, mile-long trail twisting around the park’s fringes.
Address: 600 Booker Dairy Road, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
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9. Walk around the Downtown Smithfield Historic District
Historic Downtown Smithfield
Grab a map of the Smithfield Walking Tour from the Johnston County Heritage Center, where the walking tour begins. This tour will show you around the Downtown Smithfield Historic District.
The tour summarizes the town’s history in its 19 stops in a walk close to the Neuse River leading to the Johnston County Courthouse.
The vintage building, which consists of the Downtown Smithfield Historic District, includes remarkable depictions of the Art Deco and Classical Revival architectural styles.
These buildings were constructed from around the 1890s to the 1930s and contain the 1913 Carolina Telephone Building, the 1935 Howel Theater, the 1921 Austin Building, and the 1937 Municipal Building.
Touring the Downtown Smithfield Historic District should be on your itinerary of top things to do in Smithfield, NC.
Address: Smithfield, NC, United States
10. See the plants at the Arboretum at Johnston Community College
One of the must-visit places for green thumbs vacationing in Smithfield is the Arboretum at Johnston Community College.
You will learn a lot if you visit this arboretum that encourages the responsible and careful use of cultivated plants.
It is also a supporter of the conservation of native species, and by doing so, the arboretum creates an educational environment for students and guests.
The arboretum assesses and obtains select plant materials for aesthetic display to accomplish this goal.
The arboretum organizes community events and offers guests walking trails in its Southern Garden, showcasing the southern region’s ornamental shrubs, traditional flowers, and trees.
Address: 245 College Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
11. Solve mysteries at Ready-Set-Escape
Test your thinking prowess at the puzzle rooms of Ready-Set- Escape. It is among the fun things to do in Smithfield, NC.
This Smithfield recreational facility contains escape rooms where players aged ten and up can play.
Immediately, you and your group are shut in an escape room; you will look for clues and unravel puzzles step by step.
To make the game more exciting and challenging, there’s a time limit of one hour for you to find all the answers to the puzzles and break free of the room.
Ready-to-Escape has three fictional locations to choose from. The rooms include Hollywood HeiStreet, Pirates Plunder, and Million Heir Madness.
Solving puzzles at Ready-Set-Escape is another fun thing to do in Smithfield.
Address: 1304-D W Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
12. Taste delicious wines at the Hinnant Family Vineyards
A wine tour of the Hinnant Family Vineyards is one of the top things to do in Smithfield, NC, especially if you love wines.
The Hinnant Family Vineyard & Winery, almost 50 years old, is Carolina’s biggest commercial Muscadine vineyard.
This vineyard offers daily tasting. You can sample a large variety of its award-winning wines, from sweet to dry.
The Hinnant Family Vineyard & Winery also has a gift shop selling assorted jams, jellies, cheese, and crackers.
While visiting, you can relax on the winery’s expansive front porch and take in the lovely view of the vineyard.
Hinnant Family Vineyards is in Pine Level, NC, 10 minutes from Smithfield, NC.
Adddress:826 Pine Level Micro Rd, Pine Level, NC 27568, United States
13. Shop different items at the Brightleaf Flea Market
Still looking for what to do in Smithfield, NC? Go shopping at the Brightleaf Flea Market, covering 100,000 square feet of space. You may need the entire day to peruse each vendor’s stall in this flea market.
Brightleaf Flea Market has a diverse choice of goods for sale, including assorted furniture, handmade leather goods, and different antique items.
More vendors outside the main building offer a blend of new and used items, craft supplies, vintage goods, Mexican handmade goods, and more.
Many food vendors on the flea market grounds also serve a large selection ranging from Italian Ice to tacos.
Address: 2320 S Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
14. Buy lovely souvenirs at Carolina Pottery
Carolina Pottery, located within Carolina Premium Outlets, offers an extensive collection of seasonal stores and home decors in a 100,000 sq ft space.
You will find adorable bed sheets, pillows, bath goods, kitchen accessories, and many more here.
Bring your spouse here and allow them to enjoy a “me time” while perusing the aisles of home goods.
Check out their gift shop and scan through their collection of souvenirs and wines.
Address:1025 Outlet Center Dr #1000, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
15. Grab some bottles of drinks at Deep River Brewing Company
When you visit Clayton, you will find tons of local delights, including local drinks. The Deep River Brewing Company is one of the best places to sample local drinks.
At this bar, you will find a selection of craft beers you can enjoy, with varieties and flavors.
Aside from the different types of beers, there is also a list of ciders and seltzers you can try.
Whether you want to drink straight from the tap or try their canned products, there are tons of options at Deep River Brewing Company.
Deep River Brewing Company is in Clayton, NC, 17 minutes from Smithfield, NC.
Address: 700 W Main St #102, Clayton, NC 27520, United States
16. See the miniature horses at Banks Miniature Horse Farm
Visit the Banks Miniature Horse Farm and get the opportunity to meet big and small horses.
Banks Miniature Horse Farm is home to a selection of horses you can marvel at and even buy.
When you visit this farm, you will find various services and options that serve the farm’s horse residents.
To know more about the different miniature horses that Banks Miniature Horse Farm has, check out their page, and you may even come across the ones available for purchase.
You can also discover additional details on the farm’s services and options on its website.
Address: 145 Peele Rd, Clayton, NC 27520, United States
17. Walk around the Smithfield Town Commons
The Smithfield Town Commons is located on South Front Street and Bridge Street’s northwest corner.
The town’s founder, John Smith Jr, established this small Park with a boat ramp and a walkway along the Neuse River.
You can picnic or fish by the river at the Smithfield Town Common.
The park also has an amphitheater that serves as the primary venue for the yearly Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival, which started in 1985 and is held on the first weekend of May.
Furthermore, you can keep your eyes out for the Annual Smithfield River Rat Regatta. It is held in July or August at the boat ramp.
This event is a quirky race of two-person teams paddling boats constructed from cardboard with duct tape and glue.
Address: 200 N Front Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
18. Appreciate the Plants and Fauna at the Main Street Community Garden
At this community garden, you’ll discover a selection of flowers and other plants tended to by the volunteer.
Although Main Street Community Garden may not be the most famous attraction in Clayton, it is a perfect spot for anyone with a green thumb.
If you like, you can also sign up as a volunteer for the garden and look after a plant bed.
Anyone interested in gardening will have a fun and memorable time in Main Street Community Garden.
Address: 439 E Main Street, Clayton, NC 27520, United States
19. Learn about Ava Gardner at the Ava Gardner Museum
Ava Gardner Museum
Visit the Ava Gardner Museum if you are a fan of classic American movies. Famous 90’s artist Ava Gardner, one of the most gorgeous faces in Hollywood history, is commemorated and remembered at the Ava Gardner Museum.
This Museum is a must-visit place for anyone interested in the life and times of this actress, who is considered one of the most legendary stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Whether you are a passionate fan or just curious, visiting this Museum is a great opportunity to learn about her life and contribution to the entertainment industry.
Get to know Ava with her stardom and wealth aside and see an 18-minute movie about her girlhood and rise to fame in Hollywood.
Also, the Museum features an art gallery, a theater, a library, a gallery, and a gift shop.
Whether you are a fan of Ava Gardner or just a lover of classic movies, the Ava Gardner Museum is a magnetic and educational place that should not be missed. The Museum is open seven days a week.
Address: 325 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
20. Sample the Cocktails and attend live jazz shows at Revival 1869
The Revival 1869 features a remarkable selection of drinks and live jazz during certain days of the week. You can peruse many varieties of whiskey and distinct cocktails at Revival 1869.
The whiskey and cocktail bar features various cocktails throughout different seasons and provides tons of bites you can enjoy with them.
Aside from all this, Revival 1869 also offers a selection of syrups you can pair with your drinks.
If you are interested in the bar’s live jazz entertainment, you can catch a show on Thursday or Saturday night.
Address: 222 E Main Street, Clayton, NC 27520, United States
21. Enjoy various attractions at the Boyette Family Farms
Would you like to experience local agriculture and have fun while doing so? If so, you must visit the Boyette Family Farms
The Boyette Family Farm may have an abundance of products to check out, but besides this, the farm is more popular for its seasonal events.
During Halloween, you can enjoy different haunted attractions at night at the farm.
You can experience daytime attractions, such as pumpkin patches and hayrides.
Additionally, the Boyette Family Farms presents Christmas-themed sights and treats.
In addition to their themed attractions, the farm opens its doors for harvesting fruits and plants from August through September.
You can check out their page to learn more about the attractions the Boyette Family Farms offers.
Address: 1620 Loop Rd, Clayton, NC 27527, United States
22. Admire the views while exploring the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse
Clayton has many available natural sights, one of which you can visit is the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse.
This beautiful natural attraction is a paved trail spanning and covering a width of ten feet.
While exploring this trail, you will find the Neuse River and other intertwined trails that lead to tons of other sights.
Due to the different linked trails, the town added various trailheads and parking spaces for convenience.
Apart from this, cyclers and hikers can find a path leading to the town’s downtown area.
Clayton River Walk on the Neuse is an idyllic spot for countless explorations.
Address: 2671 Covered Bridge Rd, Clayton, NC 27527, United States
23. See a show at the Clayton Center
Although there are various attractions and sights you can check out in Clayton, the only place you can enjoy a variety of events and shows in one place is at the Clayton Center.
The Clayton Center features all types of local talents and hosts various events throughout the year.
To see which shows are available and buy the best tickets, visit the Center’s website for additional details.
Apart from the Center’s performance, you can also check out their rental services.
Address: 111 E 2nd Street, Clayton, NC 27520, United States
24. Pamper your skin at the European Touch of Beauty Waxing & Skin Care Studio
For women who want to get some treatment or some pampering, there are various options for you in Clayton.
However, one of the best places to rejuvenate your skin or enjoy some self-care is the European Touch of Beauty Waxing & Skin Care Studio.
Their services range from waxing to facials and lots more. Another perk of visiting this studio is that they use organic products for all their treatment.
Regardless of the treatment you pick at European Touch of Beauty Waxing & Skin Care Studio, you will surely receive excellent care.
Address: 209 Champion Street, Clayton, NC 27520, United States
25. Catch a movie at Smithfield Cinemas
Are you searching for indoor activities to do when it’s cold or raining? If so, see a movie at the Smithfield Cinemas.
Catching the latest hits at the cinema is one of the best things to do in Smithfield, NC, with your loved ones.
The Smithfield Cinema features 50 to 210-capacity seating and closed captioning, audio descriptive, and hearing-impaired devices for patrons.
At Smithfield Cinemas, you can enjoy high-back roller seats, ten wall-to-wall screens, retractable arm seats with cup holders, all digital sound, RealD to Digital 3D, and more.
Invite some pals for a movie night at the cinema and grab drinks and popcorn to round off the movie experience.
Address: 175 S Equity Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577, United States
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Plan Your Trip to Smithfield
You can’t be short of what to do in Smithfield, NC, regardless of where your interest lies.
So what’s the delay? Plan your trip to Smithfield, NC, today. A delightful experience awaits you.