The Best NC State Parks are Where You Want to Be this Summer

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When the dampness of Spring finally subsides and fully gives way to the heat and sunshine of Summer there is plenty to enjoy outdoors across North Carolina. Since you’ve settled into your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve, we have continuously reminded you of your prime location in regard to all points of NC. Well, we want to remind you of that once again as we head toward the Summer. We want to remind you that you are in a prime location to visit the Best NC State Parks.

Sure, we know you have seen the spectacular green spaces and the amazing outdoor attractions and beauty at Belmont Lake Preserve and the local surrounding area. But given that at Belmont lake Preserve, you are “never too far from there,” we have done the hard work of selecting the Best NC State Parks and narrowed it to a three-part blog post series, down from literally hundreds of beautiful parks.

The Best State Parks in NC: The First Five, Seeing is Believing

Gorgeous. Amazing. Breathtaking. These are all words used in describing outdoor beauty and parks not just in NC, but anywhere. However, sometimes these words can be used very loosely. Well, not here. Not in North Carolina, and not when we talk about State Parks. In this the first of our three-part series on the Best NC State Parks, we could have chosen what seems to be hundreds of places that would fit the headline. Thus, you can only imagine the true beauty of not just the five featured here, but all 15 of our parks we will discuss in these three posts.

Mount Mitchell State Park

Many call Mount Mitchell State Park the “crown jewel” of North Carolina’s amazing mountain range. Our first entrant of Best NC State Parks stands at 6,684 feet above sea level. This is the highest point anywhere east of the Mississippi River. The views and scenery are so awe-inspiring at this spot that it is said when clear it is possible to see up to 100 miles out. In addition to the killer views, also give Mount Mitchell points for being the very first state park established in North Carolina.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

A unique but welcome trait of the scenic beauty in North Carolina is surely its diversity in the gorgeous types of landscapes that can be seen. The perfect example of this among our Best NC State Parks is Jockey’s Ridge. This beauty sits at the end of the mountains-to-sea-trail. It is the tallest living sand dune on the entire Atlantic Coast. This is an adventure lover’s paradise.

Eli Knob State Park

This entry among our Best NC State Parks gives you an up-close and personal look at some of NC’s rare plant life. Likewise, breath deep and soak in the scenery on the unexplored hiking trails. Wintertime is just fine for Eli Knob state park too, as many love the area for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park is a perfect day trip among our Best NC State Parks. Located at an awesome 2,580 feet, this state park has it all. Five waterfalls, a mountain, a lake, and gorgeous rock outcroppings. Looks like in planning that day trip, you should plan to enjoy filling up the whole day.

Chimney Rock State Park

Another easy addition to the Best NC State Parks is our fifth and final entry of this post. Chimney Rock is the definition of spectacular. Featuring a 404-foot waterfall, rock climbing, hiking, and the legendary boulder, this is a truly breathtaking 5,700 acres of state park heaven.

More of the Best NC State Parks to Come

In the next post, our second in a three-part series on the Best NC State Parks, we will suggest five more beautiful outdoor spots for you to check out at some point this summer or whenever you have the time.

For more information on the Belmont Lake Preserve new home community in Rocky Mount, visit belmontlakepreserve.com.

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Incredible One of a Kind NC Animal Encounters Await You

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Outdoor excursions. Family-friendly fun spots, statewide. Places to get just about every type of delicious food you can imagine. What do these things have in common? They are all just a few of the things that you have discovered across North Carolina since opting to move to your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve. So, with all the great activities to choose from, what could possibly be left to explore in NC? Well, for the animal lover in your home, we have just the thing. A short trip from BLP awaits some of the most unique and once-in-a-lifetime- NC Animal Encounters that you may never even have thought possible.

Below, we have listed and briefly described several destinations across the state that you can enjoy some amazing NC Animal Encounters. Each of those listed is less than a two and a half-hour car ride from Belmont lake Preserve, with our closest stop being less than 30 miles away.

Amazing NC Animal Encounters Under Two and Half Hours from BLP

(Distances given between each site and Belmont Lake Preserve are estimates from Google Maps.)

Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck

Anyone for some bird watching? We don’t just mean your average winged fried flying by either, as the closest of our NC Animal Encounters is just over a half-hour away from Belmont lake Preserve. See the largest collection of waterfowl species in the entire world in addition to flamingos and just about any exotic bird you can imagine.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 37 minutes (27.8 miles)

North Carolina Estuarium, Washington

The next area for more amazing NC Animal Encounters is only a little bit over an hour from your new home in Rocky Mount. This is the world’s first estuarium and still to the day, the only one that focuses on both salt and freshwater species. 

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hour 14 minutes (64.7 miles)

Duke’s Lemur Center, Durham

Do we have a Lemur fan under your roof at Belmont Lake Preserve? No? Well, it would have come as less surprising I guess if you had a fan then it is that North Carolina has an entire sanctuary devoted to them. Regardless, these lovable, furry primates await for another of our NC Animal Encounters at Duke University in Durham

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hour 26 minutes (89.2 miles)

Aloha Safari Zoo, Cameron

This is another exotic animal sanctuary that’s under two hours from your doorstep at BLP. As far as our unique NC Animal Encounters go, at Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron the experiences are just that…unique. Ever want to feed a giraffe? How about nursing a newborn big cat or some type? Well, here is your chance.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hour 47 minutes (115.2 miles)

All-A-Flutter Farms Butterfly Farm, High Point

Now, technically, I am not positive that this counts as one of our NC Animal Encounters. However, we love butterflies, and you know that you do too…so close enough. Come see the entire life cycle of the monarch butterfly at this NC farm that raises them before letting them fly free with millions of other Monarchs on route to Mexico each year.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 2 hours 21 minutes (147.4 miles)

North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro

Our final spot for NC Animal Encounters may be the furthest estimated time from your new home in Rocky Mount. However at just over 140 miles, your trip to the North Carolina Zoo puts you at the largest zoo in the entire world. The NC Zoo is known for its spectacular natural habitats for each species and animal. Also a impressive is how each animal’s country is represented and awaiting you to begin to explore.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 2 hours 24 minutes (140.7 miles)

All Ages Fun Goes Hand in Hand with These NC Animal Encounters

Whether the youngest child in the home or bringing the visiting grandparents, the incredible experiences at the NC Animal Encounters above are truly thrilling for all ages. The fact that all of these are well with in distance of a simple day trip makes these one of a kind moments, well, able to be enjoyed more than once! 

Regardless of how many times you visit any of the above animal destinations, there are so many features at each, you could really never get enough. For more details on the Belmont Lake Preserve new home community, visit belmontlakepreserve.com.

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Top Five Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants

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Now, we all know that there are plenty of amazing and incredible restaurants close to your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve. It seems almost every city or town across NC boasts great places for a variety of types of food. Well, seeing that we are into the warmer months, in this post, we will give suggestions on places to “eat in the heat.” Thus, below, we will give five great choices for Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants. 

In describing a Rocky Mount Summer Restaurant I’d assume that one of the main factors would be that there is outdoor dining. That being said, you still have several choices, but we feel those listed below are five that you can’t go wrong with here in Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants: A Prime Choice Always

Well, for our first stop among Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants, you will find yourself dining outdoors at a restaurant that seems to find its way on every “best of” list in Rocky Mount. This one is no different, ass whether you go BBQ, steak, or somewhere in between, you just can’t go wrong.

The Prime Smokehouse, 207 East Thomas Street, Rocky Mount

Pulled pork. Crab cakes. Smoked wings or ribs. The lip-smacking BBQ from Prime Smokehouse is certainly no secret. Featuring one of the area’s most extensive and unique menus, as well as equally as creative a drink menu, kind makes this a “can’t miss” for the summer. Add in a nice view and great outdoor eating atmosphere and you find why this is the first establishment mentioned in our Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants.

The Specialties are Hot as the Season at Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants

For our next three Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants, we not only looked at user reviews, but we also noticed a pattern. That being each of these, as different as they may be, has a certain specialty that sets the establishment apart from the norm. No, not that the food is so unique, it’s just that in each individual case their specialty is one that’s worth coming for and coming back for. 

The Thirsty Bull, 3665 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount

With unbelievable chops and thick-cut steaks, you’d think just by name that would be the place that the Thirsty Bull would excel. You would not be mistaken, however, that’s not the whole of this sum. This “bull” is equally known for its fresh and delicious seafood offerings as well. A welcoming and fun outdoor patio diner environment with what many feels are the best oysters, crab cakes, steaks, and chops in town? Yeah, sounds like a spot among Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants worth giving a chance!

TBC West Tacos and Taproom, 1121 Falls Road, Rocky Mount

Fresh food and flavorful craft beers are two of the tell-tale signs of success at our next stop among the best Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants. Again, as we think you can agree, in each of these entries you can imagine sitting and enjoying on a sun-soaked evening and indulging in cold craft beers and your choice of fresh style tacos. Smoked chicken, short rib, shrimp, beef, and even grilled cauliflower tacos are all at your call. Likewise, the finest area craft brews are ever-changing at TBC West. With tons of outdoor seating, this place might scream tacos…but it is also hollering summer.

Blanche’s Bistro, 116 Tarboro Street, Rocky Mount

Doesn’t the name “bistro” just scream ” a relaxing, outdoor, summer place?” Well, maybe not all bistro’s, but we might just be have a bias from the amazing next entry of our Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants, Blanche’s Bistro. Sandwiches, salads, and so much more, make Blanche’s Bistro a refreshing stop no question. Also offering wraps and so many fresh options that include soups and bisques daily. A craft brew or a delicious, iced tea or lemonade seems to be perfect no matter the selection to keep cool at this great summertime stop.

Last Among Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants is A Classic Year-Round

Ok, so user reviews are user reviews and sometimes an all-time favorite simply needs some outdoor seating that mirrors its good home atmosphere to make it a “summer” favorite. So, for our final suggestion of Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants, much like the rest of them come to think of it, is actually delightful year-round.

Oak Level Cafe, 2506 Oak Level Road, Rocky Mount

Well, as any local can tell you the food at Oak Level Cafe is certainly “just like you remember from home.” Thus, putting the patio seating out, it becomes a Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants’ favorite. Whether you love their meatloaf, pork chops, or the fried or BBQ variety chicken. No matter which of the scrumptious sides you love at Oak Level. We have to agree that whether, summer, spring, winter, or fall, all of these Rocky Mount establishments are worth a regular visit.

Rocky Mount Summer Restaurants are Just Another Wonderful Part of the Season

With the outdoor activities and amenities both city-wide and at your new home community, Belmont Lake Preserve, the summer is a special time in Rocky Mount, NC. These great restaurants complement the other community-based activities and add to the great local spirit shared between local residents.

For any further information on the Belmont Lake Preserve new home and golf community, visit belmontlakepreserve.com

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