strangest-nc-attractions-and-museums- blp

Since deciding to move into your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve, you have discovered many amazing attractions both locally and statewide. Parks, trails, mountains, and beaches. Just to name a few of the incredible outdoor offerings near and far in North Carolina. Museums, theatres, concert venues, sports events, and more. All here in your home state. Even with all these options considered, some more unique and even odd places across the state consistently draw interest though. Below, we will begin to introduce you to these Strange NC Attractions and Museums that you’ll have a hard time not letting curiosity bring you around to see.

As chance would have it, and this may be getting “repetitive” to hear, but now that you call the Belmont Lake Preserve community your new home, many of these Strange NC Attractions and Museums are pretty close by. In actuality, seven of these stops are under two hours from BLP, and two are less than 40 minutes away. Thus, even when it comes to the more unusual attractions, you are in a great spot. Let’s start with our closest attractions and move along from there.

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson, NC

If not “in the know,” a whirligig, is a large, wooden, wind-driven mechanical windmill. That being said, just over 25 miles from BLP in Wilson, the whirligig is something you really can’t miss. It’s here that they are part the local landscape, thanks to folk artist, Vollis Simpson. The devices incorporate complex movement and sound and some of those made by Simpson have been exhibited at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 37 minutes, 26.6 miles

Country Doctor Museum, Bailey NC

Yet another town not too far from Rocky Mount known for Strange NC Attractions and Museums is Bailey. This is home to Country Doctors Museum, which features three buildings of exhibits. Likewise, the guides are docents and can answer almost anything about the late 18th century or the first half of the 20th century in regard to medicine.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 38 minutes, 35.7 minutes

Strange NC Attractions and Museums Showing you Chainsaw Art and a Variety of Gourds

Now there is a sub-heading that I’m sure you never would’ve imagined you’d read. Or even would have crossed your mind for that matter. However, for the purpose of our Strange NC Attractions and Museums, both stops involved are a very interesting find. On top of that, both of these two entries are only 80-90 minutes from your new home in Rocky Mount, making for a unique road trip whenever you are ready.

Mary and Marvin Johnson Gourd Museum, Angier, NC

Gourds, who’d have thunk it, right?!?! Well, Angier’s Marvin Johnson is known as a “master gourd grower. Likewise, he and his wife have cultivated and collected over 200 different kinds of gourds from all across the world. Whether the tiniest of gourds that are the size of just a small robin’s egg. Or the huge, gigantic African gourds on-site, this is a unique museum and an interesting tour for sure.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hr 26 minutes, 88.9 miles

Clyde Jones- Chainsaw Folk Artist, Bynum, NC

Just outside of the small mill house in Bynum belonging to Clyde Jones are his “critters.” No, that does not refer to a small animal. That is the name that Jones, a “Chainsaw artist,” calls the objects he carves from large chunks of wood. Once finished with his carvings, Jones always adds his own artistic touch and objects to each of his works of art.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hr 33 minutes, 91.4 miles

Two More Strange NC Attractions and Museums Under 100 Away

Wow, it is pretty incredible that so many of these unique destinations are so close to Belmont Lake Preserve. We have already walked you through four Strange NC Attractions and Museums and not traveled further than 90 minutes from home. The next two entries both keep us under the 100-minute mark too and to say both are not somewhat odd attractions would be a lie.

Belhaven Memorial Museum, Belhaven, NC

The town of Belhaven is about 50 miles east of Greenville and locally is known for the Belhaven Memorial Museum. Earning its spot among our Strange NC Attractions and Museums, the museum showcases the collection of Mrs., Eva Blount Way. What did she collect you ask? Well, buttons, of course. She accumulated over 30,000 buttons that are displayed in a fascinating fashion. Buttons are not all though as they also display from different eras of clothing, toys, dolls, china, and even farm tools. Moving even more toward the “strange,” also on display here is a two-headed kitten, a one-eyed fetal pig, and a hare-lipped dog.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hr 37 minutes, 88.7 miles

World’s Largest Frying Pan, Rose Hill, NC

Here is another one that really speaks for itself. Likewise, here is an item that truly “must be seen to be believed.” Located at Rose Hill Town Square at Highway 117, this is one huge pan. How huge? Well measuring at 15 feet, this pan holds over 200 gallons. of cooking oil and could be used to fry up 365 chickens at the same time.

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hr 39 minutes, 103.3 miles

Lastly, a Lesson in Evil at Our Last Strange NC Attractions and Museums Entry

So, we have one more of our Strange NC Attractions and Museums, and this one is near Siler City. Not exactly sure what to make of this one, as it seems a bit dark to me

Devil’s Tramping Ground, Siler City NC

Legends and lore. Evil. None of these things are normally things I’d be interested. However, the legend behind this almost makes so you have to check it out. It said that at this spot, the “devil” paces, which explains a 20 foot across bare piece of earth in his yard. Getting stranger as the night sets in, any items placed in that circle after dusk, will be moved outside of the circle by dawn.                                                                                                                                                   

Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 1 hr 51 minutes, 108.8 miles

This concludes our first of two posts on Strange NC Attractions and Museums. In the follow-up, we will look at the final six Strange NC Attractions and Museums. While these entries may be a bit further away from BLP than some, they are so unique and different, they warrant at least a one-time chance.

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

best-fried-chicken-in-nc

Well, in our first post on the Best North Carolina Fried Chicken, we went through a couple of famous stops in the state. Likewise, we discussed several choices either on a bun or biscuit. In listing the next four selections we will take less of a “sandwich” type look and more of a peek at the “full meal” aspect of our chicken selection for our next five picks.

Now, don’t get us wrong, any of the places listed among our Best North Carolina Fried Chicken selections are going to “knock your socks” off. But, as we did note in our previous post, there is usually something that does set it apart or differ slightly from the pack. Thus, below, we have listed (and these nor the first 4 entries are in any particular order) our final four places for the best-fried chicken in the state.

Fancy, Not-so-Fancy, and With All the Fixin’s: The Best North Carolina Fried Chicken.

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey, Raleigh

Wanna talk about great fried chicken made how or served with whatever you like? Ok, then. let’s talk about the next restaurant on our Best North Carolina Fried Chicken listing. It’s Beasley’s Chicken and Honey in Raleigh and they believe in a little bit of everything.

So, you’d like fried chicken on a waffle? Ok, Beasley’s is the place. How about with an incredible mac-n-cheese on the side of that award-winning fried chicken? You got it, that would be. Beasley’s too! This Raleigh staple is so good it’s said the fried chicken “maintains its Southern roots, but also feels a bit fancy, without directly trying to!”

Slappy’s Chicken, Winston-Salem

Now, if someone could draw a picture of how and what a fried chicken restaurant should be. I see Slappy’s Chicken in Winston Salem. Not too fancy…actually not fancy at all. A humble location that sets the bar for any type of fried chicken around with its out of this world poultry.

Snappy does not only kill it with their dynamite chicken, however. As any local can confirm They also make an amazing mac-n-cheese, and slaw. But the true treat here is the secret Slappy’s Sauce that most slather their fried chicken with. It’s a little sweet, and a bit spicy, and you really have to try it.

Magnolia 23, Asheboro

Like many of the fine restaurants on our list, Magnolia 23 may be a bit unknown outside of its direct location area. However, if you were to bring this name up in Asheboro in regard to the Best North Carolina Fried Chicken you’d get 100 percent support.

Now we have to admit, many if not all of our suggestions for the Best North Carolina Fried Chicken also provide a true “down-home,” welcoming feeling and atmosphere. Magnolia 23 may be the best at providing this type of setting though. This due to their serving up your dinner “family-style” just like a Sunday night at grandma’s.

Mike’s Farm, Beulaville

Kind of ironic that after throughout this article and referring to the “good home” feeling, etc., that with our final stop we are in Beulaville and at Mike’s Farm. They also serve up their meals “family style,” which always brings back fond memories of home. Making Mike’s even more “down-home” is it actually sets on the family’s farm.

In concluding, we will turn to the description used at “Only in Your State.””There’s some kind of southern grandma voodoo magic in fried chicken and maybe that also has to do with the location.” The website’s blog continued, “The cracking grease, grandma with her shoes off cooking in the kitchen, grandpa at the table reading the paper, you…snapping green beans or helping cook collards.” To conclude, they added, “While it’s hard to recreate those moments, some restaurants get you pretty close.” 

The Best North Carolina Fried Chicken: It’s Kind of Important Here!

So, we’ve given you nine incredible options for you to make the call yourself. This is the second of two blog posts dedicated to the topic. Now all that remains is for you to try and make your own call on which is indeed the Best North Carolina Fried Chicken of them all. Sure, it may take a while before you can leave your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve to try all of these delicious options. However, now that NC is your home state, you will be quickly welcomed aboard.

For any details or more information including the currently available homes at Belmont Lake Preserve, visit belmontlakepreserve.com

best-fried-chicken-in-nc

What can we say? In case you can’t tell, there is plenty of food in North Carolina. In this post,  we cover a true favorite. Since you made the move to your new home in Rocky Mount, we are sure you have heard many suggestions for the best food options. Likewise, you probably weren’t disappointed given all the great food options near BLP. However, when it comes to this, you can trust us, that below are tjhe spots for the Best Fried Chicken in NC.

We’ve all heard the term “southern fried chicken” and in North Carolina, that is a term not taken lightly. While these suggestions below are not in any particular order, we are sure that once you are to taste any of them you will understand why we’ve included them among where to get the Best Fried Chicken in NC.

(This is the first of a two-part article on places to get the Best Fried Chicken in NC. We will cover five locations in each post to arrive at our top 10 total entries.)

Best Fried Chicken in NC Served On, In, or With Some Extra Carbs!

We have no less than ten total entries from across the state to list for the Best Fried Chicken in NC. However, as you will see, while all of these are “to die for,” they each are unique in their own way and how they are made. For the first three entries, we have each served in a somewhat similar fashion, but with a different main partner.

Buxton Hall BBQ, Asheville

The unbelievably delicious buttermilk fried chicken from Buxton Hall BBQ in Asheville starts our list out. The most popular way this style of this location’s chicken is between a bun as a sandwich. Earning “Best Fried Chicken Sandwich of the Year” from Bon Appetit magazine, they prepare this sandwich with a hearty serving of pimento and American cheese, pickles, and a side of white BBQ sauce. If that right there doesn’t make you hungry, we aren’t sure what will.

Blue Ridge Biscuit Company, Asheville

Well, it’s safe to say that Asheville is home to some pretty darn good fried chicken. This is the second entry on our list and both places are in the same Western NC town. Another similarity between this and the first entry on our Best Fried Chicken in NC is they serve them with some type of bread. The big difference, however, is at Blue Ridge, your fried chicken comes between a delectable, homemade, fresh-made biscuit. As if that were not enough, this sandwich also gets the full smothering treatment in an amazing, homemade country-style gravy.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, Durham, and Greensboro

The next stop is Dame’s Chicken and Waffles. This place’s chicken is so good they had to open a second location!!! Regardless, both Durham and Greensboro are happy to have them. At Dame’s, they boast fried chicken cooked to absolute perfection on top of a homemade and perfectly fluffy waffle. Each gets its own flavor-infusion butter. Also, word is you’d be foolish to not have their mac-n-cheese as a side.

Legend and Lore Can’t Be Wrong: The Best Chicken in NC Search Continues

There may be no better advertising tool for a restaurant than knocking the socks off a customer with your delicious food. Once they’ve had an incredible experience, they are going to tell their friends, and want to come back. These next two entrants for our Best Fried Chicken in NC are both establishments that have been tops for years. Both are iconic to their own local area. Likewise, you will love every bite from the following “legend.”

Price’s Chicken Coop, Charlotte

Any local will tell you that while it may not look too fancy or big on “glitz and glam,” in Charlotte, Price’s fried chicken is king. From a humble, Southend of Charlotte neighborhood location, Price’s Chicken Coop has survived the growth and expansion of the city changing almost nothing what so ever. Just straight-up fried chicken goodness and by that we mean straight-up Best Fried Chicken in NC goodness since 1962.

The Best Fried Chicken in NC: Half Way Home!

We listed four of our eight selections for the Best Fried Chicken in NC above. The remaining five you will see in the second post in this two-part series. Whether on this list, or next editions, one thing you can be 100 percent sure of is each of these has some seriously amazing chicken. For any information on the Belmont Lake Preserve new home community. visit belmontlakepreserve.com.