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Just because winter is upon us does not mean that staying home is the way to go. The happenings don't cease due to inclement weather. As it's said in showbiz, "The show must go on!" Go on it shall, as we list out activities below to do and places to go when we need heavy jackets. A walk in the park may be out, but here are some of our favorite winter activities in Kinston, North Carolina.
CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center
This is an educational museum inspired by events that took place during the American Civil War. The center was named for the steam-powered, ironclad warship by the same name that was part of the Confederate Navy. There were 26 other ships similar to the CSS Neuse in the navy.
After the ship sunk, not too far from where the interpretive center sits today. Over 15,000 items were left aboard to be discovered after it was purposely sunk at the end of the war. In 1963, the ship was given new life after being raised back to the surface.
Those items and more can be viewed in person at the museum. Your group is guided by knowledgeable actors who represent the time whence the Neuse came. You will have gotten a real lesson in history and the making of a battleship by the time you leave. The reconstruction of the ironclad is called CSS Neuse II. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children three and up.
Mother Earth Brewing
This local craft brewery takes its name very seriously. Not only do they want to make the best beverage on the planet, but they also strive to do what's right for the earth as well. Mother Earth Brewing is working to reduce its carbon footprint with a solar-powered taproom.
"Small town. Small batch. Small footprint," is the motto they live by and hope to encourage guests to embrace beyond the taproom. You can begin to ponder how to practice more conservation out in the beer garden while sipping the latest beer.
Harmony Hall
Who doesn't love a beautifully designed home? We are lucky to have quite a history here in Kinston, enough to have preserved some buildings that can be treasured for years to come. One such place is Harmony Hall.
One of the oldest structures in the whole county, this hall has been revamped with a focus on the time period it was built in. The home of Governor Caswell became an official residence when he and his family made the move in 1772. However, what you see was not what Caswell saw at the time, as many rooms were added in the years following.
Harmony Hall has guided tours and is available for walking through to the public from Wednesday through Saturday. It has been widely viewed as haunted, so make sure to bring a camera. If you're looking for a wedding venue, they can also help with that.
Community Council for the Arts
Any artistic impulse you have can probably be made here. For more than 50 years, this art center has been motivating citizens to express themselves through creativity. This building has 30,000 square feet of opportunity that CCA is more than ready to maximize. Here are some of what they have scheduled:
Mitchelltown Historic District
Depending on the weather, this winter activity can be done on foot or by car. House after house, Victorian-style homes jump out at you with their bright colors and old-world charm. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places over three decades ago. Mitchelltown is a residential time capsule of the middle class. From around the turn of the 20th century.
Today, they are part of a project to reinvigorate the area funded by smART Kinston. 25 artists involved in the movement have moved to the city to help create the transformation here and in other places nearby. With all the work that has gone into each house, it's worth the stroll or warm car ride to check out.
Going through this list makes you realize that, no matter the weather, this city has a story to tell. Cold weather is no excuse to go out and explore Kinston, whether it is your hometown or you're a guest.
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
