Exploring Rocky Mount: Parks, History, Dining & More

Established in 1952, the Rocky Mount Children's Museum and Science Center is one of the top places to visit for families with children in Rocky Mount. The facility is full of history exhibits about the state, as well as the science behind the vast amounts of nature found throughout North Carolina, such as “Native Knowledge: Shared Science” and “Secret of Bees.” There’s also an astronomy center in which visitors can look at the stars.

270 Gay St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-972-1167

The Koi Pond Brewing Company was created to provide delicious, interesting, and high quality craft beer and utilizes as many locally sourced ingredients as possible, highlighting the history and culture of eastern North Carolina. Opened in 2016, Koi Pond Brewing is the first craft brewery to open in the town of Rocky Mount. "The Pond" is the brewery's taproom, open Tuesday to Sunday, and offers a pet-friendly, family friendly setting of trying the ever-changing selection of brews. A few non-alcoholic drinks and wines are available as well. The Koi Pond Brewing Company often hosts trivia nights and live music, too.

1107 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-231-1660

The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences can be found in the middle of downtown Rocky Mount and is considered to be one of the Eastern Seaboard’s premier cultural facilities. The 135,000-square-foot building houses a community performing arts theater, the Children’s Museum and Science Center, and the Arts Center, which produces performing and visual arts programming with a focus on art education for people of all ages. The Art Center hosts a variety of special events, classes, community theatre, and exhibitions throughout the year and has been a part of the community for over fifty years.

270 Gay St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-972-1266

Rocky Mount Mills, situated along the Falls of the Tar River, brings together entertainment, cultural, residential, and commercial amenities into a single unique destination in the town of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The more than 80-acres campus includes light-filled workspaces and residences, outdoor and indoor event venues, the River & Twin “tiny house” hotel, craft breweries, numerous restaurants, and community gathering areas. A restored historic cotton mill, Rocky Mount Mills takes an approach to the historic preservation of the expansive complex that honors the past, yet breathes new life into the intricate brickwork, stout timbers, and plank floors.

1151 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-969-0909

The historic Stonewall Manor is a popular place to see for any history buffs in Rocky Mount. The manor is an excellent example of the Antebellum life of a farm during the nineteenth century in the southern United States. Located near the scenic Tar River, the Stonewall Manor is known for its beautiful scenery and architecture, and is a great destination in town to explore for anyone wanting to learn more about the South’s history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open for guided tours, Stonewall Manor gets its name from a heavy granite wall bordering the front lawn.

1331 Stone Wall Lane, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-903-2155

The Prime Smokehouse Barbecue & Beyond was created by three partners who have been connected for several years. Located in the downtown area of Rocky Mount, the restaurant has become a premiere dining spot in the eastern North Carolina region for anyone looking for good food, particularly southern cuisine, soul food, and good barbeque. The Prime Smokehouse is also a place for entertainment, hosting both national and regional touring entertainers and musicians every weekend.

1151 Falls Rd Ste 1018, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-972-7770

Smith's Red & White originally began in a corner of a local fertilizer and feed store in 1954, opened by Sherwood Smith. With the help of his family, Smith was able to expand his grocery business over the years into the over 20,000-square-foot, full-fledged grocery store it is today. In 2010, the Smith's Red & White Restaurant was opened next door to the market with a focus on old-fashioned home cooking, including meat loaf, country ham, barbeque, chicken, and more. Smith's Red & White is particularly famous for its sausage, made fresh every day for more than sixty years.

3635 N Halifax Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Phone: 252-443-4323