A couple of weeks ago, I took a quick drive down to Goldsboro to experience all the wonderful things occurring in town! Thanks to the unique mix of Southern charm and tranquil outdoor spaces, there are a lot of things to do in Goldsboro NC. Some of which are spending time in their thriving downtown scene, trying an upcoming craft beer, and eating delicious BBQ.
It was less than an hour drive from our home in Wake County and I honestly had no idea just how much Goldsboro had to offer. I shared a recap of my weekend over on Instagram in my Instastories, and got several comments from people interested in planning a trip now! It’s the perfect spot for a day trip if you’re based in the Triangle or in Greenville, but also has a lot to offer if you want to spend the night! Check out all the great things to do in Goldsboro below!
Top 10 Things to Do in Goldsboro NC
Grab coffee & a pastry at Labrar Coffee
Labrar Coffee is a quaint, intimate coffee shop right in downtown Goldsboro. I loved their drip coffee and their kale danish. I loved the artwork and the outdoor seating.
Hike the Cliffs of the Neuse
Take a quick, relatively flat hike around the Cliffs of the Neuse. It’s a little under 3 miles with well-maintained trails, beautiful views, and history incorporated into the hike. The state park also has a campground with cabins for rent, a swimming lake, and a boat house where you can rent standup paddle boards and pedal boats.
Outfit Details:
Patagonia Pullover | Beyond Yoga Leggings (old, similar) | Adidas Sneakers | Ray-Ban Polarized Aviators
Lunch at Jay’s Sushi and Burger Bar
This Asian-American fusion restaurant is located right downtown. I highly recommend the Bulgogi fries, trying one of their sushi rolls, and definitely their burger. It was great to go with friends and sample a little bit of everything because the menu is really eclectic and delicious! It’s a Goldsboro staple!
Explore downtown Goldsboro
Downtown Goldsboro is a thriving scene with boutiques, restaurants, bottle shops, and lots of murals! I spent the afternoon wandering around downtown, popping in and out of boutiques, and my favorite was Carolina Pine Country Store. I picked up a few gifts for the upcoming holiday season, plus they sell Annie Sloan chalk paint. The murals are quite interesting and the art scene downtown is really interesting as well. Many of the murals are painted by local artists.
Find a local event
While I was in town, I attended WISE: Women Inspiring Success and Empowerment, a fireside chat with inspiring women leaders in North Carolina. Our panel guests were NC Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, WRAL morning anchor Renee Chou, NC author Kristy Woodson Harvey (her books seen here), and chef Vivian Howard (restaurants seen here). Paramount Theatre often has events happening, or just stroll downtown and see what’s going on at various businesses. There is a lot happening in downtown Goldsboro!
Outfit Details:
J. Crew Sweater | J. Crew Jeans | Target Mules
Notorious RBG Shirt | J. Crew Pleated Skirt | J. Crew Denim Jacket | Mignonne Gavigan Mini Madelines
Check in for an Overnight Stay
I stayed at the Hampton Inn and was greeted with hot coffee, a warm towel, and friendly service. My room was cozy, with soft bed linens and a comfy bed, which really made for a good night’s sleep to gear up for the next day.
Enjoy breakfast at Kathy’s Kitchen
Looking for a good, home-style country breakfast? Definitely stop at Kathy’s Kitchen. This type of restaurant is one of my favorite aspects of small towns in North Carolina, and this one is no exception. Their breakfast menu is extensive and delicious.
Saturday Morning Yoga at BrewMasters
Flow yoga is a great way to start a weekend, and this free class at BrewMasters is a great option. Stay for a pint after class. There is plenty of free parking around downtown, so make a day of it!
Brews and Cues Tour
This tour of Goldsboro and Wayne County is a great way to eat and drink your way through the area! We started our tour at Brew Works and learned more about the taproom and bottle shop, plus their upcoming expansion into the craft beer scene downtown.
Outfit Details:
Sweater Tunic (old, similar) | Spanx Faux Leather Leggings | Cuyana Small Tote (+ Insert)
Our second stop was for lunch at Adams Downtown BBQ, a new restaurant in the downtown scene. Adams BBQ has a roadside stand out on Highway 70, and recently opened a second location in downtown. We got to sample a variety of options on the menu and learn more about the process Adams uses. It’s a great lunch spot!
The third stop was to the microbrewery in Mt. Olive, R&R Brewing, which features a lager called Pickletown beer after the famous Mt. Olive Pickle Company, located right at the end of the street from R&R. Don’t let the exterior fool you; R&R is tastefully decorated with personalized touches throughout. Plus, Max the Saint Bernard is there to greet you, which really was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
And our final stop was to McCall’s BBQ and Seafood, a Goldsboro institution for the last 30 years. McCall’s has some of the best eastern NC style BBQ and their buffet has something for everyone. It’s a great spot and I definitely didn’t have dinner that night after making this our final stop. I find it also worth noting that while I am not a fan of bananas, I make an exception for McCall’s banana pudding.
There are some cool events and festivals happening in Goldsboro, too. Mark your calendars!
- A final, seasonal fun event is Downtown Lights Up. Featuring music, hot cocoa, kids’ crafts, trolley rides, and of course Santa, it’s a fun way to welcome in Christmas. Downtown Lights up this year is on Tuesday November 26th.
- NC Pickle Fest: This is annual, and the next one is 24-25th April 2020. It’s held in Mt Olive, home of all things Pickle, and is an extraordinary few days of family fun, live music, food, drink, and all things pickle themed!
- Wings Over Wayne Air Show: This happens every other year, there was one this year so the next is 2021. Wings Over Wayne in NCs biggest free air show. Put on by SJAFB, it is a truly spectacular weekend with wall to wall flying displays, ground displays, food, drink, and music.
Shop the Post
Thank you to Visit Goldsboro for partnering with I’m Fixin’ To and organizing the itinerary and experiences for this trip. As always, all opinions are my own.
Which of these things to do in Goldsboro NC looked like the most fun to you? Share in a comment below!
Goldsboro is such a fun little town. It has really grown over the past few years. Downtown is amazing. I actually live in goldsboro so it is fun to see all of the adventures you took. Jays sushi is amazing as well as mccall’s bbq. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit.
tHANK YOU so much for visiting Goldsboro and sharing your experience while in wayne county, nc!!