A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to explore Warrenton, a gem of a small town in North Carolina. I love seeing what small towns are doing and Warrenton is a bright spot! It’s about an hour and half outside of Raleigh and is such a beautiful drive right now with the leaves turning. It’s the perfect spot for a day trip if you’re based in the Triangle or in Greenville, and has a lot to offer if you want to spend the night! Check out all the great things to do in Warrenton below!
Looking for other day trip ideas across North Carolina? Check out my Travel section of I’m Fixin’ To here. You can also follow along on my 100 county tour challenge here.
A Day Trip to Eastern NC Gem: the Best Things to Do in Warrenton NC
Have Lunch at Drip Coffee + Market
We left right before lunch time and arrived at Drip Coffee + Market around 12:30 for lunch. I ordered the BLT croissant and I ordered a Chai Latte to go. Drip is such an adorable spot right in downtown Warrenton. Their turkey club is another great option! The space is warm, welcoming, and spacious. They have a delicious menu, including mini donuts and soup of the day options.
Drip is located at 108 S Main St, Warrenton, NC 27589.
Rosemont of Virginia Vineyards
It’s been years since I visited Rosemont Vineyards, so I was excited to visit again. My friend, Kristen, recommended for us to stop at JB Jones & Co., which is a gas station less than half a mile from the vineyard, to grab a baked good to take with us. She did not disappoint with this recommend, y’all! Don’t skip this on your day trip!
Rosemont Vineyards is offering wine tastings of 4 wines for $10. You can make reservations for 1 hour and 45 minutes to enjoy the wine tastings. They also have various items available to make your own charcuterie board while there. This gem of a place is definitely worth the stop! It’s only about 25 minutes from Warrenton. Also, there is the cutest pup, Maddie, who you should absolutely give pets to because she’s a good girl.
Rosemont of Virginia is located at 1050 Blackridge Rd, La Crosse, VA 23950.
P.S. I brought home a bottle of Virginia Red and Virginia White.
Robinson Ferry Restaurant and Spirits
We headed back to Warrenton for dinner at Robinson Ferry, which has been on my list for a while to try. It certainly did not disappoint! I highly recommend making a reservation, especially if you’re going on a Friday or Saturday. With the weather getting cooler, request a table by the fire.
We ordered the fried spicy cheese curds and the fried green tomatoes with pimiento cheese. Glory and I split the Deluxe Cheeseburger and sampled the seafood risotto, and the grilled salmon. The food was absolutely delicious and the perfect menu for the area. I really loved the Southern favorites with an upscale twist. I also loved the laid back, welcoming atmosphere.
Robinson Ferry Restaurant is located at 111 Bragg St, Warrenton, NC 27589.
Chilly Chicken Creamery
We finished our day trip with dessert at Chilly Chicken Creamery. They make 16 flavors in house, including seasonal flavors, that can be served in cups or cones or in delicious milkshakes. They also have sundaes, homemade ice cream sandwiches, and floats. I ordered a milkshake with pumpkin sorbet and pumpkin spice latte ice cream and wow was it delicious!
Chilly Chicken also serves gourmet grilled cheeses and soup. The Sophomore paired with Tomato Soup is on my list of things to try the next time we visit!
Chilly Chicken Creamery is open Monday-Thursday 3:00-9:00, Friday 3:00-10:00, Saturday 11:00-10:00, and Sunday 11:00-8:00. It’s located at 111 Bragg St, Warrenton, NC 27589.
P.S. If you visit Warrenton this fall, be sure to try the apple butter ice cream at Chilly Chicken! I paired it with oatmeal raisin cookies for an ice cream sandwich and it was delicious!
Honorable Mentions
Since my last trip to Warrenton, there have been more a few more local businesses that have opened! Check these out when you’re in town.
Mill Hill Taproom
Mill Hill Taproom is right outside of the historic downtown area and has ample outdoor seating. They offer live music and food trucks so beside to check their Instagram for their line-ups!
Locōrum Distillery
Locōrum Distillery is a beautiful space right in the historic district. It’s a great spot to stop for a drink and sip a cocktail featuring their distilled spirits!
Outfit Details
J. Crew Sweater | Barbour Wrap | J. Crew Jeans | Booties | Slip Silk Mask
David Yurman Bracelets 1 2 | Vote Necklace | Gold Pendant | Mignonne Gavigan Earrings
Cuyana Tote and Tote Insert | Brixton Felt Fedora
Photos by Glory Roze Photography
A special thank you to my friend, Kristen of Tabletop Media Group, for showing us around her quaint town! This trip was curated by Offline Media as part of their monthly perks. If you’re interested in exploring the Triangle and sometimes beyond, join using this link and my code meghangrant for your first month free and I’ll get $5 off my next month.
Shop the Post
This post was originally published in October 2020 and has since been updated and recirculated in 2021.
