VISITNC
AT TRAC T IONS Robeson Planetarium-Science & Technology Center. Hwy. 72-711,
(910) 671-6015. Planetarium presentations teach astronomy using multimedia, exhibits, photographs and displays. Open to the public with showings each day, the science center has ongoing live TV when NASA is telecasting from space. www.robesonsky.com Southeastern NC Agricultural Center & Farmers Market.
BILL RUSS
1027 US Hwy. 74 E., (910) 618-5699. North Carolina’s newest agricultural center and farmers market. It is the first facility in North Carolina to have a farmers market and multipurpose agricultural building in the same complex. www.agr.state.nc.us/markets
Lexington’s Barbecue Festival treats visitors to “the best barbecue in the world.”
LEWISVILLE Local Information: Winston-Salem CVB (See our ad on page 88) Westbend Vineyards. 5394 Williams Rd.,
(336) 945-5032, (877) 901-5032. Sixty acres of prime vinifera vineyards are neatly tucked into the gently rolling countryside producing Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. www.westbendvineyards.com. See Travel Map for location.
LEXINGTON Local Information: Lexington TA (See our ad on page 79) Arts Center. 220 S. Main St., (336) 249-2742.
Two galleries and the Artifacts Gift Shop with work by area artists – all in a c. 1911 post office. www.co.davidson.nc.us/arts
LILLINGTON Local Information: Dunn Area TDA Raven Rock State Park. 3009 Raven Rock Rd., (910) 893-4888. Eleven miles of hiking trails, seven miles of bridle trails, picnicking, primitive backpack camping. Steep bluff, outcrops. Free; fee for camping (permit required as well). www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/raro/home.html
LITTLETON Local Information: Halifax County TDA Lake Gaston. (252) 535-1687, (800) 522-4282.
Straddling the North Carolina and Virginia border between I-85 and I-95, Lake Gaston is a 20,000-acre lake offering a wide variety of water sports. The surrounding counties of Warren, Halifax and Northampton are rich in heritage tourism attractions. www.visithalifax.com
Bob Timberlake Gallery. 1714 E. Center St.,
(336) 249-4428, (800) 244-0095. A gallery, retail store and museum that features the art, home furnishings and accessories of internationally recognized artist/designer Bob Timberlake. www.bobtimberlake.com Boone’s Cave Park. Boone’s Cave Rd.,
(336) 242-2035. A 110-acre day-use park offering a hiking trail, river fishing and picnicking, Boone’s Cave Park overlooks the Yadkin River on Hwy. 150 S. Several large rock outcrops serve as canoe rest stops along the Yadkin River Canoe Trail. Childress Vineyards. 1000 Childress
Vineyards Rd., (336) 236-WINE. Largest winery in the Southeast. Walking trails through vineyards. Come take a tour of the winery and enjoy a taste of world-class wines. www.childressvineyards.com. See Travel Map for location. Davidson County Historical Museum.
Two S. Main St., (336) 242-2035. Located in the Old Davidson County Courthouse, c. 1858, the museum features artifacts and photographs. The secondfloor courtroom remains intact with its judge’s bench, jury box and prisoner’s holding cage. www.co.davidson.nc.us/museum
78
LOVE VALLEY Local Information: Statesville CVB Love Valley-Old West. 169 Henry Martin
Tr., (704) 592-7451. Authentic old western town in the Little Brushy Mountains complete with saddle shops, rodeo arena, more than 800 acres of horse trails, horse rentals and assorted shops.
LUCAMA Local Information: Wilson VB Whirligigs. Wiggins Mill Rd., (800) 497-7398. Whimsical metal sculptures by Vollis Simpson are powered by the wind. Simpson, whose work was featured at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, uses cast-off items and wind to create visual delights of color, motion and sound.
LUMBERTON Local Information: Lumberton VB
High Rock Lake. High Rock Lake,
Robeson County Showcase Museum.
(866) 604-2389. Located in Davidson and Rowan counties, this 15,000-acre reservoir on the Yadkin River provides excellent boating and fishing.
101 S. Elm St., (910) 738-7979. Museum collection of artifacts relative to Lumberton and Robeson County. www.robesoncountyhistory.org
NORTH CAROLINA TRAVEL GUIDE
MADISON Local Information: Rockingham County TDA (See our ad on page 156) Dan River. (336) 427-8530. Gentle float trips on river running through Rockingham and Stokes County, past rocky cliffs, dense forest and mountain laurels.
MEBANE Local Information: BurlingtonAlamance County CVB (See our ad on page 63) Craftique Furniture Outlet.
1257 W. Center St., (919) 563-1212. Visitors will gain an understanding of the craftsmanship, attention to detail and the many steps necessary for one piece of furniture. www.craftiquefurn.com Iron Gate Vineyards & Winery.
2540 Lynch Store Rd., (919) 304-9463. We perform tours upon request, and as time permits. You will see and learn how our vintage wines are processed from the vine to the bottle. www.irongatevineyards.com. See Travel Map for location.
MIDLAND Local Information: Cabarrus County CVB (See our ad on page 69) Reed Gold Mine. 9621 Reed Mine Rd., (704) 721-4653. Site of the first gold discovery in North America in 1799 by a 12-year-old boy. This led to major mining operations throughout the Piedmont. Tour the visitor center, restored underground tunnels and reconstructed stamp mill. An instructional gold panning experience is available for a small fee on a seasonal basis. www.reedmine.com
MOCKSVILLE Local Information: Davie County C of C Garden Gate Vineyards. 261 Scenic Dr.,
(336) 751-3794. This small family-owned winery produces home-style fruit wines: Muscadine, Blackberry, Scuppernong, Raspberry, Blueberry, Scarlet Blush and Strawberry. Free tasting bar and gift shop featuring hand-crafted ceramics. www.gardengatevineyards.com. See Travel Map for location.