WILSON VISITORS GUIDE Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park WELCOME! Welcome To Wilson, NC WILSON FACTS Wilson, North Carolina has a reputation for being filled with There is something for everyone to enjoy with historic walking CLIMATE - Wilson has a mild climate which is a favorable factor in HOW TO GET TO WILSON - Wilson is conveniently located halfway friendly people and there is no place better than the Wilson Visitors tours, museums and four gardens to enjoy among locally owned the life of Wilson. On average, the temperature is in the 60’s. During between New York and Florida on I-95. You can take exits 107-121 Center to experience that for yourself. Our information specialists restaurants, boutique shops, festivals, music, concerts, theater and the summer you can enjoy a comfortable evening outside and during to Wilson. Wilson is 45 miles east of Raleigh, the state Capital, and (happy concierges) will make you feel welcome, answer questions so much more. Come and enjoy a local brewery or favorite wine or the winter there is very little snow. Wilson’s elevation is 147 feet and 100 miles from the coast. Wilson is located 30 miles north of I-40 and provide a wealth of resources to make sure your trip to Wilson is bottle shop for a unique experience. averages 4 inches of rainfall per month. and is intersected by US 301, US 264 (I-587), US 117 and I-795. everything you want it to be. For additional information planning a small meeting, wedding, POPULATION - Wilson was named after the prominent 19th century We invite you to explore our vibrant community. Our historic down- family reunion or a simple visit, contact 800-497-7398 and check Eastern North Carolina Legislator, Col. Louis D. Wilson. The City town has brought the creativity of art to life with the Vollis Simpson out our website. of Wilson has a population of approximately 50,000 people. Wilson Whirligig Park and all of the sprawling development surrounding is the county seat, with a population of approximately 80,000 and a this public park. www.wilson-nc.com Facebook@WilsonVisitorsCenter total area covering 374 square miles. 2 www.wilson-nc.com Wilson Visitors Guide 3 Contents CONTENTS 6-7 Accommodations 6-9 Events & Seasonal 8-11 Restaurants / Bars 10-13 Attractions Wilson Visitors Center Located in Historic Downtown Wilson 14-15 Shopping 14-15 Theater 209 Broad Street Wilson, NC 27893 16-19 Antiquing 16-17 Art Galleries 1-800-497-7398 18-19 Museums 252-243-8440 20-23 Events / Seasonal www.wilson-nc.com 24-27 Attractions 20-23 Sports 28-29 Theater 24 Parks & Campgrounds City of Wilson ........................................................................ 252-399-2311 County of Wilson .................................................................. 252-399-2803 30-31 Art Galleries 25 Lakes & Nature Trails Parks & Recreation ............................................................... 252-399-2266 32-33 Museums 26-27 Gardens YMCA ..................................................................................... 252-291-9622 Rocky Mt./Wilson Airport ...................................................... 252-291-0417 34-37 Sports 28-31 Antiques Wilson Industrial Air Center .................................................. 252-291-8810 Wilson Chamber of Commerce .............................................. 252-237-0165 38-39 Parks & Recreation 32-33 Accommodations Wilson County Public Library ................................................ 252-237-5355 The Wilson Times Newspaper .............................................. 252-243-5151 40-41 Gardens 34-39 Restaurants Wilson Downtown Development Corporation ....................... 252-399-2395 Wilson Economic Development Council ................................. 252-237-1115 42-43 Schools / College 40-42 Shopping Wilson County Fairgrounds ................................................... 252-237-8443 Wilson Medical Center, A Duke Life Point Hospital .............. 252-399-8040 44-45 Transportation / Services 43 Transportation 1705 Tarboro Street • Phone: 252-399-8040 • wilsonmedical.com Wilson Police Department .................................................... 252-399-2323 46-47 Notes / Map of Wilson 44-45 Colleges & Schools Sheriff’s Department ............................................................. 252-237-2118 State Highway Patrol (via cell phone) ............................................. Dial *HP 46-47 Notes / Map of Wilson EMERGENCIES — 911 www.healeypublishing.com 217 Brew Works (pg39) Wilson Visitors Guide 5 ANNUAL CALENDAR African American Cultural EVENTS & SEASONAL Heritage Celebration EVENTS & SEASONAL OF EVENTS First Fridays on the Lawn JANUARY AUGUST SEASONAL INSPIRATIONS Martin Luther King Exhibit First Fridays on the Lawn & Celebration Welcome back Barton College Wilson County Fair is held 3rd week of September. It features agriculture exhibits FEBRUARY and competitions, shows, food, games and SEPTEMBER Love The Symphony at Barton College rides. Fun for the whole family. Wilson County Fair (mid September) The Barton College Wilson Symphony MARCH Wilson Fly In Celebration Orchestra offers the public four perfor- Wilson Spring Expo Downtown Beats & Eats Fall mances each year, including two signature The Brittany Soccer Showcase Concert Series dinner performances: Symphony and Soul “Seven” Event Imagination Station and Love the Symphony. For information APRIL about season membership and ticket prices: First Fridays on the Lawn 252-399-6535 or email: mpeterson@barton. Wilson Woman’s Club Homes Tour edu (even years) OCTOBER Art Stroll of Wilson First Fridays on the Lawn Wilson Chorale began in 1972 as a pros- Carolina’s Conference Collegiate Baseball Tournament Banking on the Arts pered group of choral singers representing Black Creek Heritage Day Wilson. Concerts are offered throughout the Eyes On Main Street Photo Festival Gig in the Park Spring Concert Series (Mid October) year locally, as well as group performances Downtown Beats & Eats Fall all over the nation annually. For performance Concert Series information: 252-243-2877 MAY Sunday in the Rose Garden Join Bluegrass musicians at the Bluegrass (2nd weekend in May) NOVEMBER Barn on Tuesday nights from 8:00 pm until Porch Tour & Art Stroll (May-August) NC Whirligig Festival midnight, located on Horne’s Church Road Wilson Farmer Artisan Market (first weekend in November) – 1½ miles from the intersection of Hwy. 58 Preservation of Wilson Garden Party West – A variety of musical groups and in- Jet Rally non-profit organizations and three stages of The main exhibition features 100 photo- DECEMBER dividuals show off their talent. The event is Eyes On Main Street Photo Festival live entertainment. graphs by 100 prominent and emerging free to the public. Gig in the Park Spring Concert Series Light Up Wilson www.wilsonwhirligigfestival.org photographers from over 30 countries Christmas Tour of Old & Historic NC Whirligig Festival with an equal number of men and women Homes Eyes on Main Street Photo Festival participants. The exhibition, curated by JUNE Historic Downtown Wilson Jerome De Perlinghi and co-curated by The NC Whirligig Festival is held on Eyes On Main Street Photo Festival Christmas Parade Catherine Lloyd and Régina Monfort, the first full weekend of November. This Eyes on Main Street is a large outdoor Gig in the Park Spring Concert Series Symphony and Soul focuses on the theme of “Main Street, a award-winning event is attended by and indoor photography festival. Held each Wilson Choral Concert Crossroad of Cultures” as interpreted by the approximately 50,000 visitors. Historic spring for 100 days, transforming Historic JULY A Downtown Christmas individual photographers. Wilson Winter Lights Downtown Wilson is filled with more than Downtown Wilson into a vibrant gallery of Fireworks Celebration at Historic 100 unique artisan booths, food vendors, large-scale photographs spanning over six Fleming Stadium and Wilson city blocks. www.EyesOnMainStreetWilson.com 6 www.wilson-nc.com County Fairgrounds Wilson Visitors Guide 7 Playing Fields – J. Burt Gillette Athletic Swimming – public swimming pool, ride EVENTS & SEASONAL Complex located on Corbett Avenue, has a the Miniature Train or play tennis at the EVENTS & SEASONAL complex made up of eight collegiate size Wilson Parks & Recreation Center. soccer playing fields with 2 turf fields. The 252-399-2266 area covers 14 acres of a 113 acre plot. Great for soccer events and home to first class Tennis – over 50 courts available, contact baseball fields and a miniature “Fleming Wilson Parks & Recreation. Stadium”. 252-399-2266. See a movie at Carmike 10 Cinema Lake Wilson Tennis Club, located at Theater, 1501 Ward Boulevard 252-265-5530 4738 Lake Wilson Road. or at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. 252-237-8880 Watch a Wilson Tobs Baseball Game Trails – Wilson is home to the N.C. African at Fleming Stadium, mid May through American Music Trail, the Homegrown August. Visit the NC Baseball Museum Handmade Trail and the NC Civil War trail. while you are there. Visit Deans Farm In the fall and pick Skate Park offers open bicycling, in-line your own strawberries or pumpkins. Enjoy skating & skate boarding, I.D. information hay rides and children’s festivities. required. Located at Toisnot Park (admission fee). 252-399-2277 Visit our Redwood trees. Bowling offered at AMF Westview Lanes, Check out the Artisans and Farmers 1700 Ward Boulevard Market. 252-243-3776 Paul V. Berry Hickory Grove Park See a water feature and visit a collection of whirligigs at the park. See public art projects