Whiteville: Museum, Walking Trails and Events

For a stay in Whiteville, you can choose from several points of interest: the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville combines exhibits with hands-on learning areas, several named trails differ in length and route, and events offer seasonal dates. Art and historic buildings are also topics you can consider when planning your trip.

Discover and Explore Science

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville offers permanent and interactive exhibits, educational films, and hands-on learning areas indoors and outdoors. In the Investigate Lab, you can learn about the scientific process through experiments using microscopes, pipettes, and other tools. The focus there is on trying things out for yourself.

The Naturalist Center collection includes specimens ranging from butterflies and bear claws to snakes, seahorses, sand dollars, and spiders. The Nature PlaySpace complements these topics with areas for art, digging, and exploration, including digging for fossils. Along the NC Tree Trail’s Wildlife Walk, life-size displays of native wildlife appear among the trees. Together, the different areas offer a variety of ways to engage with nature and science—from exhibits and experiments to outdoor exploration.

Compare Walking Trails by Length and Route

The Susan Smith Greenway is a 3.4-mile unpaved loop trail that begins in Nolan Park. The also-unpaved Mollies Branch Greenway is 1 mile long and runs from Washington Street to Virgil Street. The two trails therefore differ in both length and route: one is a loop, while the other runs from one street to another.

Other walking trails offer shorter options. The Whiteville Parks & Recreation Center has a 0.4-mile trail with benches and disc golf. The Columbus County Fitness Park in Whiteville has a 0.5-mile walking trail. The Parks & Recreation Center also has a fenced 1/4-acre dog park. It has benches, a dog drinking fountain, and separate areas for smaller and larger dogs.

The Madison Mile is a walking route through town; route details may change, so check the current route in advance. Downtown Whiteville is also part of North Carolina’s NC Main to Main Trail.

Art, Buildings, and Local History

The Columbus County Arts Council gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or by appointment. Confirm opening hours before your visit. When planning, consider both the regular opening hours and the option to visit by appointment.

The Whiteville Depot was one of the first brick depots in eastern North Carolina. The Columbus County Courthouse in Whiteville is a surviving public building dating from 1914–1915. Both offer a historical perspective on specific buildings, though they do not share the same function or construction period.

Market and Event Dates

The Columbus County Farmers Market is located in Whiteville and offers locally grown vegetables, baked goods, crafts, and events. Specific offerings may vary by market day. If the market is part of your plans, keep in mind that offerings may not be the same at every market date.

The Columbus County Agriculture Fair takes place October 13–18, 2026, at the Columbus County Fairgrounds in Whiteville. This annual tradition includes free shows with admission, carnival rides, a demolition derby, and competitive and agricultural exhibits. Check the dates again for future editions. The North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival takes place every November in Whiteville; exact dates and the program may change. The two events therefore offer different seasonal dates for a fall trip.

For an overview of the wider area: Columbus.