Discover Wilson County: Art, Nature, and Motorsports

When planning a trip to Wilson County, it helps to first sort out your interests: art and culture in Wilson, nature activities at Buckhorn Reservoir or in the Educational Forest, and sports and motorsports each offer a different focus. Seasonal markets and events may also play a role in choosing when to travel. This way, you can base your hotel choice on what you want to experience during your stay.

Art, Sculptures, and Museums

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is dedicated to kinetic sculptures: it features 31 works, some of which are more than 50 feet tall. Wilson is home to the largest collection of Vollis Simpson’s whirligigs. The number of sculptures and the height of the largest pieces give an impression of the scale of this collection, which is not limited to a single work.

Other cultural offerings have their own distinct focuses. Housed in a historic building in downtown Wilson, the Arts Council of Wilson County presents exhibitions, films, performances, and classes across many areas of the arts. Wilson Arts offers more than six professional gallery exhibitions each year, along with a professional performance series, theater education, workshops, and art and theater camps. During your visit, you can therefore choose between exhibitions, performances, and activities with a greater focus on classes or workshops.

The North Carolina Baseball Museum spans more than 3,300 square feet and honors more than 400 people born in North Carolina who played in Major League Baseball. Imagination Station has a different focus: its interactive exhibits include a snowboard simulator and a climbing wall. The museum also displays live animals, including turtles, lizards, and a 15-foot-long python. These themes offer different points of interest, from baseball history to technology, activity, and wildlife.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

At Buckhorn Reservoir, the water and land areas cover a total of 2,100 acres. Water skiing and kayaking are available there, and the trails are suitable for horseback riding. This makes water activities and trail rides distinct options to enjoy. The Educational Forest combines two self-guided nature trails with hiking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and wetlands. Visitors who would rather focus their stay on landscapes and observing nature will find different options there than at the reservoir.

Sports and Motorsports

The Gillette Athletic Complex covers 113 acres and has eight regulation-size soccer fields. It also has 26 regulation-size pickleball courts. The number of pickleball courts may change if the facility is expanded, so check the latest information before your visit. The acreage and court counts help distinguish the complex as a sports attraction from Wilson’s smaller offerings with different themes.

Southern National Motorsports Park is a 4/10-mile paved oval racetrack operated under the NASCAR banner. Races are scheduled from February through November. Check the current calendar for specific race dates. If a race is the reason for your trip, the date is an important planning factor; the stated period alone does not specify a particular event day.

Seasonal Dates and Local Cuisine

The Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market takes place on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, April through August. It offers locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as well as handcrafted goods. As this is a seasonal market, check the current season schedule before your trip. Parker’s Barbecue has served classic whole-hog barbecue with a tangy vinegar-pepper sauce since 1946 and offers a different culinary focus.

Sunday in the Rose Garden is an annual spring festival, typically held on the third Sunday in May. The program includes live music, a spring hat contest, face painting, children’s activities, and photo opportunities; the program may vary from one year to the next. Check the specific event dates if you want to plan your trip around it.

Traveling by Train

The Piedmont and Carolinian train services connect Wilson with Charlotte and Raleigh. If you plan to travel by train, check the current schedules before departure. This will help you coordinate your arrival day with your planned activities and chosen travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Wilson, Wayne, Clay County, Pender, Cleveland, Harnett County, Greene County, Haywood County.

For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.