History and Attractions • Tours • Sports and Recreation • Shopping

 

Barnet Disc Golf Course

100 Sand Clay Road
GPS Coordinates: N 35°16.725’; W 077°38.429’
(252) 939-3332
Hours: Dawn to dusk • Admission: Free
kinstondiscgolf.com

Spend a morning or the entire day enjoying one of America’s hottest new sports – disc golf! Barnet Park’s 18-hole course winds through the woods around the park. You’ll find downhill holes, uphill holes, doglegs and one heavily obstructed hole, but most of what you’ll find is a day of great fun for all ages. Play doubles at 6 p.m. every Tuesday during daylight savings time, but come early to sign up. Check kinstondiscgolf.com for special events.

Big Daddy’s Express

401 W. Caswell St. • (252) 939-3332
Hours: 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (Aug-May) Tuesdays-Friday;
9 a.m.-6 p.m (June-Aug)
Tuesdays-Friday;
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays;
1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $1.00 for 1 lap • Special passes are available
neusewaypark.com

Hop aboard the express and say “howdy” to Big Daddy Beaver, Rocky Raccoon, and Penelope Possum’s family. The leisurely ride rambles over 1200 feet of castor designed steel track. Approximately 40 children and/or adults can be accommodated each trip. Make sure the entire family visits the 1927 Vintage B&O Railroad Caboose to purchase tickets and souvenirs.

Kinston Drag Strip

2250 N.C. 11/55 South • (252) 527-4337; (252) 522-9551
Open: Thursdays through Sundays
Tickets: $10; Special events $15;
12 and under: free
kdsmotorsports.com

Spend a day or an evening watching one of auto racing’s most thrilling events! The Kinston Drag Strip has been in continuous operation since 1960 and its concentration on family-oriented fun is one big reason. The track offers fans the chance to see as many as 150 cars battle for up to seven hours during a regular race. Drivers come from across North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and as many as 15 other states. Kids of all ages love meeting and talking with the drivers. Sit in the bleachers or bring your own lounge chair. All events are sanctioned and insured by the International Hot Rod Association.

Kinston Indians Baseball

Historic Grainger Stadium
400 E. Grainger Ave. • (252) 527-9111

Admission: $4-$6;
Children under 4 - Free
kinstonindians.com

The Kinston Indians are a farm team of the Cleveland Indians, and many players go on to play for major league teams. Historic Grainger Stadium, the K-Tribe’s home, is a premium site and has won awards for its beautiful and immaculately-maintained field. The stadium was renovated recently to provide new scoreboard technology, comfortable seating and plenty of restroom space. Even the 7th inning break is special, with the team often staging contests and entertainment for kids and older fans. Come hungry and go away satisfied with a wide selection of food available at the snack bar or through vendors traveling up and down the aisles. And by the way – parking is free!

Moore’s Family Farm

342 Taylor-Heath Road
(252) 523-7447 or (252) 775-1697
Please phone for schedules & hours of operation
mooresfamilyfarminkinston.com

Come on out to Moore’s Family Farm and enjoy a moonlight hay ride, “get lost” in the corn maze under the shadow of darkness, or visit by daylight and experience country life as it was in simpler times. Don’t miss the petting area and antique tool shed. Visit the gift shop, offering a unique variety of gifts, fall decorations, pumpkins, mums and wreaths.

Neuseway Nature Center and Campgrounds

401 W. Caswell St. • (252) 939-3367
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.;
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; Closed Mondays
Admission: Free to Nature Center; fee at campgrounds
neusewaypark.com

Whether you’re an RV-er or a tent camper, Neuseway Campgrounds has got you covered! Here you can camp under the stars and listen to the nightly sounds of owls and frogs on the nearby riverbanks. Full hook-ups, including water and sewer, bathrooms and showers, fire rings, picnic sites, a dump station, 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric hook-ups, river access and a covered 30-foot by 60-foot picnic shelter are available. Full hook-ups are $10 per day. Tent sites are $6. Or enjoy the newest addition to the campground by sleeping a relica Indian Tepee for only $25 for minimum of two nights. Reservations will assure you of a spot. Facilities are also available for larger groups, such as family reunions.

The Neuseway Nature Center is a safe, entertaining and educational place for children that will capture their minds and hearts. Exhibits include plants and animals native to North Carolina such as poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, turtles, alligators, raccoons, osprey and a red-tailed hawk. A talking African Grey parrot enjoys telling a nearby cockatoo to be quiet, and the parrot’s conversation will amaze children. A saltwater tank lets children touch sea creatures, and experienced staff members will help them climb a 16-foot by 24-foot rock climbing wall. If fishing is your passion, you can borrow a rod, reel and tackle to fish in one of the center’s ponds stocked with channel catfish. Rather go boating? Sixteen-foot Mohawk canoes, oars and life jackets can be reserved. And if you enjoy walking, several self-guided nature trails wind their way through the 55-acre site.

Neuseway Planetarium and Health & Science Museum

403 W. Caswell St. • (252) 939-3302
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.;
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; Closed Mondays
Admission: Free
neusewaypark.com

Kids will love the fun and never realize they’re learning as they crawl through a giant model of intestines, a mouth, a stomach, an underground tunnel of blood vessels or watch a puppet show in the museum. They’ll love the bubble machine and other hands-on health and science exhibits designed to teach and amuse children of all ages.
The 52-seat planetarium has a giant dome to display the sun, moon, stars and planets. Children and adults will gaze with wonder at the galactic shows offered at 1 and 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. On Saturdays, shows start on the hour from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Pepsi Splash Pad

Fairfield Park
800 Greenbriar Road • (252) 939-3322
Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays;
Admission: $1 per person
kinstonrec.com

As the dog days of summer approach, your little ones can have a “cool” day in the park splashing in Kinston’s latest water feature addition. Six exciting water sprays, dump buckets, and splashers will entertain and delight children 12 and under. A shade cover, lounge chairs and umbrellas will keep Mom or Dad “cool” while the little ones play. Parents will be happy to know that there is an attendant on duty. The Splash Pad is available for private party rental.

Riverside Bicycles and Outdoor Sports

210 W. Gordon St. • (252) 520-9400
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays;
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4p.m.
Closed Sundays and Mondays
riversideofkinston.com

Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with Nature’s many sounds and scenes along the Neuse River. A qualified instructor is ready to teach you how to use a kayak. You can buy your own or rent a kayak to drift with a trained guide serenely down the river. Several historically-significant Civil War sites are scattered along the riverbank. If you’re a biking enthusiast, Riverside carries bikes for purchase and a free map of bike paths around the county.

Rotary Dog Park

Intersection Hwy 11/55 South & 70 Bypass • (252) 939-3332
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Admission: Free
kinstonrec.com

Your furry friend is the special guest at this park featuring a retrieving area, two ponds, walking trail for two and four feet visitors, agility course, and exercise area! The park is in the developing stages and should be open by Fall 2008.

Tull’s Mill Pond

1594 Old Pink Hill Road, Deep Run, NC 28572 • (252) 568-4634
Hours: 7 a.m.-Dusk Mondays-Sundays - March 1-Nov. 30
Admission: $5 per person for boat fishing; $3 per person for bank fishing

Whether you prefer to spend a couple of hours or the entire day, there is plenty to enjoy at Tull’s Mill Pond, a 200-acre millpond that is open to the public for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Spend the afternoon bird watching, picnicking on the grass, or collecting beautiful photographs. The pond is stocked with bluegills, channel catfish, largemouth bass, shellcrackers, fliers, robin and perch. A concrete boat ramp provides access for those fishing with their own boat. Bank fishing is also available along with an on-site bait shop open 7 days a week.

West Water Park

1160 Strawberry Branch Rd • (252) 520-9378
Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays;
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays
Admission:
$10 – Full-day pass;
$7 – Half-day pass (Mon.-Fri.)
$8 – Half-day pass (Sat. & Sun.)
www.westwaterpark.net

Beat the heat as you swing on a trapeze 10 feet above a sparkling pool, or zip down a four-story water slide into another pool. Whether you want to spend the day relaxing by one of five pools, diving or playing water basketball or volleyball games, this is the place to enjoy the day with the entire family. You can feel safe knowing certified lifeguards are also on duty. Snacks and sodas are available. Private party bookings and birthday packages for groups and organizations are also available.