Johnston: Discover Nature, History and Regional Cuisine
Accommodation in Johnston
Johnston combines wetlands and forests with museums, Civil War history, regional cuisine and unique insights into rural life in North Carolina. For your travel planning, it is worthwhile to first determine your preferred focus: nature experiences, historical exhibitions, live entertainment or culinary discoveries. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Johnston can serve as a base for creating days of your trip around different combinations of activities.
Nature among forests, streams and educational trails
In the southeast of Johnston County, Howell Woods encompasses more than 2,800 acres of wetlands, forests and streams. The landscape offers a clear contrast to the region’s museums and historic sites. Those who want to spend time outdoors will find self-guided trails and exhibitions at Clemmons Educational State Forest. The forest was the first Educational State Forest in North Carolina. It also offers ranger-led courses.
For families with different interests, this allows the nature day to be planned in various ways: You can focus on self-guided trails and exhibitions or schedule a ranger-led course. This choice makes Clemmons Educational State Forest a standalone part of a trip without requiring the entire stay to be centered on hiking.
History and culture in Johnston County
The Johnston County Museum has more than 4,500 square feet of exhibition space and tells the history of the county from prehistory to the present day. The museum also includes the only surviving Freedmen’s Schoolhouse in North Carolina, as it is considered to be. Those interested in social developments, regional identity and historic educational sites will find a broad overview spanning different periods here.
For more than 35 years, the Tobacco Farm Life Museum has preserved the history and cultural heritage of rural life in Eastern North Carolina. The site includes a restored home from around the turn of the 20th century, a separate kitchen, a smokehouse, a tobacco barn built of logs and an outbuilding. The 6,000-square-foot museum presents permanent and changing exhibitions on farm life, medicine in the American South, domestic skills, rural social life and historical artifacts.
Bentonville Battlefield also places a strong emphasis on history. The Battle of Bentonville was the largest battle of the American Civil War in North Carolina. The Harper House on the battlefield is set up as an American Civil War field hospital. Another cultural highlight is the Ava Gardner Museum, featuring original screenplays, photographs, costumes and personal belongings of the film actress Ava Gardner.
Shows, wine and local cuisine
In addition to museums, Johnston offers entertainment and culinary experiences. Live @ the Rudy presents four different seasonal, family-friendly shows throughout the year, featuring music, comedy and other performances. This can be a suitable addition to a day of vacation that is not devoted exclusively to exhibitions and historic sites.
Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery is North Carolina’s oldest and largest commercial Muscadine vineyard. Every September, the winery invites the public to pick Muscadine grapes themselves. If you would like to include this seasonal date in your travel planning, you should coordinate your search for a holiday apartment or holiday home with your preferred excursion days. Eastern-style barbecue is also part of the regional flavor profile: chopped pork is served with a vinegar-based sauce.
Getting oriented for arrival and choosing accommodation
Johnston County is located at the junction of the Interstate Highways I-95 and I-40. The Johnston County Visitor Center is located at Exit 95 off I-95. For air travel, RDU International Airport is 30 to 45 minutes from the center of Johnston County. This information helps you incorporate your arrival into your personal travel planning at an early stage.
When choosing your accommodation, you can then decide based on the desired mix of nature, culture, history, entertainment and regional cuisine. Those planning the most varied days possible should check the location of the respective holiday apartment or holiday home against their own excursion plans. Those who prefer a clear focus can get to know Johnston through Howell Woods and Clemmons Educational State Forest, through the museums and historic sites, or through wine and barbecue.
Other places for regional orientation
For further planning, you can also visit the pages on Clayton, Kenly, Smithfield, Four Oaks and Middlesex. This allows you to connect your search for the right place to stay with your personal travel interests.
For the higher-level travel overview: North Carolina.
More destinations
More places within the same destination:
