Jordan's Picks: Things to Do in Moore County, NC (2026 Edition)

Jordan's Picks: My Favorite Places & Things to Do in Moore County, NC (2026 Edition)

Updated August 2026 · By Jordan Breasseale, Jordan NC Real Estate

If you've ever asked me "okay, but what is there to do around here?", pour yourself an iced coffee and get comfy. This is my list.

The quick answer: My top things to do in Moore County, NC are brunch at Mason's in Aberdeen, shopping local at Against the Grain in Southern Pines, the Saturday Southern Pines Farmers Market, creative play at KidCentric Creative Studio and The Connection Corner (drop off kids and adults events), free summer concerts on the Pinehurst Village Green, hiking the longleaf pines at Weymouth Woods, and a weekday day trip to Seagrove pottery country. Keep reading for all my picks, town by town.

Welcome to Jordan's Picks, my once-a-year roundup of the places my family actually loves in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Whispering Pines and the rest of Moore County. I'm a REALTOR® and a mom of three, and I came here looking for a life I didn't need a vacation from. I found it in the Pines. These are the spots that made that happen, and the small businesses I want you to love too.

Coffee First, Obviously: My Favorite Coffee Shops in Moore County

I don't just like coffee. I LOVE coffee. Here's where I get mine, depending on the day:

• Pony Espresso (Southern Pines): My drive-through pick for the mornings when parking (or real pants) just isn't happening.

• Swank Coffee Shoppe (Southern Pines): Where I go to grab a coffee and get work done.

• Maisonette (Southern Pines): Next on my list is a best-friend date here with a cinnamon roll and an iced coffee.

• Moore Coffee Company (Carthage): Great coffee, great service and room to sit. You can also leave with a new plant, which is dangerous for me.

• Agora Bakery + Cafe (Pinehurst): Come for the coffee, stay for the atmosphere.

If you're touring homes with me, expect a coffee stop. It's part of the process.

Little Kids, Big Adventures: Family Activities in Moore County, NC

My girls are my toughest critics, so these spots have been thoroughly kid-tested.

• KidCentric Creative Studio (290 SW Broad St., Southern Pines): A walk-in craft and creative play space with hands-on crafts, sensory play, workshops and birthday parties. No planning required, just show up and let them create.

• The Connection Corner (138 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines): A top favorite for our family. Their Connection Club drop-off events are for kids and adults, because moms deserve a little connection too.

• Blue Bird Play Cafe (101 N. Poplar St., Aberdeen): A great indoor kid spot, perfect for rainy or too-hot days. It has a soft play zone for crawlers, a climbing structure and a pretend-play village for kids from about 6 months to 8 years old. Bonus: there's a full coffee menu for the grown-ups.

• C Cups Cupcakery (Southern Pines & Pinehurst): My girls' current obsession. They have done very thorough research on every flavor. The key lime is legendary and the pink champagne is dangerously good. We consider our regular visits a community service.

• The Ice Cream Parlor (downtown Southern Pines): Scoops, floats, sandwiches and soups. It's the kind of old-school spot every town should have and most don't.

• Highlander Farms (West End): Their drive-through Christmas light show, plus ice cream with a seasonal apple pie flavor, has become a real tradition for our family. I look forward to it every single year.

• Village Green Concert Series (Pinehurst): Free outdoor concerts all summer. Bring a blanket, let the kids run in the grass, and wave to half the town.

• The farmers markets: Southern Pines, Pinehurst and the Moore County Farmers Market are all favorites. The Southern Pines market on Saturday mornings is non-negotiable in our house.

• Pik-N-Pig (Carthage): Serious barbecue with a small working airstrip next door. Watching planes take off while you eat pulled pork is peak kid entertainment.

  
  

Shop Small, Love Local in Southern Pines

Every dollar you spend at a local shop stays right here in the Pines. These are the two I send everyone to:

• Against the Grain (Southern Pines): My most-recommended shop, period. It's full of locally made goods, and new inventory comes in daily, so it's never the same visit twice.

• Rustic Pine Candle Co. (290 SW Broad St., Southern Pines): Hand-poured candles, refills for your old jars, and a Candle Bar where you can make your own. It's perfect for a girls' day or a gift you definitely didn't forget until the last minute. Pro tip: it's in the same building as KidCentric, so make it a two-stop morning.

  
  

Let's Eat: My Favorite Restaurants in Moore County

Moore County eats well, so come hungry. Stretchy pants optional but encouraged.

Breakfast & brunch

• Mason's (Aberdeen): The BEST brunch in Moore County, and I will die on this hill. If you only take one food recommendation from me, let it be this one. Get the fresh-squeezed orange juice immediately. I've done the research. Multiple times. On purpose.

• Betsy's Crepes (downtown Southern Pines): There's almost always a line. Go anyway. The banana pudding crepe has a fan base, and the fans are right.

Lunch & casual

• Red's Corner Food Truck Rodeo (Southern Pines): My favorite kind of lunch, where everything looks good and you can't decide. The trucks rotate, so check the schedule and just show up. You'll run into someone you know within ten minutes.

• Wolcott's (downtown Southern Pines): My go-to for a sit-down lunch that feels a little special. It's where I take out-of-town guests when I want to show off.

Dinner & drinks

• Ashten's (downtown Southern Pines): Where I send anyone who asks "okay, but where should we go for a real dinner?" Farm-to-fork, and the monthly wine dinners are worth planning around. Make a reservation.

• Poplar Place (downtown Aberdeen): A small, cozy bar pouring pre-Prohibition and classic cocktails, plus great mocktails. Grab a seat on the back patio when the weather's nice. You can order food from their sister resturant, The Workshop Tavern.

• The Workshop Tavern (downtown Aberdeen): One of my top favorites in Aberdeen. It's known for its mac and cheese, so order accordingly.

• Pinehurst Brewing Company (Pinehurst Village): A converted historic power house with a beer garden. The food honestly surprised me the first time.

• Full Moon Oyster Bar (Southern Pines): For when you're craving the coast but can't justify the two-hour drive.

• Bell Tree Tavern (downtown Southern Pines): My one tip: sit outside. The patio is where the magic happens. Trust me on this one.

• Sunrise Theater (downtown Southern Pines): Make it a dinner-and-a-show night with a film or live performance at this historic downtown venue.

• Cork (downtown Southern PInes): Looking for drinks before or after dinner, this is my go to stop! You can thank me later!

Out Whispering Pines way

• Roast (Capital Dr.): Farm-to-table sandwiches, salads and bowls. The Honey Stung Chicken and Chef's Roast Beef are menu stars.

• Whispering Pies (Mill Creek Rd., in the Harris Teeter shopping center): New York-style pizza and subs, with slices until 3 p.m. Perfect for a quick lunch with kids.

• WTF (Wisco Taco Foxtrot) (Capital Dr.): Yes, that's really the name. Tacos with Wisconsin roots and global flavors, an aviation theme, and patio seating.

  
  

Outside Is Calling: Parks & Trails in Southern Pines and Pinehurst

The mild four-season weather means you can get outside here almost any time of year.

• Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve (Southern Pines): More than 900 acres of longleaf pine, with hiking trails and a nature museum. It's free.

• Reservoir Park (Southern Pines): Walking and biking trails, fishing and picnic spots. After a few months, you'll start recognizing faces.

• Sandhills Horticultural Gardens (Pinehurst): Fifteen acres of themed gardens on the Sandhills Community College campus, free and open to the public.

• Disc golf, mountain biking and horse country: You'll find free disc golf courses and trails all over the county, and miles of equestrian trails through the pines. Even if you don't ride, watching the horses go by is a very Sandhills moment.

  
  

Worth the Drive: Easy Day Trips from Moore County

We're right in the middle of North Carolina, which makes for great day trips.

• Seagrove pottery country (about 45 minutes): Go on a weekday, when the potters are at their wheels. Bring cash and leave extra room in the car.

• NC Zoo in Asheboro (about 1 hour): A full family day.

• Durham (about 1 hour): When a Broadway show comes to DPAC, we go. We have dinner downtown, catch a Durham Bulls game in the summer, and drive home through the pines.

  
  

My Hidden Gems: What Locals Don't Always Share

Consider this insider info. You're welcome.

• The Track Restaurant before 8 a.m. The blueberry pancakes are worth the alarm.

• Weymouth Woods on a Tuesday morning. You'll have the trails almost to yourself.

• The Village Green at dusk, even with no concert. Sit for ten minutes and you'll understand Moore County.

  
  

A Little Note From Jordan

This list changes every year, because Moore County keeps getting better and new small businesses keep opening their doors. That's why I'll update Jordan's Picks every year. If a local favorite of yours is missing, tell me. Comment, DM me at @jordanbreasseale, or email me at jordan@jordanncrealestate.com. Your pick might make next year's list.

New here, or thinking about it? Download my free Living in the Pines Guide for neighborhoods, costs and everything I wish someone had told me. Browse the Moore County Family Hub for local events, seasonal guides and family resources. And if you're thinking about making Moore County home, I'd love to help. Call or text me at 910-712-4747. You don't have to be ready to buy. You just have to be curious.

FAQ: Things to Do in Moore County, NC

What is there to do in Moore County, NC with kids? For indoor fun, try KidCentric Creative Studio and The Connection Corner in Southern Pines, or Blue Bird Play Cafe in Aberdeen. Outdoors, families love the Southern Pines Farmers Market, free summer concerts on the Pinehurst Village Green, and the trails at Weymouth Woods and Reservoir Park. For a treat, it's C Cups Cupcakery or The Ice Cream Parlor.

What are the best free things to do in Southern Pines and Pinehurst? Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Reservoir Park, Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, the Village Green Concert Series in summer, and a stroll through downtown Southern Pines are all free.

Is Moore County, NC a good place to live for families? Many families find it a great fit, thanks to plenty of outdoor space, a close-knit community calendar and easy access to Raleigh, Durham and the coast. My Moving to the Pines Guide breaks down the communities, costs and schools in more detail.

How far is Moore County from Raleigh and the beach? Pinehurst and Southern Pines are about an hour from Raleigh and RDU airport, about 90 minutes from Charlotte, and about two hours from the Wilmington-area beaches.