Pinehurst Lifestyle Options

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CULTURE

The Sandhills of North Carolina is a wonderland of cultural and historic activities and sites. Symphonies, museums, summer theaters, antique fairs, and arts & crafts festivals are abundant throughout the area.

The Arts Council of Moore County is at the forefront of a flourishing community of visual, literary and performing arts in this area. The council provides a variety of programs for its 2,500 members, including an annual Fine Arts Festival. Their office, located in the Campbell House, is a Georgian mansion on 14 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. An on site art gallery displays local works of art.

GREAT RESTAURANTS

There is a wide array of restaurant choices and dining experiences to suit your tastes, appetite and budget in Pinehurst and surrounding areas. Whether you are looking for a casual family eatery or a sophisticated dining room, you’ll have many options from which to choose.

Most of the national chains are represented, along with a good selection of steakhouses, seafood restaurants and international cuisines, including Mexican, Italian, French, Chinese and Thai, and the majority are a just short drive away. For elegant dining at a leisurely pace, look to area resorts and inns, many of which boast internationally recognized chefs known for their delectable specialties.

You can enjoy breakfast while watching thoroughbreds train. Or you can choose to "do lunch" at a deli, pub or quaint tea room, many of which are located in or near shopping areas. Be sure to treat yourself to a real old-fashioned fountain soda (an appropriate choice since the founder of Pinehurst, James Tufts, was a soda fountain magnate) at The Sundry in the center of the Village of Pinehurst boutique shopping area.

EQUESTRIAN

Although Pinehurst most often receives accolades for its golf facilities, there is another dimension that is part of the diverse lifestyle for area residents. The Southern Pines and Pinehurst areas have long been home to horse owners of all breeds and disciplines. Each autumn, trainers and owners from throughout the country bring their horses here to train in the mild winter climate and great sand footing. Thanksgiving Day traditionally marks the "Opening Day" of hunt season for the Moore County Hounds, which culminates with the Hunter Trials in March. The Sandhills is also an ideal residence of Hunters and Jumpers as well as Dressage horses. The Five Points Equestrian Center, an exciting horse park, hosts many world class events.

Activities related to horses cover a wide spectrum. One might choose to purchase a horse farm to raise and train your own horses, perhaps participating in competitive events or just riding for pleasure. Obviously not everyone need go that far in order to enjoy the "horse scene." You may choose to own a horse and board it, or you may choose to rent a mount for occasional recreational purposes.

Do you prefer to be a spectator instead of a participant?
You will find many opportunities to do so throughout the year. The activities are wide ranging: steeplechase racing, dressage, sulky racing, horse trials, polo matches and training for the US Olympic team. The Pinehurst Harness Track is the primary venue for much of those activities. The facility has been the winter home of champions since 1915 and many of the spectator events are scheduled for this venue.

SPORTS & RECREATION

Is Golf Your Bag?

Moore County boasts more than 40 golf courses within a 25-mile radius. The climate, dry air and sandy soil enable the golfer to play year-round. There are numerous opportunities to work on your game at practice facilities or through private lessons or golf schools.

CYCLING:

The exciting Tour de Moore, an international 100-mile bicycle race , is held here annually and draws cyclists and spectators from all over the world. This event is the centerpiece for Springfest, an arts and crafts festival held in downtown Southern Pines. For more information on cycling in the Sandhills area, contact the Sandhills Cycling Club.