related journeys

The Southeastern Region Of The Piedmont

Mention golf and North Carolina in the same breath and Pinehurst comes to mind. Since 1895 with the construction of the Pinehurst Resort, the sandhill towns of Pinehurst and Southern Pines have been synonymous with golf, and playing any of the area’s fabulous courses remains every golfers dream.

In the heart of the southeastern piedmont, set amid tall pines and soft, rolling hills, the area is also home to much of the flourishing North Carolina pottery industry. From Seagrove south on highway 705 to highway 211, you’ll find local potters throwing everything from fine art to everyday pieces. So if you don’t golf (horrors) you can enjoy the area’s beauty, art, boutique shopping and the luxury of a day at the spa.

Bordering Southern Pines to the east is the massive Fort Bragg Military Reservation and the city of Fayetteville. Settled in 1739 by Scottish Highlanders, the military presence here goes back to before the Revolutionary War and in 1865, the Federal Arsenal was a prime target of General Sherman when he seized the city on his southern march. Today you can visit several military museums, including the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and even go on base to view a “jump.”

If your style is more geared to sleeping past 0600, there’s still a lot to see and do here. The Cape Fear Botanical Gardens is situated on the upper Cape Fear River and features 79 acres of plants and nature trails. Nearby downtown Fayetteville comes alive both day and night with restaurants, shopping, galleries and activities. The Fayetteville Museum of Art highlights the talent of North Carolina artists and a variety of venues such as the Cape Fear Regional Theatre showcase the performing arts.

South of Fayetteville is Lumberton, home of the Lumbee Tribe. Named for the Lumber River, the only designated national wild and scenic river in the state, the area is rich in scenic beauty and Native American culture. See the outdoor drama “Strike at the Wind” to learn more about these Native people, attend a powwow at the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center or see tribal arts at the Museum of the Native American Resource Center.

West of Fayetteville you’ll find NASCAR action at the North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham, and not so fast but certainly classic transportation at the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame in nearby Hamlet. Outdoor adventures await you north of Rockingham in the Uwharrie National Forest, with over 50,000 acres of trails, picnicking, boating and fishing. Nearby Morrow Mountain State Park on the western edge of the forest offers spectacular views from the summit of Morrow Mountain. Just south of the Uwharrie Forest is Town Creek Indian Mound, an extraordinary Native American archeological site.

So pack the golf clubs, your hiking shoes and the camera, but leave room for all the beautiful pottery and Native American crafts you’ll be bringing home. The southeastern piedmont is sure to be a favorite place to return to again and again.

For more information, contact the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau,  Lumberton Area Visitors’ Bureau or the Pinehurst Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

By Pam Watson

added: December 31, 2008

updated: January 2, 2009

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