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The Rockfish Capital of the World
Hook, Line, and Sinker: Fishing in Halifax County, NC
Halifax County, North Carolina is home to Weldon, which holds the special title of "The Rockfish Capital of the World," thanks to the abundance of rockfish – also known as striped bass or stripers – living within its waterways. But rockfish aren’t the only fish swimming around Halifax County’s waters! There are many other species that call this county home. Simply put, Halifax County is a fantastic place to go fishing.
Exploring Roanoke Rapids
The nearly 200-year-old Roanoke Canal played an important role in opening trade and transportation to the western frontier of the newly created United States. For a while, it operated as a source of water power to generate electricity. To save the remains of this historic treasure, a commission was formed to undertake restoration and preservation work. In 1976, the canal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring that this crucial part of the area’s history will be around for future generations.
Unique Places to Explore in Halifax County
Every destination offers something unique, and Halifax County is no exception. Weldon, for example, is known as The Rockfish Capital of the World. The small, friendly towns within its borders offer a variety of other attractions – there is something for everyone. It’s especially satisfying when you find a hidden gem. Off-the-beaten-path places offer great experiences and special memories. Here are some of our favorite unique attractions in Halifax County.
Explore the Outdoors
If you’re hoping to head outdoors and explore the gorgeous nature of Halifax County, North Carolina, you’re in luck! There are dozens of biking trails winding their way through this fantastic county. No matter where your skill level lies, there’s a fantastic Halifax County trail for you!
Shop ‘Til You Drop
No visit to Halifax County, NC is complete without a bit of shopping, and we’re not talking about the big box stores. Throughout the area, you’ll find unique boutiques and quaint shops chock full of gifts, fashion, accessories, home decor, furniture, and collectibles. Many of them carry handcrafted, locally made items.
Unique Antiques and Flea Market Finds
Antique stores are like a time machine. I always learn a lot about a place by browsing antique shops because the wares may be unique to that area or tell a story about the people who live there. One of the things I love about antiquing is that I never know what I’ll find. Each shop has a unique selection of items, with different merchandise coming in regularly. Even if I don’t buy anything, it’s fun to look. If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy antiquing in Halifax County. There is something for bargain hunters and those with luxurious tastes.
A Family-Friendly Weekend in Halifax County, North Carolina
Every year, our family road trips from Maryland to Florida for our annual vacation. This year, we decided to make a pit stop in Halifax County, North Carolina. Whether you’re driving on I-95 toward another destination or looking for the perfect weekend getaway, there is something for everyone in Halifax County! It’s North Carolina’s “cradle of history” and is the birthplace of the Halifax Resolves, which are the foundations of the Declaration of Independence. Also, Halifax County is an outdoorsman’s paradise because it’s home to Lake Gaston, Medoc Mountain State Park, Sylvan Heights Bird Park, and the Roanoke Canal Museum & Trail. History and nature…what’s not to love?
Where Southern Flavor and Hospitality Meet
The beauty of traveling is that it gives you the chance to try a lot of new things, and food is no exception. North Carolina is, of course, known for barbecue, and there are two types: Eastern and Piedmont. (Don’t even think about debating which one is better with the locals.) You'll see pimento cheese on a lot of menus, as well. Of course, there is much more to the local cuisine. Pass on the chain restaurants and try something new. In Halifax County, you have a variety of options to please your palate.
Exploring Weldon
Enjoy the mural of local fish painted on the walls of a tunnel under Highway 301, constructed so that children could get from the pool on one side of the busy road to the other safely. Take a breather at River Falls Park, a scenic portion of the river with rushing water, or stop in to the Weldon Mills Distillery for a tour or a sample.
Exploring Scotland Neck and Enfield
Excitement builds in the town of Enfield the first Saturday in October for one of America’s favorite snacks: peanuts! The Enfield Peanut Festival, which has been held annually since 1937, making it the oldest celebration of the legume in the state—draws upward of 5,000 nut lovers. At one time, Enfield held the title of largest producer of raw peanuts in the world. Although that distinction is now someone else’s, the town of 2,300 residents is still proud of its top crop. The festival features live music, crafts, and plenty of peanut-related foods.
Main Street Wines, which recently opened its doors, transports shoppers to Europe, Australia, Argentina, and California with its global variety of wines. You can also pick up wine-related books, glasses, and other accessories. In a hurry and don’t have time to chill your white wine on the way to dinner? It’s no problem here—the shop has a chilling station that will get your bottle cold in around 5 minutes.
Exploring Littleton
The Birthplace of Independence
In order to learn as much as possible about the impactful Halifax County, I highly recommend taking a historic tour. To begin the self-guided walking tour, I started at the Halifax State Historic Site. This attraction includes an informative visitor center and educational museum. At my first stop at the Halifax State Historic Site, I viewed the “Halifax: Hub of Roanoke” film, which explained so much of the county’s history in just 13 short minutes!
Keep Your Eyes on the Sky
While many birding spots around the United States are seasonal and based on the birds’ migratory patterns, there are birds in Halifax County, North Carolina all year round! Fortunately, Halifax County has quite a few places to encourage both locals and tourists alike to keep an eye out for these feathered friends.
Lake Life in Halifax
Straddling the border between North Carolina’s Halifax County and Virginia’s Brunswick County lies Lake Gaston, a premiere destination for all types of watersports. With its glassy conditions, Lake Gaston is the perfect place to try waterskiing, wake surfing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. While these adrenaline-pumping sports might seem difficult at first, you’ll get the hang of them quickly!
A Pet-Friendly Weekend in Halifax County, North Carolina
Every year, our family (dog included) makes the drive to Halifax County, North Carolina for our annual vacation. Whether you’re cruising on I-95 toward another destination or looking for the perfect weekend getaway, there is something for everyone in Halifax County! It’s North Carolina’s “cradle of history” and is the birthplace of the Halifax Resolves, which are the foundations of the Declaration of Independence. Also, Halifax is a dog’s paradise because it’s home to Lake Gaston, Medoc Mountain State Park, the Roanoke Canal Museum & Trail, and the Visitor Center’s Dog Run. Natural beauty and a pet-friendly vibe…what’s not to love?
