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- Your weekend starts here - cold beer, living history, and little kids in a tobacco barn
Your weekend starts here - cold beer, living history, and little kids in a tobacco barn
A Greenville date night and a Kenly farm day, plus three things happening in ENC this week.
Frank Jones
May 06, 2026
Hello, ENC Explorers!
May in Eastern North Carolina is the sweet spot before summer heat really settles in. The pollen is finally easing up, the evenings are getting longer, and mornings still have just enough cool air to make getting outside feel like a reward instead of a chore. It also happens to be peak strawberry season in Pitt County—one of those short windows you don’t want to miss. This week, we’ve got a couple easy ways to take advantage of it all, including a laid-back Greenville date night and a family outing that might surprise you.
🍕🍺 Pizza + Pints, Done RightPitt Street Brewing + Luna Pizza Café Location: Greenville (no drive needed) This is one of those easy, no-brainer date nights that somehow always hits. Start by ordering a pizza from Luna Pizza Café—just a block away from Pitt Street Brewing—then carry it over to the brewery’s laid-back, dog-friendly beer garden. Pitt Street doesn’t serve food, which is exactly why this combo works so well. Grab a couple of pints (they rotate small-batch brews regularly, so it’s worth asking what’s new on tap), then dig into your pizza under the string lights. The margherita is the go-to, but Luna’s menu has enough variety to keep things interesting if you come back again—and you probably will. It’s casual, social, and just the right amount of effort for a weeknight or weekend hang. Pro Tip: Order your pizza ahead before walking over so it’s ready when you arrive—nothing kills the vibe like waiting around hungry. | 🚜 Family Step-Back-in-Time AdventureTobacco Farm Life Museum + Picnic or BBQ Stop Location: Kenly (~50 min from Greenville) If you’re looking for a family outing that’s both educational and actually engaging, this one delivers. The Tobacco Farm Life Museum is an outdoor, walkable history experience where kids can see—up close—how farm life worked in Eastern North Carolina. Think historic buildings, a massive tobacco curing barn, and exhibits that help bring everyday life from the past into focus. There’s also a meaningful seasonal addition right now: the traveling exhibit “Navigating Jim Crow: The Green Book and Oasis Spaces in North Carolina” (running May 9–July 31). It highlights the network of safe spaces that supported Black travelers across the state from 1933 to 1966—an important, eye-opening layer to add to your visit. Plan for about two hours to see everything, then either pack a picnic or head to a nearby BBQ spot in Kenly or Wilson to wrap up the outing. It’s a simple, meaningful day that mixes learning with fresh air and plenty of space to roam. Pro Tip: If you’re visiting before the end of July, build in extra time for the Green Book exhibit—and check the website before you go for the latest details. |
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🛍️ Barbara J. recommends: Whirligig Park + Downtown Wilson Walk
If you’re heading over to Wilson, don’t skip Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park—it’s one of those places that feels totally unique the moment you arrive. Located right in downtown, the park features 30 large, wind-powered sculptures made from recycled materials, all spinning and moving in ways that are surprisingly mesmerizing (for both kids and adults).
It’s an easy, walkable stop that pairs perfectly with a casual downtown stroll. Go during the day for a closer look at the details—or swing by in the evening when the sculptures are lit up and the whole space feels a little more magical. Either way, it’s a low-cost, memorable way to wrap up your time in Wilson.
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ENC EVENTS THIS WEEK
Your week in Greenville & ENC: May 6-13
Location: Clark-LeClair Stadium, Greenville
Cost: Varies by ticket (check ecupirates.com)
Time: Sunday, May 10 at 1 PM
The Pirates host Rice at Clark-LeClair Stadium, and late-season home baseball is one of the best live sports experiences in ENC. It’s an easy, high-energy outing with a great crowd and that classic ballpark atmosphere that just feels like Greenville.
Whether you’re going with friends, family, or just want something different to do, this is a solid way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Pro Tip: Grab tickets ahead of time and get there early to enjoy the full game-day atmosphere.
Location: Historic New Bern (Farmers Market area)
Cost: Mostly free (some workshops & special events have a fee)
Time: May 11–17 | Exhibition Gallery: Daily 9am–8pm (closes 2pm Sunday)
New Bern turns into a live art studio for a full week during the NC Plein Air Art Festival. More than 35 nationally and globally recognized artists spread out across town, painting outdoors from sunrise to sunset and capturing the charm of New Bern in real time. It’s one of those events where you don’t just see the art—you watch it come to life as you explore.
Most of the experience is completely free—wander the historic streets, watch artists at work, and stop into the Exhibition & Sales Gallery to see finished pieces. There are also optional workshops, special events, and an awards celebration if you want to go deeper into the experience.
Pro Tip: Start near the Farmers Market, then wander toward the waterfront—you’ll spot artists set up along the way and get the best mix of views, shade, and activity.
Location: 3709 NC 903 S, Winterville
Cost: Pay by the pound (u-pick & pre-picked available)
Time: Open now through early summer | Mon–Sat 7:30am–6pm, Sun 1–6pm
If you’ve been saying “we should go strawberry picking this year”—this is your sign. Strawberries on 903 is officially in season, and it’s one of those simple, feel-good outings that’s perfect this time of year. Walk the rows, pick your own berries, and snack as you go (because you will).
Beyond strawberries, the farm usually has fresh produce, cut flowers, and eggs available, so it’s easy to turn this into a quick local shopping stop too. It’s relaxed, family-friendly, and a great way to spend a morning outdoors without overplanning.
Pro Tip: Go earlier in the day for the best picking—and if you’re thinking about a Mother’s Day outing, this is an easy win that feels a little more special than the usual brunch.
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If you know someone in ENC who could use a real weekend plan, pass this along. The
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Happy exploring,
— The ENC Explorer Team