Your weekend starts here - tobacco barns, bear statues, and the best BBQ near Kenly

A heritage farm complex outside Kenly, formal gardens in New Bern, and a bear hunt that kids and adults will actually enjoy.

Author

Frank Jones
May 13, 2026

Hello, ENC Explorers!

Late spring in ENC is one of the best stretches of the year — the worst of the pollen is finally fading, the afternoons are warm without feeling brutal yet, and summer humidity hasn’t fully settled in. It’s the kind of weather that makes staying home feel like a waste of a weekend.

If you’re heading toward the coast, try leaving earlier than you think you need to. The US 70 route toward the Crystal Coast moves quickly before 9 AM but starts slowing down once beach traffic builds later in the morning. And for New Bern day trips, earlier arrivals mean quieter streets, easier parking, and a much calmer walk through the historic district before lunch crowds roll in.

This week’s picks include a heritage farm day near Kenly with genuine Eastern North Carolina history and a New Bern outing built around formal gardens and a downtown bear hunt that kids and adults take surprisingly seriously.

🚜 Tobacco Farm Life Museum + Eastern NC BBQ Lunch

Location: 709 N. Church Street, Kenly, NC 27542
Cost: Free admission (donations appreciated) $20/person for lunch
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm | Closed Sunday–Monday

If you want a date that feels a little different from the usual brewery-or-dinner routine, this one makes for an unexpectedly good weekend escape. The Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly is an outdoor heritage complex filled with restored farm buildings, tobacco barns, historic homes, and exhibits that tell the story of how tobacco shaped Eastern North Carolina for generations. It’s quiet, walkable, and surprisingly immersive in a way that makes conversation come naturally as you wander from building to building.

After exploring the museum grounds, keep the road trip going with a classic Eastern NC BBQ lunch somewhere in Kenly or nearby Wilson. This stretch of highway is packed with legendary chopped pork spots, so it’s hard to miss. There’s just something about eating smoky barbecue after walking through old tobacco barns that makes the entire day feel rooted in local history in the best possible way.

Pro Tip: Plan to spend at least 90 minutes exploring the museum grounds, and wear comfortable shoes since most of the experience is outdoors.

🐻 Tryon Palace Gardens + New Bern Bear Hunt

Location: New Bern (~45 minutes from Greenville)
Cost: Depends on the pass you choose
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm | Sunday, Noon–5pm

This is one of those family outings that works surprisingly well for both parents and kids. The gardens at Tryon Palace stretch across more than 16 acres of formal green space with shaded walkways, blooming flower beds, and wide open lawns that give kids room to move while adults slow down and enjoy the scenery. The Kitchen Garden and Latham Memorial Garden are especially fun for curious little explorers, and the whole area feels more relaxed and family-friendly than the word “palace” might suggest.

Passes for the palace can be purchased at the Ticket Desks inside the North Carolina History Center (529 S. Front Street) or at the Waystation located in front of the Palace gates at 610 Pollock Street.

After exploring the gardens, turn the afternoon into a downtown scavenger hunt by searching for New Bern’s famous bear statues. More than 30 decorated fiberglass bears are scattered throughout downtown, and kids and adults love spotting them around storefronts, sidewalks, and waterfront corners. The walk is compact and stroller-friendly, with plenty of snack stops and lunch spots near Front Street overlooking the water.

Pro Tip: Download the New Bern bear map before leaving Greenville so kids can keep track of every bear they find along the way.

How helpful was this edition of the City Guide by ENC Explorer?

We’re always looking to make our emails even more useful in helping you discover great things to do in the region.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

☕ Barbara J. recommends: The Scullery on Evans Street for morning coffee and scratch food

The Scullery sits at 431 Evans Street in downtown Greenville and has quietly become one of those places locals try not to talk about too loudly because it fills up fast — and for good reason. Everything feels intentional here, from the locally sourced ingredients to the scratch-made breakfast and lunch menu that somehow manages to feel both cozy and elevated at the same time. It’s the kind of spot that makes a slow Saturday morning feel like an actual weekend.

They open at 7am Monday through Friday, 8am on Saturdays, and close at 2pm daily (closed Sundays). If you go, try to get there early — especially on Saturdays. By late morning the line usually tells you everything you need to know.

What's your hidden gem? Reply to this email and you might be featured next week.

What’s your favorite type of budget-friendly activity in ENC?

🌟 We Want to Hear From You! Your input helps us tailor this City Guide to your interests, making sure every issue is packed with ideas you’ll enjoy. Take a quick moment to vote and shape the future of our content!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Share Your Thoughts

We want to hear from you! What’s your favorite spot in and around Greenville, NC? Whether it’s a hidden gem, a local eatery, or a scenic park, your input could be featured in an upcoming City Guide!

ENC EVENTS THIS WEEK

Your week in Greenville & ENC: May 13-20

ocation: Wildwood Park, 3450 Blue Heron Drive, Greenville
Cost: Free
Time: Thursdays in May (May, 14, 21 & 28) from 6 PM–7 PM

Take your workout outside with Zumba in the Park at Wildwood Park. Hosted by the Greenville Aquatics & Fitness Center, this free weekly class mixes upbeat music, cardio, and easy-to-follow dance moves in an outdoor setting that feels a lot more fun than a typical gym workout.

Whether you’re going with friends or just looking for a different way to stay active, it’s an easygoing community event where everyone moves at their own pace. The fresh air, music, and sunset park views make it one of the better ways to spend a Thursday evening in Greenville.

Pro Tip: Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive a little early to grab a good spot before the class starts.

Location: Leroy James Farmers Market, 4560 County Home Road, Greenville
Cost: Free entry
Time: Saturdays, 8 AM–12 PM

The Leroy James Farmers Market is one of those simple Greenville traditions that never really gets old. Every Saturday morning through the spring and summer, local farmers and vendors set up with fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, jams, and handmade goods that change with the season. By mid-May, you’ll usually start seeing the first wave of summer produce mixing in with late-spring greens and strawberries.

It’s an easy way to slow down for a couple of hours, grab coffee, wander the vendor booths, and support local farms while stocking up on fresh ingredients for the weekend. Even if you don’t go with a shopping list, you’ll probably leave with something.

Pro Tip: Go earlier in the morning for the best selection — popular baked goods and fresh-picked produce tend to sell out quickly.

Location: Five Points Plaza (Fifth & Evans Streets), Greenville
Cost: Free entry
Time: Wednesdays, 5 PM–8 PM

The Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market is one of the best midweek excuses to spend time downtown once the weather warms up. Local farmers, bakers, artists, flower growers, and food vendors fill Five Points Plaza with fresh produce, handmade goods, live music, and plenty of snacks worth walking around with.

By mid-May, the market starts shifting into early summer mode with strawberries, fresh flowers, baked treats, local seafood, and some of the first warm-weather produce of the season showing up at vendor booths. It’s casual, walkable, and one of the easiest ways to spend a relaxed evening in Uptown Greenville.

Pro Tip: Go hungry — the food vendors and dessert stands are part of the experience.

For Business

ENC Explorer connects readers with local spots every week. If your business would
like to reach an engaged local audience, reply to this email to ask about sponsorship
opportunities.

🤍 Who’s Making ENC Better?

Eastern North Carolina runs on people who show up. The coach who stays late.
The neighbor who checks in. The business owner who gives back.

We want to help tell their stories. Nominate someone who:
🤍 Leads with integrity
🤝 Brings people together
🌱 Invests in our community

📬 Selected nominees will be featured in ENC Explorer, so the whole community can celebrate the people who make ENC feel like home.

Let’s shine a light on the locals who truly matter.

Know someone who's been meaning to get out of Greenville for a day? Forward this
their way - we have the itinerary covered.

Happy exploring,
— The ENC Explorer Team