Local Learning Adventures:
Places to Explore & Learn
Real learning happens in real life.
When kids explore new places with curiosity and purpose, they're not checking off school boxes. They're building new mindsets, self-trust, and relationships with the world around them.
The good news? Moore County is full of places where that kind of learning happens naturally. Parks, farms, galleries, historic sites, libraries. You don't need a lesson plan. You just need to show up, notice what catches your child's eye, and follow where their curiosity leads.
MORE COMING SOON!
Free & Local
Outdoors
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines
ncparks.gov/weymouth-woods-sandhills-nature-preserve
Over 900 acres of longleaf pine forest with hiking trails, a nature museum, and ranger-led programs. One of the best places to explore the unique Sandhills ecosystem. Check their calendar for family-friendly events and guided hikes.
Reservoir Park
100 Reservoir Road, Southern Pines
southernpines.net/parks-recreation
Walk, bike, kayak (bring your own or rent for a small fee), and explore. Feed the turtles leafy greens during summer months. Great for conversations about ecosystems, watersheds, and environmental stewardship. The town also organizes periodic cleanups: a chance to practice civic responsibility while getting outside.
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst (at Sandhills Community College)
Free and open daily from dawn to dusk. Wander through themed gardens including a wetland area, formal English garden, and conifer collection. Quiet, beautiful, and endlessly explorable. Don’t forget a camera!
Rassie Wicker Park
Morganton Road & Midland Road, Pinehurst
Walking trails, sports fields, and open space. Simple but solid for a morning of movement and outdoor time.
Legacy Lakes
US-15, Aberdeen
Walking trails around the lakes with wildlife viewing opportunities. Peaceful spot for nature journaling or an easy family walk.
Farms & Markets
Moore County Farmers Markets
https://www.moorecountyfarmersmarket.com/
Two weekly markets with local vendors: one seasonal and one year-round. Practice math with real money, talk to farmers about what they grow, and explore what's in season.
Good Seeds Farms (at the Moore County farmers markets)
Fun and easy way to to get kids excited about micro-nutrients! Kids can watch how the sprouts grow too!
History, Arts & Culture
Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities
555 East Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines
Historic estate with gardens, art exhibitions, and literary history. Home to the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. The grounds and gallery are free to visit. Check their calendar for concerts, readings, and family-friendly events.
Southern Pines Historic District
Downtown Southern Pines
Walkable downtown with historic buildings, public art, and local shops. Create your own history walk or architecture scavenger hunt. With so many friendly shopkeepers, it’s a great way to get you kids to practice ordering their own food, purchasing their own items, and budgeting. Top favorites are the ice cream shop, toy shop, and It’s Not Rocket Science.
Shaw House Property
Morganton Road & Broad Street, Southern Pines
Historic house and grounds maintained by the Moore County Historical Association. Check for tours and events.
Campbell House Galleries
482 E. Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines
artistsleagueofthesandhills.org
Home of the Artists League of the Sandhills with rotating exhibitions. Free admission. Check for workshops and classes open to young artists
Libraries
Moore County Library Branches
Locations in Carthage, Robbins, Pinebluff, Vass, and Southern Pines
All Moore County libraries offer a variety programs and resources. Many branches host homeschool-specific events and activities. Check each branch's calendar and ask what's available for homeschool families.
Given Memorial Library & Tufts Archives
150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst
Small library with local history archives and rotating exhibits. Quiet spot for research projects or exploring Pinehurst history.
Pro Tip:
Libraries offer more than just books to check out! Check out the Southern Pines library where you can rent cleanup packs: borrow supplies to pick up trash around town and combine literacy with environmental stewardship.
Day Trips
Raleigh
about 1-1.5 hour drive
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
The largest natural history museum in the Southeast, and it's free! Multiple floors of exhibits on dinosaurs, North Carolina ecosystems, weather, space, and live animals. Plan for at least half a day. The Nature Research Center across the street has hands-on labs and live science demos.
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
Free admission to the permanent collection, which spans 5,000 years of art history. The 164-acre Museum Park has outdoor sculptures and walking trails. Perfect for picnics and getting movement between galleries!
North Carolina State Capitol
1 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh
Free self-guided tours of the historic capitol building. Schedule online to reserve. Great for exploring about state government, architecture, and history.
Marbles Kids Museum
201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh
Hands-on children's museum with interactive exhibits on science, art, and community. Plenty of building opportunities, to include craft and woodworking stations. Best for ages 10 and under, though older kids can enjoy it too. They also have an IMAX 3D theater with inexpensive tickets for short educational movies!
Durham Area
about 1-1.5 hour drive
Museum of Life and Science
433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham
ndoor and outdoor exhibits covering science, nature, and technology. Highlights include the butterfly house, dinosaur trail, train ride, and aerospace exhibit. Admission fee. Plan for a full day.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson Street, Durham
55 acres of landscaped and woodland gardens on Duke's campus. Free admission. Beautiful for nature walks, sketching, or just wandering.
Historic Stagville
5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham
One of the largest plantation complexes in the South, preserved to tell the history of enslaved people who lived and worked there. Free admission. Guided tours available. Important, sobering, and educational.
Fayetteville
45-55 minute drive
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
100 Bragg Boulevard, Fayetteville
Free museum covering the history of airborne and special operations forces from WWII to present. Includes a motion simulator (small fee). Explore how the airborne and aircraft innovation transformed warfare and reflect on international relations and the cost of freedom.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
536 N. Eastern Boulevard, Fayetteville
79 acres of gardens along the Cape Fear River. Admission fee. Nature trails, themed gardens, and seasonal events. Good for nature study and outdoor exploration.
Fascinate-U Children's Museum
116 Green Street, Fayetteville
Hands-on children's museum with exhibits on community, science, and creativity. Admission fee. Best for younger kids.
MORE COMING SOON!
A field trip is anywhere
we notice new things
& grow.
Want a tool to make any outing an easy and effective learning experience? Grab the Roamschool Expedition guide: printable prompts that turn everyday places into real adventures