WILSON
Photo credit : Bahama NC
Wilson Community
Original Content by Carl Johnson
About an hour East of the Triangle you will find the city of Wilson. If you’ve never been, Wilson is a great place to stop, take a break and enjoy while on your journey from the Triangle to the Crystal Coast. With a population of over 40,000 Wilson is in the top 20 of largest cities in North Carolina (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Wilson city, North Carolina). You can find all of the typical greatness that North Carolina offers in the city of Wilson including hiking, camping, the largest collection of Whirligigs (we’ll talk about what that means later!), great location to education and career opportunities as well as the coast, and of course the best of small town feels!
About an hour East of the Triangle you will find the city of Wilson. If you’ve never been, Wilson is a great place to stop, take a break and enjoy while on your journey from the Triangle to the Crystal Coast. With a population of over 40,000 Wilson is in the top 20 of largest cities in North Carolina (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Wilson city, North Carolina). You can find all of the typical greatness that North Carolina offers in the city of Wilson including hiking, camping, the largest collection of Whirligigs (we’ll talk about what that means later!), great location to education and career opportunities as well as the coast, and of course the best of small town feels!
Like most cities and towns in the area, Wilson grew into a city with the development of the local railroad, boomed with the growth of mills and plantations, and took off with the addition of schools and a local post office. With the settlement of the town folk starting before the 1800’s you can find a lot of local ties and pride to the area (Wilson History | Wilson, NC).
The city of Wilson has a great interactive website! Check out their introductory video below:
Discover Wilson on Vimeo
Parks and Rec
Wilson takes pride in investing in their people and has supported a great parks and recreation department. “The Wilson Parks & Recreation department is in charge of parks, athletics, and outdoor activities in Wilson. The city has invested in sports and play because it knows the value of sportsmanship, team building, and good ‘ol family fun. Wilson has several newly renovated and improved parks and is also home to the widely known J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex. Gillette Athletic Complex is a top youth sports facility in the nation that features 8 full-size soccer fields, 4 Little League baseball fields, open space, a 3.1-mile cross country trial and a multi-purpose field. Youth athletic leagues play here all seasons of the year and opportunities include:
The city of Wilson has a great interactive website! Check out their introductory video below:
Discover Wilson on Vimeo
Parks and Rec
Wilson takes pride in investing in their people and has supported a great parks and recreation department. “The Wilson Parks & Recreation department is in charge of parks, athletics, and outdoor activities in Wilson. The city has invested in sports and play because it knows the value of sportsmanship, team building, and good ‘ol family fun. Wilson has several newly renovated and improved parks and is also home to the widely known J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex. Gillette Athletic Complex is a top youth sports facility in the nation that features 8 full-size soccer fields, 4 Little League baseball fields, open space, a 3.1-mile cross country trial and a multi-purpose field. Youth athletic leagues play here all seasons of the year and opportunities include:
- Wilson City Little League Baseball
- Cheerleading
- Tackle Football
- Futsal
- Track & Field
- Fast-Pitch Softball
- Basketball
- Football
- Soccer
- Youth Golf Lessons
- Kickball
- Wilson Tobs Baseball” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson).
https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play
You can also find four great parks in Wilson where you can take the time to get our and enjoy the beauties of North Carolina.
Buckhorn: “A multi-use park that borders the Buckhorn Reservoir. Perfect for duck hunting, boating, fishing, and horseback riding” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson)
Lake Wilson: “A beautiful park that features a biking trail and walking trails, with opportunities for paddle sports, boating, fishing, and disc golf” (https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play).
Wedgewood Golf Course: “An 18-hole layout golf course with 2 putting greens, a driving range, a pro shop with concessions, and a picnic area with playground apparatus” (https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play).
J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex: “A state of the art athletic complex featuring 8 full-size soccer fields, 4 Little League baseball fields, a 3.1 mile cross country trail, a disc golf practice course, picnic shelters, and restrooms. This facility is also home to All Children’s Playground, a large handicap accessible play area providing a space for positive interaction between all children” (https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play).
Arts, History, and Where to Eat
Wilson City also supports the growth of local art and creativity for all while preserving the history of the past. For example, “Wilson Arts is a local arts council first founded in 1967 that is dedicated to supporting programming for the visual and performing arts. Wilson Arts has programs and classes running throughout the year that focus on just about every creative endeavor you can think of. Writing, painting, drawing, acting, music and sculpting classes all take place in the new center located at 124 Nash Street N, Wilson, NC” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson).
In addition to the Wilson Arts council you have to stop by and see the artistic Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park while in Wilson. “Whirligigs are artistic sculptures made of painted metal and other materials that spin, created by North Carolina native Vollis Simpson who was born in Wilson in 1919. The larger-than-life Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum, located in historic downtown Wilson, features several of the late Simpson’s artworks. A total of 31 whirligigs were restored and added to the 2-acre park and each year the annual North Carolina Whirligig Festival pays homage to Simpson’s beautiful creations. More than 35,000 people come out to see the whirl of a whirligig up close every year and experience this quintessential charm that sets Wilson apart from other North Carolina towns” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson).
CLICK HERE to visit the official website and to learn more and the art in motion at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park!
You can also find four great parks in Wilson where you can take the time to get our and enjoy the beauties of North Carolina.
Buckhorn: “A multi-use park that borders the Buckhorn Reservoir. Perfect for duck hunting, boating, fishing, and horseback riding” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson)
Lake Wilson: “A beautiful park that features a biking trail and walking trails, with opportunities for paddle sports, boating, fishing, and disc golf” (https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play).
Wedgewood Golf Course: “An 18-hole layout golf course with 2 putting greens, a driving range, a pro shop with concessions, and a picnic area with playground apparatus” (https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play).
J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex: “A state of the art athletic complex featuring 8 full-size soccer fields, 4 Little League baseball fields, a 3.1 mile cross country trail, a disc golf practice course, picnic shelters, and restrooms. This facility is also home to All Children’s Playground, a large handicap accessible play area providing a space for positive interaction between all children” (https://discoverwilson.com/returning-home/play).
Arts, History, and Where to Eat
Wilson City also supports the growth of local art and creativity for all while preserving the history of the past. For example, “Wilson Arts is a local arts council first founded in 1967 that is dedicated to supporting programming for the visual and performing arts. Wilson Arts has programs and classes running throughout the year that focus on just about every creative endeavor you can think of. Writing, painting, drawing, acting, music and sculpting classes all take place in the new center located at 124 Nash Street N, Wilson, NC” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson).
In addition to the Wilson Arts council you have to stop by and see the artistic Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park while in Wilson. “Whirligigs are artistic sculptures made of painted metal and other materials that spin, created by North Carolina native Vollis Simpson who was born in Wilson in 1919. The larger-than-life Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum, located in historic downtown Wilson, features several of the late Simpson’s artworks. A total of 31 whirligigs were restored and added to the 2-acre park and each year the annual North Carolina Whirligig Festival pays homage to Simpson’s beautiful creations. More than 35,000 people come out to see the whirl of a whirligig up close every year and experience this quintessential charm that sets Wilson apart from other North Carolina towns” (Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson).
CLICK HERE to visit the official website and to learn more and the art in motion at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park!
Wilson NC | Discover Wilson
The Downtown Historic District of Wilson is always bustling, day and night, as it is a hot spot of both business, restaurants, and shops. If you’re looking for great popular local restaurants with tried and true southern recipes mixed with modern flair check out our list below:
The Downtown Historic District of Wilson is always bustling, day and night, as it is a hot spot of both business, restaurants, and shops. If you’re looking for great popular local restaurants with tried and true southern recipes mixed with modern flair check out our list below:
- The Beefmaster Inn (Carl’s Fav)
- The Corner (Carl's Fav)
- Jack’s Restaurant
- Parker’s BBQ
- Flo’s Kitchen
- Larema Coffee House
- La Rancherita Grill and Tequila Bar (Carl’s Fav)
- Ruckus and Redemption
- Wilson Doughnut Shop
- Marty’s BBQ
- El Tapatio
- Best-N-Burgers
Residents Play in Wilson NC | Discover Wilson
From fishing at Buckhorn to taking in the seasonal festival being held at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson has so much to discover. A great place to work, live, and play, the city of Wilson can be your next vacation or even hometown! CLICK HERE to read about another one of my favorite NC towns, that is Graham.
From fishing at Buckhorn to taking in the seasonal festival being held at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson has so much to discover. A great place to work, live, and play, the city of Wilson can be your next vacation or even hometown! CLICK HERE to read about another one of my favorite NC towns, that is Graham.