Rocky Mount area
Around Rocky Mount area
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Greater area · North Carolina · 290k people
Rocky Mount area
Locals say Twin Counties
Where the Tar River winds through history and barbecue smoke.
deep greengold
Welcome to the Twin Counties, where the Tar River winds through historic mill towns and the smell of whole-hog barbecue fills the air. Whether you're here for the outdoor adventures or the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find a tight-knit community ready to share a sweet tea and a story.
Clubs for Rocky Mount area
No clubs for Rocky Mount area yet.
The room
Rocky Mount area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Rocky Mount's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Rocky Mount. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Rocky Mount area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Tar River Greenway Walking and biking trail along the river.
- Imperial Centre for Arts and Sciences Regional museum with planetarium and children's exhibits.
- Tarboro Town Common One of the oldest public squares in North Carolina.
- Rocky Mount Event Center Modern arena for sports and concerts.
- Rocky Mount Mills Historic cotton mill repurposed with breweries and shops.
- Nash County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Nashville, NC.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Tar River Greenway
- Outdoors Fish for bass and catfish in the Tar River
- With kids Explore the Imperial Centre for Arts and Sciences
- With kids Catch a family show at the Rocky Mount Event Center
- Evenings Craft beer at Rocky Mount Mills
- Evenings Concerts at the Event Center
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Eastern Carolina BBQ Festival fall Whole-hog barbecue competition and tasting in the fall.
- Tarboro Town Common Summer Concert Series summer Free outdoor concerts on the historic town common.
- Tar River Run 5K spring Community run along the Tar River greenway.
- First Friday Art Walk monthly Monthly gallery openings and street vendors in downtown Rocky Mount.
- Rocky Mount Mills Craft Beer Festival summer Local breweries and food trucks at the historic mill complex.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temperatures and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Twin Counties”
- The local nickname for the Rocky Mount/Tarboro area.
- “The 'Boro”
- Shorthand for Tarboro.
- “Whole hog”
- Refers to the Eastern NC whole-hog barbecue style.
Getaways
- Wilson – Whirligig Park See the iconic wind sculptures and downtown shops.
- Greenville – ECU Pirates College town with restaurants and riverfront.
- Roanoke Rapids – Lake Gaston Boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation.
- Goldsboro – Wayne County Museum Local history and downtown charm.
Local flavour
Rooting for East Carolina Pirates, UNC Tar Heels, NC State Wolfpack
Eat and drink
- Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue Vinegar-based, with a peppery kick, served with coleslaw and hushpuppies.
- Sweet tea The standard drink at any local meal.
- Boiled peanuts A roadside staple in the region.
Where people go
- Tobacco warehouses and cotton mills Historic industrial architecture that defined the region's economy.
- The Tar River A winding waterway that runs through the heart of the area, with parks and trails.
- Barbecue joints Family-owned smokehouses serving whole-hog 'cue since generations.
- Historic downtown districts Brick streets and early 20th-century storefronts, especially in Rocky Mount and Tarboro.
Heritage and traditions
The Twin Counties of Nash and Edgecombe are proud of their deep agricultural and industrial roots along the Tar River, the historic first African American town of Princeville, and a rich jazz and gospel heritage.
This time of year in Rocky Mount area
- Sweet potato harvest fall Nash County is a top sweet potato producer.
- Tarboro Historic Ghost Walk October A guided tour of historic Tarboro with spooky stories.
Say it like a local: “tobacco road” — reference to the region's tobacco heritage
Festivals
- Princeville Founder's Day spring Celebrates the incorporation of the first African American town in the US.
- Tarboro Historic Ghost Walk October A guided tour of historic Tarboro with spooky stories.
- Rocky Mount Christmas Parade December A festive parade through downtown Rocky Mount.
- Tarboro Christmas Parade December A holiday parade on the Tarboro Town Common.
Landmarks with a story
- Princeville Historic District The first town in the US incorporated by African Americans (1885).
- Tarboro Historic District Features antebellum homes and the Blount-Bridgers House.
- Blount-Bridgers House A Federal-style home from the early 1800s, now a museum.
Food traditions
- Hushpuppies Fried cornmeal fritters served with barbecue and fish.
- Sweet potato pie A dessert made from the region's abundant sweet potatoes.
- Eastern NC vinegar slaw A tangy, vinegar-based coleslaw served alongside whole-hog barbecue.
- Sweet potato biscuits A local specialty using the area's sweet potato harvest.
Music and arts
- Jazz heritage Thelonious Monk's birthplace, with a lasting jazz influence.
- Gospel music Strong gospel tradition in African American churches.
- Folk art Quilting and crafts in the rural communities.
A little history
- 1885 Princeville incorporated as first African American town
- 1960 Sit-in at Woolworth's lunch counter in Rocky Mount
- 1760 Tarboro founded as a town
- 1999 Hurricane Floyd floods Princeville, devastating the town
Rivalries
- UNC vs NC State College basketball rivalry splits local fans.
- ECU vs NC State College football bragging rights in Eastern NC.
- Tarboro vs Rocky Mount high school football Annual cross-county game with big crowds.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments on the Tar River
- Outdoors Visit Princeville
- Outdoors Go to the Nash County Farmers Market
- With kids Learning about Princeville's history
- With kids Exploring the Blount-Bridgers House
Southern American English with a distinct Eastern North Carolina drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
Only here
- The Twin Counties nickname for Nash and Edgecombe.
- Princeville, the first African American incorporated town.
- The Tar River, which flows through the region.
- The 'Rocky Mount' name from a rocky mound near the river.
New here? A few tips
- Try the Eastern NC whole-hog barbecue with vinegar slaw.
- Learn about Princeville's history as the first African American town.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers.
- Use the Tar River Greenway for walking and biking.
- Check out the Tarboro Town Common for events.
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Areas in Rocky Mount area
Nearby
Every areaEmporiaVirginiaWhere the crossroads meet and the peanuts grow.GoldsboroNorth CarolinaWhere the fields meet the flight line.Greene CountyNorth CarolinaSweet potato country, where the fields meet the sky.Warren CountyNorth CarolinaWhere the pines meet the water.GreenvilleNorth CarolinaThe heart of Eastern CarolinaSouth HillVirginiaWhere the lake meets the pinesKinstonNorth CarolinaWhere the Neuse runs slow and the barbecue is vinegar-sweet.Roanoke-ChowanNorth CarolinaWhere the rivers meet the fields
Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids, NC CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.