Chadbourn North CarolinaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Chadbourn, North Carolina.
1. The Farmer's Barn
FAMILY-FRIENDLY CORN MAZE
The Farmer's Barn offers a corn maze and seasonal events for family-oriented activities in Chadbourn. Visitors can 'get lost in the fun' while enjoying clean, wholesome entertainment suitable for all ages. Located at 5821 Joe Brown Highway South, this attraction provides an authentic rural experience with agricultural-themed activities.
2. Maze Craze
SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST CORN MAZE
Maze Craze at Galloway Farm is the Southeast NC's largest corn maze, operating seasonal festivals throughout the year. The attraction hosts fall festivals, Christmas celebrations, Easter events, and serves as a popular field trip destination. Located just a short drive from Chadbourn at 370 Artesia Road in Hallsboro, it offers both entertainment and educational opportunities for visitors.
3. Chadbourn Railroad Depot Museum
HISTORIC RAILWAY HERITAGE
The Chadbourn Railroad Depot Museum is housed in a beautifully revitalized railroad depot that showcases the town's rich railway history. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of Chadbourn's development as a railroad hub. The museum serves as both an educational resource and civic space for the community.
4. Lake Waccamaw State Park
ANCIENT NATURAL WONDER
Lake Waccamaw State Park features the largest of all water-filled Carolina bays and the third largest lake in North Carolina, dating back more than 100,000 years. Visitors can explore 74 miles of shoreline where rare species like Venus flytraps and Waccamaw killifish thrive in their natural habitat. The park offers boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities with chances to spot white-tailed deer, various bird species, and occasionally bobcats or black bears.
5. Lumber River State Park
WILD AND SCENIC WATERWAY
Lumber River State Park protects a 115-mile federally-designated 'Wild and Scenic' river, recently named one of North Carolina's Top 10 Natural Wonders. This blackwater beauty offers kayaking and canoeing through passages lined with moss-draped cypress trees in a serene natural setting. Anglers can enjoy fishing for pike, bass, catfish, and bream in the river's pristine waters.
6. Green Swamp Preserve
RARE ECOSYSTEM SANCTUARY
Green Swamp Preserve encompasses 5,722 acres of unique wetland habitat near Chadbourn that protects threatened species including the American alligator, red-cockaded woodpecker, and fox squirrel. The preserve features one of the most impressive examples of longleaf pine savanna remaining in North Carolina. Visitors can explore the distinctive ecosystem via designated trails while enjoying opportunities for wildlife observation and nature photography.
7. Fair Bluff Depot Museum
RIVERSIDE HISTORICAL CENTER
The Fair Bluff Depot Museum is housed in another of Columbus County's revitalized railroad depots, showcasing the area's transportation history. The museum contains exhibits on local culture, industry, and the importance of the railway system to the region's development. Situated along the Lumber River, the location offers both historical interest and scenic natural beauty.
8. Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum
LAKESIDE HISTORICAL EXHIBITS
The Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum preserves the third of Columbus County's historic railroad depots, focusing on the unique natural and cultural heritage of this lake community. Exhibits showcase the geological formation of the Carolina bays, indigenous history, and European settlement of the region. The museum serves as both an educational facility and community gathering place for residents and visitors.
9. Waccamaw River
PRISTINE BLACKWATER PADDLING
The Waccamaw River flows from Lake Waccamaw southward into South Carolina, offering exceptional paddling opportunities through pristine blackwater environments. Paddlers can enjoy the peaceful, tree-lined waterway that provides habitat for numerous fish species and wildlife in a largely undeveloped setting. The river's slow-moving current makes it accessible to kayakers and canoeists of various skill levels.
10. Tabor City Visitor's Center
GATEWAY TO COLUMBUS COUNTY
The Tabor City Visitor's Center, established in 2006, welcomes travelers with information about Columbus County, Tabor City, and North Carolina state attractions. The center is housed in a converted gas station that has been transformed into a modern and aesthetically pleasing facility. Located at the corner of Fifth Street and Pireway Road, it serves as a convenient rest stop and information hub for visitors exploring the region.
11. Tabor City Centennial Carillon Clock Memorial
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LANDMARK
The Tabor City Centennial Carillon Clock Memorial stands proudly at the corner of 5th Street and Hickman Road in downtown Tabor City. This impressive timepiece was donated by Jimmy Garrell and Joe Garrell to honor their parents B. Alton Garrell and Doris Woodard Garrell while commemorating the town's 100th birthday. The clock serves as both a functional timepiece and a cherished community landmark symbolizing the town's heritage.
12. Horace Carter Museum
PULITZER PRIZE HERITAGE
The Horace Carter Museum preserves the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Horace Carter, who courageously stood against the Ku Klux Klan in the 1950s. Exhibits showcase Carter's journalistic work and the impact his writing had on the civil rights movement in eastern North Carolina. The museum offers visitors insight into a pivotal period in the region's history through artifacts, photographs, and informational displays.
13. The Ritz Center
HISTORIC ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Ritz Center in Tabor City offers entertainment and cultural events in a historic setting near Chadbourn. Originally built as a movie theater, this renovated venue now hosts concerts, performances, and community gatherings throughout the year. The preservation of this architectural landmark provides both entertainment opportunities and a connection to the area's cultural history.
14. Mt. Tabor City School House
EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE SITE
The Mt. Tabor City School House preserves an important piece of the region's educational history in its original structure. Visitors can see how rural education functioned in earlier decades through preserved classrooms and educational materials. The school house offers a glimpse into the past, showing how generations of local residents received their education before modern school consolidation.
15. Carrollwoods RV Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Carrollwoods RV Park provides a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts near Chadbourn with well-maintained camping facilities. The park features spacious RV sites alongside amenities designed for comfort and convenience during extended stays. Visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings while having easy access to nearby attractions throughout Columbus County.