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Kinston was laid out in the 1760s on the Neuse River and named in honor of King George III, though after the Revolution the name was trimmed to Kinston. It became the seat of Lenoir County in 1791 and was home to Richard Caswell, North Carolina's first governor under the state constitution. During the Civil War, the Confederate ironclad CSS Neuse was built nearby and later scuttled in the river; its remains are now the centerpiece of a museum downtown.
In the 20th century Kinston grew as a tobacco market and textile town, and it has a proud musical heritage, honored at the Kinston Music Park with sculptures of local musicians who played with James Brown and other stars. The city has enjoyed a revival in recent years, with a food scene that drew national attention through the TV series A Chef's Life, filmed here, and a brewery and boutique hotel downtown.
Baseball is back at historic Grainger Stadium with the Down East Wood Ducks, and the Neuseway Nature Park offers trails, a nature center and a planetarium along the river.
A museum in downtown Kinston built around the surviving hull of the CSS Neuse, a Confederate ironclad ram scuttled on the Neuse River in 1865 and raised a century later. Exhibits explain how the ship was built and lost. It is a state historic site; check opening days and plan about an hour.
A memorial and grave site honoring Richard Caswell, the first governor of the independent state of North Carolina, located west of downtown Kinston. The grounds include a monument and family burial site. It is linked to the CSS Neuse historic site, so ask staff there about visiting.
Kinston's oldest surviving home, built in the late 1700s and expanded over time, was used by several early governors and leaders of the area. Now a house museum run by a local preservation group, it shows period furnishings. Tours are offered on limited days, so call or check online before visiting.
A downtown park honoring the many famous musicians from Kinston, including funk legends who played with James Brown, such as Maceo Parker. It features a stage, plaques and sculptures telling their stories. It is free and open daily; check for summer concerts held on the park stage.
Downtown Kinston along Queen Street has restored early 1900s buildings, a growing food scene with farm-to-table restaurants, a brewery, shops and murals. It is easy to explore on foot. Many places close early on weekdays, so check hours, and book ahead for dinner at popular restaurants on weekends.
A craft brewery in downtown Kinston opened in 2009, known for its environmentally friendly brewery building and a range of beers, with a taproom and a rooftop area. It has helped spark the downtown revival. Check taproom hours, and look for events and tours on weekends.
A classic ballpark built in 1949 and home of the Down East Wood Ducks, a Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Games are affordable and family friendly, with fireworks nights and promotions. The stadium's old-school charm is part of the appeal; evening games are coolest in summer.
A city park on the Neuse River with a nature center and small animal exhibits, a planetarium, campsites, a playground, a fishing pier and riverside trails. It is a great family stop with low admission prices. Check opening hours for the nature center and planetarium, which differ from the park grounds.
The stately Lenoir County Courthouse stands at the center of downtown Kinston, surrounded by historic commercial buildings, and remains the seat of county government. Monuments and historical markers on its grounds recall local history. View the exterior on a downtown walk; the interior is open during business hours.
I love quiet and this is peaceful and relaxing place not so noisy and busy!
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North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
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Photo: Tradewinds, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tradewinds, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tradewinds, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tradewinds, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tradewinds, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Tradewinds, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: The ed17, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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