Goldsboro North Carolina Cliffs of the Neuse and Barbecue

Why visit Goldsboro

Goldsboro grew up at the crossing of two railroads in the 1840s and became a market town for cotton and tobacco. During the Civil War, Union troops under General Sherman passed through in 1865. The air base, opened during World War II, has shaped the city ever since.

Today Goldsboro is a friendly, unhurried place with a revitalized downtown, a historic theater, riverside parks and some of the best-known barbecue in the state.

Downtown Goldsboro

Downtown is built around wide, tree-lined Center Street.

Center Street

Center Street has a broad landscaped median with fountains and sculptures, framed by historic brick buildings with shops, restaurants and offices. It hosts outdoor concerts and festivals in warm months.

Paramount Theatre

The downtown Paramount Theatre was rebuilt after a fire in 2005 and now hosts concerts, plays, films and community events.

Union Station

Goldsboro's historic railroad station, built in the early 1900s, has been restored as a transportation and event center and is one of the city's handsomest buildings.

Wayne County Museum

This small museum tells the story of the county, from its farming and railroad past to the air base and local families.

History and the outdoors

Some of Goldsboro's best sights are just outside the center.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

About 15 minutes southeast, this state park protects 90-foot cliffs carved by the Neuse River, with layers of sand, clay and shells exposed in the bluff. It has hiking trails, a swimming lake, paddle boats and campsites.

Waynesborough Historic Village

On the Neuse River at the site of the county's first town, this village gathers historic buildings, including a schoolhouse, a doctor's office and a chapel, along with a large park and walking trails.

Herman Park

This historic city park near downtown has a lake, walking paths and a center used for events and recreation.

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

The base is home to F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, which are often seen flying over the city. It occasionally opens to the public for an air show, a major regional event.

Day trips from Goldsboro

Goldsboro sits at the center of eastern North Carolina, within an easy drive of several historic sites and small cities.

Bentonville Battlefield

About 25 minutes west, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site marks the largest Civil War battle fought in North Carolina, in March 1865. A visitor center, a restored farmhouse used as a field hospital and driving tour stops tell the story.

Kinston

About 35 minutes east, Kinston has the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center, which displays the remains of a Confederate ironclad gunboat, along with a revived downtown known for its food and craft beer.

Mount Olive

About 20 minutes south, the small town of Mount Olive is home to a well-known pickle company and holds the North Carolina Pickle Festival each April, with music, crafts and pickle tastings.

Wilson

About 35 minutes north, Wilson is famous for the giant whirligigs of folk artist Vollis Simpson, displayed in a downtown park.

The coast

Goldsboro is also a convenient stop on the way to the Crystal Coast, about two hours east, with beaches at Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle and historic Beaufort.

On the Neuse River

The Neuse River flows past Goldsboro on its way to Pamlico Sound. Paddlers launch from access points near Waynesborough Park and Cliffs of the Neuse, and the river's slow current makes it a good choice for beginners on calm days. Anglers fish for catfish, bass and, in spring, migrating shad. Check river levels before heading out, as water rises quickly after heavy rain.

Food and local flavors

Goldsboro is a capital of eastern North Carolina barbecue: whole hogs cooked slowly over wood or coals, chopped and seasoned with a sharp vinegar and pepper sauce, and served with coleslaw, boiled potatoes and hushpuppies. Some of the best-known barbecue restaurants have served the same recipe for decades.

Downtown has a growing number of cafés and restaurants, and nearby Mount Olive, home of a famous pickle company, holds the North Carolina Pickle Festival each spring.

Where to stay

US 70 Bypass has most of the chain hotels, convenient for the base and restaurants.

Downtown Goldsboro puts you close to Center Street and the Paramount Theatre.

Cliffs of the Neuse has campsites and cabins for an outdoor stay.

Best time to visit

Spring is warm and blooming, with festivals downtown and in Mount Olive.

Summer is hot and humid, best for the swimming lake at the state park.

Fall is pleasant and dry, ideal for hiking and outdoor dining.

Winter is mild and quiet.

Getting there and getting around

By air: Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about an hour and 15 minutes northwest.

By car: Interstate 795 and US 70 meet in Goldsboro, linking it to Raleigh, Wilson and the coast.

Getting around: A car is the easiest way to get around the city and to the state park.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Walk Center Street and see Union Station and the Paramount Theatre, then have a classic barbecue lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park to hike the bluff trails, and stop at Waynesborough Historic Village on the way back.

Practical tips

• Many traditional barbecue restaurants close early in the evening.
• Watch for F-15E jets overhead near the base.
• Cliffs of the Neuse has seasonal hours for swimming and boat rentals.
• Goldsboro is a convenient stop on the way from Raleigh to the coast.

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