From rescued tigers and alpacas to free outdoor concerts, discover seven spots in Chatham County, NC, for a family day out
By Beckett Brantley
Live on the Lawn
Mosaic at Chatham Park has become a go-to destination for dining, wellness and entertainment. The Philip H. Kohl Mosaic Family Commons invites families to bring lawn chairs or spread out their blankets for an evening of free live music or an outdoor movie throughout the summer and into the fall. This season began in April with the Friday Beach Music Series, the perfect outing to get in a vacation mood, with coastal vibes and a new band every week – including a performance by the Northwood High School marching band.
“It just feels good to know that people love coming to our community and enjoying all that we have, and supporting the local arts too,” says Savannah Fox, events and commercial assistant property manager at Mosaic. The fall brings another opportunity to jam out with themed concerts. This year’s Blast from the Past series features a nostalgic decade-spanning lineup held first and third Fridays through Oct. 16. If you’re motivated to get up and do the moonwalk, or maybe the 1, 2 step, Mosaic recently added a dance floor to the lawn.
Other events include the Moonlight Movie Series, a family-friendly drive-in style movie experience; Mosaic Market, a collection of crafts, fresh produce, baked goods and restaurant fare from local vendors on select Saturdays; Wellness Wednesdays, a chance to get active with instructor-led workout classes; and the Merry + Bright Christmas Drone Light Show and holiday market in December. Beginning this fall, Mosaic plans to offer a VIP tent experience, available to rent during large events. The space will provide premium seating for about 30 people to gather for birthday parties, reunions and other get-togethers.
A Creative Escape
Tucked away down a wooded drive just 2 miles from downtown Pittsboro, The Plant is perfect for a day of shopping, an evening of live music or even a wedding. More than 20 small businesses call the cozy 17-acre campus home – from local brewers like BMC Brewing and a variety of Central American and Caribbean fare to a trio of hemp-powered stores, a gallery curated by the Chatham Artists Guild and an axe-throwing studio.
“It’s very pedestrian, and so it’s a really safe place if your babies and children and dogs are running wild and there’s a ton of different places to hang out as a group,” Tami Schwerin, cofounder of The Plant, says. Spaces spread across the grounds – including Little Pond Gardens, a gazebo and the Tree Museum – are available to rent for weddings, baby showers, birthday parties and much more. “There’s different little nooks and crannies to hang out in,” Tami adds.
Play a game of giant chess, keep an eye out for a purple martin or a wood duck on an easy hike around the campus or check the calendar for live music. The Wheelhouse at Fair Game Beverage Company transforms into an intimate listening room for ticketed shows featuring local and touring artists alike, or enjoy a free outdoor show. Seasonal festivals like the Okra Jamboree in August or Pepperfest and Mead Fest in September provide even more opportunities to explore local vendors.
Fun on the Farm
If you’ve ever wanted to relax with a draft beer, pet a goat and enjoy free live music at the same time, Old Mill Farm is the place to be. The rustic 12-acre property, located off N.C. Highway 751, hosts weekly concerts with live music, food trucks and local beer and wine; and open farm days with free admission, where kids can pet the animals, mine for gems, fish in the pond and climb on the nearby playground. Old Mill Farm also offers hands-on summer camps with loads of farm-animal fun, and is an ideal venue for memorable birthday parties, weddings under the magical lights and other big moments.
“Whether you’re joining us for our popular Fridays at the Farm series featuring local live music, food, drinks and family-friendly fun, celebrating the seasons with signature events like Oktoberfest, Halloween on the Farm and Christmas on the Farm, or planning a special occasion, Old Mill Farm offers something for everyone,” owner Alec Moore says.
Shop Till You Drop
Fearrington Village’s mix of retail, dining and event spaces, preserved natural areas and peaceful streets makes it a welcoming destination for visitors of all ages. The iconic Belted Galloway cows greet passersby as they make their way into the village center. Find a new read at McIntyre’s Books, browse apparel at Thistle & Oak or Dovecote Style, or find unique decor at Nest Home. The Belted Goat serves up breakfast staples and a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch, prepared with local ingredients. For something lighter, The Fearrington House Restaurant serves an afternoon tea with seasonal sweet and savory bites – reservations are required. In the evening, Galloway’s Wine Bar & Shop serves wine by the glass, plus local craft beer, seasonal cocktails and small plates.
In addition to the rolling pastures where the cows, goats and other barnyard animals reside, Fearrington is dotted with picturesque flower gardens and adjoined by Jenny’s Park, a 17-acre natural area with two ponds, a winding walking path and a wildflower meadow where visitors can take a weekend stroll – or even get married! Fearrington offers all-inclusive weddings with ceremony spaces around the grounds. Receptions (or birthdays, anniversaries, showers and other momentous gatherings) can move inside to The Barn, a large rustic-but-modern venue; the Garden Terrace, a year-round open-air pavilion surrounded by gardens; The Cottage at The Fearrington House Inn, an intimate venue nestled beneath the pecan trees; or The Fearrington House Restaurant itself.
“The versatility of our spaces is remarkable – we’ve had such fun taking someone’s vision and customizing the spaces to make it a reality,” social media manager Emma Zunker says. “We’ve hosted so many different kinds of weddings in our Barn, for example, from highly sophisticated affairs with mirror balls and a classic black and white dance floor to more garden-inspired, with greenery draped from the ceilings and floral centerpieces on the tables.”
For residents, Fearrington Village offers a variety of amenities: The Gathering Place, a central hub where clubs, workshops and other social gatherings are hosted; the Swim and Croquet Club; the Fearrington Farmer’s Market; miles of walking trails; and, of course, shopping and dining.
Earn Your Stripes
Carolina Tiger Rescue is home to 13 species of animals – including tigers, lions, red wolves and porcupines – rescued from dire situations and housed in large, naturalistic habitats. Located right in Pittsboro’s backyard, CTR offers a variety of tours that will entertain the entire family. General guided tours teach visitors about each animal and the conservation challenges wild cats face, while special enrichment tours offer insight into the activities that the caretakers encourage to promote natural behaviors in the animals.
For an insider’s look at the rescue, after-hours twilight tours are available April through October, and monthly Tiger Tales tours give children ages 2-7 the chance to create animal-themed crafts and learn about the sanctuary’s residents. “Guests also learn how Carolina Tiger Rescue advocates for stronger protections for wild animals in captivity and in the wild,” says Marketing and Communications Director Nick Keller, “and how their everyday choices can make a meaningful difference for wildlife.”
A Slice of Peru
Dogs, goats and, of course, alpacas – 34 to be exact – await visitors at Carolina Sunshine Alpaca Farm, located off U.S. Highway 64 between Pittsboro and Siler City. PacaVisits offer an opportunity to walk the farm lanes, feed and pet the animals and strike up a yard game, all at your own pace. The farm welcomes guests year round to bring a chair and their favorite pastime and spend a few hours relaxing among the animals.
For a guided experience, PacaTours are staff-led walkthroughs where you’ll feed the alpacas while you learn about their history, care and what the farm crafts with their wool. The farm hosts special events throughout the year, like National Alpaca Farm Day in late September, as well as educational camps and yoga classes. Celebrate birthdays and special events in the rentable open-air barn and field, where kids can throw a frisbee or play a game of kickball before visiting with the farm animals.
“Our motto is to bring a little more joy and light into the world,” co-owner Danette Boezio says. “We love doing that through our alpacas and through the products, of course. For us, it’s all about the connection that our animals have with our guests.”
A Storied Venue
Locals began the Bynum Music Series on the front porch of what was then the Bynum General Store in 2001; the intimate Bynum Front Porch has been a weekly destination for people of all ages to enjoy free musical performances ever since. During the summer months, folding chairs and twinkling lights frame the stage for the Friday night concerts. From September through April, when temperatures dip, performances move indoors for the Mill Town Yarns series inside the store. Local and professional storytellers and singer-songwriters share their talents in the monthly lineup, which N.C. Storytellers Guild recognizes as one of the state’s premier storytelling hubs. Artists of all ages and skill levels can share in the music-making with acoustic Bluegrass Circle Jams every second and fourth Saturday year round.
“Our series is in its 25th season,” says Bynum Front Porch board chair Ron Hatley. “Everyone enjoys our inviting atmosphere, outside if the weather is perfect, and inside if there are threats of rain.” The cost to attend is free, but hats are passed for the band, and donations and proceeds from concession sales go to area students and schools. “Bynum Front Porch has donated $60,000 since its inception,” Ron says. “Everyone enjoys the friendly evenings beneath the Bynum skies. Come rock with us!”
