Worth the drive: An afternoon at Fearrington Village
The weather is getting warmer and with COVID restrictions lifting, it is a great time to start exploring the area for day trips!
For a quiet and relaxing afternoon, you might want to head to Fearrington Village in Pittsboro. This English-inspired village is about 45 minutes from Raleigh and has farm animals!
You can walk the grounds and see goats, chickens and cows. It's peaceful and truly its own little oasis off of the US 15-501.
I spent a Sunday afternoon there and it was a great way to recharge for the workweek ahead.
What to eat at Fearrington Village
The Belted Goat is a great spot to grab lunch and coffee. I can't recommend the triple grilled cheese sandwich enough! Get avocado on it. Make sure to go back and grab some coffee later in the day. Plus, there is a little shop inside that features some specialty food items (cookies, popcorn and even bread) and wine so plan to shop.
The Fearrington House Restaurant is a wonderful option for dinner, but you can't always get reservations or you might not want a large dinner; that's why the bar menu is a great option. You don't need a reservation and you can sit at the bar or in the bar area and enjoy a special menu that includes everything from shareable plates (the savory cheese doughnuts are insane!) and entrees like fried chicken. Plus, they have a chocolate souffle that they finish tableside. Plus, the cocktails are pretty tasty and you get to watch the bartender make them.
Enjoy tea at the the Fearrington House Restaurant from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday. Reservations are required. There is also a weekly afternoon tea for two takeout option.
Roost Beer Garden is reopening in April and will feature live music, local draft beers and wood-fired pizza.
Where to shop
McIntyre's Books is open Wednesday through Sundays 10 a.m to 5 p.m. It is such a cute local bookstore with plenty of options for the entire family. There are also cute little notes tucked into some books with recommendations from staff.
As I mentioned earlier, the Belted Goat Market and Wine Shop is a great option for specialty food and wine. There are refrigerated options, jams, bread and a lot more so take your time and do some shopping before you grab food at the Belted Goat.
Hit up Dovecote Style for some designer clothing, jewelry and shoes. It is connected to Sprout, which is a cute children's boutique, and Nest, which has homegoods.
Where to relax
Make an appointment in advance at The Spa at Fearrington so you can relax with a custom facial or massage or a manicure or pedicure. Appointments book up early so you need to call in advance.
Sit outside in the chairs overlooking the cows or on the patio at The Belted Goat with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. There are a lot of great nooks to stop and just enjoy the outdoors.
