North Carolina's Hidden Nook Between Raleigh And Charlotte Hides A Charming Town With A Winery And Local Bites

Tucked between Raleigh and Charlotte lies Siler City, a farm-centric community that surprises visitors with a winery, craft brews, and authentic eats. From unique stays on a working dairy farm with goat yoga to visitor-friendly farms with seasonal events, the city takes pride in its agri-tourism. Year-round, Siler City offers old-fashioned farm-related festivals, local artisan and farmer markets, and the annual Spring Chicken Festival. Plus, the city is only 30 miles away from Jordan Lake, North Carolina's lively recreation paradise of lakes, beaches, and campsites. 

Here, you can sip on locally-produced wines at Fireclay Cellars, on their deck that overlooks their vineyards. They offer a variety of wines, from semi-sweet Chambourcins to dry reds, but try their award-winning Chardonel, a crisp, dry white wine that is refreshing. "So chic and rustic, you don't even feel like you are in North Carolina! The wine is beautifully crafted, I bought two bottles and will be back many more times in the future," one happy traveler wrote on TripAdvisor.

Most people arrive here by flying into the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This is the area's closest major airport, located about 50 miles away, or about an hour's drive away by rental car. If you are looking for a scenic drive through the countryside, opt for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located about a 2-hour drive away.

Farming and agriculture are at the heart of Siler City's community. Throughout the year, the city holds harvest celebrations and old-fashioned festivals like the annual Farmer's Day. Held at the nearby Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park, you can still celebrate like they did half a century ago, with dance performances held in the barn, antique-tractor pulls, live music, raffles, and livestock performances. 

Each May, Siler City also hosts the Spring Chicken Festival, which features live music, amusement park rides, arts and craft vendors, and lots of food options. For some homemade crafts, fresh produce from area farms, and food trucks, the Siler City Growers and Makers Market is open from March through December for one-of-a-kind finds.

For a unique place to stay, the Inn at Celebrity Dairy is a 300-acre working dairy farm. Here, you can interact with their herd of Alpine and Saanen goats, sometimes even helping bottle feed the baby goats. At the bed and breakfast, you can decide to stay in the farmhouse or the original 1800s log cabin. On weekends, they serve you up food straight from their farm: eggs from their free-range chickens, their award-winning goat cheese, and homemade jams and breads. During the week, they provide you with a takeaway breakfast. Power up for a hike around their farm, as they have a few trails you can take a wander in. They also hold special events like goat yoga, cooking classes, and pop-up events catered by local chefs.

For over 79 years, Johnson's Drive-In has had a small but tempting menu serving up American fare like chill-cheese hotdogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and their most ordered item, their juicy cheeseburgers. They are only open in the afternoon and tend to sell out quickly. Another local favorite is Chris'drive-In, a diner that also serves up comfort food like hot dogs piled high with chili, melted cheese, and crispy onions. If you are craving barbecue, head to the nearby town of Greensboro, which is on North Carolina's ultimate scenic foodie road trip for unbeatable barbecue.

For authentic Mexican flavors, Tienda Loma Bonita is a downtown grocery, butcher shop, and panaderia. If you are craving some Southern-style home cooking, try the chicken-fried steak with a side of creamy mashed potatoes at the Bestfood Cafeteria. If your belly somehow still isn't full, head 40 miles north to North Carolina's artsy town with award-winning dining.

Beyond their winery, Siler City also boasts a small but impressive brewery. Thirsty Skull Brewing offers a variety of draft Pilsners, IPAs, along with rotating ciders and guest taps. It's named after a local legend of spook lights and a ghost that haunts the area, still searching for one last pint. The brewery is owned by a small crew that uses as many local ingredients as they can during the brewing process. Wash down all that good local grub with a Pushing Daisies Pale Ale. As the brewery's first creation, the recipe has been perfected over the years into a crisp pale ale showcasing a variety of hops, balanced with a Golden Promise malt.