Suggested Group Tour Itineraries
The Johnston County Visitors Bureau staff is available to assist motor coach groups of 25 or more seeking assistance in planning a trip to the Ava Gardner Museum anytime, including the annual festival held the first weekend in October each year. Please contact Kristin Radford, our Sales & Services Manager for itinerary planning and other services for your group.
The JCVB staff will be glad to assist with the following: group room blocks, custom itinerary planning, dining options for groups, securing tickets, and gift bags with additional coupon offers.
Day Trip Itinerary
For groups interested in making a day trip to Smithfield to Ava Gardner Museum, the following is a suggested itinerary.
| 10:00am | Tour the Ava Gardner Museum New Exhibits |
| Groups traveling to Smithfield for the day may drop by the museum on Friday exhibits and intro film. | |
| 11:15am | Shopping along Third Street in Downtown Smithfield |
| Downtown Smithfield has a variety of boutiques, home decór, and antique shops for your group to enjoy. | |
| 12N | Group Options for Lunch |
| Your group may choose to stay downtown following shopping, and split up for lunch at the following dining options: The Gilded Pear, Gotham's New York Deli, The Diner, or SoDoSoPa. Or gather up the group for the buffet at Golden Corral, or Cracker Barrel both close by at Exit 95. | |
| 1:30pm | Outlet Shopping at Carolina Premium Outlets |
| For an afternoon option, your group could enjoy outlet shopping (a crowd favorite), shopping at DeWayne's or exploring nearby Hinnant Winery and enjoy a wine tasting. | |
| 3pm | Depart for Home |
One Night Two Day Itinerary
Day One
| 1pm | Arrival in Smithfield |
| Based on your arrival time to Smithfield, your group could take in some outlet shopping at Carolina Premium Outlets before checking into your hotel or tour the museum exhibits. | |
| 5pm | Early Dinner Options |
| For groups of 25 or more there are private dining options in the area: Texas Steakhouse, Golden Corral, Mayflower Seafood, or nearby Old North State Food Hall or Parkside Café. | |
| 6:30pm | Optional Movie shown in the Theater |
| The Museum may with some notice set up a movie night in the Museum's theater. |
Day Two
| 10:00am | Heritage Tour with Step-on Guide |
| Step on Guide will take your group on the Heritage Tour of Ava's birthplace, the Teacherage where she lived in the Brogden Community and her grave site at Sunset Memorial Park. Cost per person $20.00 | |
| 12:15pm | Options for Lunch |
| Lunch options include The Diner, Gotham's New York Deli, The Gilded Pear, and SoDoSoPa. Group will have to split up as dining options in downtown do not include private space for large groups. | |
| 2pm | Tour of the Ava Gardner Museum |
| Tour the museum's exhibits following the 18-minute introductory film on Ava's life and career. The museum often changes out exhibits and new acquired artifacts are installed throughout the year. | |
| 3:30pm | Depart for Home |
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