Episode Two: Sonlight Farms

In Episode 2, Josh is back behind the wheel and getting out on the farm to meet the people behind Sonlight Farms, hear their story, and discover what makes this Johnston County destination so special. A place where faith, hard work, family, and a whole lot of fun come together. From the farm to the people who make it happen, Josh gets a firsthand look at what’s growing and why this destination is worth a stop when you’re Driving JoCo.

A Fall Weekend Around Kenly

You have seen the story behind Sonlight Farms. Now experience the farm for yourself and turn your visit into an overnight trip through Johnston County. This two-day itinerary combines fall fun at Sonlight Farms with Kenly’s agricultural heritage, local food, shopping, wine and seasonal events. Follow the complete route or choose the stops that fit your travel style.

Start with Something Local

Begin your Saturday in Downtown Kenly at 2nd Street Coffee & Café. Fuel up with coffee, a frappe, smoothie or light bite before setting out for the day. The menu includes pastries, subs, chicken salad and Bright Leaf hot dogs, and the café is featured on both the JoCo Coffee Trail and JoCo Hot Dog Trail.

Explore Kenly's Agricultural Heritage

Next, visit the Tobacco Farm Life Museum to discover how eastern North Carolina farm families lived, worked and built their communities. Explore the museum’s exhibit gallery, restored farmstead, historic structures, and collection of agricultural artifacts. The experience offers a look at the farming traditions that helped shape Johnston County before you see how a local family is creating new Agritourism traditions today. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.

Experience the Episode at Sonlight Farms

Make your way to Sonlight Farms for an afternoon filled with fall traditions and plenty of room to play. Find your way through the corn maze, pick a pumpkin, take a hayride, race pedal carts, visit the animal barn, and explore the farm’s slides, games, and seasonal activities. Concessions are also available when you are ready for lunch or a snack. Sonlight Farms is open every Saturday in October from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Activities and special events may vary, so check the farm’s current schedule before your visit.

Dinner in Kenly

After a full afternoon at the farm, settle in for dinner at one of Kenly’s local restaurants. Choose home-style cooking and Southern favorites at Lowell Mill Restaurant, or gather around the table for pizza, pasta and more at Nik’s Pizza. Either option gives you a relaxed place to refuel after the corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Stay the Night

Do not rush home after dinner. Check into one of Johnston County’s nearby hotels and give yourself another day to explore. Whether you stay near Kenly or continue toward the Smithfield-Selma area, you will find convenient accommodations close to Interstate 95 and the next stops on your itinerary.

Start Sunday at Waffee Station

Begin your morning in Micro with handcrafted waffles, specialty coffee and plenty of creative combinations at Waffee Station. It is a playful breakfast stop for kids and grown-ups alike (deciding what to order may be the hardest part). Prefer a slower start? Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out.

Add One More JoCo Experience

Before heading home, add one more JoCo experience to your weekend. Browse the shops and grab lunch at Eastfield Crossing, sip locally made muscadine wine at Hinnant Family Vineyards, or check our events calendar for a festival, market, live performance or seasonal event happening during your visit.

 

 

 

Episode One: DeWayne's

For our very first stop on Driving JoCo, we’re pulling into DeWayne’s Garden & Gift Center—a place where plants are plentiful, gifts are everywhere, and apparently you can spend way more time browsing than you originally planned. We’ll dig into the story behind this Johnston County favorite, meet the people who keep it growing, and find out why DeWayne’s has become much more than a place to pick up a few flowers and accidentally leave with a truckload of stuff you didn’t know you needed. So, buckle up, crank up the volume, and come explore Johnston County with us.
 

Turn One Stop Into A Weekend

DeWayne’s may have been our first stop on Driving JoCo, but it doesn’t have to be your only stop in Smithfield-Selma. With shopping, local restaurants, outdoor spaces, and attractions nearby, it’s easy to turn a visit to DeWayne’s into an overnight trip. Below is a suggested itinerary to guide you along. 

Start at DeWayne’s Garden & Gift Center

Kick off your shopping trip at DeWayne’s Garden & Gift Center in Selma, a locally owned shopping destination that has grown from a roadside produce stand into a destination for plants, seasonal décor, gifts, clothing and more. Give yourself plenty of time to browse — there’s a good chance you’ll find a few things you didn’t know you needed.
 

Stop for Lunch

When it’s time for lunch, you’ll find plenty of options around Smithfield-Selma. Choose from familiar national restaurants nearby or try something local, like San Marcos Mexican Restaurant, for Mexican favorites before continuing your shopping day.
 

Shop Carolina Premium Outlets

Next, make your way to Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield. With more than 75 stores featuring popular brands, there’s plenty more shopping ahead. Leave some extra room in your schedule (and your trunk) to explore the deals.
 

Dinner in Smithfield

After a full day of shopping, head into Smithfield for dinner. Grab a slice or Italian favorites at Massimo Pizza, or explore the flavors of India at Curry Corner. After dinner, slow things down with a historic walk through Smithfield or along the Neuse River before checking into a nearby hotel in Smithfield or Selma for the night.
 

Add One More JoCo Experience

Before heading home the next morning, make time for one more Johnston County experience. Explore the life and legacy of a Hollywood icon at the Ava Gardner Museum, catch a show at The Rudy Theatre, or spend some time browsing the shops and antique stores of Downtown Selma.