NC Travel Guide: the Best Things to Do in Warrenton, NC

As a Texan, I am fascinated by how a short drive in North Carolina can expose the weekend NC traveler to a completely different side of the Tar Heel State. 

Little did I know that a 75 minute drive to Warrenton would give me a taste of the English experience.  Not too far from the Eastern NC town are wineries, fine dining and delicious treats sold in small mom and pop gas stations and grocery stores.  Warrenton proved to be not only a perfect day-trip, but also a delightful weekend get-a-way. Keep on reading for the best things to do in Warrenton on a weekend!

The Best Things to Do in Warrenton NC:

 

Drip Coffee + Market

To maximize my time in Warrenton, I decided to take an early Friday morning drive into town.  Upon arrival, I discovered that Drip Coffee + Market was the perfect co-working spot equipped with tables, seating, WiFi and plenty of outlets for my electronic items.  The Warrenton small business is not only the town’s go-to coffee shop, but it is also a gathering spot for the community.

Even though I typically drink my coffee black, I could not resist trying Drip’s Lavender Chai Latte.  Along with this aromatic creation, the coffee shop has an appealing assortment of other specialty and seasonal drinks.  More than coffee, Drip also serves soups, sandwiches and variety of pastries.  I sampled a wonderful assortment of mini donuts including a Red Velvet, Cider and Blueberry.  My favorite, however, is Drip’s Cinnamon Sugar Mini Donut.  Don’t leave the Coffee + Market before trying one of these freshly made confections.

 

The Ivy – English Bed and Breakfast

During my 36 hour adventure in Warrenton, I stayed at The Ivy.  If you are looking for overnight lodging and plan to just sleep and leave, this B&B may not be for you.  The Ivy is not only equipped to provide a place to rest and sleep, but it aims to provide the full English Bed and Breakfast experience.

When I first checked into The Ivy, I was greeted by owner Karen Kelley with a steaming hot cup of Yorkshire Tea and Shortbread Cookies.  I was not only taken by Karen’s welcoming customer service, but also fascinated by the intricate details of the tea service from the English bone china to the embroidered tea napkins.  It was the perfect introduction to The Ivy.

 

 

After tea, I settled into the Aveley Room.  The luxurious second floor room has a partial view of a large wooded lot filled with enormous oak trees.  During the day, plenty of natural sunlight seeps into the windows.  The room is beautifully decorated with blue and yellow Waverly fabrics, antiques and British art work.  The Aveley also features a comfortable queen bed, depression-era furnishings, a sitting area, heart-pine floors and more.  A sweet and personalized touch highlighted in this room are the photos of Karen Kelley’s beautiful mother at different stages in her life.

The Aveley has its own private bathroom with an old-fashioned claw-footed tub, brass fixtures, sunburst shower head and a pedestal sink.  Additionally, The Ivy provides guests with a generous amount of luxurious toiletries, robes and slippers.

 

Rosemont Vineyards

After settling into the B&B, I headed to Rosemont Vineyards.  One of the wonderful things about Warrenton is its close proximity to Virginia.  Rosemont Vineyards is approximately 21 miles or a short 30 minute drive from Warrenton.  The family-owned winery sits on a 450 acre Rosemont Estate near beautiful Lake Gaston.  The grapes used at the Virginia winery are 100% estate grown, produced and bottled.  The Tasting Room at Rosemont Vineyards is open daily for wine flights, wine by the glass and by the bottle.

Whilst the winery has both indoor and outdoor seating, a rainy afternoon limited us to indoor seating.  Masks are required at entry and tables are socially distanced to ensure the safety of guests.  If you are not familiar with Rosemont wines, I recommend sampling one of their wine flights.  Rosemont offers a choice of three different wine flights for ten dollars that include: The Blends, The Sweeter Side and Members Only.  I opted for the Wine Blends tasting and became a fan of both their Block A 2019 and Virginia White.  Among events that are open to the public, the winery is also available for weddings and private events.

Robinson Ferry Restaurant & Spirits

After a lovely afternoon at the Rosemont, I headed back to The Ivy to freshen up and prepare for dinner at Robinson Ferry Restaurant & Spirits.   The restaurant is a two minute drive or a ten minute walk from the Ivy.  As such, I decided to walk to the restaurant.

The night of my visit, “The Ferry” featured several appetizing NC State Fair inspired items.  The Smoked Brisket Cheddar Fries and Monkey Business Cocktail were among these menu items.  Though you will not find these food and drink on The Ferry’s menu today, I give kudos to co-owner and Executive Chef Ryan Grimm for a beautifully executed brisket which made this Texan proud.  That said, I didn’t leave Robinson Ferry before advocating for the Smoked Brisket Cheddar Fries to be kept as part of their permanent menu.

Executive Chef Ryan sources ingredients from local Warren County producers and farmers to create favorites like the Fried Green Tomatoes with corn relish and pimento cheese.  Needless to say, this appetizer is as scrumptious as it sounds.  Another highly recommended favorite is the Seafood Risotto.  The entrée is loaded with shrimp, scallops, tomato, garlic and beurre blanc.  Besides the standard menu, the small town fine dining restaurant also hosts wine dinners, brunch and weekly specials.  After a hearty meal, I was happy to walk back to The Ivy for some rest and relaxation.

The Ivy’s English Breakfast

Following a restful night in my sleeping quarters, I looked forward to a traditional English breakfast.  Also known as the “Full Monty”, the breakfast is complete with Chipolata, Black Pudding, English Bacon, English Beans and Fried Toast topped with a Sunny Side Up Egg.  The Full Monty is also accompanied by water, coffee and juice.  While guests can have breakfast in The Ivy’s dining area, I requested my breakfast outdoors on the charming porch.

 

Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard

Shortly after breakfast, I checked out of The Ivy and prepared for a full day of activities starting with a five mile trip to Norlina, NC’s Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard.  The Norlina winery, owned and operated by The Williams Family, offers tastings, tours and group events.

Seven Springs offers guests a wine tasting that includes six wines for eight dollars.  For an additional five dollars, guests get a souvenir glass and a full pour of one of the six wines offered in the tasting.  One of my favorites among the six wines was the Semi-Dry White.  I enjoyed my glass of wine in Seven Springs picturesque outdoor area that is complete with tables and rocking chairs.  If you are planning a trip to the family-owned winery, don’t be surprised if you find a full house.  The farm and vineyard is very popular and has visitors from North Carolina, Virginia and beyond.

Chilly Chicken Creamery

As lunch time approached, I visited Chilly Chicken Creamery to sample their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream.  Guests can choose from nine gourmet grilled cheeses as well as a soup of the week.  As a fan of both sweet and savory, I enjoyed their Jammy Hammy made with Sourdough, Maple Honey Ham, Swiss and Fig Jam.

A visit to Chilly Chicken Creamery is not complete without a scoop or two of their scratch made ice cream.  The Warrenton shop makes 16 homemade ice cream flavors using dairy products from local NC dairy farmers.  If you are having trouble deciding between the 16 flavors, two of my favorites are the Hound Tracks and Black Cherry Ice Cream.  Coincidentally, both flavors pair perfectly.

As much as I love indulging in food, I also enjoy exploring shops and historical sites.  Warrenton is no exception.  As an antique collector, I enjoyed walking through downtown Warrenton and visiting three local antique stores.  Fanatic or not, it is fascinating to see the vast amount of treasures in these specialty stores.

JB Jones Company and Bakery

After perusing downtown Warrenton’s antique shops, I took a short drive to Lacrosse, Virginia to visit JB Jones Company Bakery.  JB Jones is a small mom and pop convenient grocery store with a  bakery that sells homemade cakes, pies, rolls, soups, salads, chocolates and country ham rolls.  With such a varied and tempting selection, I sought recommendations from some of the bakers.  The Sinfully Chocolate Cake came highly recommended.  The dark chocolate cake is layered with chocolate icing and is covered in a dark chocolate ganache.  Just as the name implies, it’s sinfully delectable and pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Sweet Delights Cookies

Leaving Lacrosse en route to Warrenton, I stopped by Pay Jay’s Corner Store in Norlina.  Rumor has it that the gas station sells amazing cookies by Sweet Delights.  As divine as these cookies are, I love the story behind the sweet treat.  The cookie business was born to provide an opportunity for the owner’s granddaughter to attend college.   Stories like this one remind me of the importance of supporting local small businesses.

Sweet Delights offers six different cookie varieties including Chocolate Chip and Caramel Walnut.  To my surprise, I am quite smitten with the Caramel Walnut Cookie.  Sweet Delight Cookies can be purchased online and are available in stores in Warren County, Vance County, Halifax County and Bracey, Virginia.

English High Tea at The Ivy

After a full itinerary, my Warrenton adventure came to a close with the Ivy’s English High Tea.  The tea was full of scrummy savory and sweet foods.  A cheese and onion pie, salad, biscuits, chocolates and Victoria Sponge are all served in beautiful English bone china.  Guests can choose to have their afternoon tea in the Ivy’s parlour or the beautiful porch.

 

 

Leaving Warrenton, NC

Warrenton may appear quaint, but it has unique experiences that you will not find anywhere in the state. 

Sure there are many wonderful Bed and Breakfasts in North Carolina, but not all will provide a taste of the English experience like The Ivy.  Venturing through town, I met several locals.  None were shy about sharing their favorite Warrenton eateries.  That said, my 36 hour weekend get-a-way may have only touched the surface of this Eastern NC town.  As well as exploring more eateries, I look forward to learning more about places like Burwell Farms.  The Warrenton County farm is the largest truffle producer in North America that specializes in the cultivation of the highly sought Bianchetto Truffle. As a bonafide foodie, truffles are reason enough for a second visit to Warrenton.

Another wonderful city that is approximately a 90 minute drive from Morrisville, NC is Fayetteville.  Click here, to read about The Best Things to do in Fayetteville.